Stewards Report

HARNESS RACING VICTORIA

STEWARDS REPORT FOR MARYBOROUGH

THURSDAY 19 MAY 2022

	Scott Gillespie Grant Adams Kylie Harrison Nathan Moy (Starter) Dr Anthony 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 – HARAS DES TROTTEURS 2YO MAIDEN TROT (2190 MS)

Race start time amended to 11.17am.

That Other Thing was out of position at the start and will continue to be placed outside of the draw in future mobile start events.

Geoff Webster, driver of Aldebaran Buddy was issued a caution for shifting ground on the first turn resulting in That Other Thing being inconvenienced and racing rough for a short distance.

Sequence broke gait when clear of interference on the final turn, checking Rockinwithattitude which broke and subsequently checked Aldebaran Buddy.

RACE 2 – CRAMERI EXPORT QUALITY CHAFF 2YO PACE (1690 MS)

Race start time amended to 11.52am.

Alf’s Girl shifted inwards during the score up.

Nothingbutwaves broke gait when clear of interference at the 1300m and was placed on its last chance to race truly

Chris Romanidis, driver of Alf’s Girl, was questioned regarding the tactics adopted on the filly. After consideration of all the evidence tendered, including the results of the post-race veterinary examination of Alf’s Girl which revealed the filly to be displaying no abnormalities, Mr.Romanidis was issued with a charge under Rule 149(2) which states:

A person shall not drive in a manner which in the opinion of the Stewards is unacceptable.

The particulars of the charge being that after Alf’s Girl had established the position outside the leader at approximately the 1400m he drove in an unacceptable manner by:

(1) Allowing Alf’s Girl to continue to progress forward and challenge Nancy Kay for the lead from the 1400m until approximately the 1000m which contributed to the extremely fast first quarter of 26.46 seconds being recorded, which was 2.5 seconds faster than the three-year average for all races conducted at Maryborough;

(2) After unsuccessfully challenging Nancy Kay for the lead he failed to noticeably restrain Alf’s Girl and give the filly respite during the above mentioned section of the race;

(3) As a result of the tactics he adopted it contributed to Alf’s Girl being placed under pressure nearing the 600m and tiring badly to finish in 5th placing (2nd last) beaten 77m;

Mr.Romanidis pleaded not guilty to the charge.  On consideration of the evidence, Stewards found him guilty of the charge issued.

In assessing penalty Stewards considered the relevant factors as outlined within the HRV Stewards Minimum Penalty Guidelines placing weight on Mr.Romanidis previous record under this particular rule or any associated rule and his driving frequency.  Stewards were also mindful of the degree of culpability and the effect the tactics adopted had on the overall chances of Alf’s Girl.  Stewards accordingly imposed a 6 week suspension of Mr Romanidis’s licence to drive in races which was ordered to commence midnight 28 May 2022.

Brad Chisholm, driver of Nancy Kay was questioned regarding the tactics adopted on the filly. After consideration of all the evidence tendered, including the results of the post-race veterinary examination of Nancy Kay which revealed the filly to be displaying no abnormalities, Mr.Chisholm was issued with a charge under Rule 149(2) which states:

A person shall not drive in a manner which in the opinion of the Stewards is unacceptable.

The particulars of the charge being that after Nancy Kay had obtained the lead soon after the start, he drove in an unacceptable manner by:

(1) Allowing Nancy Kay to hold the lead while being challenged by Alf’s Girl from the 1400m to approximately the 1000m which contributed to the extremely fast first quarter of 26.46 seconds being recorded, which was 2.5 seconds faster than the three-year average for all races conducted at Maryborough;

(2) He failed to noticeably restrain Nancy Kay to allow the filly some respite during the above mentioned section of the race;

(3) As a result of the tactics he adopted it contributed to Nancy Kay being placed under pressure approaching the 600m and tiring badly to finish in 6th placing (last)  beaten 98m.

Mr.Chisholm pleaded not guilty to the charge.  On consideration of the evidence, Stewards found him guilty of the charge issued.

In assessing penalty Stewards considered the relevant factors as outlined within the HRV Stewards Minimum Penalty Guidelines placing weight on Mr.Chisholm previous clear record under this particular rule or any associated rule and his driving frequency.  Stewards were also mindful of the degree of culpability and the effect the tactics adopted had on the overall chances of Nancy Kay.  Stewards accordingly imposed a 4 week suspension of Mr Chisholm’s licence to drive in races which was ordered to commence midnight 28 May 2022.

RACE 3 – ALDEBARAN PARK MAIDEN TROT (1690 MS)

Race start time amended to 12.25pm.

Benny The Gun broke in the score up and was out of position at the start before trailing the field.  The gelding will now be placed outside of the draw in future mobile start events.

Whats The Tea was out of position at the start and trailed the field.  The gelding will now be placed outside of the draw in future mobile start events.

Mielicki was out of position at the start and trailed the field.  The gelding will continue to be placed outside of the draw in future mobile start events.

Touchandgo broke after the start and will continue to be placed outside of the draw in future mobile start events.

Peaked broke twice in running and has been placed on its last chance to race truly.

Touchandgo broke gait when clear of interference entering the home straight and has now been stood down from racing for 10 days and until the completion of one satisfactory trial.

In Ardua Tendit utilised the sprint lane in the home straight.

Stewards delayed the all clear to view footage of the start and the all clear was then given on judges numbers 2-4-6-8.

RACE 4 – SWEETHEART TROT (1ST HEAT) (2190 MS)

Settle The Bill was out of position at the start and will continue to be placed outside of the draw in future mobile start events.

Jahbella began badly and will now be placed outside of the draw in future mobile start events.

Beautiful Sunrise pulled hard through the middle stages.

RACE 5 – CARISBROOK POST OFFICE PACE (1690 MS)

Ashley Manton failed to appear in the racebook as the driver of Tuakana NZ.

Tuakana NZ underwent a pre race veterinary examination and was passed fit to start.

Polly Peachum utilised the sprint lane in the home straight.

RACE 6 – CARINYA GARDENS PACE (2190 MS)

Race start time amended to 2.15pm.

Bonnie Belle raced roughly at the 400m and utilised the sprint lane in the home straight.

RACE 7 – MCPHERSONS PRINTING GROUP 3YO PACE (1690 MS)

Missed The Truth pulled hard during the middle stages.

Jack Laugher, driver of Forever Moments reported post-race that the near side rein had broken in the early stages of the event.  Forever Moments hung in during the middle stages.  No action was taken against the filly which tired to be beaten 53m.

Jekamias NZ broke gait when clear of interference in the home straight and has now been placed on its last chance to race truly.

RACE 8 – SWEETHEART TROT (2ND HEAT) (2190 MS)

Greg Sugars replaced Chris Lang as the driver of Queen Invasion.

Trainer Anne-Maree Conroy requested Aldebaran Belle NZ remain outside of the draw in mobile start events.

A warning was issued against Countess Chiron which was fractious in the score up.

Kyvalleyhoneybunny broke in the score up and was out of position at the start.  The mare will now be placed outside of the draw in future mobile start events.

Abundance and Ebonys Avenger broke gait when clear of interference on the final turn.

Evas Image utilised the sprint lane in the home straight.

Chris Alford, driver of Kyvalleyhoneybunny notified Stewards post-race that the mare had cast a near front plate during the event.

Countess Chiron, which is engaged to race tomorrow (Ballarat 20/5) underwent a post-race veterinary examination which revealed no abnormality.

RACE 9 – SWEETHEART TROT (2ND HEAT) (1690 MS)

Glen Craven failed to appear in the racebook as the driver of Shawami Lass NZ.

Realy Under Fire, which is over 12 years of age and had in excess of 200 starts underwent pre and post-race veterinary examinations in accordance with the HRV horse welfare policy.  Neither examination revealed any abnormalities.

A false start was declared when Heavenly Brigade NZ hung out in the score up and made heavy contact with the sulky of Major Banks, causing both runners to be checked.  Heavenly Brigade NZ was a late scratching at 4.11pm on Vets Advice and has been stood down from racing pending a veterinary clearance.  The gelding has also been placed outside of the draw in future mobile start events.

Beau Bronski pulled hard behind the leader in the middle stages.

Derrick Krafft, driver of Our Pontiac was issued a caution for shifting ground in the home straight, inconveniencing Magnified.

RACE 10 – SCHOOL HOUSE VILLAGE MARYBOROUGH PACE (2190 MS)

Glen Craven replaced Lochie Cook as the driver of Ash Park.

Chris Alford replaced Ross Graham as the driver of Tophut Johny.

Silver Domino was inconvenienced by Ash Park which gave ground from the 400m and held up for clear running on the final turn.

Yoursnmine utilised the sprint lane in the home straight.

Stewards noted the deafeners on All Good failed to release.

 

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 – Touchandgo; Race 5 – Calculating Dancer; Race 7 – Missed The Truth; Race 10 – Yoursnmine;
		Post-Race:Race 2 – Aureus; Race 4 – Black And Gold; Race 5 – Digyourheelsin; Race 6 – Relentless Me; Race 7 – Major Annie; Race 8 - Imamaorijet;
Suspensions
Race 2	Chris Romanidis		149(2)	NG	6 weeks
Race 2	Brad Chisholm		149(2)	NG	4 weeks
Fines
Nil
Cautions
Race 1	Geoff Webster		Aldebaran Buddy	D/CSG
Race 9	Derrick Krafft		Our Pontiac NZ	D/CSG
Horse Actions
Race 3	Benny The Gun		ODM
Race 3	Whats For Tea		ODM
Race 3	Mielicki		CODM
Race 3	Touchandgo		CODM/SD1T/SD10D
Race 4	Jahbella		ODM
Race 4	Settle The Bill		CODM
Race 8	Kyvalleyhoneybunny		ODM
Race 8	Aldebaran Belle NZ		CODM
Race 9	Heavenly Brigade NZ		ODM/SDVC
Late Scratchings
Race 9	#8 Heavenly Brigade NZ		4.11pm	Vets