Stewards Report

HARNESS RACING VICTORIA

STEWARDS REPORT FOR MILDURA

FRIDAY 4 OCTOBER 2024

	Nick Murray Wayne Smith Wayne Preston Steve Phelan (Starter) Dr Megan Ginifer (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 – EUSTON CLUB 2YO & 3YO MAIDEN PACE (1790 MS)

General

The start time for this race was revised to 12:10pm.

Driver Neil McCallum (UBETONRED – 3RD place) requested to view the footage over the final 400m and after doing so elected not to pursue a protest and all clear was declared on the Judge’s placings.

DIAMOND KRUSHER– obtained an inside run in the home straight to finish in 6th place.

FIT OF RAGE– trainer Shane Sanderson was fined $50 under rule 273 (6)(b) for this colt being presented in gear which was not correctly declared. Driver Ryan Sanderson was cautioned for the manner in which he shifted ground wider from a position on the marker pegline approaching the 1200m. Mr Sanderson was further cautioned for permitting his drive to race in a half cart position passing the 800m. Clear prior record noted. Near the 400m, shifted out slightly before being corrected resulting in NANNA HELEN (W Hill) and UBETONRED (N McCallum) being inconvenienced. Shifted out when hanging out at the entrance to the home straight causing NANNA HELEN and UBETONRED to be inconvenienced. A warning was issued against the racing manners of the colt.

SUPER SUSPECT– hung out when leading at the entrance to the home straight and a warning was issued.

NANNA HELEN– inconvenienced near the 400m as FIT OF RAGE shifted out slightly and UBETONRED hung in. Inconvenienced at the entrance to the home straight as FIT OF RAGE shifted out.

BETTOR DOO NZ– trainer Danny Weinert was cautioned for presenting the gelding in gear which was not correctly declared.

CAPTAINS DREAM– inconvenienced approaching the 1200m as FIT OF RAGE (R Sanderson) shifted out. Progressed forward three wide thereafter.

INDIANAS SON– tired (132m) over the concluding stages and was stood down from racing until the satisfactory completion of one (1) trial.

UBETONRED– hung in and inconvenienced near the 400m. Inconvenienced and paced roughly at the entrance to the home straight.

 

RACE 2 – VERDE @ THE GATEWAY PACE (2190 MS)

General

The start time for this race was revised to 12:47pm.

STONEBRIDGE STAR– due to the gelding having competed in more than 200 lifetime starts, was examined by the veterinarian before and after the race which revealed no apparent abnormalities. Hung out slightly entering the back straight on the final occasion and locked sulky wheels with EGBERT for a short distance. Held up for a clear run and inclined to pace roughly in the home straight.

EGBERT– inconvenienced entering the back straight on the final occasion when locking sulky wheels with STONEBRIDGE STAR. Held up for a clear run in the early part of the run home.

CHEERS POVERTY– held up for a clear run until near the 100m before finishing in 3rd place.

IMPETUOSO– hung in late in the score up and was out position at the start. A warning was issued. Hung in at then entrance to the home straight.

MACH HU NZ– pulled hard during the middle stages when positioned outside of the leader.

HES A MODERN BOY– trainer Eddie Sparkes was cautioned for the late driver notification of Mark Riseley.

 

RACE 3 – CLUB MERBEIN PACE (2190 MS)

General

The start of this race was delayed due to Rockhampton thoroughbreds being behind schedule.

SIR VINCENT– withstood an early challenge from JILLIBY SOVEREIGN to maintain the lead before giving ground racing down the back straight on the final occasion to finish at the rear of the field beaten approximately 130m. When queried in relation to the tactics adopted, driver Mark Riseley explained that after initially maintaining the lead he was then satisfied to maintain that position passing the 1000m as A CHIP OF IMPALA improved three wide to his outside. Mr Riseley added at this stage he was not required to place his drive under any pressure to do so and felt A CHIP OF IMPALA only progressed to his outside approaching the 800m. Mr Riseley further explained that it was apparent subsequent to the event the gelding had got its tongue over the bit. Post-race veterinary examination revealed no apparent abnormalities. Given the gear issue, no action was taken for the performance in view of the circumstances. Mr Riseley’s explanation was noted.

JILLIBY SOVEREIGN– galloped clear of interference in the score up and caused a false start. Will be placed outside the mobile barrier draw. Showed gate speed however was unsuccessful in obtaining the lead. Tired (199m) over the concluding stages and a post-race veterinary examination revealed no obvious abnormalities. Stood down from racing until the satisfactory completion of one (1) trial.

MARTHA LAVINIA– inconvenienced approaching the 300m as HESASTAR hung in slightly.

HESASTAR– momentarily hung in approaching the 300m.

SHALLOW POCKETS– held up for a clear run for a short distance approaching and passing the 200m.

A CHIP OF IMPALA– driver Ryan Backhouse was questioned in relation to the tactics adopted and in particular his decision to improve forward three wide approaching the 1200m before obtaining a position outside of the leader approaching the 800m. A CHIP OF IMPALA then gave ground over the concluding stages to finish in 7th position beaten 36m. Mr Backhouse explained that approaching the 1200m he considered the tempo of the race to be moderate and that he felt MARTHA LAVINIA was racing back off the leader when leading the outside division. Mr Backhouse added for that reason he elected to progress wider and he felt after doing so, that given the early work of SIR VINCENT (leader) and MARTHA LAVINIA he may be able to obtain a more forward position more comfortably than what eventuated. Post-race veterinary examination of the gelding revealed no apparent abnormalities. In view of the circumstances, Mr Backhouse was cautioned for a drive which in the opinion of Stewards lack reasonable judgement during the middle stages.

 

RACE 4 – PARK DOUGLAS PRINTING PACE (2190 MS)

LOVE TO DEAL– contacted a marker peg when leading near the 1800m.

OUR BALOU– over-raced slightly during the early stages when positioned outside of the leader. Hung out racing down the back straight on the final occasion.

HALF MOON BEACH– tired (63m) over the concluding stages and has now been placed on its last chance to race competitively.

ANOTHER SPARKY– contacted a marker peg near the 1800m, paced roughly and then galloped clear of interference. Placed on its last chance to race truly.

RIVERGUM COUNTESS– out of position at the start and will continue to be placed outside the mobile barrier draw.

 

RACE 5 – MCDONALDS MILDURA & IRYMPLE PACE (2190 MS)

General

Prior to all clear, Stewards and Mark Riseley, driver of GUYS BETTOR BET (5th place) viewed the footage in the home straight in relation to SUNSHINE WARRIOR (1st place) obtaining an inside run. After doing so, Mr Riseley elected not to pursue a protest. On the evidence available it was established that as GUYS BETTOR BET shifted out in the early part of the home straight, SUNSHINE WARRIOR (R Sanderson) was able to obtain and establish an inside run and after doing so, brushed three marker pegs however at no stage raced inside the line of marker pegs, nor gained any unfair advantage in obtaining the run and therefore all clear was declared on the Judge’s placings.

GUYS BETTOR BET- due to the gelding having competed in more than 200 lifetime starts, was examined by the veterinarian before and after the race which revealed no apparent abnormalities. Trainer David Nunn was cautioned for presenting this gelding in gear which was not correctly declared. Driver Mark Riseley was fined $200 under rule 162 (1)(www) for failing to make sufficient effort to prevent the gelding from shifting out after leading into the home straight which enabled SUNSHINE WARRIOR to obtain an inside run to win the event.

DAYSIE BROWN– driver Shane Smith reported post-race that the offside hopple shortener failed to release.

REAL DASH NZ– entering the back straight on the final occasion, jumped a dislodged marker peg and broke gait. In view of the circumstances, no action was taken against REAL DASH NZ.

BEARTASTIC WRITER– paced roughly for a short distance near the 700m.

SUNSHINE WARRIOR– shifted in slightly near the 600m and contacted a marker peg. Held up before obtaining an inside run in the home straight. Contacted marker pegs.

ALLSOPP– hung in rounding the final turn. Driver Wayne Hill pleaded guilty to a charge under rule 170(4)(a) which states: a driver shall not attempt or allow his foot or leg to come into contact with the hindlegs of the horse he is driving. The particulars of the charge being that in the early part of the home straight Mr Hill allowed his right foot to come out of the sulky footrest and to come into contact with the off hindleg of the gelding. In considering penalty Stewards took into account the HRV Minimum Penalty Guidelines and in particular Mr Hill’s guilty plea and exceptional record of approximately 15,000 race drives with no prior offence. Therefore a fine of $500 was imposed with $250 suspended for 2 years provided there is no relevant offence under the applicable rule within that period.

 

RACE 6 – MUNRO BROS. OUYEN PACE (2190 MS)

General

The start was delayed owing to JAXON BEACH requiring attention from the farrier.

MY ULTIMATE BILLY NZ– withstood an early challenge to maintain the lead before tiring (57m) over the concluding stages to finish at the rear of the field. Driver Corey Johnson explained that he was instructed to lead if possible however in view of the circumstances the gelding was disappointing and performed below expected. Post-race veterinary examination revealed no apparent abnormalities. A warning was issued against the performance of the gelding.

JAXON BEACH – driver Lochie Cook was cautioned for the manner in which he shifted ground wider approaching the 400m which caused MAJOR MEISTER NZ (R Sanderson) to be inconvenienced. Swab sample obtained and the gelding was detained on course for post-race blood sampling.

RIO ROCK– galloped clear of interference shortly after the start and will be placed outside the mobile barrier draw.

MAJOR MEISTER NZ– inconvenienced approaching the 400m as JAXON BEACH (L Cook) was directed wider.

 

RACE 7 – ZILZIE WINES PACE (1790 MS)

HOLZHAUER– held up and unable to obtain a clear run in the home straight to finish in 3rd place.

RAINBOW RAIN– inconvenienced rounding the final turn as LOCHINVAR LORENZO gave ground.

DENZIL DEBRO– outside sulky wheel contacted and tyre flattened approaching the 1200m and was then retired from the event by driver Corey Johnson.

LOCHINVAR LORENZO– pulled hard and raced fiercely despite the efforts of driver Wayne Hill and in doing so contacted the sulky wheel of DENZIL DEBRO approaching the 1200m. Continued to progress forward when wide during the middle stages to ultimately obtain the position outside of the leader. Gave ground (33m) over the latter stages. Placed on its last chance to race truly given the extent to which the gelding over-raced.

AMYS BABY ANGEL– held up for a clear rounding the final turn before finishing in 4th place.

 

RACE 8 – APG 0-2 LTW PACE (1790 MS)

General

The start of this race was delayed due to Warrnambool thoroughbreds being behind schedule.

ITZOK TO ROCK– hung in passing the 300m and when corrected by its driver shifted out slightly. A warning was issued against the racing manners of the mare.

RESURRECTS– checked and broke gait passing the 300m.

RIVIERA ROSE– inconvenienced as ITZOK TO ROCK shifted out slightly passing the 300m, contributing to RIVIERA ROSE breaking gait. In view of those circumstances no action was taken against RIVIERA ROSE.

SURFIN AT MIDNIGHT– galloped during the score up and was placed on its last chance in the mobile barrier draw. Inconvenienced passing the 300m.

KEAYANG CRIPPA– driver Kathy Watson reminded of her whip action obligations.

 

RACE 9 – COLLIE & TIERNEY REAL ESTATE PACE (1790 MS)

MISS BALLYMENA NZ– hung out at the entrance to the back straight on the first occasion.

AVOCA BLUES– held up before obtaining an inside run in the home straight to finish in 3rd place.

ULTIMATE ROCKER NZ– shifted out after leading into the home straight despite the evident efforts of driver Brent Murphy and therefore a warning was issued against the racing manners of the gelding.

IM ALRIGHT JACK– held up and had difficulty in obtaining a clear run over the concluding stages.

SUPER CODE– driver Mark Riseley pleaded guilty to a charge under rule 163(1)(b)(i) for making another horse cover more ground than necessary, the particulars of the charge being that approaching the 800m, Mr Riseley permitted his drive to shift into a three wide position to follow FENG SHUI STAR (L Cook) when not sufficiently clear of LOSEASHOE (B Devcic) resulting in that runner being forced into a four wide position. In assessing penalty in accordance with the HRV Minimum Penalty Guidelines, Stewards considered Mr Riseley’s guilty plea, that this was his first offence under this rule (300+ drives) and the circumstances of the incident. Mr Riseley’s licence to drive in races was suspended for 7 days to commence midnight 10 October 2024.

LOSEASHOE– inconvenienced and forced wider into a four wide position from near the 800m.

 

RACE 10 – J & A MAZZETTI PAINTING CONTRACTORS PACE (1790 MS)

General

Drivers Brent Murphy (CEE CEE IN AMERICA), Wayne Hill (POWERSOFPERSUASION) and Corey Johnson (HEZROCKINROYALTY) were questioned in relation to CEE CEE IN AMERICA appearing to pace roughly when in restricted room entering the first turn. On the evidence available it was established that CEE CEE IN AMERICA initially hung in and raced inside the line of marker pegs of its own accord, paced roughly and then shifted outwards. As there was no evident tightening to the outside of CEE CEE IN AMERICA a warning was issued against the racing manners of the gelding.

CEE CEE IN AMERICA– hung in and contacted marker pegs entering the first turn, paced roughly and then shifted out. A warning was issued against the racing manners of the gelding.

RIMU VALLEY NZ– pulled hard when being restrained in a three wide position during the early and middle stages.

HEZROCKINROYALTY– hung in shortly after the start. Hung out when leading down the back straight on the final occasion.

KIALLA KID– inconvenienced and held up for a clear run when unable to improve racing off the back straight on the final occasion.

 

 

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 2 – Unethical; Race 4 – Tact Tory; Race 7 – Holzhauer; Race 10 – Kialla Kid.
		Post-Race:Race 2 – Impetuoso; Race 4 – Robert Crocka; Race 6 – Jaxon Beach; Race 7 – Bus Stop; Race 9 – Miss Ballymena.
Suspensions
Race 9	M Riseley		R163(1)(b)(i)	7 days
Fines
Race 1	S Sanderson		R273(6)(b)	$50
Race 5	M Riseley		R162(1)(www)	$200
Race 5	W Hill		R170(4)(a)	$500 ($250 susp 2 years)
Cautions
Race 1	R Sanderson		D/CSG D/CHC
Race 1	D Weinert		T/CG
Race 2	E Sparkes		T/CLDC
Race 3	R Backhouse		D/CLJ
Race 5	D Nunn		T/CG
Race 6	L Cook		D/CSG
Horse Actions
Race 1	Indianas Son		SD1T
Race 3	Jilliby Sovereign		ODM / SD1T
Race 4	Rivergum Countess		CODM
Race 6	Rio Rock		ODM
Late Scratchings
Nil

Follow Ups – Nil

Adjourned Inquiries – Nil

Sulky Fund Claims – Nil