Stewards Report

EUGOWRA HARNESS RACING CLUB

MONDAY, 7^TH OCTOBER 2024

STEWARDS REPORT

SUPPLEMENTARY REPORT

EUGOWRA – 29^TH SEPTEMBER 2024

RACE 7 – SCOPE CLOTHING GRENFELL/EUGOWRA CANOLA CUP HEAT 3 – 2100 metres

Driver Angela Hurst (MOHAWK PARK) pleaded guilty to a charge under Rule 163(1)(b)(i) in that passing the 700 metres she permitted MOHAWK PARK to shift out when not clear of FAY IRENE resulting in FAY IRENE being forced wider and obliged to cover more ground than necessary.  In assessing penalty Stewards took into account the HRNSW Penalty Guidelines placing weight on Mrs Hurst’s guilty plea and her good prior driving record.  Stewards accordingly imposed a seven day suspension of her licence to drive in races which was ordered to commence immediately.

RACE 1 – SUNNYSIDE PASTORAL CO. DAVID ‘SHORTY’ GREENHALGH MEMORIAL LADYSHIP – 1700 metres

GENERAL– The all clear of this event was delayed due to the photo finish being unavailable.  After taking evidence from Judge Mr Colin Greenhalgh and hearing submissions from drivers Olivia Frisby (THE MISSING SOCK NZ) and Nathan Hurst (TULHURST PEBBLES) Stewards determined that consistent with the Judge’s evidence and observations, which were supported by the available video replays, the winner of the event was TULHURST PEBBLES, 2^nd - THE MISSING SOCKNZ, 3^rd - KERPAT JOY and 4^thLIMBO LILLY and all clear was subsequently given.

TULHURST PEBBLES– Post-race swab sample.

TRIOLI– Over raced during the middle stages.  Driver Jye Coney was questioned regarding the performance of the mare which gave ground over the concluding stages.  Mr Coney explained that the combination of TRIOLI over-racing and being positioned outside the leader without cover told on the mare over the concluding stages.  A post-race veterinary examination of TRIOLI failed to reveal any significant findings.
JACKYS HAT – Pre-race blood sample.
GWYNETH P NZ – Broke during the early and later stage of the score up and a warning was issued.

RACE 2 – CABONNE SHIRE COUNCIL & FORBES LIVESTOCK PACE – 1700 metres
IDEAL TAO – Trainer/driver Maurice Johnson was questioned regarding the tactics adopted on the mare in particular his decision to maintain the lead after making use of IDEAL TAO to secure the lead during the early stages when the opportunity presented to surrender the lead when challenged by TULHURST JANET and BE GOOD MIKI at the 1000 metres.  Mr Johnson explained that he was reluctant to surrender the lead to TULHURST JANET which was the runner to his immediate outside at the 1000 metres as he was aware significant use had been made of TULHURST JANE during the early stages to occupy that position.  Mr Johnson further added that he was concerned that should he surrender the lead to TULHURST JANET then it would likely surrender the lead BE GOOD MIKI which would result in IDEAL TAO being positioned three back along the marker pegs an unfavourable position in his view on this track.  Mr Johnson finally added that previously IDEAL TAO has performed best when able to lead.  Upon consideration of the matter noting that IDEAL TAO was only beaten 14 metres Stewards did not take the matter any further, however advised Mr Johnson that he must ensure that he does not ask too much of his drives in future so as to prove to their overall detriment.
LOGAN DREAM – Over raced and raced fiercely at various stages resulting in the mare making contact with the sulky of STORMBOY STAR at the 1200 metres when the pace eased resulting in that runner sustaining a flat tyre and further passing the 400 metres when STORMBOY STAR commenced to give ground.
STORMBOY STAR – Sustained two flat sulky tyres as a result of LOGAN DREAM making contact with its sulky, firstly at the 1200 metres when the pace eased and again at the 400 metres when STORMBOY STAR commenced to give ground.
TULHURST JANET – Trainer/driver Nathan Hurst was question regarding the tactics adopted on the mare in particular his decision to maintain the position outside the leader when BE GOOD MIKI improved to his outside at the 1000 metres after he had made significant use of TULHURST JANET to obtain the position outside the leader approaching the 1200 metres.  Mr Hurst explained that TULHURST JANET previously has performed best when able to occupy a forward position particularly on these smaller circumference tracks such as Eugowra as the mare is one paced.  Mr Hurst added that he was content to maintain the position outside the leader as he felt that his runner was superior to IDEAL TAO which was leading and he would be able to improve past that runner and secure the lead inside the final 600 metres, however that did not occur as IDEAL TAO was able to maintain its position to the inside of TULHURST JANET.  Upon consideration of the tactics adopted by Mr Hurst and the subsequent explanation Stewards took the matter no further.
BE GOOD MIKI – Pre-race blood sample. Broke during the score up and will now be placed on its last chance in the draw.  Post-race swab sample.

GENERAL– The all clear of this event was delayed due to the photo finish image for 2^nd placing being unavailable.  Where after review of the available video replays and hearing submissions from drivers Phoebe Betts (ALLEGRETTO) and Angela Hurst (TULHURST ELVIS) Stewards were unable to determine the positioning of ALLEGRETTO to the inside of TULHURST ELVIS and in view of all the circumstances declared a dead heat for second placing with the all clear given on the following placings:

 1^st - BE GOOD MIKI, 2^nd (Dead Heat) - ALLEGRETTO /TULHURST ELVIS and 4^{th -}  MATTERSON EXPRESS

RACE 3 – CKC ACCOUNTANTS KEN SHARP MEMORIAL – 1700 metres
BEACH ON FIRE – Driver Mick Bolam was reprimanded under Rule 168(1)(a) for careless driving in that approaching the 400 metres when releasing gear he permitted BEACH ON FIRE to shift out checking WESTERN BILL and inconveniencing PET KITTY. 
REASON TO PARTY – Broke clear of interference passing the 1300 metres and a warning was issued.
MORESCO – Broke shortly after the start and a warning was issued.
WESTERN BILL – Pre-race blood sample. Checked approaching the 400 Metres when BEACH ON FIRE shifted out.
PET KITTY – Pre-race blood sample.  Inconvenienced approaching the 400 metres when BEACH ON FIRE shifted out checking WESTERN BILL.

RACE 4 – LACHLAN VALLEY CHAFF CO. CELEBRATING THE EUGOWRA CANOLA CUP CARNIVAL PACE – 1700 metres
HELLO I TEA – Pre-race blood sample.  Post-race swab sample.  Checked shortly after passing the 1600 metres as a result of KINGSTON SHANNON pacing roughly and losing ground.
KINGSTON SHANNON – Paced roughly and lost ground passing the 1600 metres resulting in HELLO I TEA being checked.  A warning was placed on the record of KINGSTON SHANNON.
SWEET ADDITION NZ – Broke shortly after the start and trailed the field thereafter.  A warning was placed on the record of SWEET ADDITION NZ.
EN PARIANT SUR – Hung in and contacted marker pegs passing the 600 metres.

RACE 5 – GUNDAMAIN FEEDLOT CANOLA CUP GOLD CONSOLATION – 2100 metres
MOHAWK PARK – Held up inside the final 200 metres and as a result was not fully tested.
AMERICAN BOULEVARD – Broke passing the 1800 metres checking SHEZ A WARRIOR and a warning was issued.
SHEZ A WARRIOR – Checked as a consequence of AMERICAN BOULEVARD breaking gait passing the 1800 metres.
FAY IRENE – Pre-race blood sample.  Post-race swab sample.

RACE 6 – AGVET SERVICES JOHN GREENHALGH MEMORIAL – 2100 metres
SERENE PRINCESS – Tired over the concluding stages to be beaten 65 metres and a warning was issued.
ROMERO – Pre-race blood sample. 
HUTA NZ – Post-race swab sample.
JUSTA DRAGON – Driver Phoebe Betts was questioned regarding the performance of the gelding which finished in 9^th placing beaten 68 metres ($4.20 fav).  Ms Betts advised that she was at a loss to provide any tangible explanation for the performance as the race was run to suit JUSTA DRAGON. Ms Betts further explained the gelding had pulled up well following the event.  A post-race veterinary examination of JUSTA DRAGON failed to reveal any significant findings.  Connections undertook to report back to Stewards should any underlying factors become apparent in the coming days.

RACE 7 – KRIDEN FARMS 2024 CANOLA CUP (LISTED CLASSIC) – 2100 metres
DORRISTOPAYTHEBILL – Held up rounding the home turn and in the early part of the straight.
ARTEMIS MISSON – Pre-race blood sample.  Hung out under pressure inside the final 150 metres.
ROCKNROLL RAIDER – Pre-race blood sample.  Held up inside the final 200 metres and as a result was not fully tested.
CHART TOPPER – Post-race swab sample.

RACE 8 – TAB.COM.AU DON TILDSLEY MEMORIAL – 1700 metres
BETTORS HOPE – Broke under pressure passing the 200 metres.  A post-race veterinary examination of BETTORS HOPE failed to reveal any significant findings.  A warning was placed on the record of BETTORS HOPE.
WATCHMEDAZZLE – Pre-race blood sample.  Driver Jett Turnbull was questioned regarding the seemingly improved performance of the gelding in comparison to its most recent start where the gelding led in similar time and finished in eighth placing beaten 14 metres.  Mr Turnbull explained that in his opinion WATCHMEDAZZLE performs best when able to lead on the small circumference tracks such as Eugowra as evidenced by its previous form. Post-race swab samples were taken from WATCHMEDAZZLE.