Stewards Report

HARNESS RACING VICTORIA

STEWARDS REPORT FOR SWAN HILL

TUESDAY 1 OCTOBER 2024

	Nick Murray Wayne Smith Wayne Preston Steve Phelan (Starter) Dr Lauren Bryde (Vet)
	Track:    Good	Weather:	Overcast

 

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

 

 

RACE 1 – HEIDI GEORGE MARES CLASSIC (2ND HEAT) (1750 MS)

MARKLEIGH CAZ – due to the mare having competed in more than 200 races, was examined by the veterinarian before and after the race, which revealed no apparent abnormalities. Slow to begin and paced roughly shortly after the start from barrier 1.

SHES POPPY– hung in and contacted marker pegs rounding the final turn. Held up for a clear run until the sprint lane became available to finish in 2nd place.

RUBY WINGATE– hung in approaching the 800m when progressing forward to obtain the position outside the leader.

WRITTEN IN SILK– galloped during the early part of the score up and a warning was issued. Gave some ground (30m) over the concluding stages and a post-race veterinary examination of the mare revealed no apparent abnormalities.

CHIRRIPO– trainer Laura Wilson was cautioned for the mare being presented in gear which was not correctly declared.

 

RACE 2 – SKYVALLEY @ ALDEBARAN PARK PACE (2240 MS)

NIVEKAON PUNTA – hung in and contacted marker pegs near the 300m.

HEART OF COOPER– shifted out slightly approaching the 1000m and momentarily locked sulky wheels with HOT ROCKS.

BYRNESIDE BOOM– improved forward three wide during the early and middle stages to obtain a forward position. Gave ground (45m) over the concluding stages.

SPORTS NARRATOR– trainer Peter Salathiel was cautioned for failing to notify the intended driving tactics with multiple runners engaged (MARLO MAREAU).

HOT ROCKS– improved forward three wide near the 1100m and then locked sulky wheels with HEART OF COOPER and was hampered for a short distance approaching the 1000m. Held up for a clear run rounding the final turn and in the early part of the home straight before finishing in 7th position beaten 18m. When queried in relation to the tactics and performance, trainer and driver Aaron Dunn explained that after locking sulky wheels approaching the 1000m the gelding then failed to travel strongly. Mr Dunn added that HOT ROCKS then hung out and paced roughly down the back straight on the final occasion and was under pressure to make ground. Mr Dunn further added for that reason and that the gelding had hung in noticeably when wide at Terang (2/9/24), two starts prior, he elected to pursue runs between horses as opposed to being wide. Mr Dunn further explained that after obtaining a clear run over the final stages the gelding finished the race off fairly. As the explanation provided was verified on the available footage, Mr Dunn’s comments were noted.

 

RACE 3 – LATHER UP @ WOODLANDS STUD PACE (2240 MS)

DIEING ART– paced roughly for a short distance approaching the first turn. Held up for a clear run rounding the final turn before finishing in 4th place.

HUGO ROCKS– held up for a clear run until using the sprint lane to finish in 2nd place.

 

RACE 4 – PASTOR STEPHEN @ LLOWALONG FARMS PACE (1750 MS)

BRUISED EGO – held up for a clear run rounding the final turn before finishing in 2nd place.

 

RACE 5 – VINCENT @ ALABAR PACE (2240 MS)

FOREGONE CONCLUSION NZ– trainer Stephen Clarke was cautioned for failing to notify the intended driving tactics to be adopted with multiple horses engaged (MONSIEUR FLAMEL).

TALK IS CHEAP– gave ground (45m) over the concluding stages.

MONSIEUR FLAMEL– held up and unable to obtain a clear run in the home straight to finish in 5th place.

 

RACE 6 – IMPERIAL COUNT @ BELLMOURE PARK STUD PACE (2240 MS)

General

The all clear was withheld to allow Stewards the opportunity to review the footage in relation to NOBLE JULIA (1st place) racing inside the line of the final marker peg prior to the sprint lane becoming available. After interviewing driver Liam Older (NOBLE JULIA) and viewing all available footage, although the inside sulky wheel raced marginally inside the relevant marker peg, Stewards could not be sufficiently satisfied that any tangible advantage had been gained that warranted a reversal of the placings’ and therefore all clear was declared.

NIGHT SAFARI– pulled hard during the middle stages.

NOBLE JULIA– pulled hard during the middle stages. Driver Liam Older was cautioned for contacting a marker peg at the entrance to the home straight.

DALLAS CHARLIE– worked forward three wide during the early and middle stages to obtain the position outside of the leader before giving ground (45m) over the latter stages.

TRYAGAINFREDDY– tired (100m) over the concluding stages and was placed on its last chance to race competitively.

DANCIN DOLLY– galloped during the early part of the score up, was out of position at the start and will continue to be placed outside the mobile barrier draw.

 

RACE 7 – KVINTET AVENGER @ TRUSCOTT LODGE PACE (1750 MS)

NO EMOTION – hung in and contacted marker pegs rounding the final turn.

BEAU BRONSKI– out of position at the start despite the driver’s efforts and a warning was issued against the barrier manners of the gelding.

 

RACE 8 – KING OF THE NORTH @ LLOWALONG FARMS BATTLERS IN THE BUSH 4YO & OLDER MAIDEN PACE (1750 MS)

REEKO REACTOR – inconvenienced in the early part of the home straight as LA FRANK (A Ashwood) was directed wider.

LA FRANK– out of position at the start and will continue to be placed outside the mobile barrier draw. A caution was issued against driver Alex Ashwood for the manner in which he shifted wider in the home straight which caused some inconvenience to REEKO REACTOR. Held up for a clear run rounding the final turn and in the early part of the home straight before finishing in 3rd place.

SACCHARIN– out of position at the start and will continue to be placed outside the mobile barrier draw. Paced roughly racing down the back straight on the final occasion and then shifted out near the 500m before tiring to be beaten approximately 99m. Post-race veterinary of the gelding revealed no apparent abnormalities. Placed on its last chance to truly (racing manners) and last chance to race competitively (tiring).

 

 

Nick 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 5 – Pete Mitchell; Race 6 – Dancin Dolly.
		Post-Race: Race 2 – Marlo Mareau; Race 3 – Blake Bolac; Race 5 – Goodtime Bravo; Race 6 – Noble Julia.
Suspensions
Nil
Fines
Nil
Cautions
Race 1	L Wilson		T/CG
Race 2	P Salathiel		T/CT
Race 5	S Clarke		T/CT
Race 6	L Older		D/CCMP
Race 8	A Ashwood		D/CSG
Horse Actions
Race 6	Dancin Dolly		CODM
Race 8	La Frank		CODM
Race 8	Saccharin		CODM
Late Scratchings
Nil

Adjourned Inquiries – Nil

Sulky Fund Claims – Nil Medical Clearance– Nil