Stewards Report

HARNESS RACING VICTORIA

STEWARDS REPORT FOR GEELONG          

FRIDAY 11 OCTOBER 2024

	Grant Adams Adrian Crowther John Packer   David Young (Starter) Dr Virginia Brosnan (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 – HOYTS FOOD TROT (1609MS)

LEANNE LEEANN – Slow to begin.

PERFIDIOUS SUE – Inconvenienced on approach to the 200m when positioned behind the galloping ROYAL CHARLOTTE prior to being held up for clear running in the early stages of the home straight.

ROYAL CHARLOTTE – Broke gait free of interference near the 200m.

PICKET WIRE – Post-race swab sample obtained.

HES A HAMMER – Driver Emmett Brosnan was cautioned for failing to maintain his position on the mobile barrier by the starting point. Near the 450m, hung in and broke gait free of interference when improving three wide.

ALDEBARAN ACRUX USA – After improving three wide, broke gait free of interference at the 600m for which a warning was issued. Trotted roughly over the final stages. A post-race veterinarian examination failed to reveal any abnormalities.

RACE 2 – CORIO PIZZA PACE (1609 MS)

BLACKINDEED – Held up for clear running in the early stages of the home straight.

BURING TICKETS – Held up for clear running in the early stages of the home straight and was then required to alter direction near the 100m to obtain clear running.

LADY IN LINE – Raced in restricted room to the inside of MONSIEUR FLAMEL racing into the first turn when it hung in.

MONSIEUR FLAMEL – Hung in on the entry to the first turn and then raced three wide until the 900m when improved to the position outside the leader. When questioned regarding the tactics, Driver Reagan Clarke explained that pre-race, she was instructed by connections to drive the horse forward as per its consistent racing pattern and in her opinion, where the gelding is best suited. Ms Clarke stated that after showing early speed in combination with GOODTIME LIBBY and LADY IN LINE, she was caught three wide and rounding the first turn, she allowed the race to settle given the early speed. Ms Clarke stated that prior to the entry to the home straight, she had restrained her drive but was beaten to a position by BEST BACK BRUCE and although there had been a further gap presented behind that runner, given MONSIEUR FLAMEL was racing strongly, she didn’t consider it was a likely position she would be able to obtain. Ms Clarke added that from this position, she elected to then drive forward and was then able to obtain the position outside the leader near the 900m as LADY IN LINE crossed to the lead. Ms Clarke further explained that although not running on over the final stages, the performance was expected given the tough run. Having considered all relevant matters, Stewards did not consider her drive to be that unreasonable or unacceptable in the circumstance and her comments were noted.

GOODTIME LIBBY – Raced keenly from the 900m when gaining cover.

SOMEJOYFUL NZ – Hung out on the entry to the first turn when being restrained from wider on the track.

HEAVENLY BRIGADE NZ – Driver Emmett Brosnan was placed on notice as to the manner he applied his whip inside the final 200m.

MANTANA PRIDE – Driver James Herbertson was placed on notice as to the manner he applied his whip inside the final 200m.

RACE 3 – APCO WE GOT YOU PACE (1609 MS)

PICKLE IT – Raced keenly during the middle stages.

LOTAKEVI – Examined by the clubs veterinarian prior to and following the event due to the gelding being 12YO and has competed in excess of 200 race starts. No abnormalities were found on either examination. Broke gait free of interference near the 300m and was placed on its last chance to race truly.

BLAZIN HEAVEN NZ – Inconvenienced near the 300m when taken away from EYE SEE AMOUR as it shifted out and away from REALLY SMARTIE.

REALLY SMARTIE – Driver Justin Campbell was cautioned for shifting ground near the 300m resulting in EYE SEE AMOUR being taken out and hampering BLAZIN HEAVEN NZ.

FREAK OUT – Out of position at the start for which a warning was issued.

OUR ULTIMATE LAYLA – Post-race swab sample obtained.

CHEYS ANGEL – Held up for clear running in the early stages of the home straight prior to utilising the sprint lane.

RACE 4 – HIGH TEA DAY RACES 1ST NOV NMW PACE (1609 MS)

SASSYOLA – Examined by the clubs veterinarian prior to and following the event due to the mare having competed in excess of 200 race starts. No abnormalities were found on either examination.

QUIET STORM – Held up for clear running for the entire length of the home straight and was not fully tested.

CAPTAIN MAASTRICHT – Due to driver Hannah Parish being indisposed due to illness, Chris Alford was approved as the late driving replacement (10.10.2024). Ms Parish will now be required to provide a medical certificate of fitness prior to resuming driving. Hung out between the 600 and 500m whilst leading.

RACE 5 – RAY BECKLEY MEMORIAL 2YO PACE (1609 MS)

General

Trainer Geoff Webster was cautioned for failing to notify Stewards of the intended driving tactics for his runners DOUGS TRIBE and MAJOR CRUNCH.

Trainer Matthew Craven was cautioned for failing to notify Stewards of the intended driving tactics for his runners CHEDDAR CHEESE and TESSY BOO.

JUSTLIKEDAVE – Pre-race blood sample obtained. Near the 200m, checked wider to avoid DOUGS TRIBE after it shifted in when returning to a pace.

DOUGS TRIBE – Raced keenly throughout the event and passing the 300m, paced roughly, shifted out and broke gait before regaining a pace and shifting inwards causing further interference. The colt was stood down from racing until it completes one requalifying trial.

THINKFAST RUNFAST – Post-race swab sample obtained.

CHEDDAR CHEESE – Near the 200m, checked wider to avoid DOUGS TRIBE after it shifted in when returning to a pace.

MAJOR CRUNCH – Inconvenienced during the score up when shifting in to avoid the galloping TESSY BOO.

TESSY BOO – Hung in during the score up, broke gait and was out of the position at the start. The filly will now be excluded from the mobile barrier draw.

GOODTIME CAPTAIN – Near the 300m, checked and galloped when shifting wider to avoid SURFE LA MER when that runner shifted wider when checked by the galloping DOUGS TRIBE.

SURFE LA MER – Near the 300m, checked wider to avoid the galloping DOUGS TRIBE.

RACE 6 – VALE IAN ROBERT (DICK) LEE PACE (1609 MS)

ROCKNROLL WALLA – Raced keenly rounding the final turn and prior to straightening, improved onto the back and struck the sulky of the leader JILLIBY SELWOOD.

JILLIBY SELWOOD – No action was taken against Driver Jason Lee for failing to adhere to the sectional time requirements whilst leading given the fast 26.9 second first quarter. Had its sulky contacted by the trailing ROCKNROLL WALLA just prior to the entry to the home straight before shifting wider. Driver Jason Lee reported that given the contact made, he allowed additional room for safety reasons.

BLAKE BOLAC – Driver Michael Bellman was placed on notice as to the manner he applied the rein inside the final 200m.

VEE EM GEE MACRAY – No action was taken against the mare for being out of position at the start due to the increased speed of the mobile barrier.

RACE 7 – GEELONG TIMES PACE (1609 MS)

COLLECTIVE WORKS – Post-race swab sample obtained.

MONA MIA – Pre-race blood sample obtained.

CLASSIC ANGELINA – Hung in during the later stages of the score up, out of position at the start for which a warning was issued.

VOLUNTEER NZ – Raced keenly during the middle stages.

RACE 8 – HARAS DES TROTTEURS PACE (1609 MS)

ETIZ AMODEL – Examined by the clubs veterinarian on arrival to the course when connections reported an incident enroute to the race meeting. The mare was passed fit to take its place in the event.

SHADY DANCER – Examined by the clubs veterinarian prior to and following the event due to the mare having competed in excess of 200 races starts. No abnormalities were found on either examination.

KEAYANG OMAR – Held up for clear running in the early stages of the home straight prior to utilising the sprint lane.

GOODTIME MACH – Held up for clear running in the early stages of the home straight.  

BONA KHAN – When questioned regarding the tactics and performance of the gelding, Driver Taylor Ford explained that as per the consistent driving tactics, she drove the gelding forward at the start and when caught wide, she allowed her gelding to progress forward without any urgency. Ms Ford stated that when improving to the outside of the leader SHADY DANCER, she then challenged for the lead until approaching the home straight on the first occasion and given the position was not available, she took immediate restraint and obtained cover from FOREGONE CONCLUSION NZ. Ms Ford added that nearing the 500m when the pace increased, she was disadvantaged when FOREGONE CONCLUSION NZ commenced to give ground. Stewards noted her comments.

BEST BETTOR BET – Driver Matthew Craven was cautioned to failed to make sufficient effort to have his gelding in position by the starting point.

DEUCE COUPE NZ – Hung in during the score up, out of position at the start and will continue to be excluded from the mobile barrier draw.

Grant Adams

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 – Justlikedave; Race 7 – Mona Mia.
		Post-Race: Race 1 – Picket Wire; Race 3 – Our Ultimate Layla; Race 5 – Thinkfast Runfast; Race 7 – Collective Works.
Suspensions
Nil
Fines
Nil
Cautions
Race 1	Emmett Brosnan		D/CSU
Race 3	Justin Campbell		D/CSG
Race 5	Geoff Webster		T/CT
Race 5	Matthew Craven		T/CT
Race 8	Matthew Craven		D/CSU
Horse Actions
Race 5	Dougs Tribe		SD1T
Race 5	Tessy Boo		ODM
Race 8	Deuce Coupe NZ		CODM
Late Scratchings
Nil

Follow Ups

Nil

Adjourned Inquiries

Nil

Sulky Fund Claims

Nil

Medical Stand Down

Hannah Parish