Stewards Report
Bunbury 23/07/2024
Stewards: R Harrod (MT), S Jerrard (HO), C Southwick (SR)
Assistants: G Van De Molen (Starter/Gear), K Reeves (Mobile/Brands)
Veterinary Surgeon: Dr J Hugonot
Weather: Fine
Track: Good
After receiving 45ml of rain in the previous 24 hours, Stewards conducted a morning inspection of the track and deemed it suitable to race.
Trainers with multiple runners in any one race were questioned in relation to their intended tactics.
RACE 1 – JONES BOYS GWM NEW ALPHA HYBRID UTE 2YO MAIDEN PACE (2100MS)
DOCTOR ROCK (C Wallrodt) – Commenced to give ground in the vicinity of the 600m to be beaten 65 metres.
BOUJEE BOY (D Harper) – Raced greenly throughout the event.
General: Driver R Warwick (XPRESS PARTY) was questioned in relation to his driving over the concluding stages of the event and the amount of vigour shown. Mr Warwick put forward that the colt was responding well to the whip being placed on the tail however after being positioned in 3 wide line beginning when racing into the back straight on the final occasion with the last half being run in 56.4 seconds, the colt peak on its effort in the final 50 metres with Mr Warwick electing to amend his style. After confirming the colts mannerisms with the Trainer M Brennan, Mr Warwick's comments were noted, and no further action was taken.
RACE 2 – WESTBRED 3YO MAIDEN PACE (2100MS)
SWITCH BLADE (T Wheeler) – Broke gait shortly after the start was effected. Will be placed outside the draw in future mobile barrier events.
CONTROL QUEEN (K Harper) – Inclined to hang outwards for the majority of the event and locked stays for a short distance with HOT ROCKEFELLER (S Suvaljko) when racing into the front straight on the final occasion.
FLY EAGLEROSE (B Johnson) – Commenced to give ground in the vicinity of the 400m to be beaten 106 metres. Will be stood down from racing for a period of 6 days and until such time as the completion of 1 satisfactory re-qualifying trial.
ALTAR (D Harper) – Commenced to give ground in the vicinity of the 500m to be beaten 153 metres. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no abnormalities. Will be stood down from racing for a period of 6 days and until such time as the completion of 1 satisfactory re-qualifying trial. Trainer W Robinson advised that the gelding will now be going for a spell.
HOT ROCKEFELLER (S Suvaljko) – Locked stays for a short distance with CONTROL QUEEN (K Harper) when racing into the front straight on the final occasion.
STAR OF THE GALAXY (S McDonald) – Held up for clear running in the early stages of the home straight.
RACE 3 – TROTS WA 4YO+ PACE (2100MS)
RUN STELLA RUN (D Chandler) – Commenced to give ground in the vicinity of the 700m to be beaten 61 metres.
KARAOKE STAR (P Schrader) – Driver P Schrader pleaded guilty to charge under HR156(2)(a) for using the whip in more than a flicking motion and had his licence to drive in races suspended for a period of 7 days with dates to be determined. In assessing penalty Stewards considered Mr Schrader’s poor recent record under this rule.
General: Stewards questioned Ms Brown (WELEASE WODDEWICK) in relation to her tactics during the early and middle stages of the event after the gelding was placed in the 3 wide line for a considerable distance before obtaining a position outside the leader racing in the front straight to receive the bell. Ms Brown put forward that after receiving no pre-race instructions and failing to obtain cover in the moving line with RADIANT BAY (N Turvey) being positioned to the inside when racing out of the back straight on the first occasion, she elected to commence a forward move and with a lead time of 37.9 and a first quarter of 31.3 was satisfied to rate her drive through those sections. Further Ms Brown stated that she was ultimately disappointed in the gelding's performance. After confirming tactics with the trainers representative K Davies who advised the gelding will now be going for a spell, Stewards noted Ms Browns comments.
RACE 4 – RETRAVISION PACE (1609MS)
CATCH THE RED EYE (C Voak) was a late scratching at 1.54pm when Trainer C Voak reported the mare had an injury to the near fore suspensory branch. When questioned in relation to the time of the scratching, Mr Voak advised that as soon as the problem was discovered upon early inspection, he took the mare immediately to a veterinary practice to ascertain the extent of the injury and subsequently withdrew immediately when a diagnosis was provided.
LUCIENNE (S McDonald) – Trainer D Miller was fined $50 under the provisions HR273(6)(b) for presenting the mare in gear not approved by the Stewards.
RACE 5 – OAKFORD STOCKFEEDS PACE (2100MS)
YANKIE KEV (S Suvaljko) – Pulled hard in the score up.
FRANKIE J HOLDEN (E Suvaljko) – Commenced to give ground in the vicinity of the 400m to be beaten 53 metres after sustaining a flat tyre in the event.
RACE 6 – NEXUS PACE (2100MS)
ABSOULTE DELIGHT (A Shepherd) – Commenced to give ground in the vicinity of the 400m to be beaten 92 metres. A warning was placed against the mares racing performance.
ROAD CLOSURE (K Harper) – Raced roughly shortly after the start was effected when momentarily placed in restricted racing room.
RACE 7 – TABTOUCH PACE (1609MS)
MEGA RAGE NZ (S Suvaljko) – Commenced to give ground over the concluding stages to be beaten 46 metres. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no abnormalities. Trainers representative K Davies advised that she was of the opinion that the gelding failed to adequately perform to expectation after competing at Northam on 20 July 2024.
RACE 8 – JADRAN WINES (DIV.1) PACE (2100MS)
No racing incidents to report.
RACE 9 – BREATHE (DIV.2) PACE (2100MS)
The start of the event was delayed approximately 2 minutes due the LILLY LAGUNA (B Edman) displacing a knee boot in the preliminaries and requiring a new one to be fitted. Stewards reminded Ms Edman of her obligations to inform the RWWA starters when requiring to leave the course.
LILLY LAGUNA (B Edman) – Tired over the concluding stages of the event to be beaten 46 metres.
RACEDAY SUMMARY
Swabs |
The following horses were selected for pre-race blood samples: XPRESS PARTY, HOT ROCKEFELLER, SWEET IVY NZ, ALTA MAGUIRE Post Race: SANFORD ASH, COPY CAT QUEEN, GULLY GUM, SKIPPIN CLASS, HEZ SAM NZ |
Reprimands |
Nil |
Fines |
Race 4 – D Miller – $50 – HR273(6)(b) – Incorrect gear (HIDZ HOOD off BLOCK BLINKERS on) |
Suspensions |
Race 3 – P Schrader – HR156(2)(a) – Using the whip in more than flicking motion – 7 days, commencement date to be advised |
Stand Down/Trials |
Race 2 – FLY EAGLEROSE – 6 days, 1 trial – Poor performance Race 2 – ALTAR – 6 days, 1 trial – Poor performance |
Barrier Information |
Race 2 – SWITCH BLADE – ODM – Broke gait after the start Race 2 – TERASITA – BMD – Placed back in the mobile draw |
Scratchings |
Race 2 – MARLEDIE – Sold – 0 days Race 4 – CATCH THE RED EYE – L/S @ 1.54pm – Injury N/F suspensory – 28 days Race 5 – LOUIS ROUGE NZ – Swelling O/F fetlock – 14 days Race 6 – CALIENTE – Abscess N/F – 14 days Race 6 – BLOCKJORG – To be spelled – 14 days |
Adjourned Inquiries |
Nil |
Late report - Northam 25/06/2024
RACE 5 – GRAFTON ELECTRICAL (DIV.1) PACE (2190MS)
Stewards concluded the adjourned inquiry into Driver C Voak (JUSTLIKE TURBO) driving tactics in the middle stages of the event, where after obtaining cover at the rear of the field he elected to commence a 3 wide run leaving the back straight on second occasion in an endeavour to find a position at the front of the field, however after that did not eventuate was obligated to race in the 3 wide position for the remainder of the event before giving ground in the vicinity of the 400m to be beaten 32 metres. Mr Voak put forward that he was of the opinion that after the early sectionals set being a lead time of 46.1 and a first quarter of 31.4 his best option was to progress forward quickly, however the gelding did not quicken as anticipated and after failing to find a forward position attempted to rate his drive thereafter. Mr Voak also stated that in hindsight he would have driven the particular section of the race in a more conservative manner. After confirming tactics with trainer R Abercromby, Stewards concurred with Mr Voak assessment, and were of the opinion that a better option would have been to remain in a trailing position before presenting the gelding in the latter stages of the event. Further, Stewards advised Mr Voak to show a greater level of tactical awareness to ensure he fulfils his obligations under HR149(1).
R Harrod
Stipendiary Steward – Thoroughbreds/Harness
This may not be the final report of the meeting as all races are reviewed.