Stewards Report

Office of Racing Integrity

Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania

 

STEWARDS REPORT

CLUB		TASMANIAN TROTTING   CLUB
DATE		SUNDAY   08th   DECEMBER   2024
WEATHER		FINE (Windy)
TRACK		GOOD
STEWARDS PANEL	CHAIR	N Finnigan
PANEL		B Hine (Data)     C Ellson (OnTrack Monitor)     R Brown
CHECK IN/INSPECTIONS		R Simpson       I Bray
SWAB		E Morice-Smith      A McDermott
STARTER		A Emery
VETERNARIAN		Dr M Buckerfield
MEDCAL PROVIDER		Medical Edge

General: Stewards, after being alerted to the unavailability of Hannah VanDongen due to illness, allowed the late changes, at 9:30am, of driver in the following races:

            Race 1 – REMEMBER ME NOW – Ricky Duggan

            Race 8 – QUEENOFDANCE – Kyle Pratten

Driver VanDongen will be required to produce a medical clearance before resuming race driving.

RACE 1  –  FEHLBERGS PRODUCE SPRINTLANE PACE–  2090m  Mobile

GRIMSHAW BAY – Placed on its last chance in the draw for races conducted under mobile start conditions after breaking mid score-up. Of note GRIMSHAW BAY was out of position as the mobile passed the candy pole, however, was able to fill its allotted position at the start. Under pressure from the 1000, tiring badly to be beaten over 400 metres. A subsequent Veterinary examination could find no abnormalities. On questioning connections expressed their disappointment and could offer no excuses for GRIMSHAW BAY, feeling the filly simply did not want to race. Stewards deemed the performance below the required standard and as such stood GRIMSHAW BAY down from racing until satisfactorily completing one(1) qualifying trial.

REMEMBER ME NOW NZ – Inconvenienced during the score-up as a result of GRIMSHAW BAY breaking gate.

MACH ANGELO – Broke near the 800 and again on the final turn. A subsequent Veterinary examination could find no abnormalities. Stewards, after considering the fact MACH ANGELO had broken free of interference on two(2) occasion and raced rough at other times deemed the performance below the required standard and as such stood MACH ANGELO down from racing until satisfactorily completing one(1) qualifying trial.

RACE 2  –   SMITHAWARDS PACE–  1609m  Mobile

CHEAT THE STORM – First registered race start.

FANCY ANOTHER – Raced rough after the start.

SHADES OF SILK – Broke gait racing on the first turn, continued to race rough throughout. A subsequent Veterinary examination could find no abnormalities. Stewards deemed the performance below the required standard and as such stood MACH ANGELO down from racing until satisfactorily completing one(1) qualifying trial. Stewards in placing the embargo were mindful SHADES OF SILK had raced rough at all four(4) of its previous registered race starts.

IDEN ELIZA JANE – Tended to over-race.

OURTIGER – Utilised the sprint lane in the run to the finish.

OHANA BY THE SEA – Back from its allotted position at the start for which a warning was issued.

BOLT OF COBARGO – Reinstated in the barrier draw in mobile start events after satisfying reinclusion requirements.

RACE 3 – CAVALOR EQUICARE 3YO FILLIES CHAMPIONSHIP PACE– 2090m Mobile

SHES A TINY DANCER – Led early before surrendering this position near the 1800. Held up for clear running until well into the home straight for the run to the finish.

SWIATEK LEIS – Worked forward from the start, securing the lead near the 1800. Surrendered this position approaching the 1400 when MOVESLIKEALADY circled the field quickly when the pace of the race slackened. Placed on its last chance to race truly after hanging in and breaking gait early on the final turn. Shifted in and contacted markers after this incident.

MOVESLIKEALADY – Will continue to be excluded from the barrier draw after failing to fill its allotted position at the start.

RACE 4  –  TOREACE FLYING MILE–  1609m  Mobile

JUST TIGER – Tightened racing into the first turn when COOL WATER PADDY NZ was eased to the marker peg line.

ROLL UP NZ – Gave ground over the concluding stages, beaten in excess of 70 metres, in an individual time of 1:59.98. The circumstances were noted.

COOL WATER PADDY NZ – Failed to fill its allotted position as the mobile passes the candy pole marker. Driver J Watson was reminded of his obligations in this regard. Worked forward from the start, eased into an inside line position entering the first turn. Inconvenienced when held up at a vital stage racing on the final turn.

BEYOND DELIGHT – Hung in when placed under pressure over the concluding stages. It was noted the near-side Murphy Blind detached, which may have contributed to the horse hanging.

General: Stewards questioned drivers C Castles (JUST TIGER) and J Watson (COOL WATER PADDY NZ) over an incident entering the first turn where JUST TIGER appeared to be tightened for racing room obliging driver Castles to check his gelding. Stewards, after taking evidence from the drivers, along with concession driver advocate, Mr N Webberley, reviewing the official race footage and on considering their own observations, charged driver Watson for causing interference to JUST TIGER when easing COOL WATER PADDY NZ down to the marker peg line when insufficiently clear of that gelding. Driver Watson pled guilty to the charge. Stewards, after hearing submissions on penalty, which included reference to his driving record, and taking into account the amount of interference and his guilty plea, suspended driver Watson’s licence to drive for two(2) Tasmanian Race Dates. Further, at the request of driver Watson, Stewards stayed the imposition of penalty until he completes his driving engagements at Launceston Pacing Club on Sunday the 15th of December, 2024 [AHR Rule 163(1)(a)(iii)].

RACE 5  –  MORE CONFIDENCE CONSULTING PACE–  2090m  Mobile

NO NUKES SKIPPER NZ – Gave ground over the concluding stages, beaten in excess of 60 metres, in an individual time of 2:02.7.

PUNTARNO STRIDE NZ – Utilised the sprint lane in the run to the finish.

RACE 6  – TASMANIAN HORSE TRANSPORT TASMANIAN GUINEAS–  2090m  Mobile

OCTAGONISE – Utilised the sprint lane in the run to the finish.

RACE 7  –  RACING CONNECT PACE  –  1609m  Mobile

BETTER EXCLUSIVE NZ – Tended to over-race.

NOVA BAXTER – Held up for clear running until well into the home straight for the run to the finish.

MAGIC JOE – Back from its allotted position at the start for which a warning was issued.

MAJOR CELEBRITY – Back from its allotted position at the start for which a warning was issued.

RACE 8  –  LADBROKES EASY FORM PACE  –  2090m  Mobile

RANIERI NZ – Caught wide for the first 400 metres before restraining to the rear of the field.

STRAWBERRY BLING – Reinstated in the barrier draw in mobile start events after satisfying reinclusion requirements.

KEAYANG KEVIN– Over-raced in the early stages before driver N Ford eased wider approaching the 1600, working forward to be positioned leading the one-out line. Once in this position, failed to settle, continuing to over-race. This had an adverse effect over the concluding stages on KEAYANG KEVIN, which contributed to the gelding being beaten in excess of 30 metres.

General: Driver T Ford was fined $400 due to the unapproved manner she used her whip over the concluding stages. Stewards in considering penalty were mindful of driver Ford’s recent poor record regarding her whip use [AHR Rule 156(2)(a)].

RACE 9  –  PRYDES EASIFEED PACE–  2090m  Mobile

KILLARNEY DANCE NZ – Started $2.50 race favourite. Driven forward from the start and positioned behind the early leader and then shortly after two back along the marker peg line after the leader MODERN POWER surrendered that position to LYNRYD SKYNRYD NZ near the 1700. Eased away from a marker peg position approaching the 1400 to lead the one-out line. Under pressure from the 500, giving ground to be beaten 47.2 metres. A post-race Veterinary examination failed to detect any obvious abnormalities which may help explain the below-par performance. On questioning, trainer M Laugher expressed his disappointment with KILLARNEY DANCE NZ, at a loss to explain the performance, however offered the fact that a he had detected a number of KILLARNEY DANCE NZ’s stablemates had swollen legs which may indicate a virus is brewing in his stable. Adding to this trainer Laugher stated that although TALK IS CHEAP had finished fourth in race 1 earlier in the evening in a time of 2:00.2, he was a little disappointed with that mare’s performance as well. Trainer Laugher informed Stewards that he would be having Veterinary assessments carried out on both KILLARNEY DANCE NZ and TALK IS CHEAP, which would include blood analysis conducted. Stewards accepted the undertakings of trainer Laugher, taking no further action other than to note the performance and instruct trainer Laugher, should anything come to light which may help explain the performance, he should contact Office of Racing Integrity Stewards at his earliest convenience.

MODERN POWER – Tended to over-race after surrendering the lead to LYNRYD SKYNRYD NZ near the 1700.

SOUTHERN LUCK – Hung in leaving the 300 when attempting to pass the tiring KILLARNEY DANCE NZ and when corrected by driver R Duggan, SOUTHERN LUCK shifted out into the path of MISTA EAGLE which was improving quickly four-wide. This movement of SOUTHERN LUCK resulted in a locking of wheels between these geldings near the 200.

FLEETWOOD ROCK – Utilised the sprint lane in the run to the finish.

MISTA EAGLE – Checked near the 200, locking wheels with SOUTHERN LUCK, when that gelding shifted ground.

MESSERATI – Tended to over-race.

WE SALUTE YOU – Tended to over-race.

SHADY AZZ – Will continue to be excluded from the barrier draw in races conducted under mobile start conditions after breaking gait late in the score-up, resulting in the gelding being out of position when the start was effected.

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Supplementary Report: Hobart Sunday 8th December, 2024 – Trainer Michael LAUGHER

Race 1 TALK IS CHEAP and Race 9 KILLARNEY DANCE NZ

Stewards contacted trainer M Laugher on Tuesday the 10th of December 2024 to discuss the performance and condition of the above-mentioned mares, which on the night of racing, trainer Laugher expressed his disappointment with both performances. On the night trainer Laugher was concerned that with some stablemates unwell at his Westbury training complex, the pair may have in some way also been effected. Trainer Laugher confirmed he has had blood work done but was yet to get the results, adding that on their return to his training complex, neither had shown any adverse health signs and had been doing well. With regard to TALK IS CHEAP, trainer Laugher felt the solid early tempo did not suit, and further indicated that the longer race distance does not suit either. KILLARNEY DANCE NZ, on the other hand, has produced better results when driving the mare quieter rather than the way it was obliged to be driven, that is leading the one-out line.

Trainer Laugher undertook to inform Office of Racing Integrity Stewards should any information come about through the blood analysis that may help explain the disappointing performances.

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RACE MEETING SUMMARY

	RACE	DETAILS	AHR Rule
SUSPENSIONS:  1	4	Jack WATSON; Cause Interference – 2 Tas Race Dates	163(1)(a)(iii)
FINES:  1	8	Tiarna FORD; Unapproved Whip Use – $400	156(2)(a)
REPRIMANDS:  0		NIL
HORSE ACTIONS:  5	1	MACH ANGELO; Broke in Running x2 – Stood Down 1 Trial
	1	GRIMSHAW BAY; Poor Performance – Stood Down 1 Trial
	2	SHADES OF SILK; Broke Gait & Raced Rough – Stood Down 1 Trial
	2	BOLT OF COBARGO; Back in Mobile Draw – BMD
	8	STRAWBERRY BLING; Back in Mobile Draw – BMD
PRE-RACE SWABS:  9	1	OUR BETTOR BRO            TALK IS CHEAP
	2	CHEAT THE STORM
	3	LETS GO LUCYLOU
	5	KERALA STAR
	6	GOTTA LOCKHEED
	7	MAJOR CELEBRITY
	8	STRAWBERRY BLING
	9	SOUTHERN LUCK
POST RACE SWABS:  9		ALL WINNERS
POST RACE TCO2:  0		NIL
FOLLOW UPS:  1		Michael LAUGHER – Disappointed with TALK IS CHEAP and KILLARNEY DANCE NZ
ADJOURNED/PENDING INQUIRIES:		NIL