Stewards Report

HARNESS RACING VICTORIA

STEWARDS REPORT FOR SWAN HILL

FRIDAY 1 NOVEMBER 2024

	Nick Murray Christopher Simpson Wayne Smith Steve Phelan (Starter) Dr Lauren Bryde (Vet)
	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 – RAGING BULL @ LLOWALONG FARMS PACE (1750 MS)

FRIENDS – due to the gelding being 12 years of age was examined by the veterinarian before and after the race in accordance with HRV policy which revealed no apparent abnormalities. Driver Ben Xiriha was cautioned for leaning back and beyond the sulky confines racing down the back straight on the final occasion.

PRIORITY BETTING– inconvenienced rounding the final turn as THE TOOTH FAIRY weakened.

STONEBRIDGE STAR- due to the gelding having 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. Luke Watson failed to appear in the racebook as the declared driver. Held up for a clear run before using the sprint lane to finish 5th.

AUCKLAND LASS– held up for a clear run inside the 50m.

THE TOOTH FAIRY– trainer Mark Riseley was fined $100 under rule 273 (6)(b) for presenting the mare to race in gear which was not correctly declared. Stewards took into account Mr Riseley’s recent record. Tired (53m) over the latter stages and a warning was issued against the performance.

APACHE WIND– pulled hard when positioned behind the leader during the middle stages. Shifted out slightly in the home straight.

 

RACE 2 – SAFE SHELTER FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PACE (2240 MS)

General

The start of this race was delayed due to Launceston thoroughbreds being behind schedule.

DAYLIGHT– pulled hard during the score up. Held up for a clear run before using the sprint lane to finish in 2nd place.

NANNA HELEN– promoted to 7th place.

HESASTAR– Ellen Tormey failed to appear in the racebook as the declared driver.

MACHSTIQUE– promoted to 6th place.

ALLSOPP– held up for a clear run and then inconvenienced as THELONGROADNOWHERE galloped in the home straight.

OZZIE DAYBREAK– driver Corey Johnson was fined $200 under rule 156 (2)(a) for applying the whip with more than a wrist only flicking action over the concluding stages.

THELONGROADNOWHERE– trainer Paul Rousch was cautioned for presenting the gelding in gear which was not correctly declared. Held up for a clear run in the home straight and as SUNSHINE WARRIOR gave some ground, was directed inwards by driver Tristan Larsen and galloped clear of interference. In accordance with VLR 155A(1) as THELONGROADNOWHERE (6th past the post) was covered by MACHSTIQUE and NANNA HELEN whilst in a gallop at the finish, THELONGROADNOWHERE was relegated to 8th place, with MACHSTIQUE and NANNA HELEN being promoted accordingly. In view of the circumstances, a warning was issued against the racing manners of the gelding.

 

RACE 3 – CENTRAL MURRAY LIVE PACE (2240 MS)

General

The start of this race was delayed due to Launceston thoroughbreds being behind schedule. All clear was withheld to enable Stewards to review the footage in relation to OUR MASTER PLAY (2nd place) breaking gait near the 200m. After confirming that OUR MASTER PLAY was restrained, lost ground and was returned to its correct gait, all clear was declared on the Judge’s placings.

DIRECT COMMAND NZ– improved three wide into the race down the back straight on the final occasion and after being placed wider on the track passing the 400m, failed to run on when finishing in 8th place beaten 26m. When queried in relation to the performance, driver George Chamouras explained that the gelding paced slightly rough in the early stages, however failed to travel strongly during the event and was disappointing. Post-race veterinary examination revealed no apparent abnormalities.

SPRING DELIGHT– trainer Scott Garraway was cautioned for presenting the gelding in gear which was not correctly declared.

BUDD SIDEWINDER - due to the gelding having 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. Held up for a clear run inside the 50m.

IM ALRIGHT JACK- trainer Boris Devcic was cautioned for presenting the gelding in gear which was not correctly declared.

OUR MASTER PLAY – galloped approaching the 200m when racing in close proximity in behind the leader DALLAS MIKI. In view of the circumstances, remained on its last chance to race truly.

 

RACE 4 – SKYVALLEY @ ALDEBARAN PARK TROT (2240 MS)

COL DU GRANON – held up for a clear run until using the sprint lane to finish in 3rd place.

MIDNITE MUSCLE – due to the gelding not having started in a race since August 2023, was examined by the veterinarian before and after the race in accordance with HRV policy which revealed no apparent abnormalities.

SWEET MAORI MISS– galloped clear of interference entering the first turn and a warning was issued.

TUBBS NOW SLIM– momentarily trotted roughly in the home straight.

FROSTY GIRL NZ– out of position at the start and will continue to be placed outside the mobile barrier draw.

 

RACE 5 – MIXX FM PACE (1750 MS)

CHEERSTOLOU - trainer Greg Norman was cautioned for presenting the gelding in gear which was not correctly declared.

ONLY ONCE BITTEN NZ – inconvenienced rounding the first turn as OZZIE BATTLER hung out when being eased.

OZZIE BATTLER– hung out when being eased rounding the first turn.

CAULONIA TERROR– held up for a clear run rounding the final turn.

WATTLEBANK FLYER NZ– held up for a clear run rounding the final turn before using the sprint lane to finish in 1st place.

TWISTED BLISS– held up for a clear rounding the final turn before finishing in 4th place.

 

RACE 6 – 3SH SWAN HILL PACING CUP (2790 MS)

POWERSOFPERSUASION – pulled hard during the middle stages.

RIO ROCK– galloped during the score up, out of position at the start and trailed the field throughout. Placed outside the mobile barrier draw.

TIGER BAND WAGON– held up for a clear run rounding the final turn before finishing in 3rd place.

KOSIMO– inconvenienced and locked sulky wheels with PERFECT STRIDE NZ at the entrance to the home straight as MICKEY OH shifted out slightly.

ALL DA RAGE– held up for a clear run rounding the final turn before finishing in 5th place.

MICKEY OH- held up for a clear run rounding the final turn before finishing in 2nd place.

PERFECT STRIDE NZ- inconvenienced and locked sulky wheels with KOSIMO at the entrance to the home straight as that runner shifted out marginally, where MICKEY OH had shifted out slightly, and at the same time PERFECT STRIDE NZ hung in.

HECTOR NZ– improved into the race three wide during the early and middle stages and after obtaining cover from near the 1100m failed to run on when finishing in 11th place beaten approximately 17m. Driver Kate Gath reported that the gelding had been working well in preparation however the recent campaign in South Australia may have taken its toll and was at a loss to explain the performance. Post-race veterinary examination revealed no apparent abnormalities. Stewards intend to follow up this performance with connections in the ensuing period.

SAHARA TIGER– inconvenienced at the entrance to the home straight.

LIKE A WILDFIRE NZ– new track record (1:56.1 mile rate) and swab samples obtained.

 

RACE 7 – KING OF THE NORTH @ LLOWALONG FARMS SWAN HILL TROTTERS CUP (2790 SS)

KYVALLEY HEIST – held up before using the sprint lane in the home straight to finish in 2nd place.

BERRIESANDCHERRIES– slightly slow to begin.

 

RACE 8 – PETER WALSH MP MEMBER FOR MURRAY PLAINS PACE (2240 MS)

PRINCESS ALEXANDRA – a caution was issued against trainer Janet Exell for the mare being presented late onto the track prior to the race.

IMPETUOSO– hung in racing off the back straight on the final occasion.

KEAYANG CRIPPA - Luke Watson failed to appear in the racebook as the declared driver.

 

RACE 9 – SILLY SOLLY'S BATTLERS IN THE BUSH MAIDEN PACE (2240 MS)

HIGHLANDHARTBREAKA -  hung out and paced roughly during the score up, was slow to begin and was placed on its last chance in the mobile barrier draw. Raced greenly and hung in at various stages and a warning was issued against the racing manners of the gelding.

THE QUEEN OF TALK– hung out whilst leading around the first turn. Tired (200m +) over the latter stages to finish at the rear of the field. Post-race veterinary examination revealed no apparent abnormalities. Driver Daryl Crone reported that he considered the mare may have choked down. Stood down from racing until the satisfactory completion of one (1) trial.

SAYCHELLES– tired (83m) over the latter stages and was placed on its last chance to race competitively.

LA FRANK– positioned three wide down the back straight on the first occasion when following HIGHLANDHARTBREAKA and remained three wide as that runner progressed forward and as OBSYDIAN maintained a positioned two wide to its inside near the 1400m. LA FRANK was then restrained to the rear of the field behind OBSYDIAN shortly thereafter.  

 

RACE 10 – 3SH MORNING RUSH PACE (1750 MS)

JILLIBY TYPHOON– nearside sulky wheel contacted rounding the first turn as the pace eased slightly along the marker pegline.

MY MAGIC MERLIN– over-raced rounding the first turn as the pace eased on the marker pegline, contacted the sulky of JILLIBY TYPHOON and paced roughly. Pulled hard thereafter.

 

 

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 2 – Nanna Helen; Race 3 – Budd Sidewinder; Race 5 – Hugo Rocks; Race 6 – Rio Rock, Kosimo; Race 7 – Blue Coman NZ, Revelstoke; Race 10 – My Magic Merlin.
		Post-Race: Race 1 – Apache Wind; Race 6 – Like A Wildfire; Race 7 – Parisian Artiste; Race 9 – Highlandhartbreaka.
Suspensions
Nil
Fines
Race 1	M Riseley		R273(6)(b)	$100
Race 2	C Johnson		R156(2)(a)	$200
Cautions
Race 1	B Xiriha		D/CBOCS
Race 2	P Rousch		T/CG
Race 3	S Garraway		T/CG
Race 3	B Devcic		T/CG
Race 5	G Norman		T/CG
Race 8	J Exell		T/CPR
Horse Actions
Race 4	Frosty Girl		CODM
Race 6	Rio Rock		ODM
Race 9	The Queen Of Talk		SD1T
Late Scratchings
Nil

Adjourned Inquiries – Nil

Sulky Fund Claims – Nil Medical Clearance– Nil