Stewards Report

HARNESS RACING VICTORIA

STEWARDS REPORT FOR HAMILTON

FRIDAY 17 JUNE 2022

	Grant Adams John Packer Des Benger Jason Fino (Starter) Dr Tony James (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 – MATTHEWS PETROLEUM HAMILTON PACE (2160 MS)

Chicago Nights, which improved three wide during the middle stages to race outside of the leader from the 1400m, gave ground over the concluding stages to finish in 8th position beaten 19.8m. When questioned regarding the performance and the tactics adopted James Herbertson, the driver of Chicago Nights, explained that after settling in a rearward position and the tempo in the event had eased, he had noticed the leader of the event namely Spacewriter was switching off and under driving to maintain its position and given the slow tempo he elected to improve three wide with the intention to obtain the position outside the leader or the leading position. Mr Herbertson stated that once improving he was required to work harder than anticipated as a result of Sweet American NZ improving towards his inside and on approach to the turn leaving the back straight Chicago Nights lost its momentum and therefore took him longer to improve forward then he would have liked. Mr Herbertson added that bearing in mind the work done during the first quarter his mare was unable to finish off the event.

Sweet American NZ was inconvenienced passing the 400m when positioned behind the weakening Chicago Nights.

Glen Craven, the driver of Sweet American NZ, explained that after working forward in the early stages and in a three wide position there had been mid-race pressure as a result of Chicago Nights improving to his outside and given that the tempo had increased during the first quarter he allowed his gelding to ease and obtain cover. Mr Craven stated that passing the winning post with a lap remaining he elected to maintain his position on the back of Chicago Nights given the work that Sweet American NZ had done previously and did not feel that his gelding would be capable of racing wide for the remainder of the event. Mr Craven further explained that he was disappointed when taken back by Chicago Nights rounding the final turn and upon entry to the home straight when able to obtain clear running Sweet American NZ found the line strongly.

RACE 2 – TK LANDSCAPING TROTTERS HANDICAP (2160 SS)

Aldebaran Anna (FT Hcp) was fractious prior to the start resulting in a delay before beginning badly when galloping out. The mare, which trailed the field throughout, will be excluded from the standing start barrier draw.

Namoscar (30m Hcp) was fractious prior to the start and will continue to be excluded from the standing start barrier draw.

Icicle (30m Hcp) reared as the tapes were released and trotted away safely. Given the delay as a result of Aldebaran Anna no further action was taken.

Near the 700m Victree Hill trotted roughly and at the 400m broke gait free of interference and galloped excessively over the concluding stages. The gelding was issued with a warning.

Michael Bellman, the driver of Dream Over which finished in 7th position beaten 33.7m, explained that his gelding had run to expectation noting the rise in class in addition to the fast overall rate recorded.

Allawart Bob turned its near side knee boot during the event.

Ashley Ainsworth, the driver of Namoscar, was advised that he must make further modification to the manner in which he applies the whip in the home straight.

RACE 3 – TAYLOR MOTORS HAMILTON PACE (2160 MS)

Ellen Rixon, the driver of Sporty Culture, was cautioned for tightening in that entering the first turn she had permitted her mare to shift in when not the required clearance of Hilldale Sunrise resulting in that gelding being tightened. In taking no further action stewards were mindful of the racing manners of Hilldale Sunrise which also had a tendency to hang out on entry to the first turn and therefore contributed to its positioning.

Asharah pulled hard during the middle stages of the event.  

RACE 4 – ALEXANDRA HOUSE SPORTS CLUB PACE (1660 MS)

Better Steam Ahead was examined by the club’s veterinarian following the pre-race preliminary and was found to be showing lameness in its off fore leg. Acting under veterinarian advice Better Steam Ahead was withdrawn by stewards at 2:31 pm. Given the findings and the veterinarians recommendations Better Steam Ahead was stood down for a period of 10 days and until a certificate of fitness is submitted.

Glen Craven replaced Lochie Cook as a late driving replacement on Ire Of The Dragon as Lochie Cook was unable to make the meeting due to personal reasons.

Bettorbewright was held up for clear running in the early stages of the home straight prior to utilising the sprint lane.

Shortly after entering the home straight Johnny Redcoat shifted out when placed under pressure and moved inside the line of Tuxedo Bromac NZ and shortly after both runners locked wheels, were checked and were taken back through the field. At a subsequent inquiry stewards fined Jackie Barker, the driver of Johnny Redcoat, $200 under Rule 162(1)(www)(a) for failing to take sufficient effort to prevent her gelding from shifting ground and therefore this had impeded Tuxedo Bromac NZ resulting in the locking of the wheels. In taking no further action stewards were mindful of the small shift.

RACE 5 - WEST COUNTRY CREATIVE WEBSITES PACE (2160 MS)

Royal Speed (barrier 4) was out of position at the start and a warning was placed on the gelding.

James Herbertson, the driver of Dont Need An Excuse NZ, was questioned as to the performance of the gelding which finished in 5th position beaten 4.6m. Mr Herbertson explained that his gelding sucked wind during the event and in his opinion this has resulted in the performance when not running on as well as expected.

RACE 6 – HAMILTON LAUNDRY AND DRYCLEANERS PACE (1660 MS)

Classicmajor pulled hard during the middle stages after improving to the lead.

Crafty Old Fox was held up for clear running in the early stages of the home straight prior to utilising the sprint lane. 

Shady Dancer had difficulty obtaining clear running in the home straight on the final occasion and was not fully tested.

RACE 7 – AJW FRASER MACHINERY HAMILTON PACE (1660 MS)

Rod Carberry, the trainer of Fourth In Line, was fined $100 under Rule 273(6)(a) for presenting the gelding with the incorrect saddle cloth number.

Bakers Bandit was held up for clear running in the early stages of the home straight.

Ellen Rixon, the driver of Goodtime Mach ($4), was questioned as to the seemingly disappointing performance of the gelding which failed to run on over the concluding stages finishing in 9th position beaten 28.1m. Ms Rixon explained that in her opinion the gelding felt flat over the concluding stages after improving three wide and feels this may have been contributed by the early use of the gelding and also mindful of the final quarter run in 27 seconds when wider on the track. A post-race veterinarian examination failed to reveal any abnormalities.

RACE 8 – KINGS BAKERY HAMILTON 3YO PACE (2160 MS)

Luvbite raced keenly throughout the event whilst positioned outside of the leader.

Near the 800m Royal Saxon, which had been racing fiercely, commenced to improve towards the inside of Martin Magic and race inside the line of marker pegs despite the efforts of its driver Jackie Barker and whilst in this position was then restrained to the tail of the field and behind Eastbro Dani which had improved into the position vacated. Given the gelding’s racing manners a warning was issued against Royal Saxon.

Margin Magic was held up for clear running in the early stages of the home straight.

Ellen Rixon, the driver of Luvbite, was questioned as to the seemingly disappointing performance of the gelding which finished in 11th position beaten 40.2m. Ms Rixon explained that after unsuccessfully challenging for the lead her gelding pulled hard and failed to settle and as a consequence this had proved detrimental to her gelding’s chances. Ms Rixon added that when obtaining a position with cover in the early stages considering the slow tempo she elected to improve her position into the race. A post-race veterinarian examination failed to reveal any abnormalities.

Rory Coverdale, the driver of Banksofthemurray, and David Drury, the driver of Hanging Fire, were both reminded of their obligations as to the manner in which they applied their whip in the home straight.

 

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 – Sweet American NZ; Race 2 – Hurricane Ed, Dream Over; Race 8 – Martin Magic;
		Post-Race: Race 2 – Madeakillin NZ; Race 3 – Samara Fury; Race 5 – Ruby Wingate; Race 7 – Springfield Affair; Race 8 – Banksofthemurray;
Suspensions
Nil
Fines
Race 4	J Barker		R162(1)(www)(a)	$200
Race 7	R Carberry		R273(6)(a)	$100
Cautions
Race 3	E Rixon		D/CT
Horse Actions
Race 2	Namoscar		CODS
Race 2	Aldebaran Anna		ODS
Late Scratchings
Race 4	Better Steam Ahead		2.31 pm Vets	SD10 days