Stewards Report

HARNESS RACING VICTORIA

STEWARDS REPORT FOR MELTON

THURSDAY 27 JUNE 2024

	Nick Murray Christopher Simpson Tom Bick Jason Fino (Starter) Dr Nick Branson, Simon Bray & Annabelle Trainor (Vets)
	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 – ALABAR PACE (2240 MS)

General

A false start was declared at the first attempt when FIGHTER COMMAND shied, shifted out and paced roughly resulting in interference to ANGUS INDIANA.

FIGHTER COMMAND– shied, paced roughly and caused a false start. Will be placed outside the mobile barrier draw.

OOH AH LISTAH– driver Joanne Justice was fined $200 under rule 156(2)(a) for applying the whip free of a rein on several occasions rounding the final turn.

OZZIE PUNTA– pulled hard when positioned outside of the leader during the early and middle stages.

LAST OF THE MOHICANS NZ– Driver Jordan Chibnall was cautioned for the manner in which she momentarily shifted ground wider near the 900m. Tired (124m) over the latter stages. Post-race endoscopic examination revealed the gelding to be exhibiting Grade 3 EIPH. In accordance with HRV policy, the gelding was stood down from racing for 28 days, until a veterinary clearance has been provided and trialled satisfactorily on one (1) occasion.

ANGUS INDIANA– held up for a clear run before using the sprint lane to finish in 3rd place.

MAJOR MANBAR– galloped during the score up at the second attempt however due to the initial delay no action was taken.

 

RACE 2 – TAB WE'RE ON PACE (1720 MS)

CHEVRON FLIES– held up for a clear run rounding the final turn.

KATHYS FREE– hung out racing off the back straight on the final occasion and again near the 200m. Held up for a clear run rounding the final turn.      

THE JET PLAYER– due to the horse not having started in a race since September 2021, was examined by the veterinarian before and after the race in accordance with HRV policy, which revealed no apparent abnormalities. Shifted out near the 700m before giving ground (48m) over the final stages.

 

RACE 3 – 2CONSTRUCT TROT (2240 MS)

CROOKWELL EYES– inconvenienced rounding the first turn. Inconvenienced and crowded for room near the 200m and contacted marker pegs.

PARIS JAMILLA– galloped clear of interference when leading near the 1900m, before being restrained to the rear of the field.

HIGHPOINT– shifted in slightly before galloping clear of interference near the 200m.

ROI DU SOLEIL– pulled hard and raced ungenerously during the middle stages. Gave ground (37m) over the concluding stages.

IMPERIAL WHIZ NZ– due to the gelding having competed in more than 200 races was examined by the veterinarian before and after the race in accordance with HRV policy, which revealed no apparent abnormalities.

MEADOW VALLEY STAR– out of position at the start and will continue to be placed outside the mobile barrier draw.

 

RACE 4 – GARRARDS TROT (1720 MS)

ROMANTIC NINA– held up for clear run rounding the final turn, brushed a marker peg before using the sprint lane to win the event.

CHRISTMAS BABE NZ– hung in slightly and contacted marker pegs when leading near the 200m.

KYVALLEY PAINT NZ– driver Tristan Larsen was cautioned for momentarily causing tightening to DOSSIER near the 1200m.

MAJOR MAX– galloped shortly after the start, trailed the field thereafter and will continue to be placed outside the mobile barrier draw.

ITS NOT LOVE ME– pulled hard during the middle stages.

DOSSIER– out of position at the start and will continue to be placed outside the mobile barrier draw. Inconvenienced near the 1200m.

 

RACE 5 – CATANACH'S JEWELLERS PACE (1720 MS)

TWISTING BY NZ– held up for a clear run until using the sprint lane to finish in 2nd place.

BEST BACK BRUCE– hung in racing into the first turn. Driver Leilani Justice was fined $100 under rule 168(1)(a) for careless driving, in that when progressing into a three wide position passing the 700m, Ms Justice allowed BEST BACK BRUCE to contact the offside sulky wheel of PLATINUM JIVE NZ resulting in a flat tyre being sustained.

PLATINUM JIVE NZ– sulky contacted passing the 700m and sustained a flat tyre to the offside sulky wheel.

SASSYOLA– due to the mare having competed in more than 200 races was examined by the veterinarian before and after the race in accordance with HRV policy, which revealed no apparent abnormalities.

MAXNJAX– pulled hard during the early stages.

 

RACE 6 – IRT PACE (1720 MS)

LADY IN LINE– pulled hard during the score up. Inconvenienced at the entrance to the home straight.

GOODTIME LOUIS– Held up for a clear run rounding the final turn. Driver Josh Duggan was cautioned for the manner in which he shifted ground wider at the entrance to the home straight which caused LADY IN LINE (J Quinlan) to be inconvenienced.

DIEGOS DIAMOND-  Held up for a clear run rounding the final turn.

UP AND ABOUT- Held up for a clear run rounding the final turn before using the sprint lane to finish in 4th place.

 

RACE 7 – MIMOSA HOMES TROT (2240 MS)

APEX– Stewards refrained from pursuing action in relation to the sectional time requirements due to the gelding racing clear in the lead through the lead time and during sections of the first quarter.

SONNYBOY– gave ground over the concluding stages.

CHINSKI NZ – driver Leilani Justice was cautioned for the manner in which she shifted into a three wide position approaching the 800m which caused KYVALLEY MICHAEL NZ to be inconvenienced. When queried in relation to the decision to improve three wide over the latter stages, Ms Justice explained that in her view the gelding was travelling well enough to improve three wide without cover approaching the 800m and was mindful that the tempo of the race was only moderate leading up to this section. Ms Justice was at a loss to explain the gelding then failing to run on from the 400m when finishing in 10th position beaten approximately 36m. Ms Justice’s explanation was recorded.

ALFIE ALWAYS– held up for a clear run rounding the final turn.

ABBRACCIAMI– pulled hard during the middle stages. Held up for a clear run rounding the final turn and trotted roughly in the home straight.

RYMES– galloped clear of interference at the start and will continue to be placed outside the mobile barrier draw. Trailed the field throughout.

KYVALLEY MICHAEL NZ– inconvenienced when endeavouring to improve three wide approaching the 800m.

EN SEVENTEEN– out of position at the start and will continue to be placed right outside the mobile barrier draw.

 

RACE 8 – SWIFT SIGNS TROT (1720 MS)

MASSIF CENTRAL -  galloped clear of interference at the start and will be placed outside the mobile barrier draw. Held up for a clear run before using the sprint lane to finish in 2nd place.

MONT SALLY– hung out approaching the winning post at the conclusion of the event.

THAT OTHER THING– locked sulky wheels with MAORI DUCHESS near the 200m. Inconvenienced approaching the winning post.

THE FIERY SUNSET– galloped clear of interference at the start and will be placed outside the mobile barrier draw. Trailed the field throughout.

MAORI DUCHESS – due to the mare having competed the night prior at Echuca (26/6/24) was examined by the veterinarian before and after the race in accordance with HRV policy, which revealed no apparent abnormalities. Raced three wide without cover for the greater majority of the event. Locked sulky wheels with THAT OTHER THING near the 200m. Inconvenienced approaching the winning post.

 

RACE 9 – PRYDES EASIFEED TROT (1720 MS)

XIAOBO – began badly, trailed the field thereafter will continue to be placed outside the mobile barrier draw.

ROLL WITH ROSCO– at the request of connections will continue to be placed outside the mobile barrier draw.

RIGHTOF REPLY - galloped clear of interference at the start and will continue to be placed outside the mobile barrier draw. Galloped clear of interference in the home straight.

CHARLIE WALKER - galloped clear of interference racing into the first turn and trailed the field thereafter.

 

RACE 10 – HYLAND RACING COLOURS PACE (2240 MS)

REALLY REGAL – held up for a clear run rounding the final turn.

WHY NOT DREAM – due to the gelding having not started in a race since October 2022 was examined by the veterinarian before and after the race in accordance with HRV policy, which revealed no apparent abnormalities.

 

RACE 11 – ALLIED EXPRESS PACE (2240 MS)

LOTAKEVI – due to the gelding being 12 years of age and having competed in more than 200 races was examined by the veterinarian before and after the race in accordance with HRV policy, which revealed no apparent abnormalities.

BLACK TUXEDO– tightened for room, checked and broke gait entering the first turn. Hung in and raced inside the line of marker pegs whilst giving ground around the final turn. Post-race veterinary examination revealed the gelding to have a minor laceration to the near foreleg. In view of the veterinary findings, no action was taken in relation to the horse racing inside marker pegs over the concluding stages.

SUNFINE– driver Lochie Cook pleaded guilty to a charge of causing or contributing to interference under rule 163(1)(a)(iii). The particulars of the charge being that racing into the first turn Mr Cook failed to make sufficient effort to prevent SUNFINE from shifting in when insufficiently clear of BLACK TUXEDO (C Borg) resulting in that gelding being tightened for room, its off foreleg being contacted and breaking gait in consequence. Mr Cook’s licence to drive in races was suspended for 2 weeks to commence midnight 6 July 2024. In assessing penalty in accordance with the HRV Minimum Penalty Guidelines, Stewards considered Mr Cook’s guilty plea, high driving frequency, overall good record and the degree of interference. Tired (58m) over the concluding stages however in view of the winning margin (16m), no action was taken for the performance.

SUNRISE RUBY– held up for a clear run rounding the final turn.

TERROR EYES NZ– hung in and raced erratically approaching and passing the 500m.

 

 

 

 

Nick Murray

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 – Ozzie Punta; Race 2 – Tallaras Shadow; Race3 – McGee; Race 4 – Double Dot; Race 6 – Top Gun Ted; Race 7 – Everybodyluvskenny; Race 9 – Whats The Tea;
		Post-Race: Race 4 – Romantic Nina; Race 5 – Hes From Heaven; Race 6 – Ubetta Knot; Race 9 – Designer Vici; Race 11 – Terror Eyes NZ.
Suspensions
Race 11	Lochie Cook		R 163(1)(a)(iii)	2 weeks
Fines
Race 1	Joanne Justice		R 156(2)(a)	$200
Race 5	Leilani Justice		R 168(1)(a)	$100
Cautions
Race 1	Jordan Chibnall		D/CSG
Race 4	Tristan Larsen		D/CT
Race 6	Josh Duggan		D/CSG
Race 7	Leilani Justice		D/CSG
Horse Actions
Race 1	Fighter Command		ODM
Race 1	Last Of The Mohicans		SD28D SDVC SD1T
Race 3	Meadow Valley Star		CODM
Race 4	Dossier		CODM
Race 7	Rymes		CODM
Race 7	En Seventeen		CODM
Race 8	Massif Central		ODM
Race 9	Xiaobo		CODM
Race 9	Roll With Rosco		TRCODM
Race 9	Right Of Reply		CODM
Late Scratchings
Nil

Follow Ups - Nil

Adjourned Inquiries - Nil

Sulky Fund Claims – Nil