Stewards Report

HARNESS RACING VICTORIA

STEWARDS REPORT FOR GUNBOWER

SUNDAY 14 DECEMBER 2025

	Christopher Simpson Daniel Borg Wayne Smith Jason Fino (Starter) Dr Greg Hargreaves (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 – TOM & BRENDA MCGILLIVRAY MEMORIAL VICBRED VOUCHER MAIDEN TROT (2030 MS)

LITTLE MISS VALLEY – Broke gait free of interference after the start, galloped excessively and trailed the field. As a result, LITTLE MISS VALLEY will now be excluded from the barrier draw in future mobile start races.

BELIEVE IN SUNNY – Broke gait free of interference approaching the 1700 metre mark and trailed the field.

SAMMY HALLER – Broke gait free of interference approaching the 1000 metre mark.

NARKY INTELLECTUAL – Received an offside flat tyre during the running of the race.

ALDEBARANHARLEQUIN – Over-raced throughout the race, then hung in over the concluding stages when placed under pressure.

CAVE GIRL – Broke gait free of interference approaching the 900 metre mark. A warning was placed against the filly.

RACE 2 – K.L. COOKE & SONS / LINDSAY POLLOCK MEMORIAL TROT (2030 MS)

KALARNEY PRINCE – Commenced to tire leaving the 600 metre mark to be beaten 46.5 metres.

STARLIGHT RED – Due to having competed in more than 200 lifetime races and in accordance with HRV policy, was examined by the veterinarian before and after the race, which revealed no apparent abnormalities. Raced three wide without cover from the start before progressing forward to race outside the leader approaching the 1700 metre mark. Received a near side flat tyre during the running of the race.

FRANKYTHEFRENCHMAN – Hung out and broke gait free of interference approaching the 700 metre mark. A last chance to race truly was placed against the gelding.

RACE 3 – MAWSONS 0-1 LTW PACE (2030 MS)

SUMMERHILL – Raced roughly and commenced to tire leaving the 700 metre mark to be beaten 134.8 metres. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no apparent abnormalities. The gelding was subsequently stood down from racing until the completion of one (1) satisfactory trial.

AMERICAN SQUARED – Trainer Jason Ainsworth was cautioned for failing to disclose tactics. Surrendered the lead to YANKEE RAIN approaching the 1000 metre mark.

YANKEE RAIN – Progressed forward from the start before obtaining the lead approaching the 1000 metre mark.

RED SHORES – Over-raced throughout the early stages of the race.

FLAMING MEL – Commenced to tire leaving the 500 metre mark to be beaten 53.9 metres. A warning was placed against the filly.

RACE 4 – A.G. WAREHOUSE COHUNA MAIDEN PACE (2030 MS)

PIASTRI – Was held up for clear running entering the home straight before utilising the sprint lane and racing roughly over the concluding stages.

BJ ROBERTSON NZ – Shifted in over the concluding stages of the race. Driver Tristan Larsen was fined $100.00 AHHR 167(2) In the event of the leading horse or its sulky entering any part of the sprint lane after the sprint lane becomes available for racing purposes the driver shall immediately take all necessary action to remove the horse and sulky from the sprint lane.

ALDARON – Over-raced throughout the early and middle stages of the race.

STARZZZOFTERRY – Commenced to tire leaving the 500 metre mark to be beaten 65.8 metres. A warning was placed against the entire.

TRENDY DELIGHT – Raced roughly approaching the 200 metre mark.

IMA TIGGY TIGER – Was held up for clear running entering the home straight.

RACE 5 – NORTHERN HERD DEVELOPMENT PACE (2030 MS)

IMPEACHED – Over-raced throughout the early stages of the race.

REDBANK MOLLY – Surrendered the lead to BET SHEZA approaching the 1700 metre mark.

BET SHEZA LADY – Progressed forward from the start before obtaining the lead approaching the 1700 metre mark, before surrendering the lead to IMA CHARMA approaching the 1400 metre mark. Utilised the sprint lane in the home straight.

IMA CHARMA – Raced three wide without cover from the start before progressing forward to obtain the lead approaching the 1400 metre mark, then began to over-race once obtaining the lead.

NOTHING SWEETER – Raced three wide without cover from the 1200 metre mark before progressing forward to race outside the leader approaching the 1000 metre mark.

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

FREMARKS PEGGY – Had to be steadied approaching the 2100 metre mark when BENNIE AND THE JETS NZ broke gait free of interference.

BENNIE AND THE JETS NZ – Surrendered the lead to THUNDA STRUCK approaching the 2200 metre mark. Raced roughly before breaking gait free of interference approaching the 2100 metre mark. A last chance to race truly was placed against the gelding.

WATCH AND ACT – Over-raced throughout the race once obtaining cover in the early stages.

TRIPOD NZ – Began badly. As this occurred on the second attempt to start the race, no action was taken against the gelding. Commenced to tire leaving the 500 metre mark to be beaten 132.7 metres. No action was taken against the beaten margin, with Stewards taking into account the gelding’s bad beginning on the second attempt.

VICI BLOOM – Began badly and trailed the field. As this occurred on the second attempt to start the race, no action was taken against the mare.

EL CONQUEROR NZ – Had to be steadied and broke gait approaching the 2000 metre mark when BENNIE AND THE JETS NZ, which had broken gait free of interference approaching the 2100 metre mark, continued in a gallop. Driver Tristan Larsen was fined $200 under AHRR 156(2)(a) A driver shall only apply the whip and/or the rein in a wrist only flicking motion whilst holding a rein in each hand with the tip of the whip pointed forward in an action which does not engage the shoulder.

FAITH FULL – Began badly and trailed the field. As this occurred on the second attempt to start the race, no action was taken against the mare.

THUNDA STRUCK – Commenced to tire leaving the 600 metre mark to be beaten 101.9 metres. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no apparent abnormalities. A last chance to race competitively was placed against the gelding. Driver Ewa Justice reported that, in her opinion, the gelding failed to run out the 2630 metre distance and would be better suited over shorter trips in future.

BITTA IRISH LUCK – Broke gait free of interference approaching the 900 metre mark. A last chance to race truly was placed against the mare.

RACE 7 – M.V.P. FEEDS COHUNA PACE (2030 MS)

SOHO PLAYGIRL – Had to be steadied for a short distance and was placed in restricted racing room approaching the 1900 metre mark when TELEMACHUS shifted down the track shortly after the start. Utilised the sprint lane in the home straight.

WIND SOCK – After being caught wide in the early stages, was restrained to the rear of the field.

TELEMACHUS – Shifted down the track approaching the 1900 metre mark and placed SOHO PLAYGIRL in restricted racing room. Driver Nathan Cahir was cautioned for tightening.

OKANUI BEACH – Driver Abbey Turnbull reported that she was disappointed with the colt’s performance and was of the opinion that the colt had come to the end of its preparation following its recent campaign in Tasmania and would now be sent for a spell.

KIA ORA BEAUTY – Broke gait in the middle stages of the score-up, was out of position when the start was initiated and trailed the field. As a result, KIA ORA BEAUTY will be excluded from the barrier draw in future mobile start races.

RACE 8 – TRAVLA ROGER & ELAINE BRERETON MEMORIAL GUNBOWER PACING CUP (2630 MS)

SIR NIPPA – Commenced to tire leaving the 600 metre mark to be beaten 82.4 metres. A warning was placed against the gelding. A post-race veterinary examination revealed the gelding to have a slower than normal post-race recovery. Trainer Gerard Jamieson advised that the gelding had otherwise pulled up well and that the stable would continue to monitor the gelding’s recovery and report back to Stewards within the next 48 hours should any issues arise.

CRIME WRITER – Raced three wide with cover from the 900 metre mark.

MODERN GINGER – Had to be steadied approaching the 500 metre mark when SIR NIPPA commenced to give ground. Then had to check away from numerous runners approaching the 400 metre mark when FRUGAL FARE broke gait free of interference, which resulted in SHADOW CELT and THESTATESMAN locking wheels.

SHADOW CELT – Raced three wide without cover from the start before progressing forward to a position in the running line approaching the 1800 metre mark. Locked wheels with THESTATESMAN approaching the 400 metre mark when FRUGAL FARE broke gait free of interference, resulting in numerous trailing runners having to check and be steadied.

ALWAYSBEALADY – After being caught wide in the early stages, was restrained to the rear of the field. Had to be steadied approaching the 500 metre mark when SIR NIPPA commenced to give ground, then had to check away from numerous runners approaching the 400 metre mark when FRUGAL FARE broke gait free of interference, which resulted in SHADOW CELT and THESTATESMAN locking wheels.

THESTATESMAN – Raced four wide without cover from the start until the 1700 metre mark, then three wide without cover before progressing forward to race outside the leader approaching the 1600 metre mark and obtaining cover approaching the 1400 metre mark. Locked wheels with SHADOW CELT approaching the 400 metre mark when FRUGAL FARE broke gait free of interference, resulting in numerous trailing runners having to check and be steadied.

PRIORITISE – Had to be steadied approaching the 500 metre mark when SIR NIPPA commenced to give ground, then had to check away from numerous runners approaching the 400 metre mark when FRUGAL FARE broke gait free of interference, which resulted in SHADOW CELT and THESTATESMAN locking wheels.

FRUGAL FARE – Raced three wide with cover from the 1600 metre mark to the 1200 metre mark before progressing forward to race outside the leader approaching the 1000 metre mark. Broke gait free of interference approaching the 400 metre mark, which resulted in SHADOW CELT and THESTATESMAN locking wheels and numerous trailing runners having to check and be steadied. A last chance to race truly was placed against the gelding.

DHAULAGIRI – Raced three wide with cover from the 900 metre mark.

MADIGAN – Raced three wide with cover from the start, then three wide without cover from the 1700 metre mark before progressing forward to race outside the leader approaching the 1400 metre mark. Had to be steadied and broke gait approaching the 400 metre mark when FRUGAL FARE broke gait free of interference.

DIAMOND ECLIPSE – Raced three wide without cover from the 1000 metre mark.

RACE 9 – MCLOUGHLAN CONSTRUCTION PACE (2030 MS)

LEONARD – Over-raced throughout the race once obtaining cover in the early stages of the race.

STAG PARTY NZ – Commenced to tire leaving the 600 metre mark to be beaten 45.0 metres. Trainer David Harris expressed his disappointment with the gelding’s performance and was of the opinion that the gelding may not have backed up following its first-up run at Shepparton on Tuesday night. Mr Harris advised that the stable would monitor the gelding’s recovery and report back to Stewards within the next 48 hours should any issues arise with STAG PARTY NZ.

Christopher Simpson

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 – CASTLES IN THE SKY; Race 3 – YANKEE RAIN; Race 6 – EL CONQUEROR NZ; Race 8 – SHADOW CELT; Race 9 –ANIMADO;
	Post- Race: Race 2 – CHAMPAGNES; Race 2 – RED SHORES; Race 6 – KINGS GUARD; Race 7 – TELEMACHUS; Race 8 –CRIME WRITER;
Suspensions	NIL
Fines
Race 4	Tristan Larsen	167(2)
Race 6	Tristan Larsen	156(2)(a)
Cautions
Race 3	Jason Ainsworth	T/CT
Race 7	Nathan Cahir	D/CT
Horse Actions
Race 1	LITTLE MISS VALLEY	ODM
Race 3	SUMMERHILL	SD1T
Race 7	KIA ORA BEAUTY	ODM
Late Scratching’s
Race 9	CHIRRIPO	Vets	3.05pm	SD5D
Follow Ups
Race 8	SIR NIPPA
Race 9	STAG PARTY NZ
Adjourned Inquiries	NIL
Sulky Fund Claims	NIL