Stewards Report

HARNESS RACING VICTORIA

STEWARDS REPORT FOR ECHUCA

THURSDAY 11 AUGUST 2022

	Nicholas Murray Scott Gillespie Des Benger Nathan Moy (Starter) Dr Megan Thomas & Dr Lesley Hawson (Vets)
	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 – WELCOME TO ALL DARTS COMPETITORS PACE (1755 MS)

Josh Duggan replaced Monique Burnett (unavailable) as the driver of Gigis Grinner.

Waiting For Love paced roughly during the early part of the score up and will continue to be placed outside the mobile barrier draw.

Joeys Hangover hung in during the score up, was out of position at the start and a warning was issued against the barrier manners of the gelding.

Strawberry Courage NZ hung in and contacted marker pegs approaching the home straight.

Waiting For Love hung in at the entrance to the home straight.

Josie Ella was held up and unable to obtain a clear run in the home straight.

Shortly after the finish of the race Highview Freddy NZ was checked and broke gait when in restricted room to the inside of Strawberry Courage NZ which shifted in and away from and Cobber Mac which had also shifted in marginally.

RACE 2 – SUPA CLEAN LINEN PACE (2160 MS)

CC Jones NZ over-raced whilst leading.

Master Works occupied a position one out and one back for the greater majority before failing to run on in the home straight to finish in 6th place beaten 19.5m. Ross Graham, trainer and driver of Master Works reported that the gelding secured a favourable run, was under pressure some distance from the finish to maintain his position and proved to be somewhat disappointing over the concluding stages. A veterinary examination of Master Works revealed no apparent abnormalities.

RACE 3 – ARCH ELECTRICAL GROUP PACE (1755 MS)

Murano which has competed in more than 200 races was examined by the veterinarian before and after the race in accordance with HRV policy which revealed no apparent abnormalities.

Dallas Patrick paced roughly at and shortly after the start. Dallas Patrick was placed on its last chance in the mobile barrier draw.

Blue Ocean hung in and contacted marker pegs rounding the final turn.

Final Bow was inconvenienced and had to be momentarily steadied passing the 100m when disappointed for a clear run between Dallas Patrick and Friends.

Jordan Chibnall, driver of Heavensway was fined $100 under rule 162(1)(y) for failing to adhere to the sectional time requirements whilst leading.

RACE 4 – ECHUCA STEEL SHEDS TROT) (2160 MS)

Jack Laugher replaced Monique Burnett (unavailable) as the driver of Mystic Chip.

Itsallandover began badly, trailed the field throughout and will be placed outside the draw in future mobile start events.

Mark Pitt, driver of Stingofawasp was found guilty of a charge under rule 163(1)(a)(iii) for causing interference. The particulars of the charge being that approaching the winning post with one lap remaining, Mr Pitt permitted Stingofawasp to shift out from a position in the running line when not sufficiently clear of Ima Ziabee (J Duggan) resulting in that mare’s near foreleg contacting the outside sulky wheel of Stingofawasp causing Ima Ziabee to be checked and break gait. Mr Pitt’s licence to drive in races was suspended for 7 days to commence midnight 16 August 2022. In assessing penalty in accordance with the HRV Minimum Penalty Guidelines, Stewards took into account Mr Pitt’s good record under the applicable rule (last offence 2018 / more than 400 drives), his driving frequency, the low degree of carelessness, and the consequential effects of the incident.

Christmas Babe NZ improved forward three wide during the middle stages to establish the position outside of the leader, where thereafter the mare tired to be beaten approximately 94m. A veterinary examination of Christmas Babe NZ revealed no apparent abnormalities. Christmas Babe NZ was placed on its last chance to race competitively.                                                                        

RACE 5 - AUSTRALIAN DARTS CHAMPIONSHIPS PACE FINAL (2160 MS)

The all clear was delayed to enable Stewards and Luke Bryant, trainer and driver of Keayang Alex to review the footage of the start. It was established that Playnice (barrier 4) had hung in and broke gait clear of interference shortly after the start, causing Keayang Alex (barrier 3) to be checked and break gait. As Stewards were satisfied that interference had occurred after the start, Keayang Alex was declared a runner and all clear was declared on the Judges’ placings. As a consequence of this incident, Miss Artemis was checked, and broke gait and Roslyn Gaye was inconvenienced. Keayang Alex, Playnice and Miss Artemis all trailed the field thereafter. Playnice will be placed outside the draw in future mobile start events.

Casting Shadow (4th place) was well out of position at the start. Given Casting Shadow was passing manure during the score up, contributing to the gelding being out of position, Casting Shadow was placed on its last chance in the mobile barrier draw.

When questioned regarding the seemingly improved performance of Bona Khan (1st place), Paul Rousch, trainer of the gelding explained that Bona Khan had most recently been racing in some higher national rating events, been working extremely well and was aided by being able to obtain the lead around Echuca. Swab samples were obtained from Bona Khan.

Ace Duigan was positioned outside of the leader for the greater majority, before tiring to be beaten approximately 53m. In view of the margins in the placing’s and the distance beaten, no action was taken against the performance of Ace Duigan.

RACE 6 – RIDE HIGH STANDING AT ALABAR PACE (2160 MS)

Rockntommy Rulz NZ was a late scratching on veterinary advice at 10:46am.

Artistic Cowboy pulled hard when positioned behind the leader during the middle stages and then hung in and contacted marker pegs rounding the final turn.

Barrett was held up prior to utilising the sprint lane to finish in 5th place.

RACE 7 – RICH RIVER GOLF CLUB - ALIVE WITH FUN PACE (1755 MS)

Our Art Work paced roughly rounding the first turn and a warning was issued.

High Flux pulled hard during the middle stages.

Lils Nightmare NZ hung in rounding the final turn causing Our Art Work to be placed in restricted room and contact marker pegs.

RACE 8 – VINCENT STANDING AT ALABAR 3YO PACE (2160 MS)

Dallas Miki pulled hard when positioned outside of the leader during the middle stages before then giving ground to finish in 6th and last place beaten approximately 45m.

Very Tempting galloped clear of interference near the 200m and the gelding has now been stood down from racing until having completed one satisfactory trial.

 

Nicholas Murray

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 – Highview Freddy NZ; Race 2 – Open The Valve; Race 5 – Del Port; Race 6 – Herehecomes; Race 8 – Victory George;
		Post-Race: Race 1 – Cobber Mac; Race 3 – Heavensway; Race 4 – Reigning Lillies; Race 5 – Bona Khan; Race 7 -Regal Breeze.
Suspensions
Race 4	M Pitt		163(1)(a)(iii)	7 days
Fines
Race 3	J Chibnall		162(1)(y)	$100
Cautions
Nil
Horse Actions
Race 1	Waiting For Love		CODM
Race 4	Itsallandover		ODM
Race 5	Playnice		ODM
Race 8	Very Tempting		SD1T
Late Scratchings
Race 6	Rockntommy Rulz NZ		Vets	10:46am