Stewards Report

HARNESS RACING VICTORIA

STEWARDS REPORT FOR MARYBOROUGH       

WEDNESDAY 27 NOVEMBER 2024

	Elliot Turner (Chairman) Nick Murray Wayne Smith Emma Johnson (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. 

 

SUPPLEMENTARY REPORT

MELTON – 8TH NOVEMBER 2024

LADY SALINA – Stewards today completed an inquiry regarding the condition of the filly leading into its engagement on Friday 08/11/24. After taking further evidence from trainer A Shaw and HRV regulatory veterinarian Dr. N Branson, in addition to a a veterinary certificate that was provided to HRV Stewards by Mr Shaw’s stable veterinarian.  A Shaw pleaded guilty to a charge under AHRR 30(1), in that as the trainer of the LADY SALINA he failed to notify Stewards of an endoscopic examination that was conducted the day prior on the 07/11/24 which revealed the filly to have a mildly deformed epiglottis and may have affected its performance on the 08/11/24. When assessing penalty consideration was given to, Mr Shaw’s guilty plea, forthright evidence, that this was his first offence under the rule in his 30 years as a licensed trainer and Stewards were mindful that any penalty should act as a deterrent from others offending. Accordingly, A Shaw was fined the sum of $500.

 

RACE 1 – MARYBOROUGH HIGHLAND SOCIETY TROT (2190 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. Hung out between the 500 metres and the 400 metres. Broke gait clear of interference leaving the 250 metres causing ALDEBARAN SELENA to be hampered. A warning was issued.

WILL PATRICK – Raced keenly throughout the early and middle stages. Weakened inside the final 700 metres to be beaten 95.9 metres. Driver A Manton reported post-race that due to the gelding’s racing manners throughout when over-racing, his runner had expended more energy than required and attributed this as to the main contributing factor for the gelding yielding ground over the concluding stages and was disappointed with the performance. A post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any abnormalities. After consideration, WILL PATRICK was placed on its last chance to race competitively.

CRITICAL ADVANTAGE – Driver M Bellman was issued a formal caution for failing to make sufficient effort to prevent the gelding from shifting into the sprint lane during the run to the finish whilst leading at that stage.

CHAMPAGNES – Broke gait shortly after the start. CHAMPAGNES will now be excluded from the mobile barrier draw.

ALDEBARAN SELENA – Had to be steadied upon entering the final turn after attempting to improve the inside of PRIMZ LUCK NZ which hung out initially then shifted back down the track which restricted the racing room of ALDEBARAN SELENA. Hampered leaving the 250 metres when PRIMZ LUCK NZ broke gait.

ALDEBARAN MAVERICK – Hampered behind the tiring WILL PATRICK between the 700 metres and the 500 metres.

MAJOR MAX – Broke gait shortly after the start. MAJOR MAX will continue to be excluded from the mobile barrier draw. Broke gait clear of interference whilst tailed away from the field near the 1100 metres.

 

RACE 2 – MARYBOROUGH IGA PACE (1690 MS)

WELL WELL – At the first attempt to score up, the near-side lugging pole became detached then as a result of driver K Weidenbach raising his hand to indicate of an issue, a false start was declared. In view of the circumstances, no action was taken.

FRIENDS – 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.

ACE DUIGAN – 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. Post-race swab sample.

ORCH – Raced roughly whilst under pressure during the final 100 metres.

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

RIVER PATROL 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 and having competed in excess of 200 starts. No abnormalities were detected on either examination.

 

RACE 3 – AB PAINT PACE (1690 MS)

RINGER RUSS – ($3.00) When questioned regarding the performance, driver T Youl could not provide any tangible explanation for the performance other than the gelding was very disappointing today considering the favourable run her runner was afforded throughout and stated that the gelding was entitled to be more competitive over the concluding stages when failing to run on inside the final 400 metres. A post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any abnormalities. Follow up report – Thursday 28/11/24, Trainer J Murray reported that the stable had undertaken blood samples from the gelding on the 28/11/24 which revealed a heightened level of enzymes in the gelding’s bloodstream. Ms Murray notified Stewards that RINGER RUSS will now be sent for an immediate spell in view of the disappointing performance yesterday and the findings from the blood sample in order for the gelding to make a full recovery prior to returning to race.

DOOO DONT THINK – Held up for clear running over the concluding stages and was not fully tested.

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

EAGLE MAJOR – Pre-race blood sample.

 

RACE 4 – JOIN YOUR LOCAL CARISBROOK LIONS CLUB TROT (2190 MS)

TENSION SEEKER – Hung in during the early stages of the score up.

VAN DOREN – Held up for clear running over the concluding stages and was not fully tested.

THE VICARS GIRL – Broke gait clear of interference passing the 1000 metres causing ONETWOSKIPPERFEW to be hampered. In view of the mare’s poor recent record, THE VICARS GIRL was stood down for a period of 10 days and the completion of one re-qualifying trial prior to returning to race.

ONETWOSKIPPERFEW – Hampered passing the 1000 metres when THE VICARS GIRL broke gait.

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

SONNYBOY – Fractious during the early stages of the score up and consequently was out of position at the start. SONNYBOY will continue to be excluded from the mobile barrier draw. Driver J Sullivan was fined the sum of $100 under AHRR 156(3) for applying the whip on more occasions than permitted inside the final 200 metres.

 

RACE 5 – BARTLETT MANUFACTURING PACE (1690 MS)

CALEDONIAN TERRA – Driver P Warnock was fined the sum of $200 under AHRR 156(2)(a) for applying the whip on multiple occasions in a manner that exceeded a wrist only flicking motion inside the final 200 metres.

SIRIUS MAJOR – 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.

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

TRINTYS DELIGHT – Held up for clear running over the concluding stages and was not fully tested. When questioned in relation to the driving tactics employed, principally regarding her decision to remain in a position in the running line when racing down the back straight on the final occasion, driver E Justice explained that at the mare’s most recent start at Kilmore on the 14/11/24, her runner attempted to make a sustained run wider on the track rounding the final turn however failed to appreciate being driven in that manner and ultimately failed to finish the race off competitively and proved disappointing. She said that as such, she was mindful that near the 600 metres when an opportunity presented to improve wider on the track it would not have been beneficial to the mare and elected to remain racing in the running line. She said that upon entering the home straight her runner was covered by MY GREAT EIGHT which was racing to its outside and had an advantage on her runner and therefore she was unable to manoeuvre wider at that point. She added that when, MY GREAT EIGHT commenced to labour on its run and was not improving over the concluding stages, she had no opportunity to obtain clear running resulting in her runner being unable to be placed under full pressure however she was pleased with the manner in which the mare was travelling at that point. Ms Justice explained that, should the mare draw comparatively in the near future connections would endeavour to drive in a similar manner. After consideration, Stewards did not fell Ms Justice’s tactics were entirely unreasonable in the circumstances however she was advised to always drive in a manner that does not leave herself open to query.

 

RACE 6 – VITAL SIGNS PACE (1690 MS)

SHEZABLUECHIP – Pulled-hard throughout the score up. Held up for clear running during the early stages of the run to the finish prior to utilising the sprint lane.

PICKLE IT – Over-raced throughout the early and middle stages.

I SEE IRIS – Held up for clear running during the early stages of the run to the finish.

PAIGETHEHURRIKANE – Pulled-hard during the middle stages of the score up. Driver G Schembri was issued a formal caution for failing to have the mare in position at the start. Over-raced throughout the early and middle stages.

PRESIDENTIALCHANGE – Post-race swab sample.

 

RACE 7 – ALDEBARAN PARK TROT (2190 MS)

TUBS NOW SLIM – At the first attempt to score up, driver B Pace raised his hand to indicate of an issue and a false start was declared. At a subsequent inquiry, Mr Pace explained that when attempting to advance towards the mobile barrier the near-side rein had become entangled with the bridle resulting in the gelding unable to be controlled. Upon review of the available patrol footage which wholly supported Mr Pace’s explanation, no action was taken. Upon entering the first turn the front hopple carrying strap became insecure, then consequently broke gait and failed to finish the event. The gear was inspected post-race and found to be of suitable quality. In view of the circumstances, no action was taken.

BULLAPARK BENO – Declared a late withdrawal at 8:55am, acting on veterinary advice.

BOUTIKA – When questioned regarding the performance, driver A Butt stated that he was confident of a forward showing from the mare given its recent form, however failed to travel genuinely throughout the event and when placed under pressure from the 600 metres his runner became unresponsive and failed to finish the race off and was disappointed with the performance today. A post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any abnormalities.

DESIGNS – Hampered upon entering the first turn when TUBS NOW SLIM broke gait.

SABIHALIL – Pre-race blood sample. Out of position at the start despite the efforts of its driver. SABIHALIL will continue to be excluded from the mobile barrier draw.

 

RACE 8 – BENSTUD STANDARDBREDS PACE (1690 MS)

NO EMOTION – Declared a late withdrawal at 12:02pm, acting on veterinary advice.

AMPHIJET – Had its sulky contacted by MISTER JIMARINGLE passing the 400 metres

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

ANGEL OF ANGER – Hung in entering the final turn and lost momentum, causing the runners trailing to be hampered and most noticeably MISTER JIMARINGLE which contacted the sulky of AMPHIJET and raced roughly.

RIVIERA ROSE – Hampered passing the 200 metres when ARRAPS shifted out under pressure. Driver R Sanderson was issued a formal caution for allowing his right foot to drop below the foot rests momentarily passing the 150 metres.

ARRAPS – Shifted out whilst under pressure passing the 200 metres causing RIVIERA ROSE to be hampered.

MISTER JIMARINGLE – Contacted the sulky of AMPHIJET passing the 400 metres and consequently raced roughly. Held up for clear running during the early stages of the run to the finish.

 

RACE 9 – MCPHERSONS PRINTING GROUP PACE (1690 MS)

DIAMOND MAC – Broke gait during the middle stages of the score up, was out of position at the start and trailed the field thereafter. DIAMOND MAC will now be excluded from the mobile barrier draw.

SUPER CODE – Shifted out whilst under pressure inside the final 150 metres. A warning was issued.

NUGGET ROGERS – Hung out shortly after the start and engaged the sulky of EMILY VINCENT for some distance. A warning was issued.

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

EMILY VINCENT – Hampered shortly after the start when NUGGET ROGERS hung out and engaged its sulky. Raced roughly rounding the first turn. A warning was issued.

INTERPRETATION – Hampered passing the 100 metres when SUPER CODE shifted out under pressure.

ROCKAWAY BEACH – Hampered during the middle stages of the score up when DIAMOND MAC broke gait. Held up for clear running over the concluding stages and was not fully tested.

FEEL THE REIGN – Examined pre and post-race by the veterinarian in accordance with HRV’s animal welfare policy due to the rig having competed in excess of 200 starts. No abnormalities were detected on either examination. Pulled-hard during the score up.

ASMILEANDAWINX – Pre-race blood 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 3 –EAGLE MAJOR Race 7 – SABIHALIL Race 9 – ASMILEANDAWINX POST-RACE: Race 2 – ACE DUIGAN Race 6 – PRESIDENTIALCHANGE
Suspensions	Nil
Fines	Race 4 – J Sullivan – Rule 156(3) – $100 Race 5 – P Warnock – Rule 156(2)(a) – $200 Supplementary 08/11/24: A Shaw – Rule 30(1) – $500
Cautions	Race 1 – M Bellman – D/CSL Race 6 – G Schembri – D/CSU Race 8 – R Sanderson – D/CDF
Horse actions	Race 1 – CHAMPAGNES – ODM Race 1 – MAJOR MAX – CODM Race 4 – SONNYBOY – CODM Race 4 – THE VICARS GIRL – 10 Days + 1 Trial Race 7 – SABIHALIL – CODM Race 9 – DIAMOND MAC – ODM
Follow ups	Race 3 – RINGER RUSS – 28/11/24
Adjourned inquires	Nil
Sulky fund claims	Nil
Medical stand downs	Nil