Stewards Report

 

GRIFFITH HARNESS RACING CLUB

SATURDAY, 12^TH NOVEMBER 2022

STEWARDS REPORT

 

 

Stewards	S Snudden (Chairman), T Quick
Starter	B Watson
Veterinarian	Dr K Martel
Swab Official	T Ginns
Track	Good
Weather	Overcast

 

 

RACE 1 – GRIFFITH REGIONAL FUNERALS PACE – 2150 metres

LOCO SHEFFIED– Inconvenienced between the 400 and 200 metres when held up behind the tiring WESTERN RON.

SCOTTIE MACH– Driver Shane Hallcroft was fined $200 under rule 156(2)(a) for applying the whip in more than a wrist only flicking motion in the early stages of the home straight.

WESTERN RON– A pre veterinary examination was conducted due to the horse having not started for over 12 months. The examination failed to reveal any obvious abnormalities.  Trainer/driver Bruce Harpley was questioned in relation to the overall performance of the gelding, after being able to work to the lead passing the 1900 metres WESTERN RON commenced to tire passing the 400 metres to be beaten 74.7 metres.  Mr Harpley explained that the gelding had not started for five years and had worked and trialled well leading into the event. Mr Harpley added he believes the gelding will benefit from the run. In view of the gelding’s performance stewards will require WESTERN RON to perform one requalifying trial.  A post-race veterinary examination revealed the gelding to have a poor recovery.

HES THE JUDGE– Caught wide in the early stages of the event before working forward to find a position outside the leader passing the 1800 metres.

YOO TRISH– Caught wide in the early stages of the event before working forward to find a position outside the leader approaching the 1600 metres.

SONNYS AMAZING– Pre-race blood test.  Commenced to improve three wide passing the 1600 metres before finding a position outside the leader passing the 1300 metres. Inconvenienced between the 400 and 200 metres as a result of being held up behind the tiring WESTERN RON.  BEAU BROWN – Post-race swab.

 

RACE 2 – LESTER OWEN TRIBUTE JUNIORS DRIVERS CHALLENGE – 1750 metres

SHOOIN– Commenced to improve three wide from the 1350 metres before finding a position outside the leader passing the 1200 metres.

EUCAN ROLL– Post-race swab.

ALLY ROGAN– Caught wide in the early stages of the event before being restrained to the tail of the field passing the 1200 metres.  Over raced throughout the event. 

DEE TERROR– Driver Ellise Apolony was fined $50 under rule 162(1)(j) for failing to maintain her position behind the starting gate. 

PEGGYVILLE– Shifted out under pressure.

HEAVENS HURRICANE– Pre-race blood test.  Driver Bayley Duck was questioned in relation to the tactics adopted in tonight’s event, of concern to the Stewards was that after being caught wide at the tail of the field Mr Duck elected to work forward from the 1400 metres until the 1000 metres when it became evident the position outside the leader wasn’t available and HEAVENS HURRICANE was restrained to the tail of the field. Mr Duck explained that when racing three wide the horse racing outside the leader, MAJORESS JUJON, was restraining looking for cover so he elected to improve forward, as he progressed forward SHOOIN commenced to improve three wide in front of HEAVENS HURRICANE and improved to the position outside the leader. Mr Duck felt that his gelding wasn’t travelling well and when he got to a position three wide outside the leading division he was unable to progress any further and as a result elected to restrain his gelding to the tail of the field. The gelding tired over the concluding stages to be beaten 40.4 metres. After considering the explanation provided, Stewards did not find that Mr Duck’s tactics were that unreasonable in all of the circumstances.

RACE 3 – DOWNLOAD THE TAB APP TODAY FINAL – 1750 metres

MANGOCHILLIELIME– Hung in after the start.

HIGHLY RESPECTED– Driver Bruce Harpley was questioned in relation to the seemingly below market expectation ($1.30 fav) of HIGHLY RESPECTED which was able tosecure an economical run in the event before commencing to tire at the 300 metres to be beaten 33 metres. Mr Harpley explained that the mare travelled well throughout the event and failed to run on over the concluding stages and could offer no further explanation into the disappointing performance.  A post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any obvious abnormalities. 

MASTER OF ILLUSION– Driver Blake Micallef was questioned in relation to the above market expectation ($71) and performance of MASTER OF ILLUSION.  Mr Micallef stated that it was the gelding’s third run from a spell and he was able to lead which is the position that MASTER OF ILLUSION seems to race best.  Post-race swab.

CARIBBEAN MAGIC– Caught wide in the early stages of the event before working forward to find a position outside the leader passing the 1300 metres.  Raced roughly shortly after the start. 

JIMMY BEACH– Pre-race blood test.  Driver Thomas Gilligan was fined $50 under rule 163(1)(c)(ii) for allowing his sulky to make contact with marker posts on the first and final turn.

SMOKIN TALLY– A pre and post-race veterinary examination was conducted due to the horse having competed in excess of 200 race starts.  Both examinations failed to reveal any obvious abnormalities.  Driver Amanda Dean was fined $50 under rule 162(1)(j) for failing to maintain her position behind the starting gate.

 

RACE 4 – GEORGE DUNCAN MEMORIAL FINAL – 2150 metres

ROLL ALONG JANE– Commenced to tire passing the 500 metres to be beaten 41.6 metres.

NINA SIMONE NZ– Post-race swab.

SCHIAVONE NZ– Driver Amy Diebert was cautioned for her whip use over the concluding stages of the event.

EAGLES AND INDIANS– Pre-race blood test. 

DREAM COPY– Caught wide in the early stages of the event before being able to find a position in the running line passing the 1800 metres. 

BATED BREATH– Caught wide in the early stages of the event before being restrained to the tail of the field approaching the 1200 metres.

TEXAS RED NZ– Became unbalanced and broke gait rounding the first turn.  In view of the gelding’s recent record TEXAS RED NZ will be required to perform one requalifying trial.  Hung in and contacted marker pegs at various stages throughout the event.  Driver Thomas Gilligan was fined $200 under rule 156(2)(a) for applying the whip in more than a wrist only flicking motion over the concluding stages of the event.

THEULTIMATE– Driver Mark Hewitt was questioned in relation to the tactics adopted in tonight’s event, of concern to the Stewards was that after settling towards the rear of the field Mr Hewitt commenced to improve three wide from the 1600 metres and continued to race wide until the 400 metres at which point the gelding commenced to tire to be beaten 22.6 metres.  Mr Hewitt explained passing the 1600 metres the speed had eased from the event and he felt the position outside the leader maybe available, however as THEULTIMATE progressed forward approaching the 1200 metres NINA SIMONE NZ which was racing outside the leader challenged for the lead and Mr Hewitt felt NINA SIMONE NZ may have been able to find the lead so he continued forward until passing the 800 metres when it became evident that THEULTIMATE would be caught three wide. After considering the explanation provided, Stewards did not find that Mr Hewitt’s tactics were that unreasonable in all of the circumstances.

WALLY BLASTER– Driver Rodney Lemon was fined $200 under rule 156(2)(a) for applying the whip in more than a wrist only flicking motion over the concluding stages of the event.

 

RACE 5 – BIDGEE BULK GRIFFITH CUP – 2150 metres

IM FEELING FIREY– Over raced throughout the event.

BARRETT– Pre-race blood test. 

DELIGHTFUL ANGEL– Hung out after the start.  Caught wide in the early stages of the event before being restrained to a position in the running line passing the 1800 metres.  Passing the 1600 metres raced roughly for a short distance for which a warning was issued. 

LOUTHARIO– Driver Bruce Harpley pleaded guilty to a charge under rule 163(1)(a)(iii) for causing interference, in that passing the 200 metres he has allowed LOUTHARIO to shift down the track when not sufficiently clear of UROC SKINNY JEANS causing that runner to be checked racing roughly and as a result CLOWNS TOTHE LEFT was also checked and broke.  Driver Bruce Harpley had his licence to drive in races suspended for a period of seven days to commence midnight 12 November 2022.  In assessing penalty Stewards considered Mr Harpley’s plea, record in relation to the rule and circumstances of the incident.  Post-race swab.

UROC SKINNY JEANS– Caught wide in the early stages of the event before working forward to the position outside the leader passing the 1700 metres.  Passing the 200 metres was checked and race roughly when LOUTHARIO was shifting down the track when not sufficiently clear. 

CLOWNS TOTHE LEFT– Passing the 200 metres was checked and broke as a result of LOUTHARIO shifting down the track

SO MUCH BETTOR– Commenced to improve three wide passing the 800 metres.

THE BLACK ASSASSIN– A pre and post-race veterinary examination was conducted due to the horse having competed in excess of 200 race starts.  Both examinations failed to reveal any obvious abnormalities.  

WEONA BRANACH– Out of position at the start and raced roughly soon after the start.  In view of the mare’s recent record WEONA BRANACH will be continued out of the draw in mobile starts.  Tightened and inconvenienced passing the 100 metres when racing to the inside of MY ULTIMATE COBBER which moved down the track slightly at that stage.

 

RACE 6 – GRIFFITH LEAGUES CLUB PACE – 1750 metres

HORRIE OTARA– Driver Rodney Coelli pleaded guilty to a charge under rule 163(1)(a)(iii) for causing interference in that passing the 500 metres he has allowed HORRIE OTARA to shift up the track when not sufficiently clear of FEELS LIKA BOSS causing that runner to be checked and race roughly and as a result MILLYS PRINCE and ADAMS IT were also checked and raced roughly.  Driver Rodney Coelli had his licence to drive in races suspended for a period of seven days to commence midnight 12^th November 2022.  In assessing penalty Stewards considered Mr Coelli’s plea, record in relation to the rule and circumstances of this event.

MILLYS PRINCE– Checked and raced roughly passing the 500 metres as a result of HORRIEOTARA shifting wider on the track.

FEELS LIKA BOSS– Pre-race blood test.  Raced three wide in the early stages of the event before working forward to find a position outside the leader passing the 1300 metres.  Passing the 500 metres was checked and raced roughly when HORRIE OTARA was moving wider on the track when not sufficiently clear.

UROC BABY NZ– Worked forward to find the lead passing the 1300 metres.  Post-race swab.

ADAMS IT– Checked and raced roughly passing the 500 metres was as a result of HORRIE OTARA moving wider on the track.

LA MINACCIA– Driver Mikayla Towers was fined $50 under rule 162(1)(h) for failing to come up into position behind the starting gate.

OUR SAMS HOME– Inconvenienced passing the 500 metres as a result of HORRIE OTARA moving wider on the track

 

RACE 7 – J D GLASS PACE – 1750 metres

EYES FOR DOLLARS– Broke in the score up and was out of position at the start for which a warning was issued. 

JOE POWELL NZ– Pre-race blood test.  Held up for clear running in the home straight and was not fully tested.

MCDREAMY GUY– Post-race swab.

 

 

SUMMARY
Reprimands	Nil
Fines	Race 1 S Hallcroft – Rule 156(2)(a) - $200 – SCOTTIE MACH Race 2 – E Apolony – Rule 162(1)(j) - $50 – DEE TERROR Race 3 – A Dean – Rule 162(1)(j) - $50 – SMOKIN TALLY Race 3 – T Gilligan – Rule 163(1)(c)(ii) - $50 – JIMMY BEACH Race 4 – R Lemon – Rule 156(2)(a) - $200 – WALLY BLASTER Race 4 – T Gilligan – Rule 156(2)(a) - $200 – TEXAS RED NZ Race 6 – M Towers – Rule 162(1)(j) - $50 – LA MINACCIA
Suspensions	Race 5 – B Harpley – Rule 163(1)(a)(iii) – 7 days – LOUTHARIO Race 6 – R Coelli – Rule 163(1)(a)(iii) – 7 days – HORRIE OTARA
Barrier Information	Nil
Trials/Stand Down	Race 1 – WESTERN RON – 1 trial Race 4 – TEXAX RED NZ – 1 trial
Late Scratchings	Nil
Adjourned Inquiries	Nil
Medical Clearance	Nil
Follow up’s	Nil