Stewards Report

HARNESS RACING VICTORIA

STEWARDS REPORT FOR GEELONG

THURSDAY 4 AUGUST 2022

	Kylie Harrison John Packer Des Benger Michael Ross (Starter) Dr Virginia Brosnan (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 – DEVCON PROPERTIES MAIDEN PACE (1609 MS)

Cheeky Cheddar was examined pre and post-race by the club veterinarian under the HRV horse welfare policy due to the gelding not racing since November 2020. Cheeky Cheddar was cleared of any obvious abnormalities and passed fit to race.

Cheeky Cheddar galloped during the early stages of the score up and was out of position as the start was affected. The gelding will now be placed out of the draw for future mobile start races.

Cantseeme galloped during the latter stages of the score up, was out of position at the start and will now be placed out of the draw for future mobile start races. Cantseeme trailed the field thereafter.

Jackie Barker, driver of Rafatom, was fined $100 under Rule 168(1)(a) for careless driving in that approaching the 400m she failed to make sufficient effort to avoid making contact with the right sulky tyre of Go Accused when she directed Rafatom three wide resulting in Go Accused receiving a flat tyre. No action was taken against Go Accused which tired over the latter stages after receiving the flat tyre.

Driver Justin Campbell (Really Regal) was cautioned for his lack of control over the concluding stages as Really Regal commenced to shift out under pressure and tightened the racing room of Ideal Jo just prior to the finish line.

Cheeky Cheddar tired over the latter stages to be beaten 149m. A post-race veterinary examination revealed the gelding was displaying a slow recovery rate.  Cheeky Cheddar was stood down until the completion of one satisfactory trial for a poor performance.

Driver James Herbertson (Why Not Dream) was fined $200 under Rule 156(2)(a) for his unapproved whip use in that he applied the whip with more than a wrist only flicking action when driving out over the final 200m.

RACE 2 – JIMS MOWING 3YO PACE (2100 MS)

Demon Reactor raced roughly shortly after the start and will continue to be drawn wide in future mobile start races.

RACE 3 – HARAS DES TROTTEURS TROT (2100 MS)

Paris Faith broke gait during the score up, was out of position at the start and trailed the field thereafter. Paris Faith will continue out of the draw in future mobile start races.

Tiara Stride pulled hard during the score up before showing gate speed. Tiara Stride continued to pull hard and raced clear of the field throughout.

Driver Chris Lang (Evas Image) was questioned as to whether he had given consideration to improving his position in the back straight on the final occasion as Tiara Stride was racing clear of the field. Mr Lang stated that given the recent efforts of Evas Image where the filly had not finished off its races when in winning positions, he was reluctant to ask too much of the filly that far from the finish. Mr Lang added that he was aware that Tiara Stride was beginning to give ground and come back to the field and elected to wait until approximately the 400m where he directed the filly three wide. Mr Lang added that Evas Image then hung in and failed to improve until straightening finishing in 2nd place beaten 1.5m.  Given the recent exposed form of Evas Image and its racing manners rounding the final turn, stewards noted Mr Lang’s explanation.

Driver Chris Lang (Evas Image) was fined $200 under Rule 156(2)(a) for his unapproved whip use in that he applied the whip with more than a wrist only flicking action in the home straight.

RACE 4 – YABBY DAM FARMS TROT (2100 MS)

Silent Reverie galloped as the start was affected and was placed out of the draw for future mobile start races.  Silent Reverie trailed the field for the remainder of the race.                                                          

RACE 5 - BARWON FACILITIES MAINTENANCE TROT (2100 MS)

Hurrikane Spirit was a late scratching at 1.23 pm on veterinary advice.

No racing incidents to report.

RACE 6 – GEELONG HIGH SPEED RACING PACE (1609 MS)

Glen Craven was accepted as a late driving change on Sweetpassion as listed driver Matthew Craven was indisposed.

Sweetpassion galloped during the early stages of the score up and was out of position at the start and will be drawn wide in future mobile start races.

Heavenly Charm was held up rounding the home turn and failed to be fully tested in the home straight when attempting to improve in the sprint lane over the latter stages.

Brutally Handsome shifted out under pressure while leading at the entrance to the home straight and continued to shift out over the final stages. A warning was issued against the colt’s racing manners.

RACE 7 – CAINYS PLUMBING & AG SERVICES PACE (2100 MS)

Spacewriter was held up for a clear run rounding the final turn and during the early stages of the home straight before improving in the sprint lane over the latter stages.

Driver Jordan Leedham (A Perfect Dance) was cautioned for allowing his left foot to momentarily drop from the sulky footrest rounding the final turn.

Coastal Girl was examined by the club veterinarian post-race due to blood being present in its mouth at the all clear. Upon inspection the filly was cleared of any significant injury.

RACE 8 – GEELONG CUP OCTOBER 22 DINING PACKAGES PACE (2100 MS)

Pre and post-race veterinary examinations were conducted on Good Feelings under the HRV horse welfare policy due to the gelding racing on more than 200 previous occasions. Both inspections cleared to the gelding of any obvious abnormalities.

Merola Magic raced roughly during the score up before being restrained after the start and a warning was issued against the gelding’s barrier manners.

Driver Darren Pace (Miyagi Boy) was issued with a caution for failing to maintain his barrier position prior to the start.

Covered Kylie contacted a marker peg leaving the front straight on the first occasion under vigorous driving in an attempt to hold out Jacks Command as that runner crossed to lead.

Driver Darren Pace (Miyagi Boy) was fined $200 under Rule 156(2)(a) for his unapproved whip use in that he applied the whip with more than a wrist only flicking action in the home straight on the final occasion.

Merola Magic was held up and unable to obtain a clear run at any stage in the home straight.

 

Kylie Harrison

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 – Speedy Spida; Race 4 – Aldebaran Huey; Race 6 – Lenard Ess; Race 7 – A Perfect Dance; Race 8 – Jacks Command
		Post-Race: Race 1 – Really Regal; Race 2 – Captain Barnato; Race 3 – Tiara Stride; Race 5 – Mercenary; Race 8 – Good Feelings
Suspensions
Nil
Fines
Race 1	J Herbertson		R156(2)(a)	$200
Race 1	J Barker		R168(1)(a)	$100
Race 3	C Lang		R156(2)(a)	$200
Race 8	D Pace		R156(2)(a)	$200
Cautions
Race 1	J Campbell		D/CLC
Race 7	J Leedham		D/CDF
Race 8	D Pace		D/CSU
Horse Actions
Race 1	Cantseeme		ODM
Race 1	Cheeky Cheddar		ODM/SD1T
Race 2	Demon Reactor		CODM
Race 3	Paris Faith		CODM
Race 4	Silent Reverie		ODM
Race 6	Sweetpassion		ODM
Late Scratchings
Race 5	Hurrikane Spirit		1.23 pm	Vets