Stewards Report

HARNESS RACING VICTORIA

STEWARDS REPORT FOR MARYBOROUGH       

WEDNESDAY 09 OCTOBER 2024

	Elliot Turner (Chairman) Adrian Crowther Tom Bick Jason Fino (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 – WORLDS BEST HOOF OIL CONCESSION DRIVERS PACE (2190 MS)

ALLTHEWAYTOROYALTY – Hung in and contacted marker pegs rounding the final turn.

JERSEY SAM – Examined post-race by the veterinarian in accordance with HRV’s animal welfare policy due to the gelding being engaged to compete at Kilmore on the 10/10/24. No abnormalities were detected.

KIMCHI – Raced keenly throughout the middle stages.

ERNIELOVENBOY – Hung in during the latter stages of the score up and consequently was out of position at the start. A warning was issued.

ASHARAH – Raced keenly throughout the middle stages. Driver A Massa was issued a formal caution for allowing her left foot to drop below the sulky rests momentarily approaching the 200 metres.

 

RACE 2 – BENSTUD STANDARDBREDS PACE (2190 MS)

ANGELSHAVTIME NZ – Raced keenly throughout the middle stages. Held up for clear running during the early stages of the run to the finish prior to utilising the sprint lane.

OPTIMAL – Slow to begin.

KHANS CREED – Hung in whilst under pressure inside the final 150 metres. A warning was issued.

SASSINESS – Had its near-side sulky wheel contacted by MAJOR ANNIE NZ leaving the 50 metres.

MAJOR ANNIE NZ – Held up for clear running over the concluding stages and was not fully tested. Contacted the near-side sulky wheel of SASSINESS leaving the 50 metres whilst held up.

 

RACE 3 – JOIN YOUR LOCAL CARISBROOK LIONS CLUB TROT (1690 MS)

BILLYSOPHIA – Held up for clear running during the early stages of the run to the finish.

KYVALLEY SURFRIDER NZ – Held up for clear running during the early stages the run to the finish prior to utilising the sprint lane.

ATM ACCOUNT – Broke gait shortly after the start and trailed the field thereafter. ATM ACCOUNT will now be excluded from the mobile barrier draw.

ATABOY CHARLIE – Hung in rounding the first turn. Weakened inside the final 800 metres to be beaten 51.2 metres. A warning was issued.

 

RACE 4 – VITAL SIGNS 4YO & OLDER MAIDEN TROT (2190 MS)

SOUTHWIND CHLOE – Held up for clear running during the latter stages of the run to the finish.

PROSPEROUS – Broke gait during the early stages of the score up and consequently was out of position at the start. PROSPEROUS will now be excluded from the mobile barrier draw.

FIRE ALERT – Slow to begin. Weakened inside the final 700 metres to be beaten 89.9 metres. In view of the gelding’s poor recent record, FIRE ALERT was stood down for a period of 10 days in addition to the completion of one re-qualifying trial prior to returning to race.

CASTLES IN THE SKY – ($4.40) When questioned regarding the driving tactics adopted and the overall performance of the mare, driver G Conroy explained that his runner was inclined to over-race noticeably during the early stages when racing in a position with cover in the running line, he added once BARCARDI LOVER unsuccessfully challenged for the lead he believed that runner would look for cover and as such due to the mare’s racing manners he believed it the best option to improve three wide near the 1200 metres and obtained the position outside of the leader passing the 1000 metres. He said that, once the mare raced without cover it settled to some degree however was still inclined to race keenly and stated that the stable will endeavour to make alterations to the race-day gear of the mare in order for the mare to race more genuinely in its races. He said that, when placed under pressure near the 400 metres his runner failed to respond whilst under driving and ultimately gave ground from that point and whilst he was disappointed with the performance he stated that it was understandable due to the mare’s racing manners throughout. He said that, should the mare recover satisfactorily in the days subsequent, the stable would look to continue with the mare’s immediate preparation. A post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any abnormalities.

OPRAH DOUBLE YOU – Broke gait shortly after the start and trailed the field thereafter. OPRAH DOUBLE YOU will continue to be excluded from the mobile barrier draw.

 

RACE 5 – BARTLETT MANUFACTURING TROT (1690 MS)

PRIMZ LUCK NZ – Examined pre and post-race by the veterinarian in accordance with HRV’s animal welfare policy due to the gelding being 12 years of age. No abnormalities were detected on either examination. Raced roughly whilst racing down the back straight on the final occasion prior to ultimately breaking gait approaching the 400 metres, causing DRESSEDUPINTHECITY to be checked and broke gait whilst THE NIGHTINGALE was hampered.

DRESSEDUPINTHECITY – Checked and broke gait approaching the 400 metres when PRIMZ LUCK NZ broke gait.

TUBS NOW SLIM – Broke gait during the early stages of the score up, was out of position at the start and subsequently failed to finish the event. TUBS NOW SLIM was excluded from the mobile barrier draw, in addition to the completion of one re-qualifying trial prior to returning to race. Connections notified Stewards post-race that it was identified that the gelding had its tongue over the bit when it returned to the stalls following the event.

XIAOBO – Hung in throughout the score up and consequently was out of position at the start. XIAOBO will continue to be excluded from the mobile barrier draw.

THE NIGHTINGALE – Broke gait during the latter stages of the score up and consequently was out of position at the start. THE NIGHTINGALE will now be excluded from the mobile barrier draw. Hampered approaching the 400 metres when PRIMZ LUCK NZ broke gait.

 

RACE 6 – ALDEBARAN PARK TROTTERS HANDICAP (2190 SS)

ARISTOTLE – Shifted out whilst under pressure inside the final 150 metres.

ALLWATFUNJINGLES – Examined pre and post-race by the veterinarian in accordance with HRV’s animal welfare policy due to the gelding having not competed in the preceding 12 months. No abnormalities were detected on either examination. Weakened inside the final 450 metres to be beaten 75.3 metres. ALLWATFUNJINGLES was placed on its last chance to race competitively.

MIELICKI – Driver G Conroy was advised to modify the manner in which he applies the whip so that it conforms with the rules.

THE GIRLS GOTFLAIR – Examined pre and post-race by the veterinarian in accordance with HRV’s animal welfare policy due to the mare having competed in excess of 200 starts. No abnormalities were detected on either examination.

CONSTANT – Hung in and contacted marker pegs near the 1200 metres.

WATCH AND ACT – Held up for clear running during the early stages of the run to the finish.

PARIS KAY – Hampered behind the tiring ALLWATFUNJINGLES between the 400 metres and the 250 metres.

 

RACE 7 – AB PAINT CONCESSION DRIVERS PACE (2190 MS)

ZWICK – When questioned in relation to the driving tactics employed, principally regarding the early stages when engaged in contest for the lead and the resulting lead time which was recorded in 45.1 seconds. Driver A Massa explained that she had received pre-race instructions from the trainer to drive positively in the early stages and ideally obtain the lead then surrender to a suitable runner citing YANKEE GAMBLER. She said that, her runner began well after the start however she had to make use of the gelding in the early stages in order to maintain the lead and ensure her runner was not crossed by MY MATE LUKE which had gained an advantage at that point however given that runners recent form she believed it was not a suitable runner to trail and therefore allowed the gelding to stride freely rounding the first turn. She added that once the field entered the back straight on the first occasion MY MATE LUKE had yielded in its challenge for the lead and was then able to slacken the tempo in the event during the first quarter. She added that, the gelding commenced to race keenly leaving the back straight on the first occasion and shortly thereafter when attempting to surrender the lead to YANKEE GAMBLER near the 1200 metres her runner was reluctant to allow that runner to cross down to the marker pegs. She said that, the gelding travelled keenly through the middle stages prior to weakening from the 400 metres and failed to respond to her urgings over the concluding stages and conceded that due to the tempo in the early stages in addition to the racing manners of the gelding they contributed to her runner failing to run on from the 400 metres and being beaten 58.2 metres. A post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any abnormalities. After consideration, Stewards were mindful of the driving instructions provided to Ms Massa, the overall form of the gelding and that the racing manners of the gelding after initially driving with vigour in the early stages. A Massa was advised that her decision to drive as aggressively as she did in the early stages was detrimental and that she must always drive with the requisite level of acumen and judgement when competing in races. Accordingly, A Massa was issued with a formal caution for her lack of judgement.

AUSSIEPRIDE – The training partnership of A & S Butt were issued a formal caution for failing to declare the intended driving tactics with the stable runners in the event.

MY MATE LUKE – When questioned in relation to the driving tactics employed, principally regarding the early stages when engaged in contest for the lead and the resulting lead time which was recorded in 45.1 seconds. Trainer/Driver P Meade explained that it was the pre-race intention to ideally obtain a position along the marker pegs with cover as the gelding was second-up from a significant spell in today’s event and believed his runner would appreciate racing with cover at this stage of the gelding’s preparation. He said that, due to the false start it had an adverse effect to his runner which had become agitated and therefore he drove with purpose in the early stages in order to cross the field and then hopefully obtain cover from runners drawn to its outside. He said that, whilst the gelding began well in the early stages his runner was unable to cross ZWICK which was able to utilise it favourable barrier draw and maintain the lead as the field entered the first turn. He added that, at that point YANKEE GAMBLER was still racing to its outside and therefore he elected to continue driving with vigour in an endeavour to cross ZWICK and then subsequently obtain cover from YANKEE GAMBLER however his runner was unable to muster the required speed to improve forward of ZWICK and once it became apparent his runner would be unable to obtain the lead he yielded in his challenge for the lead near the 1600 metres. He said that, for a majority of the event thereafter the gelding was caught racing in an unfavourable position outside of the leader and ultimately weakened from the 800 metres to be beaten 62.4 metres and conceded that due to the tempo in the early stages when contesting for the lead and subsequently racing without cover thereafter they were the main contributing factors for the overall performance in today’s event. A post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any abnormalities. After consideration, Stewards were mindful of Mr Meade’s relative inexperience to race driving, forthright evidence and the overall form of the gelding. Mr Meade was advised that his decision to drive as aggressively as he did was detrimental and that he must always drive with the requisite level of acumen and judgement when competing in races. Accordingly, P Meade was issued with a formal caution for his lack of judgement.

ORCH – At the second attempt to score up, begun badly when galloping away at the start. In view of the previous false start, ORCH was placed on its last chance in the mobile barrier draw.

THE DEMOCRAT – Examined pre and post-race by the veterinarian in accordance with HRV’s animal welfare policy due to the gelding having competed in excess of 200 starts. No abnormalities were detected on either examination.

MON SOLEIL – An inquiry was adjourned with a time and date to be fixed in relation to an incident which appeared to occur near the 800 metres involving MON SOLEIL and REDBANK MOLLY. Shifted out whilst under pressure inside the final 150 metres which carried. A warning was issued.

REDBANK MOLLY – An inquiry was adjourned with a time and date to be fixed in relation to an incident which appeared to occur near the 800 metres involving MON SOLEIL and REDBANK MOLLY.

ISLAND CAESAR – At the first attempt to score up, pulled-hard throughout and raced onto the back of the sulky of YANKEE GAMBLER which was steadied up the track and subsequently ISLAND CAESAR progressed forward into a front-row position during the latter stages and consequently a false start was declared. At the second attempt to score up, pulled-hard throughout and was out of position at the start. ISLAND CAESAR will now be excluded from the mobile barrier draw. Over-raced throughout the early and middle stages.

 

RACE 8 – MCPHERSONS PRINTING GROUP PACE (1690 MS)

MR TEDDY NZ – Driver H Lewis was advised to modify the manner in which she applies the whip so that it conforms with the rules.

TIME TO TORQUE – Had its off-side sulky wheel contacted shortly after the start when EMER shifted in resulting in a puncture.

EMER – Driver Z Phillips was fined the sum of $100 under AHRR 168(1)(a) for careless driving in that shortly after the start he permitted his runner to shift down the track without sufficient clearance over TIME TO TRORQUE resulting in contact to that runners off-side sulky wheel and causing a puncture.

IM TERRITORIAL NZ – Hung in throughout the score up and was out of position at the start. IM TERRITORIAL NZ was placed on its last chance in the mobile barrier draw. Held up for clear running during the early stages of the run to the finish.

OUR BETTER BRO – Held up for clear running during the early stages of the run to the finish prior to utilising the sprint lane.

 

 

Elliot Turner

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 –KHANS CREED Race 4 –TARA TUFF Race 6 – THE GIRLS GOTFLAIR Race 8 – TIME TO TORQUE POST-RACE: Race 3 –POPPY POPSTAR Race 5 – THE SKY IS THE LIMIT Race 6 – ARISTOTLE Race 8 – IMAGINATION ORO
Suspensions	Nil
Fines	Race 8 – Z Phillips – Rule 168(1)(a) – $100
Cautions	Race 1 – A Massa – D/CDF Race 7 – A & S Butt – T/CT Race 7 – A Massa – D/CLJ Race 7 – P Meade – D/CLJ
Horse actions	Race 3 – ATM ACCOUNT – ODM Race 4 – PROSPEROUS – ODM Race 4 – OPRAH DOUBLE YOU – CODM Race 4 – FIRE ALERT – 10 Days + 1 Trial Race 5 – THE NIGHTINGALE – CODM Race 5 – TUBS NOW SLIM – CODM + 1 Trial Race 5 – XIAOBO – CODM Race 7 – ISLAND CAESAR – ODM
Follow ups	Nil
Adjourned inquires	Race 7 – MON SOLEIL (G Hayward) & REDBANK MOLLY (L Justice)
Sulky fund claims	Nil
Medical stand downs	Nil