Stewards Report

HARNESS RACING VICTORIA

STEWARDS REPORT FOR GUNBOWER                                                                                                                                          

SUNDAY 8 DECEMBER 2024

Daniel Borg (Chairman) Kylie Harrison Tom Bick Emma Johnson (Starter) Dr Greg Hargreaves (Veterinarian) 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 – A.G. WAREHOUSE COHUNA MAIDEN PACE (2030 MS)

MIDNIGHT MUSIC – driver Ashley Ainsworth cautioned for the manner in which he directed or allowed his drive to shift outward at approx. 200m, inconveniencing runners to his outside.

SKADI – inconvenienced approx. 200m when MIDNIGHT MUSIC (Ashley Ainsworth) shifted outward.

COURAGEOUS CAESAR – yielded ground to be beaten 26.2m into ninth placing after leading the event. Driver Blake Jones was queried regarding the overall performance of the gelding and could offer no tangible explanation for the performance and conveyed his disappointment in the effort. Mr Jones advised Stewards that COURAGEOUS CAESAR would now likely be sent for a spell. Post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any obvious abnormalities.

ORSINO BELLE – inconvenienced at approx. 200m when MIDNIGHT MUSIC (Ashley Ainsworth) shifted outward, locking wheels with TAP TO PAY (Nathan Jack) momentarily.

OBSYDIAN – held up and no clear run rounding home turn final occasion; utilized sprint lane thereafter.

TAP TO PAY – locked wheels with ORSINO BELLE (Alex Ashwood) approx. 200m when that runner was inconvenienced by MIDNIGHT MUSIC (Ashley Ainsworth) shifting outward.

OLLIES MEDAL – hung out score-up and then hung out after the start was effected; continued exclusion from future mobile barrier draws. Hung out and pulled hard in running throughout; warning issued for collective behaviours. Trainer and driver David Miles was queried regarding the overall performance of the gelding. Mr Miles explained that OLLIES MEDAL contacting his own sulky with hindlegs rounding the turns and pulled hard as a consequence. Post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any obvious abnormalities.

RACE 2 – TOM & BRENDA MCGILLIVREY MAIDEN TROT (2030 MS)

The start time of this event was amended to 12.58pm at the request of Sky Channel.

BILLYSOPHIA – tired to be beaten 76.3m into tenth placing; stood down pending the completion of two (2) satisfactory trials and a period of 14 days.

KYVALLETY JETSTREAM NZ – galloped under pressure at approx. 200m.

APACHEVALLEY – galloped approx. 1400m. Trailed the field thereafter.

DRESSEDUPINTHECITY – galloped approx. 400m; warning issued owing to recent record.

MONEY TALKS – galloped after the start; exclusion from future mobile barrier draws. Galloped approx. 250m; warning issued owing to recent record.

OPRAH DOUBLE YOU – began badly; continued exclusion from future mobile barrier draws.

RACE 3 – MAWSONS / APG TROT (2030 MS)

The start time of this event was amended to 1.37pm at the request of Sky Channel.

HURRICANE JANE – galloped score-up, fulfilled position on gate when start effected; last chance in mobile barrier draw.

ABBIE – late scratching at 11.15am with Stewards’ permission.

BILLY ZIPPIN – driver Brian Gath was cautioned for placing his drive in the wrong position through the early and middle part of the score-up. Began badly; exclusion from future mobile barrier draws. Sustained a flat tyre shortly thereafter and pulled up out of the event.

SHIELD MAIDEN – pulled hard in running. Held up and no clear run rounding home turn final occasion; utilized sprint lane thereafter.

BAARLINEE – pulled hard through middle stages when positioned outside the leader.

WHATS THE TEA – galloped approx. 800m.

RACE 4 – K.L. COOKE & SONS / LINDSAY POLLOCK MEMORIAL TROT (2030 MS)

SWEET MAORI MISS – galloped heading into the first turn; last chance to race tractably. Trailed the field thereafter.

DOSSIER – galloped at approx. 300m.

STRAIGHT TO THETOP – held up and no clear run rounding home turn final occasion; utilized sprint lane thereafter.

SINGARA TED – paced roughly after the start; warning issued.

THE SKY IS THE LIMIT – inconvenienced approx. 125m when WATCH AND ACT (Sean O’Sullivan) galloped under pressure.

WATCH AND ACT – galloped under pressure approx. 125m.

SISTA EVARISTA – began badly; continued exclusion from future mobile barrier draws. Galloped again heading around the first turn; warning issued owing to recent record. Trailed the field thereafter. Stewards adjourned the resumption of an inquiry to a date and time to be set regarding the actions of driver Zac Phillips when restraining SISTER EVARISTA at approx. 1800m.

Zac Phillips, driver of SISTA EVARISTA was cautioned for leaving the track prior to clearance from Stewards. 

Zac Phillips, driver of SISTA EVARISTA was found guilty of a charge under AHRR 168(1)(e) which reads "a person shall not before, during or after a race drive in a manner which in the opinion of Stewards is improper, with the particulars of the charge being that "as the driver of SISTA EVARISTA when the mare galloped on the second occasion rounding the first turn and upon entering the front straight that when restraining his drive, Mr Phillips has excessively and forcefully applied pressure to each rein over a prolonged period, on each side of the mare's mouth, whilst leaning out the back of the sulky; actions in which in the opinion of Stewards were overly forceful and improper" In determining penalty, in accordance with the HRV Minimum Penalty Guidleines, Stewards considered Mr Phillips not guilty plea, good record under this rule with this being a first applicable offence, prior penalty precedents for this rule, the image in which actions of this nature portray the harness racing industry, the industry notice dated October 2021 in which participants were placed on notice regarding their requirements of same, and issued Mr Phillips a fine the sum of $500, of which $250 was suspended for a period of two (2) years, provided that Mr Phillips does not reoffend in that time. Mr Phillips was advised of his appeal rights. 

RACE 5 – NORTHERN HERD DEVELOPMENT PACE (2030 MS)

AMBER ALERT – driver John Newberry cautioned for not having his drive in position at the candy pole through the score-up, thus allowing an advantage to be gained at release point.

FOUR STARZZZ RUBY – pulled hard in running.

OUR TRUE COLOURS – driver John Caldow cautioned for directing his drive inward heading into the first turn when not clear of THELONGROADNOWHERE (Tristan Larsen) with the latter being inconvenienced as a result.

ALTA BAYAMO – galloped score-up, out of position when start effected; exclusion from future mobile barrier draws. Trailed the field thereafter.

THELONGROADNOWHERE – inconvenienced heading into the first turn by OUR TRUE COLOURS (John Caldow) when that runner was directed inwards.

RACE 6 – COHUNA CAR SALES / BILL POXON MEMORIAL GUNBOWER TROTTERS CUP (2630 SS)

The start of this event was delayed owing to WISH UPONA DREAM (Michael Bellman) requiring a sulky change owing to a flat tyre sustained.

KINGS GUARD (FT) – checked by TIPSY TURVY at approx. 800m when that runner galloped.

TIPSY TURVY (FT) – galloped twice in running (approx. 1700m and 800m).

BITTA IRISH LUCK (FT) – galloped heading into the first turn. Trailed the field thereafter.

STAR DOWN UNDER (FT) – checked by TIPSY TURVY at approx. 1700m when that runner galloped.

MISSUCCI NZ (FT) – tired to be beaten 79.6m into ninth placing; last chance to race competitively.

BLUE COMAN NZ (10m) – held up and no clear run from approx. 225m to finish.

WISH UPONA DREAM (10m) – galloped out; leniency displayed in issuing a last chance in standing start draws owing to initial delay to start. Stewards intend to follow-up with connections in the coming days as to the gelding’s recovery.

On 12 December 2024, trainer Rebecca Morrisey reported that WISH UPONA DREAM would now be sent for a short break before resuming early in the new year. 

ILLAWONG STARDUST (20m) - galloped out; leniency displayed in issuing a last chance in standing start draws owing to initial delay to start. Trailed the field thereafter.

RACE 7 – M.V.P. FEEDS COHUNA / R & E BRERETON MEMORIAL PACE (2030 MS)

JUST PEDRO – late scratching at 3.27pm owing to late arrival.

MARLO MAREAU – held up and no clear run rounding home turn final occasion; utilized spring lane thereafter.

IVANA BYTHESEASIDE – driver Neville Pangrazio cautioned for the manner in which he activated removable gear at approx. 250m.

STAG PARTY NZ - pre and post-race veterinary examinations in accordance with the HRV Animal Welfare policy having competed in the preceding 24 hours at Melton. No obvious abnormalities detected either examination.

CEE CEE LOU - pre and post-race veterinary examinations in accordance with the HRV Animal Welfare policy having competed in the preceding 24 hours at Melton. No obvious abnormalities detected either examination.

RACE 8 – TRAVLA GUNBOWER PACING CUP (2630 MS)

WEMADE FREO – approved late driver change (Jackie Barker replaced Ryan Duffy who was unavailable). Held up and inconvenienced behind the tiring CREDULOUS from approx. 300m.

CREDULOUS – tired to be beaten 51.9m into eighth placing; no action taken owing to the margins between the placings.  

HARRYHOO – tired to be beaten 75.2m into tenth and last placing; warning issued.

ALBY TWO CHAINS – raced roughly and galloped briefly heading around the first turn; last chance to race tractably. Tired to be beaten 74.7m into ninth placing; warning issued. Driver Nathan Jack could offer no tangible explanation for the overall performance of the gelding and conveyed his disappointment in the effort. Post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any obvious abnormalities. Connections advised Stewards that the gelding would now likely be sent for a spell.

DELIGHTFULL TAMMY – checked by ALBY TWO CHAINS heading around the first turn when that runner galloped.

CAPTAIN PINS NZ – inconvenienced by ALBY TWO CHAINS heading around the first turn when that runner galloped. Inconvenienced again by ALBY TWO CHAINS having to navigate wider around that from approx. 300m as that runner yielded ground.  

ARGGGHHH – inconvenienced from approx. 300m by ALBY TWO CHAINS having to navigate wider around that runner who was yielding ground at the time.  

RACE 9 – MCLOUGHLAN CONSTRUCTION PACE (2030 MS)

ELATED NZ - approved late driver change (Tasmyn Potter replaced Ryan Duffy who was unavailable).

COUNTRY ROCKSTAR – tired to be beaten 56.5m into ninth placing; warning issued.

CHARLIE CHOPS – Ryan Sanderson was cautioned for the manner in which he directed or allowed his drive to shift outward at approx. 900m inconveniencing DIRECT COMMAND (Jack Laugher) who was progressing forward to his outside. Galloped shortly thereafter; last chance to race tractably.

DIRECT COMMAND NZ – inconvenienced by CHARLIE CHOPS (Ryan Sanderson) at approx. 900m.

CEE OH DEE – locked wheels with JAMES GARNER (Sean O’Sullivan) heading into the first turn. Tired to be beaten 60.8m into tenth placing; warning issued. Stewards intend to follow-up with connections in the coming days as to the mare’s recovery.

On 12 September 2024, trainer Peter Salathiel reported that CEE OH DEE had shown signs that she was in season in the days following the engagement at Gunbower on 8 December 2024. 

JAMES GARNER NZ – locked wheels with CEE OH DEE (Nathan Jack) heading into the first turn.

KIA ORA BEAUTY – inconvenienced by COUNTRY ROCKSTAR rounding the final turn as that runner yielded ground.

Daniel Borg
Chairman

‘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.’

Swabs:

Pre-Race:
Race 5: Thelongroadnowhere
Race 5: Scrittore (x2)
Race 6: Suga Daddy
Race 6: Berriesandcherries
Race 8: Harryhoo
Race 8: Alby Two Chains

Post-Race:
Race 1: Speedy Healey
Race 4: Lindy Grace
Race 5: Hand Writer
Race 8: Western Sonador

Suspensions:	NIL
Fines:	NIL
Cautions:
Race 1:	A. Ainsworth	D/CSG
Race 3:	B. Gath	D/CSP
Race 5:	J. Caldow	D/CT
Race 5:	J. Newberry	D/CCP
Race 7:	N. Pangrazio	D/CUA
Race 9:	R. Sanderson	D/CSG
Horse Actions:
Race 1:	Ollies Medal	ODM
Race 2:	Billysophia	SD2T & SD14D
Race 2:	Oprah Double You	CODM
Race 2:	Money Talks	ODM
Race 3:	Billy Zippin	ODM
Race 4:	Sista Evarista	CODM
Race 5:	Alta Bayamo	ODM
Late Scratchings:
Race 3:	Abbie	11.15am	Transportation
Race 7:	Just Pedro NZ	3.27pm	Non-arrival
Follow Ups:
Race 6:	Wish Upona Dream
Race 9:	Cee Oh Dee
Adjourned Inquiries:
Race 4:	Z. Phillips
Sulky Fund Claims:
Race 5:	J. Newberry