Stewards Report

HARNESS RACING VICTORIA

STEWARDS REPORT FOR CHARLTON

MONDAY 8 AUGUST 2022

	Michael Ross Adrian Crowther Wayne Smith Nathan Moy (Starter) Dr Greg Hargreaves (Vet)
	Track:    Good	Weather:	Fine

 

Trainers with multiple horses engaged in any given race were questioned as to the intended driving tactics to be adopted. 

 

RACE 1 – O'CONNORS / VHRC PACE (2100 MS)

Timely Sovereign (Abby Sanderson) pulled hard during the middle stages of the event.

Ros Rolfe, trainer/driver of Dallas Patrick ($11.00) which finished in 7th and last position beaten 31.4m which gave ground from the 400m after racing outside the leader throughout the event was queried into the seemingly poor performance of the gelding. Mrs Rolfe advised Dallas Patrick was not suited racing without cover over the longer distance with the consistent speed throughout the event. A post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any abnormalities.

RACE 2 – APG OFFERS $2.2M IN PRIZEMONEY 3YO MAIDEN PACE (2100 MS)

Mister Excessive (Tayla French) broke gait during the early stages of the score up and was out of position when the start was effected. Mister Excessive will now be excluded from the barrier draw in future mobile start events.

Yankee Gambler (David Parish) was held up around the final turn until obtaining clear running along the sprint lane.

Jack Laugher, driver of Modern Jive pleaded guilty to a charge under AHR Rule 163(1)(a)(iii) the particular of the charge being approaching the 500m he permitted Modern Jive to shift out from a running line position when not sufficiently clear of Jilliby Jay Sea (Jason Lee) which was progressing forward three (3) wide resulting in that runner being checked and racing roughly. In assessing penalty Stewards considered the relevant factors as outlined within the HRV Stewards Minimum Penalty Guidelines placing weight on Mr Laugher’s guilty plea his recent record under this rule (1289 prior clear drives) the degree of interference which was assessed at the low end of the scale along with the degree of carelessness. Stewards accordingly imposed a seven (7) day suspension of Mr Laugher’s licence to drive in races which was ordered to commence midnight 17th August 2022.

Jilliby Jay Sea underwent a post-race veterinary examination which failed to reveal any abnormalities.

RACE 3 – APG - SERVING THE INDUSTRY FOR 32 YEARS PACE (1609 MS)

Opal Crown (Dean Peters) broke gait during the early stages however was in position when the start was effected. Opal Crown will now be placed on its last chance in the draw.

Opal Crown yielded ground from the 500m to finish in 10th and last position beaten 79.5m. Opal Crown will now be placed on its last chance to race competitively.

Bold Art (James Herbertson) was inconvenienced when Opal Crown yielded ground.

Straight Up (Ryan Sanderson) hung inwards under pressure over the final 200m.

RACE 4 – VHRC / ALDEBARAN PARK BENEFITING OUR MEMBERS TROT (2100 MS)

Hellbound underwent pre and post-race veterinary examinations under the HRV horse welfare policy due to the gelding having not started in the preceding 12 months. Neither examination revealed any significant abnormalities.                                         

Jessica Story (Luke Dunne) broke gait during the early stages of the score up however was in position when the start was effected. Jessica Story will continue to be drawn wide in future mobile events.

Freezeframebouchea (Nick Youngson) broke gait shortly after start was effected and will continue to be drawn wide in future mobile events.

Quick Witted (Jack Laugher) was held up during the early stages passing the 200m prior to obtaining clear running.

Supplanter (Ellen Tormey) broke clear of interference inside the final 100m.

Josh Duggan, driver of Kyvalley Paint ($7.50) which finished in 6th position beaten 26.7m was queried into the overall performance of the colt. Mr Duggan advised the colt to be disappointing and could offer not explanation for the performance. A post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any abnormalities.

RACE 5 - APG - BRINGING THE SALES & RACES TO OWNERS PACE (1609 MS)

Exalted Figure underwent pre and post-race veterinary examinations under the HRV horse welfare policy due to the gelding returning from a tie back surgery to correct a grade 4 left laryngeal hemiplegia. Neither examination revealed any significant abnormalities.    

Ross Graham, driver of Hair Razor was issued a caution for being out of position when the start was effected.

Bring The Flave (Jordan Leedham) failed to gain clear running for the entire length of the home straight.

Michael Bellman, driver of Machstique ($11.00) which finished in 9th and last position beaten 27.1m was queried into the seemingly poor performance of the gelding. Mr Bellman advised the gelding to be disappointing and attributed the performance to the gelding having a tendency to race inconsistent. A post-race veterinary examination revealed the gelding to have a slower than normal recovery.

RACE 6 – VHRC / ALDEBARAN PARK BENEFITING OUR MEMBERS TROTTERS HANDICAP (2100 SS)

Whos Countn (Luke Dunne) broke gait clear of interference approaching the 1900m.

Clarkes Hill (Nick Youngson) raced roughly approaching the 400m.

Nights Whisper (Asley Ainsworth) broke gait clear of interference approaching the 300m. A warning was issued against the gelding’s racing manners.

RACE 7 – APG - THE INDUSTRY'S NOT FOR PROFIT SALES CO PACE (2100 MS)

The Interceptor NZ (Michael Gadsden) broke gait during the early stages of the score up and was significantly out of position when the start was effected. The Interceptor NZ will now be placed right outside the draw in future mobile start events in taking this action stewards were mindful of the gelding poor starting manners.

Fragmental (Denbeigh Wade) yielded ground from the 500m to finish in 10th position beaten 67.7m a warning was issued against the gelding racing competitiveness. A post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any abnormalities.

No Emotion (Dean Peters) yielded ground from the 400m to be beaten 51.1m a warning was issued against the gelding racing competitiveness.

White Star Village (Jack Laugher) was held up during the early stages of the home straight and raced roughly momentarily when being restrained.

Chris Alford, driver of Harryhoo ($1.75 fav) which finished in 5th position beaten 23.2m after racing outside the leader throughout the event was queried into the overall performance of the gelding. Mr Alford attributed the performance to the gelding over racing during the event and was not suited racing without cover.

RACE 8 – WIMMERA MALLEE TOURISM / VHRC PACE (2100 MS)

The start of this event was delayed 3 minutes due to Race 7 at Goulburn thoroughbreds being behind there scheduled start time.

Royal Speech (Jayson Finnis) was out of position when the start was effected despite the drivers efforts. Royal Speech will now be excluded from the barrier draw in future mobile start events. In taking this action stewards were mindful the gelding had been issued a warning at its most recent start.

Jason Finnis, driver of Royal Speech ($21.00) which finished in 8th position beaten 23.2m after racing outside the leader from the 1600m was queried into the seemingly poor performance of the gelding. Mr Finnis attributed the performance to the gelding enduring more work than expected when improving into the event with the consisted speed. A post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any abnormalities.

Chris Alford, driver of Leer NZ ($3.30 fav) which finished in 9th and last position beaten 32.5m was queried into the seemingly poor performance of the mare. Mr Alford could offer no tangible explanation for the performance other than the mare has in the past performed below expectations. A post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any abnormalities. Brent Lilley trainer of Leer NZ will contacted in the ensuring days to the progress of the mare since the event.

 

Michael Ross

Chair

 

‘This report and the Stewards Comments for this meeting may be amended at the sole discretion of the Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) Stewards as races are reviewed as per the ‘HRV Stewards Internal Review Process’.

 

Raceday Summary

Swabs		Pre-Race: Race 1 –Didshedoit NZ; Race 2 –Sharkattack; Race 5 –Bring The Flave; Race 6 –Meghan NZ; Race 7 - Fragmental
		Post-Race: Race 1 – Didshedoit NZ; Race 2 – Sharkattack; Race 5 –Hair Razor; Race 7 -Telemachus; Race 8 -Ever Hoping
Suspensions
Race 2	J Laugher		163(1)(a)(iii)	7 Days
Fines
Nil
Cautions
Race 5	R Graham		D/CSU
Horse Actions
Race 2	Mister Excessive		ODM
Race 4	Jessica Story		CODM
Race 4	Freezeframebouchea		CODM
Race 7	The Interceptor NZ		RODM
Race 8	Royal Speech		ODM
Late Scratchings
Nil