Stewards Report

HARNESS RACING VICTORIA

STEWARDS REPORT FOR HORSHAM

MONDAY 30 MAY 2022

	Scott Gillespie Grant Adams Wayne Smith Nathan Moy (Starter) Dr Anthony James (Vet)
	Track:    Good	Weather:	Showery

 

Trainers with multiple horses engaged in any given race were questioned as to the intended driving tactics to be adopted. 

RACE 1 – THE WEEKLY ADVERTISER 2YO PACE (1700 MS)

Race start time amended to 12.45pm.

Lizzy Mac broke under pressure in the home straight and has now been placed on its last chance to race truly.

Stewards queried Ryan Sanderson, driver of Scenic Stride regarding his decision to delay utilising the sprint lane in the home straight.  Mr.Sanderson stated he intended to steer down into the sprint lane earlier, however the filly was reluctant to do so.  Stewards noted his explanation.

RACE 2 – SPEEDING SPUR @ WOODLANDS STUD TROTTERS HANDICAP (2200 MS)

Lady Madge Lewis was a late scratching at 9.29am with Stewards Permission.

Sosomaori was a late scratching at 9.29am with Stewards Permission.

Co-trainers AJ & BJ Tindale (Madeakillin NZ) were cautioned for presenting the gelding with gear that was not correctly declared.

Oh Livia broke after the start checking Icicle and Flash Kyvalley while Elegant Jet was inconvenienced.  Oh Livia will continue to be placed outside of the draw in future stand start events. 

RACE 3 – DECRON HORSE CARE PACE (1700 MS)

Southern GNP NZ underwent pre and post-race veterinary examinations under the HRV horse welfare policy due to the gelding having over 200 race starts.  Neither examination revealed any abnormality.

Summerhill, Swiss Lightning, Flaming Lucky, Hilldale Sunrise and Classic Major were all checked and broke when Southern GNP NZ was checked and broke approaching the first turn while Mister Uptown was checked.

Stewards queried Bailey McDonough, driver of Denstown NZ regarding the overall performance of the gelding which gave ground and galloped just prior to the winning post to be beaten 50m.  Mr.McDonough stated the gelding broke in the score up but could otherwise offer no explanation and a post-race veterinary examination revealed no abnormality.  Denstown NZ has been placed on its last chance in the draw and last chance to race truly.  Stewards will follow up with the stable on the recovery of the gelding over the coming days.

Tayla French, driver of The Battle We Face pleaded guilty to a charge under rule 165(1)(b).  The particulars of the charge being that approaching the first turn, Ms.French permitted her drive to shift in from a position one off the marker pegs when not the required clearance of Southern GNP NZ causing that gelding to be tightened, jump a marker peg and be checked before breaking gait and subsequently losing its rightful racing position.  Ms.French licence to drive in races was suspended for 3 weeks.  In assessing penalty, in accordance with the HRV Minimum Penalty Guidelines, Stewards took into account Ms.French’s guily plea, her recent record under relevant rules and the degree of interference.

Bailey McDonough, driver of Denstown NZ pleaded guilty to a charge under rule 163(1)(a)(iii).  The particulars of the charge being that on the first turn he failed to make sufficient effort to prevent Denstown NZ shifting inwards on the first turn when not clear of The Battle We Face, resulting in contact being made to the off side leg and subsequently breaking gait.  Mr.McDonough had his licence to drive in races suspended for 2 weeks.  In assessing penalty, in accordance with the HRV Minimum Penalty Guidelines, Stewards took into account Mr.McDonough’s guilty plea, his recent record under this rule, and the degree of interference.

RACE 4 – BE HAPPY MACH @ ALABAR BLOODSTOCK 3YO MAIDEN PACE (2200 MS)

Race start time amended to 2.34pm.

Jilliby Ivy tired to be beaten 51m and has been placed on its last chance to race competitively.                                           

RACE 5 - TAB LONG MAY WE PLAY PACE (1700 MS)

Abby Sanderson, driver of The Cullector was issued a caution for failing to maintain her position behind the mobile barrier until the start.

RACE 6 – WORLD MS DAY PACE (1700 MS)

A warning was issued against Creative Lad which was out of position at the start.

Better Exclusive utilised the sprint lane in the home straight.

RACE 7 – ANDREW LYDEAMORE & FAMILY - TROTS LIFE PACE (2200 MS)

Stewards queried Rory Coverdale, driver of Regal Reggae regarding her decision to maintain her position outside the leader through the early middle stages of the event when She Will Wantano (Kevin Brough) was in a three wide position working forward.  Ms.Coverdale, assisted by Mr. Craven explained that she initially attempted to cross Ash Park and obtain a position on the marker pegs, however when unable to show the required early pace, she settled in the position outside the leader and without cover. Ms. Coverdale stated that as She Will Wantano moved towards her outside during the middle stages, she was happy to allow that runner to pass, but it took further than she expected to obtain cover which may have been contributed by the turn. Ms. Coverdale added that she was unable to offer any explanation as to the performance of Regal Reggae which tired from the 400m to be beaten 92m into 9th (last) position.  A post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any abnormality.  Stewards were of the opinion that the tactics adopted were not unreasonable, however Regal Reggae was placed on its last chance to race competitively.

Stewards queried Kevin Brough, driver of She Will Wantano regarding the driving tactics adopted on the mare. Mr.Brough stated that he intended to make a three wide move to sit outside the lead, similar to how She Will Wantano was driven when successful at her most recent start at Hamilton.  Mr.Brough added that he was made to work harder to find the position outside the lead than he had anticipated and the mare began to tire at the 400m to be beaten 58m into 8th placing.  Stewards were of the opinion that the tactics adopted were not unreasonable, however a warning was placed against the performance of She Will Wantano.

Fly Like An Angel pulled hard during the middle stages and tired to be beaten 50m.  Taking into account the recent racing record of Fly Like An Angel, the gelding has been placed on its last chance to race competitively.

Strongnbold underwent a post-race veterinary examination which revealed the gelding had cast a plate and be lame in the near foreleg.  Strongnbold was stood down from racing for 28 days and pending a veterinary clearance.

RACE 8 – WEST SIDE FRIDAY HAPPY HOURS PACE (2200 MS)

Noosa Beach was fractious before the start and was out of position at the start.  The gelding trailed the field thereafter.  Noosa Beach will now be placed outside of the draw in future mobile start events and has been stood down until the completion of one satisfactory trial.

Bailey McDonough, driver of Leica Gem was fined $100 under rule 168(1)(a) for careless driving in allowing that mare to contact the offside sulky wheel of Sporty Culture approaching the first turn, resulting in Leica Gem breaking gate for a short distance.

Jackie Barker, driver of Sporty Culture was cautioned for allowing that mare to contact the final marker peg and race roughly prior to utilising the sprint lane.

Scott Gillespie

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 3 – Denstown NZ; Race 4 – Sunshine Warrior; Race Race 6 – Security Check; Race 7 – She Will Wantano; Race 8 - Bettorbewright;
		Post-Race:Race 2 – Allawart Bob; Race 3 – Mister Uptown; Race 5 – Jilliby Dynamite; Race 6 – Better Exclusive NZ; Race 7 - Strongnbold;
Suspensions
Race 3	Tayla French		The Battle We Face	165(1)(b)	3 weeks
Race 3	Bailey McDonough		Denstown NZ	163(1)(a)(iii)	2 weeks
Fines
Race 8	Bailey McDonough		Leica Gem	168(1)(a)	$100
Cautions
Race 2	AJ & BJ Tindale		Madeakillin NZ	T/CG
Race 5	Abby Sanderson		The Cullector	D/CSU
Race 8	Jackie Barker		Sporty Culture	D/CCMP
Horse Actions
Race 2	Oh Livia		CODS
Race 2	Madeakillin NZ		CODS
Race 7	Strongnbold		SDVETS / SD28D
Race 8	Noosa Beach NZ		ODM/SD1T
Late Scratchings
Race 2	#2 Lady Madge Lewis		Stewards Permission	9.29am
Race 2	#3 Sosomaori		Stewards Permission	9.29am