Stewards Report

HARNESS RACING VICTORIA

STEWARDS REPORT FOR GEELONG

FRIDAY 15 JULY 2022

	Grant Adams Nicholas Murray Des Benger Jason Fino (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. 

 

GENERAL

Stewards approved the late following driver changes:

Race 2 – Colerne – Jodi Quinlan

Race 4 – Andrew – Jodi Quinlan

• Luvbite – Glen Craven

 

• Banksofthemurray – James Herbertson

 

RACE 1 – CHRISTMAS IN JULY PACE (1609 MS)

Metro Man was examined by the club’s veterinarian prior to the event and was passed fit to take his place in the field.

Southern GNP NZ was examined by the club’s veterinarian prior to and following the event as a result of the gelding racing in excess of 200 race starts. No abnormalities were detected on either examination.

Near the 300m Southern GNP NZ, which was improving three wide, momentarily hung in and locked wheels with Officially Shady to its inside resulting in a loss of momentum.

Are You With Me failed to run on over the concluding stages to finish in 9th position beaten 50.5m. No action was taken regarding the gelding’s performance.

Taffy Smith weakened over the final stages to finish in 10th position beaten 57.9m for which a warning was issued.

RACE 2 – CORIO VILLAGE SHOPPING CENTRE PACE (2100 MS)

Zoes Rainbow (barrier 1) broke gait during the score up, was able to regain its position prior to the start and was placed on its last chance in the mobile barrier draw.

Entering the final turn Magic Craft hung in and lost ground.

Classy Countess was held up for clear running for the entire length of the home straight and was not fully tested.

Lisa Miles, the driver of Magic Craft, and Emmett Brosnan, the driver of Heavenly Brigade NZ, were both reminded of their obligations with regards to their whip use displayed in the home straight.

RACE 3 – DEVCON PROPERTIES TROT (2100 MS)

On the request from connections Mielicki will continue to be excluded from the mobile barrier draw.

Mariachi (barrier 7) broke gait during the score up, was out of position at the start and will now be excluded from the mobile barrier draw.

La Bella Figura (barrier 2) began badly when galloping away inconveniencing the trailing Mielicki. La Bella Figura will now be excluded from the mobile barrier draw.

Entering the final turn Mielicki hung in when improving three wide.

Robert Young, the driver of Frosty Reception, was fined $100 under Rule 156(3) for applying his whip in excess of 20 occasions over the final 200m.

RACE 4 – JIMS MOWING 3YO PACE (2100 MS)

Banksofthemurray was examined by the club’s veterinarian prior to and following the event as a result of the colt racing the night prior at Kilmore.                                                                        

RACE 5 - BARWON FACILITIES MAINTENANCE PACE (1609 MS)

Better Exclusive NZ was held up for clear running in the early stages of the home straight.

Bailey McDonough, the driver of Better Exclusive NZ, was questioned as to his tactics and in particular his decision nearing the 900m to leave a running line position to take up a position four back along the marker pegs. Mr McDonough explained that when settling in a rearward position, noting the slow early half, he elected to move down to the marker pegs to save ground as he was not of the opinion that his gelding would be capable of improving wider on the track when the pace quickened. Mr McDonough added that after obtaining clear running shortly after entering the home straight Better Exclusive NZ found the line well.

RACE 6 – WINNING POST RESTAURANT PACE (2100 MS)

Connor Ronan, the driver of Blissfull Stride, was found guilty of a charge under Rule 163(1)(a)(iii) for causing interference in that entering the first turn he has permitted his gelding to shift in when not clear of Mosaic Art NZ which had established running to his inside resulting in that mare being crowded for room, checked and pace roughly for a short distance. Mr Ronan had his licence to drive in races suspended for a period of 14 days which was ordered to commence at midnight on Friday 15 July 2022 and to expire on Saturday 30 July 2022 on which day he may drive. When considering penalty stewards took into account Mr Ronan’s plea, overall driving and offence record in addition to the degree of interference and the affects of such interference.

Morvah raced keenly during the middle stages.

Rosarito Beach, Itzamajor Surprise and Son Of Major were all held up for clear running in the home straight and were not fully tested.

RACE 7 – SHAMROCK FLOORING TROTTERS HANDICAP (2570 SS)

Pharisee (FT1) paced when the start was affected, trailed the field throughout and will now be excluded from the standing start barrier draw.

Thats Not My Gait (FT2) trotted roughly for a short distance after the start.

Majestic Connies NZ failed to run on over the concluding stages to finish in 9th position beaten 94.8m. The gelding was placed on its last chance to race competitively.  

Madena Bay failed to run on over the concluding stages to finish in 10th position beaten 195.7m. A post-race veterinarian examination failed to reveal any abnormalities. When questioned regarding the performance driver Connor Clarke indicated that his gelding hung in during the run which may have contributed to its performance however, he was unable to provide any further excuse as to the poor performance. In view of the run Madena Bay was stood down until it completes one requalifying trial.

Prior to the declaration of all clear stewards reviewed 3rd placed Victree Hill trotting roughly nearing the winning post and galloping. Upon review stewards were unable to conclude that the gelding had in fact galloped prior to the post and therefore action taken in accordance with VLR155(a)(1) and (2) were not carried out. Subsequently the all clear was given.

Luke Tabone, the driver of Pharisee, pleaded guilty to a charge under Rule 149(2) for driving in a unacceptable manner in that after his gelding paced at the start and attempts were made to regain its correct gait on approaching to the first turn, Mr Tabone made no further efforts to ease or restrain his gelding in an attempt to convert Pharisee back into its correct gait and therefore the gelding paced for the entire event. Mr Tabone had his licence to drive in races suspended for a period of 4 weeks which was ordered to commence at midnight on Friday 15 July 2022 and to expire on Saturday 13 August 2022 on which day he may drive. When considering penalty stewards were mindful of Mr Tabone’s guilty plea, overall driving and offence record and additionally the limited experience when driving trotters.

RACE 8 – ALABAR VICBRED PLATINUM MARES SPRINT CHAMPIONSHIP (9TH HEAT) (1609 MS)

Jackie Barker, the driver of Sassyola, was cautioned for shifting ground in that rounding the first turn she permitted her mare to shift in and inconvenienced Illawong Awesome which had been improving quickly to her inside.

Ellen Rixon, the driver of No Win No Worries ($4.40 – 7th position beaten 29.7m), explained that her mare raced keenly during the event and proved disappointing when failing to run on. Ms Rixon added that connections may look to have blood samples taken from the mare in the coming days and will notify stewards of any adverse findings. Stewards will follow up with connections as to the subsequent recovery.

 

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 1 – Metro Man; Race 2 – Madame West; Race 6 – Our Uncle Jim; Race 8 – Scene Of Terror;
		Post-Race: Race 1 – Metro Man; Race 3 – Aldebaran Huey; Race 4 – Andrew; Race 6 – Mosaic Art NZ; Race 7 – Madena Bay; Race 8 – Leigha Miller;
Suspensions
Race 6	C Ronan		R163(1)(a)(iii)	2 weeks
Race 7	L Tabone		R149(2)	4 weeks
Fines
Race 3	R Young		R156(3)	$100
Cautions
Race 8	J Barker		D/CSG
Horse Actions
Race 3	Mariachi		ODM
Race 3	Mielicki		TRCODM
Race 3	La Bella Figura		ODM
Race 7	Pharisee		ODS
Race 7	Madena Bay		SD1T
Late Scratchings
Nil