Stewards Report

HARNESS RACING VICTORIA

STEWARDS REPORT FOR CHARLTON

MONDAY 14 NOVEMBER 2022

	Michael Ross Adrian Crowther Wayne Smith Peter Lamb (Starter) Dr Greg Hargreaves (Vet)
	Track:    Good	Weather:	Overcast / Intermittent Showers

 

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

 

RACE 1 – NORTH WEST AG SERVICES / APG PACE (1609 MS)

Shawami Lass (Alex Ashwood) raced roughly approaching the 300m.

David Murphy, trainer of Isabella Princess ($3.80) which finished in 6th position beaten 21.4m after racing outside the leader throughout the event was queried into the overall performance of the mare. Mr Murphy attributed the performance to a combination of the overall quick mile rate (1.55.4) & being unable provided sufficient amount of workload over the past week to the mare with the inclement weather conditions and deterioration of his training track.

Roma Pocock, trainer of Stormont Star ($6.00) (winner) was quired into the seemingly improved performance of the gelding to his recent starts. Ms Pocock advised she was confident of a forward performance as the gelding was dropping significantly in grade compared to recent starts along with the conditions of the event with suited the gelding being the highest assessed runner in the event.

Stewards intend to investigate all relative betting activity in relation to this race.   

RACE 2 – VALE OF AVOCA / APG 2YO PACE (2100 MS)

Tayla Nicholson, trainer of Cant Eatovers was issued a caution for presenting the gelding in gear which had not been correctly declared.

The start of this event was delayed two (2) minutes when the tongue tie on Fair Chance broke prior to leaving the pre-race circle and requiring a new one to be fitted to the filly.

Cant Eatovers (Nathan Jack) hung outwards after the start was effected which inconvenienced Fair Chance (Chris Alford). A warning was issued against the racing manners of Cant Eatovers.

Stewards refrained taking action against Fair Chance being beaten 57.1m due to the 44m margin between 2nd & 3rd

Cant Eatovers yielded ground from the 500m to finish in 4th position beaten 67.9m. A warning was issued against the gelding’s racing competitiveness.

Alex Ashwood, trainer/driver of Delight To Watch ($12.00) which yielded ground from the 700m to finish in 5th and last position beaten 113.2m was queried into the seemingly poor performance of the gelding. Mr Ashwood attributed the performance to the gelding over racing during the early stages of the event which he felt the gelding may have choked down. A post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any abnormalities. Delight To Watch will now be stood down from racing until trialling to the satisfaction of stewards on one (1) occasion.

RACE 3 – VHRC / ALDEBARAN PARK BENEFITING OUR MEMBERS 2YO MAIDEN TROT (2100 MS)

Paddy Lee, trainer of Jilliby Jetpack was issued a caution for presenting the filly in gear which had not been correctly declared.

Whirlwind Wilbur (John Justice) broke gait during the early & middle stages of the score up and was significantly out position when the start was effected. Whirlwind Wilbur will continue to be drawn wide in future mobile start events.

Focus (Mark Lee) was out of position when the start was effected.

Shes Ruby Roo (Ryan Duffy) hung outwards after the start was effected causing Jilliby Jetpack (Jason Lee) to be taken up the track and locking sulky stays with I Dream Of Millie (Graham McDermott) resulting in Jilliby Jetpack becoming unbalanced when disengaging and broke gait. Shes Ruby Roo will now be placed on its last chance in the draw.

Jilliby Jetpack (Jason Lee) broke gait clear of interference approaching the 750m.

Whatareyouthinking (Ellen Tormey) yielded ground rapidly from the 600m to finish in 9th and last position beaten 233.9m. A post-race veterinary examination revealed the filly displaying signs of being in season. Whatareyouthinking will now be stood down from racing until trialling to the satisfaction of stewards on one (1) occasion.

Focus underwent a post-race veterinary examination at the request of the trainer which revealed the filly to have partially closed left eye from a developing ulcer. Focus received precautionary treatment on course and will now be stood down from racing for a period of five (5) days.

RACE 4 –O'CONNORS / APG 3YO MAIDEN PACE (1609 MS)

A false start was declared at the first attempt when Smilensaycheese (David Murphy) broke gait prior to the start was effected checking runners on the second row. Smilensaycheese will now be excluded from the barrier draw in future mobile start events.

Smilensaycheese was slow to being at the second attempt.

Smilensaycheese hung outwards approaching the 400m and broke gait. Smilensaycheese will now be placed on its last chance to race truly.

Stewards inquired into in incident approaching the 100m where Lina And Molly (Bailey McDonough) was severely checked & broke gait. After taking evidence from Jack MacKinnon (Sounds Like Fun) Bailey McDonough (Lina And Molly) & Ewa Justice (Pappa Leo NZ) along with trainer John Justice. It was established that upon straightening No Bling (James Herbertson) leader shifted outwards marginally which resulted in Sounds Like Fun which was racing outside the leader shifting away from the movement which availed a clear run for Madam Mario (Mark Lee) to progress between both runners as Lina And Molly which was progress forward three (3) wide commenced to hang inwards severely despite the drivers efforts when attempted to be corrected shifted outwards marginally which placed the filly in restricted racing room as Pappa Leo NZ which was improving four (4) wide hung inwards resulting in Lina And Molly contacting the nearside sulky wheel of Pappa Leo NZ resulting in Ewa Justice being unbalanced in the sulky and Lina And Molly to blunder and brake gait. As stewards could not place blame to any one driver for the incident due to multiple runners shifting ground simultaneously warnings were against the racing manners of No Bling, Sounds Like Fun, Lina And Molly & Pappa Leo NZ for all contributing to the incident.

Lina And Molly underwent a post-race veterinary examination which failed to reveal any abnormalities.

RACE 5 -APG - SERVING THE INDUSTRY FOR 32 YEARS PACE (1609 MS)

No racing incidents to report.

RACE 6 – VHRC / ALDEBARAN PARK BENEFITING OUR MEMBERS TROT (2100 MS)

Countess Chiron (Jack Mackinnon) broke gait during the early stages of the score up and was out of position when the start was effected. Countess Chiron will continue to be drawn wide in future mobile start events.

Trixy Nixie (Chris Alford) & Paris Faith (Sam Barker) were both out of position when the start was effected. Both runners’ will continue to be drawn wide in future mobile start events.

Sonnyboy (Jack Sullivan) pulled hard throughout the event.

Hellbound (Denbeigh Wade) broke gait clear of interference approaching the 1200m.

Right Of Reply (Ken Tippet) broke gait clear of interference approaching the 1100m.

Hi Ho Kyvalley (Michael Bellman) broke gait clear of interference approaching the 700m. A warning was issued against the gelding racing manners.

Aldebaran Boyd (Ewa Justice) broke gait clear of interference at the 400m. Aldebaran Boyd will now be placed on its last chance to race truly.

David Murphy, driver of Rioterra was issued a caution for racing inside the line of one (1) marker peg when directing the gelding into the sprint lane.

Jack Sullivan, trainer/driver of Sonnyboy ($5.50) which finished in 7th position beaten 31.2m was queried into the tactics adopted upon the gelding and if he gave consideration to surrender the position outside the leader when challenged at the 1609m by Aldebaran Boyd. Mr Sullivan advised he was satisfied to gain a trial on Aldebaran Boyd at that point of the event however Sonnyboy commenced to race fiercely, and he was unable to restrain the gelding sufficiently enough. Therefore, he was satisfied to maintain the position outside the leader before being challenged again at the 1200m by Paris Faith when the gelding again raced fiercely. After viewing the replays which confirmed he comments stewards noted the comment of Mr Sullivan. A post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any abnormalities.

Sam Barker, trainer/driver of Paris Faith ($101.00) pleaded guilty to a charge under AHR Rule 149(2) which reads; A person shall not drive in a manner which in the opinion of the Stewards is unacceptable. The particulars of the charge being that after directing the mare three (3) wide from the 1500m Mr Barker challenged significantly with vigour for the position outside the leader from the 1200m to the 750m placing undue pressure upon the mare as well to Carnera (Leader) & Sonnyboy (outside leader) without any respite which resulted in the second quarter being recorded in 29.1 seconds which was unacceptable in the opinion of stewards resulting in Paris Faith being placed under pressure and yielding ground from the 700m to finish in 9th position beaten 54.6m. In determining penalty Stewards were mindful of the relevant considerations as outlined within the ‘HRV Stewards Minimum Penalty Guidelines’, placing particular weight on Mr Barker’s guilty plea, the degree of culpability which was assessed in the mid-range and his prior record under this rule in having 116 drives since his last offence & overall driving frequency. Stewards accordingly imposed a four (4) week suspension of his license to drive in races which was ordered to commence at midnight on 23rd November 2022. Post-race veterinary examination of Paris Faith failed to reveal any abnormalities.

RACE 7 – BECOME A VHRC MEMBER TODAY PACE (2100 MS)

Modern Jive (Jack Laugher) was held up during the early stages of the home straight prior to obtaining clear running along the sprint lane.

RACE 8– WIMMERA MALLEE TOURISM / APG PACE (1609 MS)

Tic Tact (Ryan Sanderson) raced roughly after the start was effected. Tic Tact will now be placed on its last chance in the draw.

Roll With Ron (Jack Laugher) failed to gain clear running for the entire length of the home straight.

Alex Ashwood, trainer/driver of My Ultimate Billy NZ ($2.30 fav) which finished in 6th position beaten 11.1m was queried into the overall performance of the gelding after leading. Mr Ashwood advised the gelding failed to settle after being used off the gate and raced keenly throughout the event which was the main contributing factor to the gelding’s performance.

RACE 9– RENOWN SILVERWARE / VHRC PACE (1609 MS)

Our Pontiac NZ underwent pre and post-race veterinary examinations under the HRV horse welfare policy due to the gelding having started in excess of 200 races. Neither examination revealed any significant abnormalities.

Arma Veyron (Tayla French) was inconvenienced and broke gait checking Master Works (Ross Graham) who was trailing when Chris Alford (Harryhoo) racing in advanced of Arma Veyron was activating the hopple shorteners upon the gelding approaching the 1300m. No action was taken against Arma Veyron.

Rocknroll Opal (Michael Bellman) nearside rein pole became detached from the cavesson shortly after the start was effected.

RACE 10– CRICKET CLUB HOTEL / VHRC PACE (2100 MS)

Stewards approved Hows The Serenity to race barefoot in front due to the gelding casting a shoe in the preliminary.

Kiwi Kalahari (David Barbetti) was held up around the final turn prior to obtaining clear running along the sprint lane.

The All Clear was delayed at the request of Tony Berg, trainer of Sugoi Alto & driver Bailey McDonough to view the available replays over the concluding stages. After viewing the replays Mr McDonough decline to take the matter any further and All Clear was given the judges placings.

James Herbertson, driver of Final Bow was fined the sum of $100 under AHR Rule 162(1)(www)(a) for allowing the mare to shift out under pressure inside the final 50m which impeded Sugoi Alto.

RACE 11– VHRC / ALDEBARAN PARK BENEFITING OUR MEMBERS 3YO TROT (2100 MS)

Michael Gasden, trainer of Its Not Love Me was fined the sum of $50 under AHR Rule 273(6)(b) for presenting the filly in gear which had not been correctly declared.

Its Not Love Me (Denbeigh Wade) was out of position when the start was effected. Its Not Love Me will continue to be wide in future mobile start events.

Its Not Love Me broke gait clear of interference on two (2) separate occasions 2000m & 500m. Its Not Love Me will now be placed on its last chance to race truly.

David Murphy, trainer/driver of Xiaobo ($15.00) which gave ground from the 700m to finish in 7th position beaten 36.5m after racing behind the leader was queried into the overall performance of the gelding. Mr Murphy advised the gelding to be disappointing and had come to end of its preparation and would now be spelled. A post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any abnormalities.

 

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 – Cant Eatovers; Race 5 –Joeys Hangover; Race 6 –Reigning Lillies; Race 10 –Backwards First
		Post-Race: Race 1 – Stormont Star; Race 3 –Hide And Seek; Race 4 –Madam Mario; Race 8 –Tic Tact; Race 11 –Alfie Always
Suspensions
Race 6	S Barker		149(2)	4 weeks
Fines
Race 10	J Herbertson		162(1)(www)(a)	$100
Cautions
Race 2	T Nicholson		T/CG
Race 3	P Lee		T/CG
Race 6	D Murphy		D/CCMP
Horse Actions
Race 2	Delight To Watch		SD1T
Race 3	Whirlwind Wilbur		CODM
Race 3	Whatareyouthinking		SD1T
Race 3	Focus		SD5D
Race 4	Smilensaycheese		ODM
Race 6	Countess Chiron		CODM
Race 6	Trixy Nixie		CODM
Race 6	Paris Faith		CODM
Race 11	Its Not Love Me		CODM
Late Scratchings
Nil

Follow Ups

Nil

Adjourned Inquiries

Nil

Sulky Fund Claims Nil