Stewards Report

HARNESS RACING VICTORIA

STEWARDS REPORT FOR SWAN HILL

SUNDAY 10 JULY 2022

	Michael Ross Desmond Benger Wayne Smith Jason Fino (Starter) Dr Megan Ginifer (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 – COINSPOT BITCOIN BATTLERS IN THE BUSH MAIDEN PACE (1750 MS)

The start of this event was delayed two (2) minutes due to Race 8 at Port Augusta thoroughbreds being behind there scheduled starting time.

Shes Going Places (Robert Jnr Woods) broke gait during the early stages of the score up and was out of position when the start was effected. Shes Going Places will now be excluded from the barrier draw in future mobile events.

RACE 2 – COINSPOT ETHEREUM PACE (2240 MS)

Fragmental (Michael Gadsden) broke gait during the early stages of the score however was in position when the start was effected. Fragmental will now be placed on its last chance in the draw.

Fragmental hung inwards approaching the 200m and contacted a marker peg.

Ellen Tormey, driver of Bentleigh ($1.30 fav) which finished in 2nd position beaten half a neck was queried into the tactics adopted upon the gelding in particular her decision to restrain the gelding when the start was effected which appeared in contrast to the most recent racing pattern of that horse. Ms Tormey advised since returning from a let up the gelding had been racing fiercely in track work which the stable had changed the bit upon the gelding in an attempt to settle and control the gelding. Ms Tormey added two (2) starts prior at Cranbourne 19th June when first up since a let up the gelding pulled hard and performed poorly and at the geldings most recent start at Kilmore 30th June the gelding had been restrained after the start however appear to be disappointing over the concluding stages and again tonight the gelding failed to race in a genuine manner over the latter stages after improving from a rearward position at the 600m. Ms Tormey explain it would be the stables intentions to continually drive the gelding conservatively going forward and the stable would also consider the racing future of the gelding within the stable. Upon review of the explanation provided by Ms Tormey and in view of the prior exposed form of that gelding, in particular its most rent start where the gelding was driven in a similar manner stewards noted Ms Tormey’s comments and advised they expect the gelding to be driven consistently.

Stewards intend to analyse all wagering in regards to this event.

RACE 3 – COINSPOT XRP 2YO PACE (1750 MS)

Mark Pitt, driver of The Lost Storm advised at the check in the colt got on its near fore shoe during the score up and cast its plate. 

RACE 4 – COINSPOT CARDANO PACE (2240 MS)

Kerryn Manning, driver of Direct Command NZ was issued a caution for her starting position.

Timely Sovereign (Ryan Sanderson) pulled hard during the middle stages of the event.

All Good (Reece Moore) hung outwards around the final turn abruptly despite the driver’s effort resulting in the offside sulky being contacted and deflating. A warning was issued against the gelding’s racing manners.

Direct Command NZ, Onecrowdedhour (Leigh Sutton) & Forest Force (James Herbertson) were all inconvenienced to varying degrees when All Good hung outwards.

Lachlan Prothero, trainer of Zeus Dan ($5.50) which finished in 6th position beaten 18m was queried into overall performance of the gelding. Mr Prothero advised the gelding was first up since 26th February 2022 and had failed to impress in trackwork since joining the stable however was satisfied with the gelding’s performance after improving three (3) wide without cover from the 800m and would derive benefit from the performance.

RACE 5 - COINSPOT DOGECOIN PACE (2240 MS)

Yapper (Ashleigh Markham) broke gait clear of interference approaching the 2000m inconveniencing Amillion Promises (Abby Sanderson) & Rocking Bugatti (Alex Ashwood) Yapper will now be placed on its last chance to race truly.

Craig Turnbull, trainer of Made To Rock ($8.00) which finished in 4th position beaten 9m after leading was queried into the overall performance of the gelding. Mr Turnbull attributed the performance to being one paced and rising in grade to recent starts.

RACE 6 – ALABAR VICBRED PLATINUM MARES SPRINT CHAMPIONSHIP (8TH HEAT) (1750 MS)

Pray Tell (Ellen Tormey) hung in approaching the 1400m.

Muckinbar Diva (Kerry Manning) hung in under pressure over the concluding stages.

Stewards delayed the All Clear to view the replays in regards to 3rd past the post Rockita contacting the final two (2) marker pegs. After viewing the replays stewards were satisfied Mr Pitt had complied with his obligations and All Clear was given on the judge’s placings.

Mark Pitt, driver of Rockita was issued a caution for driving where there was insufficient room resulting in Rockita contacting the final two (2) marker pegs prior to the finish line. In not taking further action stewards were mindful Mr Pitt had complied with his obligations in taken hold of the mare and Muckinbar Diva had also contributed to the incident by shifting inwards.

RACE 7 – COINSPOT BNB PACE (4TH HEAT) (2240 MS)

Heavens Hurricane (Mark Pitt) hung out during the score up & again shortly after the start was effected checking Didshedoit NZ (Ellen Tormey) resulting in that runner racing roughly. Heavens Hurricane will now be placed on its last chance in the draw.

Didshedoit NZ pulled hard during the middle stages of the event.

Heavens Hurricane hung outwards over the final 300m.

Shannon O’Sullivan, driver of Gauci was issued a caution for excess noise.

Mark Pitt, driver of Heavens Hurricane ($1.45 fav) which finished in 2nd position beaten 2.3m after racing behind the leader throughout the event was queried into the reasons for the mare failing to utilise the sprint lane when it became available. Mr Pitt advised it was his intentions to use the sprint lane upon straightening however Heavens Hurricane hung outwards for majority of the event and was unable to direct the mare inwards when the opportunity became available. Mr Pitt added he was able to drive the mare out despite Heavens Hurricane hanging outwards. After viewing the replays which supported his comments stewards noted Mr Pitts comments and a warning was issued against the mare racing manners.

 

Michael Ross

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 –Meggs Is Me; Race 2 –Bentleigh; Race 4 –Zeus Dan
		Post-Race: Race 1 – Cash Boost; Race 3 – The Lost Storm; Race 4 –Ozzie Joy; Race 5 –The Kingsman NZ; Race 6 –Pray Tell; Race 7 - Gauci
Suspensions
Nil
Fines
Nil
Cautions
Race 4	K Manning		D/CSP
Race 6	M Pitt		D/CDWIR
Race 7	S O’Sullivan		D/CN
Horse Actions
Race 1	Shes Going Places		ODM
Late Scratchings
Nil