Stewards Report

HARNESS RACING VICTORIA

STEWARDS REPORT FOR MARYBOROUGH       

WEDNESDAY 20 NOVEMBER 2024

	Elliot Turner (Chairman) Nick Murray John Packer David Young (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. 

 

Genral: Driver T Larsen pleaded guilty to a charge under AHRR 159B(2) in that, he was found to be in possession of an unapproved protective vest at the Maryborough Harness Racing Club on the 20/11/24. After considering Mr Larsen’s plea and record in relation to the rule, he was fined the sum of $200.

 

RACE 1 – JOIN YOUR LOCAL CARISBROOK LIONS CLUB 2YO MAIDEN TROT (1690 MS)

Prior to the declaration of All clear, trainer/driver D Murphy on behalf of connections of BETTOR MAN (Second past the post) requested to review the official film regarding the final 200 metres. D Murphy then lodged an objection against FARROKH (First past the post) alleging interference inside the final 200 metres. After considering all evidence provided by trainer/driver D Murphy (BETTOR MAN) and C Lang co-trainer/driver (FARROKH) and also reviewing the patrol footage. It was established that shortly after straightening for the run to the finish BETTOR MAN had improved and established a run to the outside of FARROKH at which point that runner shifted out approximately three quarters of a sulky’s width which caused BETTOR MAN to be inconvenienced and had to be steadied up the track. It was further ascertained that during the final 150 metres, BETTOR MAN was afforded an unimpeded run to the finish to be beaten a half neck. Stewards found that whilst BETTOR MAN was inconvenienced as a result of a shift from FARROKH, Stewards concluded that given the manner in which both runners were travelling leading into and following the incident, the proximity to the finish, the degree of interference and the beaten margin of a half neck, Stewards could not be comfortably satisfied that had the interference not occurred BETTOR MAN would have finished ahead of FARROKH and therefore the objection was dismissed and the All clear was announced on the Judge’s numbers 3-7-2-4.

KYVALLEY JENNY – Broke gait whilst under pressure leaving the 50 metres.

FARROKH – Withstood protest. Shifted out whilst under pressure inside the final 200 metres causing BETTOR MAN to be inconvenienced. Subsequently, Driver C Lang was issued a formal caution for failing to make sufficient effort initially to prevent the gelding from shifting ground. Further, a warning was issued against the record of FARROKH for its tractability at that point. Driver C Lang was fined the sum of $200 under AHRR 156(2)(a) for applying the whip in a manner on multiple occasions that exceeded a wrist only flicking motion inside the final 200 metres.

MODERN HOPE – Begun badly when galloping away at the start. MODERN HOPE will continue to be excluded from the mobile barrier draw. Broke gait clear of interference rounding the final turn. MODERN HOPE was placed on its last chance to race truly.

FRIKSHYN – Begun badly when galloping away at the start causing BETTOR MAN to be hampered, then trailed the field thereafter. FRIKSHYN will continue to be excluded from the mobile barrier draw.

BETTOR MAN – Hampered after the start when FRIKSHYN galloped out. Inconvenienced near the 200 metres when FARROKH shifted out whilst under pressure. A post-race veterinary examination revealed the gelding to be suffering from an Oesophageal obstruction which required treatment by the on-course veterinarian.

 

RACE 2 – AB PAINT 3YO MAIDEN TROT (2190 MS)

Prior to the declaration of All clear, DRESSEDUPINTHECITY was re-inspected by Stewards in order to confirm the identity of that runner due to the filly wearing the incorrect saddlecloth during the event. Upon re-inspection the identity was confirmed to be DRESSEDUPINTHECITY. Stewards determined that whilst the filly had worn the incorrect saddlecloth during the running of race 2, DRESSEDUPINTHECITY had started the race from the correct barrier and therefore had not materially affected the running of the event. As such, Stewards ordered that DRESSEDUPINTHECITY be a runner in the event and the All clear was given on the Judge’s numbers 1-4-5-6. The starter was advised to be more diligent when identifying runners in the parade ring to ensure that each horse is wearing the correct saddlecloth. A report has been provided to the HRV Chairman of Stewards.

KVINTET HILL – Raced roughly during the middle stages of the score up. A warning was issued.

DRESSEDUPINTHECITY – Trainer T McNamara was fined the sum of $100 under AHRR 273(6)(a) for permitting the filly to race in the incorrect saddlecloth. Broke clear of interference rounding the final turn causing LADY OF TIAVON to be hampered.

WALLIS – Raced roughly during the early stages of the score up. A warning was issued.

LADY OF TIAVON – Hampered rounding the final turn when DRESSEDUPINTHECITY broke gait.

 

RACE 3 – BARTLETT MANUFACTURING 2YO MAIDEN TROT (1690 MS)

CHILLHUNNYNUNNY – Raced ungenerously between the 1050 metres and the 950 metres and lost ground. A post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any abnormalities.

SHEZALOVER – Post-race swab sample.

KARBINE – Broke gait clear of interference rounding the final turn. In view of the gelding’s poor recent record, KARBINE was stood down to one re-qualifying trial.

 

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

SOUTHWIND CHLOE – Broke gait clear of interference rounding the final turn causing TRICKY DIAMOND to be hampered and race roughly.

REINE DE LA LUNE – Weakened inside the final 600 metres to be beaten 77 metres. A warning was issued.

TRICKY DIAMOND – Broke gait clear of interference passing the 800 metres. Hampered and raced roughly rounding the final turn when SOUTHWIND CHLOE broke gait.

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

MIDNITE MUSCLE – Over-raced throughout the middle stages.

MONEY TALKS – Pre-race blood sample. 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. Shifted in when not clear of ALDEBARAN BRUTUS rounding the final turn causing that runner to be placed in restricted room and obliged to race inside marker pegs. Subsequently, driver P Railton was issued a formal caution for tightening.

CASTLES IN THE SKY – Held up rounding the final turn and was unable to placed under pressure.

ALBEDARAN BRUTUS – Placed in restricted room and obliged to race inside marker pegs rounding the final turn when MONEY TALKS shifted in. Weakened inside the final 300 metres to be beaten 66.2 metres. A warning was issued.

TARA TUFF – When questioned in relation to the driving tactics employed and the overall performance of the mare, driver M Bellman explained that whilst he did not receive any firm driving instructions pre-race from connections, he endeavoured to drive the mare in a similar manner to three starts ago at Maryborough on the 25/10/24 when drawn from a similar barrier on the second row and was able to obtain a forward position with cover on that occasion, to which he stated the mare performed well in the event. He said that, after being caught four wide rounding the first turn he elected to improve forward and upon entering the back straight on the first occasion he attempted to obtain a position in the running line behind MONEY TALKS however SOUTHWIND CHLOE was able manoeuvre away from the marker pegs and establish that position which left the mare racing three wide. He added that, once it became apparent that a position with cover would not eventuate, the mare worked forward to obtain the position outside of the leader near the 1400 metres. Mr Bellman explained that, the mare travelled well through the middle stages however when placed under pressure near the 600 metres his runner became unresponsive and weakened from that point to be beaten 57.8 meters, to which he attributed the work the mare sustained during the early stages tolled on his runner inside the final 600 metres. He said that, however given the mare’s recent form he was still slightly disappointed when his runner commenced to yield ground with the distance that was remaining. After consideration, Stewards did not feel Mr Bellman’s tactics were entirely unreasonable in the circumstances and a warning was issued against TARA TUFF for its competitiveness.

 

RACE 5 – WORLDS BEST HOOF OIL TROT (1690 MS)

LADY LIL – Broke gait clear of interference rounding the final turn. In view of the mare’s poor recent record, LADY LIL was stood down to one re-qualifying trial.

JAHBELLA – Begun badly when galloping away at the start. JAHBELLA will now be excluded from the mobile barrier draw.

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 leaving the 400 metres.

AGAINST THE BRIDLE – Fractious during the early stages of the score up. AGAINST THE BRIDLE was placed on its last chance in the mobile barrier draw. Raced erratically throughout the event and proved difficult the control. Shifted out whilst under pressure inside the final 200 metres.

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

KARAS DREAM – Broke gait clear of interference passing the 600 metres. In view of the mare’s poor recent record, KARAS DREAM was stood down for a period of 14 days, in addition to the completion of two re-qualifying trials prior to returning to race.

 

RACE 6 – BENSTUD STANDARDBREDS TROT (2190 MS)

JESSICAS STORY – Driver L Older was cautioned for projecting the whip to strike outside the confines of the sulky on no less than two occasions rounding the final turn.

ATEGO DAWN – Held up for clear running during the early stages of the run to the finish prior to utilising the sprint lane. Driver R Petroff was cautioned for allowing his runner to shift inside the final marker prior to entering the sprint lane.

DOSSIER – Pre-race blood sample.

 

RACE 7 – MCPHERSONS PRINTING GROUP TROT (2190 MS)

COUNTESS CHIRON – Held up for clear running during the early stages of the run to the finish prior to utilising the sprint lane.

BENNIE AND THE JETS NZ – Broke gait shortly after the start. BENNIE AND THE JETS NZ will now be excluded from the mobile barrier draw. Broke gait clear of interference leaving the 700 metres. A warning was issued.

CLAUDY AN GUS – Trainer K Stuart-Mitchell was issued a formal caution for failing to declare the intended driving tactics with the stable runners in the event.

SIX NATIONS – Pre-race blood sample. Pre-race blood sample. 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.

PARTYTIME – Broke gait shortly after the start. PARTYTIME will continue to be excluded from the mobile barrier draw. Raced roughly prior to ultimately breaking gait passing the 500 metres.

 

RACE 8 – ALDEABARAN PARK TROT (2190 MS)

BAARLINEE – At the first attempt to score up, broke gait during the latter stages causing TUBS NOW SLIM to be checked and subsequently a false start was declared. BAARLINEE will now be excluded from the mobile barrier draw. Hung out when racing down the back straight on the final occasion whilst yielding ground. Driver A Ainsworth reported post-race that despite continual attempts to prevent the mare from shifting up the track his runner failed to respond to his driving which afforded a run to its inside. After reviewing the available patrol footage which wholly supported Mr Ainsworth explanation, a warning was issued against the record of BAARLINEE for its tractability at that point. Weakened inside the final 500 metres to be beaten 54.2 metres. A warning was issued for its competitiveness. A post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any abnormalities.

OLD VILLA BOY – Stewards withheld the declaration of All clear for an opportunity to review the run obtained by OLD VILLA BOY to the inside of BAARLINEE leaving the back straight on the final occasion. Upon review it was established that BAARLINEE had hung out whilst under pressure to which a run became available for OLD VILLA BOY to progress into, then once OLD VILLA BOY established a run to the inside of BAARLINEE that runner drifted back down the track and placed the gelding in restricted room and was obliged to race inside the line of two marker pegs. As Stewards were satisfied that there was sufficient racing room to the inside of BAARLINEE when OLD VILLA BOY progress to its inside, Stewards announced All clear on the Judge’s numbers 7-5-8-4.

AT THE DISTANCE – Over-raced throughout the early and middle stages.

SOLOTREK – Weakened inside the final 400 metres to be beaten 53.9 metres. A warning was issued for its competitiveness.

RUBYS DREAM – Post-race swab sample.

 

 

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 –DRESSEDUPINTHECITY Race 4 –MONEY TALKS Race 6 – DOSSIER Race 7 – SIX NATIONS POST-RACE: Race 3 – SHEZALOVER Race 8 – RUBYS DREAM
Suspensions	Nil
Fines	Race 1 – C Lang – Rule 156(2)(a) – $200 Race 2 – T McNamara – Rule 273(6)(a) – $100 General: T Larsen – Rule 159B(2) – $200
Cautions	Race 1 – C Lang – D/CLC Race 4 – P Railton – D/CT Race 6 – L Older – D/CWOC Race 6 – R Petroff – D/CCMP Race 7 – K Stuart-Mitchell – T/CT
Horse actions	Race 1 – MODERN HOPE – CODM Race 1 – FRIKSHYN – CODM Race 3 – KARBINE – 1 Trial Race 5 – KARAS DREAM – 14 Days + 2 Trials Race 5 – LADY LIL – 1 Trial Race 5 – JAHBELLA – ODM Race 7 – BENNIE AND THE JETS NZ – CODM Race 7 – PARTYTIME – CODM Race 8 – BAARLINEE – ODM
Follow ups	Nil
Adjourned inquires	Nil
Sulky fund claims	Nil
Medical stand downs	Nil