Stewards Report

HARNESS RACING VICTORIA

STEWARDS REPORT FOR SWAN HILL

FRIDAY 28 OCTOBER 2022

	Nick Murray Adrian Crowther Wayne Smith Jason Fino (Starter) Dr Megan Ginifer (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. 

GENERAL

Due to flooding implications, the following horses were late scratchings with Stewards permission and therefore incurred no penalty:

Race 7 – Daggy Lamb NZ and Wendys Wish (1:18pm Stewards)

Race 9 – Island Feenix (1:18pm Stewards)

Drivers Nathan Jack and Mark Pitt were unable to attend the meeting and therefore the following late driver changes were approved:

Race 3 – So Art I NZ – Leigh Sutton

Race 5 – Coco Beach – Tayla French

Race 6 – The Raconteur NZ – Leigh Sutton; Nationaldraft – Tayla French

Race 8 – Velox Equus – Tayla French; Our Millionaire – David Moran

Race 9 – Spring Blue – Allan McDonough

RACE 1 – KIEL TILING PACE (1750 MS)

Whereyagoinbabe underwent a pre-race veterinary examination due to a slight mishap on route to the track and was cleared to start.

Ryan Sanderson, driver of Magic Matteo explained that approaching the winning post with one lap remaining when positioned four horses back on the marker pegline he felt an opportunity may present to endeavour to shift wider to follow Markleigh Caz (E Justice) and for that reason he restrained for some distance, which resulted in Areuohkay (Declan Murphy) being able to ease down onto the marker pegline forward of Magic Matteo.

Montana Pride hung in when three wide approaching the 400m.

Concongella Miss tired to be beaten approximately 63m and a warning was issued.

Whereyagoinbabe gave ground over the concluding stages.

David Murphy, driver of Atego Shades was cautioned for allowing his right foot to come out of the sulky footrest at the entrance to the home straight.

David Murphy, driver of Atego Shades was fined $200 under rule 156(2)(a) for applying the whip in the early part of the home straight with more than a wrist only flicking action.

RACE 2 – 3SH MORNING RUSH PACE (2240 MS)

The start of this race was delayed due to Parkes harness running behind schedule.

Dylan Marshall, trainer of Ce Pe Three and Open The Valve was cautioned for to notify the intended driving tactics.  

Declan Murphy, driver of Princess Alexandra pleaded guilty to a charge under rule 165(1)(b) for failing to provide the required clearance when shifting in during the early stages. The particulars of the charge being that approaching the 1800m, Mr Murphy permitted Princess Alexandra to shift in from a two wide position towards a position on the marker pegline behind the leader Isabella Princess (Brent Murphy), when not the required clearance of Feels Lika Boss (A Ashwood), resulting in that gelding being tightened for room, checked and subsequently contacting the sulky of Princess Alexandra causing Feels Lika Boss to gallop. This resulted in Waiting For You (M Phillips) being checked and breaking gait and Ce Pe Three (J Leedham), Horrie Otara (D Douglas) and Flaming Lucky (J Ainsworth) being checked. In assessing penalty in accordance with the HRV Minimum Penalty Guidelines, Stewards took into account Mr Murphy’s guilty plea, applicable offence record, and the circumstances and consequential affects of the incident which was classified as a first turn offence. Mr Murphy’s licence to drive in races was suspended for 2 weeks to commence midnight Wednesday 2 November 2022.

Princess Alexandra hung in and paced roughly approaching the 200m. When questioned regarding the tactics adopted, driver Declan Murphy explained that approaching the 500m he considered that Open The Valve (T French) appeared to be travelling better than Isabella Princess (Brent Murphy) and for that reason he shifted wider from a position behind the leader (Isabella Princess) to follow Open The Valve. Mr Murphy conceded in hindsight that despite this appearance, he ought to have waited a greater distance to assess his options and remain following Isabella Princess which ultimately won the race by 11m. Stewards took into consideration Mr Murphy’s relative inexperience and decision made during this section and concurred that in hindsight he may have erred slightly in his judgement.

Jason Ainsworth, driver of Flaming Lucky explained that racing down the back straight on the final occasion he remained in a position in the running line following Lovin Everyday (C Clarke) as that runner gave ground quickly and as Ce Pe Three (J Leedham) had commenced to improve to his outside. Mr Ainsworth added that he considered that the racing pattern of Flaming Lucky had contributed to his decision and felt that the distance from the finish may have been too great improving three wide without cover. Flaming Lucky was then placed at a disadvantage approaching and passing the 400m as Lovin Everyday commenced to tire, resulting in Flaming Lucky being held up until approaching the 200m, where the gelding then finished in 2nd place beaten 11m. Mr Ainsworth’s explanation was noted in the circumstances.

Lovin Everyday tired to be beaten approximately 67m and a warning was issued.

RACE 3 – BUNNINGS WAREHOUSE PACE (2240 MS)

Consideration was given to a protest lodged by David Moran, driver of Daylight At Dawn (2nd place) alleging interference by So Art I NZ (L Sutton) in the home straight. It was established that although there was a minimal shift outwards by So Art I NZ in the early part of the home straight, that minimal to no impediment was suffered to Daylight At Dawn and as that gelding was driven out and afforded a clear run to the finish, Stewards could not be satisfied that this occurrence had affected the outcome of the race despite the nose margin, with the protest being dismissed and all clear declared on the judges placings.

RACE 4 –ELDERS PACE (1750 MS)

Swiss Lightning pulled hard during the middle stages.

Sonnys Amazing (3rd place) was held up for a clear run before utilising the sprint lane.

Colerne (unplaced) was held up for a clear run inside the 50m.

Abby Sanderson, driver of Timely Sovereign reported that she sustained a flat tyre over the final stages. After reviewing the footage, although Swiss Lighting (J Leedham) raced in close proximity behind Timely Sovereign rounding the final turn, as there was no conclusive evidence of contact being made to the sulky of Timely Sovereign, no further action was pursued.          

RACE 5 -CENTRAL MURRAY LIVE PACE FINAL (2240 MS)

Tropical Storm was a late scratching on veterinary advice at 2:12pm.

James Herbertson, driver of Exclusive Dan was cautioned for failing to have the gelding in position at the start.

Ozzie Daybreak hung out shortly after the start and again hung out racing into the back straight on the first occasion for which a warning was issued.

Dougs Cino pulled hard during the middle stages.

Riverina Flash (unplaced) was held up for a clear run in the early stages of the home straight.

RACE 6 – PETER WALSH MP SWAN HILL MILE (1609 MS)

James Herbertson, driver of Im Shadow Boxer was cautioned for failing to have his drive in its required position at the candy pole prior to the start.

Jordan Chibnall, driver of Fynn Frost NZ was cautioned for failing to maintain her position until the start was effected.

Im Shadow Boxer hung in and contacted marker pegs rounding the final turn.

Sammys Ideal galloped clear of interference near the 300m and then blundered resulting in Nationaldraft and Budd Sidewinder being inconvenienced. Considering the recent record, Sammys Ideal was stood down from racing until having completed one satisfactory trial.

RACE 7 – LASER ELECTRICAL PACE (2240 MS)

Anotherbigman led before failing to have run on over the final stages when finishing in 6th position beaten approximately 15m. Russell Maisner, driver of Anotherbigman was disappointed with the performance after the gelding had worked well in preparation for the event, however, was at a loss to explain this performance. A veterinary examination of Anotherbigman revealed no apparent abnormalities. Stewards intend to follow up this performance with connections in the ensuing period.

David Moran, driver of Red Hot Assassin was cautioned for the unapproved method with which he activated gear with his left foot rounding the final turn.

SUPPLEMENTARY REPORT - 3 NOVEMBER 2022

Emma Stewart, trainer of Anotherbigman advised subsequent to the poor performance at Swan Hill on 29 October 2022, that the gelding had recovered well.  Ms.Stewart stated Anotherbigman would continue with the current preparation.

RACE 8 – 3SH SWAN HILL PACING CUP (GROUP 3) (2790 MS)

Like A Wildfire NZ hung in racing towards the back straight on the final occasion.

Like A Wildfire NZ hung in again near the 500m and locked sulky wheels with Kosimo causing both horses to lose all chance thereafter. A warning was placed against the racing manners of Like A Wildfire NZ.

Torrid Saint (3rd place) raced inside the line of one marker peg rounding the final turn and was then held up for a clear run prior to utilising the sprint lane.

RACE 9 – BART 'N' PRINT 2YO MAIDEN PACE (1750 MS)

David Moran, driver of Roryville was cautioned for the unapproved method with which he activated gear with his left foot rounding the final turn. In adopting this approach Stewards took into account that Mr Moran had not been notified of the matter in Race 7 prior to this occurrence.

Gerrale hung in and contacted marker pegs rounding the final turn.

A post-race swab sample ordered from the winner Spring Blue was subsequently aborted due to the filly posing a significant safety risk to the veterinary and swabbing officials during their attempts.

RACE 10 – MIXX FM 3YO PACE (2240 MS)

Tony Calabria, trainer of Rubio NZ was cautioned for the late driver notification of Jack Laugher.

Quartzite pulled hard when leading through the middle stages.

Our Bright Light pulled hard during the middle stages.

La Keringle hung in and contacted marker pegs rounding the final turn and a warning was issued.

Jordan Chibnall, driver of Our Bright Light was fined $200 under rule 156(3) for using her whip in an unapproved manner in that Ms Chibnall applied the whip on more occasions than permitted inside the 200m. Stewards took into account that this was a second applicable offence within 28 days.

 

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 4 – Swiss Lightning; Race 5 – White Star Village; Race 7 – Silver Mystique, Anotherbigman; Race 8 – Velox Equus, Like A Wildfire NZ; Race 10 – Our Bright Light.
		Post-Race: Race 1 – Areuohkay; Race 2 – Isabella Princess; Race 4 – Iron Chariot; Race 5 –Crompton Bay; Race 6 – The Raconteur NZ; Race 8 – Our Millionaire; Race 10 – Quartzite.
Suspensions
Race 2	Declan Murphy		165(1)(b)	2 weeks
Fines
Race 1	David Murphy		156(2)(a)	$200
Race 10	J Chibnall		156(3)	$200
Cautions
Race 1	David Murphy		D/CDF
Race 2	D Marshall		T/CT
Race 5	J Herbertson		D/CSU
Race 6	J Herbertson		D/CCP
Race 6	J Chibnall		D/CSU
Race 7	D Moran		D/CUA
Race 9	D Moran		D/CUA
Race 10	T Calabria		T/CLDC
Horse Actions
Race 6	Sammys Ideal		SD1T
Late Scratchings
Race 5	Tropical Storm		Vets	2:12pm
Race 7	Daggy Lamb NZ		Stewards	1:18pm
Race 7	Wendys Wish		Stewards	1:18pm
Race 9	Island Feenix		Stewards	1:18pm
Follow Ups
Race 7	Anotherbigman

Adjourned Inquiries

Nil

Sulky Fund Claims

Nil