Stewards Report
Cobram 31/10/2022
HARNESS RACING VICTORIA
STEWARDS REPORT FOR COBRAM
MONDAY 31 OCTOBER 2022
Adrian Crowther (Chairman) Track: Good |
Trainers with multiple horses engaged in any given race were questioned as to the intended driving tactics to be adopted.
RACE 1 – BAROOGA SPORTS CLUB TROTTERS HANDICAP (2170 SS)
The racebook failed to show Gary Pekin as the driver of Jungle Spider.
The racebook failed to show Mark Lee as the driver of Sally Em.
The racebook failed to show Declan Murphy as the driver of Orlando Storm.
Jungle Spider was fractious before the start and then stood flat footed as the start was effected, losing considerable ground. The gelding was placed out of the standing start draw.
Hi Ho Kyvalley broke gait free of interference entering the back straight on the first occasion and trailed the field thereafter.
Starlight Storm hung in and contacted the final marker peg before the entrance to the sprint lane.
Laura Crossland, driver of Starlight Red was cautioned for half-carting in the back straight on the final occasion.
RACE 2 – BENSTUD 3YO MAIDEN PACE (2170 MS)
The racebook failed to show Leigh Sutton as the driver of Sonic Express.
Madam Mario was out of position at the start and a warning was placed on the filly’s starting manners.
Macs a Dude hung out and broke gait heading into the first turn and was placed on his last chance to race truly.
Sonic Express hung out upon entering the home straight and hung in under pressure until the finish. A warning was placed on the geldings racing manners.
Loseashoe was held-up and unable to obtain clear running rounding the home turn on the final occasion before utilizing the sprint lane.
Laura Crossland, driver of Macs a Dude was fined the sum of $200 under AHRR 156(2)(a) for applying the whip to her drive with more than a wrist-only flicking motion in an action which engaged the elbow and shoulder. In determining penalty Stewards noted Ms. Crossland clear recent record under this rule.
RACE 3 – XERRI EVANS, ACCOUNTANTS COBRAM PACE (2170 MS)
The start time of this event was amended to 3.42pm at the request of Sky Channel.
The racebook failed to show Jordan Chibnall as the driver of Mauries Bonus.
The racebook failed to show Leigh Sutton as the driver of Cheez.
The racebook failed to show Cody Crossland as the driver of Barrett.
Treacheroustimes was placed out of the draw (ODM) at Kilmore on 27 October 2022, after field for this race were released, and as such was ordered to start from the outside of the front row.
Following very heavy rain during and following the running of Race 2 the track was inspected and the mobile barrier was successfully tested with the track deemed safe for racing. The start time was then amended to 3.44pm.
Barrett pulled hard at various stages of the event.
Cody Crossland, driver of Barrett was found guilty of a charge under AHRR 156(2)(a) which reads “a driver shall only apply the whip and/or the rein in a wrist only flicking motion whilst holding a rein in each hand with the tip of the whip pointed forward in an action which does not engage the shoulder” with the particulars of the charge being that Mr Crossland applied the whip to Barrett with an action that engaged the shoulder and displayed overt force on numerous occasions over the final 200m. Mr Crossland was fined the sum of $400. In determining penalty Stewards noted that Mr Crossland had one previous offence within the preceding 28 days.
RACE 4 – COBRAM HOTEL PACE (1ST HEAT) (2170 MS)
The start time of this event was amended to 4.17pm at the request of Sky Channel.
The racebook failed to show Laura Crossland as the driver of Lagom.
The racebook failed to show Cameron Maggs as the driver of Island Rocknroll.
Hayjoshandco underwent pre-and post-race veterinary examinations in accordance with the HRV Horse l Welfare policy, having attained 200 or more race starts with neither examination revealing any obvious abnormalities.
Bundle of Notes raced roughly, broke gait entering the back straight on the final occasion when leading the event. Driver Leigh Sutton reported that Bundle of Notes cast its off-hind shoe near the 900 metres, then dropped the bit and raced roughly before breaking. The gelding was placed on his last chance to race truly.
So She Said, Nivekalon Eagle, Island Rocknroll and Dallas Nikolay, who were all trailing Bundle of Notes at the time were inconvenienced to varying degrees.
Stewards queried driver Josh Duggan as to the reasons for him electing to race outside the leader from the 1800m. Mr Duggan explained that trainer Michael Tobin had instructed him to, if possible to race off the pegs as in the opinion of connections the mare races more tractably when doing so, and explained that he had elected to sit back off the leader. Mr Duggan further explained that after crossing to the lead in the back straight after Bundle of Notes broke gait and then activating the removable deafener hood, the mare only ran on fairly from that point. Mr Duggan further explained that in his view the mare was better suited to sprint distances. Trainer Michael Tobin confirmed the instructions given, adding that the mare would be nominated for short distance races in the near future.
RACE 5 - PETSTOCK COBRAM PACE (2ND HEAT) (2170 MS)
The racebook failed to show Rebecca Bartley as the driver of Rockin in Memphis.
Gary Pekin, driver of Cresco Threepeat was cautioned for not having the gelding in position at the start.
Goodlookin Rooster NZ pulled hard through the middle stages of the event.
Shezabluechip pulled hard at various stages of the event.
Mark Buckingham, driver of Dark Lustre was cautioned for applying his whip to the gelding over the concluding stages when out of contention.
RACE 6 – NORTH VIC LIVESTOCK PACE (HEAT) (2170 MS)
The racebook failed to show Rebecca Bartley as the driver of Lets Dig It.
Artistic Cowboy surrendered the lead in the middle stages, before commencing to tire from the winning post and was pulled up from the event by driver Nathan Jack. Stewards questioned Mr Jack who explained that in his view the gelding had gone amiss. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no apparent abnormalities. Artistic Cowboy was stood down from racing pending a satisfactory trial and Stewards will follow up with trainer Bruce Rose to ascertain whether any abnormalities had come to light after the race.
Mac Almighty NZ was held up, inconvenienced and lost ground behind the tiring Artistic Cowboy between the 900m and 700m.
SUPPLEMENTARY REPORT - 10 November 2022
Artistic Cowboy has subsequently been retired.
Adrian Crowther
Chairman
‘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.’
Swabs:
Pre-Race:
Race 2: Loseashoe
Race 3: Mauries Bonus
Race 5: Goodlookin Rooster NZ
Race 6: Artistic Cowboy
Race 6: Mac Almighty NZ
Post-Race:
Race 1: Thebestbourbon
Race 2: Life in Pink
Race 3: Orbie
Race 4: Heavens Hurricane
Race 5: Shezabluechip
Race 6: Reckless Dream
Horse Actions
Race 1 Jungle Spider ODS
Race 6 Artistic Cowboy SD1T
Cautions
Race 5 Gary Pekin D/CSU
Race 5 Mark Buckingham D/COOC
Fines
Race 2 L Crossland 156(2)(a) $200
Race 3 C Crossland 156(2)(a) $400
Suspensions- None
