Stewards Report

HARNESS RACING VICTORIA

STEWARDS REPORT FOR MILDURA

FRIDAY 5 AUGUST 2022

	Adrian Crowther Scott Gillespie Wayne Smith Peter Lamb (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 RESORT 2YO & 3YO PACE (1790 MS)

Brieisbetter raced roughly shortly after the start before then breaking. The filly was  placed out of the mobile barrier draw. Brieisbetter trailed the field for the remainder of the event.

As a result of Brieisbetter breaking after the start Whodat Boodat, which was trailing, was inconvenienced  and raced roughly.

Our Master Play broke free of interference in the back straight when the removable hood was activated.  Our Master Play has been stood down from racing for a period of 10 days and until the completion of a satisfactory trial.

RACE 2 – VERDE AT THE GATEWAY PACE (1790 MS)

Only In Rome NZ underwent pre and post-race veterinary examinations pursuant to HRV animal welfare policy due to its number of lifetime starts. No abnormalities were detected.

Colerne was unable to muster sufficient speed in the early stages with no position available in the running line, it was then restrained to a rearward trailing position.

Eddee raced roughly and was steadied racing around the first turn.

Puopolo was held up and unable to obtain clear running over the latter stages.

Stewards queried trainer Aaron Coad (Only In Rome NZ) as to the apparent improved performance of that runner. Mr Coad explained the gelding had been racing from back row draws and had the benefit of a favourable inside draw and being able to lead and dictate a suitable tempo today. Stewards noted the explanation tendered. Only In Rome NZ was detained on-course for three hours to allow post-race swab  samples to be taken.

RACE 3 – LASER SIGNS & PRINT PACE (1790 MS)

The start of this race was delayed due to Ipswich gallops Race 3 running behind schedule.

Tell Us We Dream was out of position at the start despite the efforts of driver Jack Laugher. A warning has been placed on the starting manners of that gelding.

Driver Kathy Watson (Fortitudo) was cautioned for failing to have her runner adequately in position at the start.

Heza Western tended to hang out on the turns and lost significant  ground  between the 800metres and  600metres. Harry Mckinnis, Tactfully Magic and Apache Wind, which were all  racing in trailing peg line positions behind Heza Western were  inconvenienced. After improving toward the latter part of the back straight then Heza Western again  hung out rounding the final turn losing further ground.  Stewards queried driver Ellen Tormey as to the performance of the gelding. Ms Tormey explained that the gelding had hung out badly,  and when making every effort to maintain a straight course and avoid other runners  her drive  then  lost ground. Ms Tormey further explained that she had recommended the addition of a Murphy blind to the off side of the gelding’s gear to help it race more tractably. Heza Western underwent a post race veterinary examination which revealed soreness in its near fore tendon. The gelding was stood down from racing pending a veterinary certificate of fitness to race.  

RACE 4 – TAB LONG MAY WE PLAY PACE (2190 MS)

Stewards queried driver Tayla French (Milly Patone) ($3.80 last placing (10th) as to the performance of that runner. Ms French explained that she put the horse into the race with a lap to travel as the runner preceding her at that stage El Queso was unable to maintain position outside the leader however the mare had then hung in and had a tendency to hit its near fore knee to the extent that she was unable to progress forward. A post-race veterinary examination revealed a slower than normal recovery. Stewards will follow up with trainer Alex Ashwood in the days following the race.

Driver Jordan Leedham (Coco Rocks) explained that when making ground when scoring up his drive then had a tendency to contact its own sulky and then proved difficult to restrain before breaking toward the latter part of the score up. Coco Rocks has been placed out of the mobile barrier draw. Mr Leedham pleaded guilty to a charge pursuant to Rule 156(2)(a) for his whip action which was more than a wrist only flicking motion and he was fined $400. In assessing penalty stewards considered the previous offence within the preceding 28 days.

Michael Francis (Asher Abbey) was fined $100 pursuant to Rule 156(3) for exceeding the maximum permitted number of whip strikes over the final 200m.

RACE 5 - SUNRAYSIA SECURITY PROTECTIVE SERVICES PACE(1790 MS)

The start of this race was delayed due to Ipswich gallops Race 5 running behind schedule.

Southern Burgundy  underwent a pre-race veterinary examination after slipping in the stalls area  and was passed fit to race.

The Sneaky Fox was found to have a flat tyre during the preliminary with a sulky replacement then being affected.

Pet Kitty broke in the score up free of interference, was out of position and has been placed out of the mobile barrier draw.

 Chloe Ann was held up and unable to obtain clear running over the concluding stages.

Stewards inquired into the reasons for The Sneaky Fox racing four wide down the back straight on the first occasion. After taking evidence from drivers Andrew Vozlic (Ulani) and Dean Girardi (The Sneaky Fox), based on their own observations, the evidence of the drivers and viewing the official race replays stewards charged Mr Vozlic pursuant to Rule 163(1)(b)(i), a driver shall not cause another runner to cover more ground than necessary. The particulars being that racing into the back straight Mr Vozlic, as the driver of Ulani, had shifted wide when not clear of Mr Girardi’s runner obliging that runner to race four wide. Mr Vozlic reserved his plea to the charge however after giving due consideration to the evidence he was found guilty as charged and  his licence to drive in races suspended for 10 days to commence at midnight tonight.

RACE 6 – TASCO PETROLEUM PACE (1790 MS)

Heart Of Cooper was a late scratching at 2.11 pm on veterinary advice when found to be lame after arriving on course.  The gelding  was  stood down from racing pending a veterinary certificate of fitness to race.

Sir Roman broke free of interference in the score up, was out of position at the start and has been placed out of the mobile barrier draw. Sir Roman then trailed the field for the remainder of the event.

RACE 7 – TANKARD DENTAL PACE (1790 MS)

Bernie Winkle NZ underwent pre and post-race veterinary examinations pursuant to HRV animal welfare policy due to its number of lifetime starts. No abnormalities were detected.

The start of this race was delayed again due to Ipswich gallops Race 7 running behind schedule.

Khaki Nui when being driven forward from a wide barrier to lead then broke free of interference in the back straight whilst racing in the one out line before being restrained by driver Jack Laugher to its correct gait and then assuming the lead racing off the back straight on the first occasion. Khaki Nui has been placed on its last chance to race truly.

Driver Jordan Chibnall (Shannonstheman) was fined $100 pursuant to Rule 156(3) for exceeding the maximum permitted number of whip strikes over the final 200m.

RACE 8 – TENDERPRINT AUSTRALIA PACE (1790 MS)

Due to an administrative error King Solomon NZ appeared on the Trots website as a scratching at 2.18 pm. When the error was realised corrective action was taken  and the horse was reinstated. King Solomon NZ remained in betting markets with Wagering Service Providers at all times.   

Neds Beach NZ was out of position at the start despite the efforts of driver Reece Moore. A warning has been placed on the gelding’s starting manners.

All Good tired over the concluding stages to be beaten 75m. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no apparent abnormalities. Stewards queried driver Jack Laugher who explained that after a couple of promising runs All Good has proved somewhat disappointing  and may not be capable of working in this grade of race. Stewards noted the explanation tendered. Given the margin All Good has been placed on its last chance to race competitively.

RACE 9 – HORSELAND MILDURA PACE (2190 MS)

The start of this race was delayed due to Ipswich gallops Race 9 running behind schedule.

Roberts Delight pulled hard and was unable to gain clear running.

Ozzie Daybreak, after racing wide and being restrained in the early stages, obtained a trail into the race from the bell and hung out in the back straight before then giving ground.

 

RACE 10 – HAPPY 21ST BIRTHDAY SARAH WATSON PACE (2190 MS)

Driver Tiana McMahon (Fine Artist) was cautioned for commencing to score up in the wrong barrier position before then shifting wider which allowed Impetuoso to get up into its allotted position in the latter part of the score up.

Rounding the final turn Princess Lil commenced to race roughly and hang out and rapidly lost ground from that point. As a consequence Rocknroll Ranger and White Star Village, which were trailing, were both held up and inconvenienced. A post-race veterinary examination of Princess Lil revealed the mare to have suffered a right-fore tendon injury. Princess Lil was treated by the on-course veterinarian and  has been stood down from racing pending a veterinary  certificate of fitness to race.

RACE 11 – PARK DOUGLAS PRINTING PACE (2190 MS)

The start of this race was briefly delayed due to Ipswich greyhounds Race 9 running behind schedule.

Robert Crocka pulled hard in the score up when working forward to the lead in the early stages. After assuming the lead the gelding then surrendered the lead to Another Sparky and continued to pull hard thereafter.  As the pace of the race eased toward the 950m mark Dontshowyouraces was inconvenienced as was Feels Lika Boss which was pulling hard and Feels Lika Boss then contacted  the sulky of Dontshowyouraces and raced roughly. Feels Lika Boss underwent a post-race veterinary examination which found a minor abrasion to its  chest.  

Stewards inquired into the actions of driver Jack Laugher upon pulling up in relation to his use of the reins however could not  be satisfied to the requisite  standard that a charge could be sustained with the available vision from the official race replays.

At the Charlton race meeting on 8/8/22 Stewards inquired into the reasons for Havelock being checked towards the 80 metres. After hearing evidence from drivers Ellen Tormey(Havelock), Jordan Leedham(Mista Pumblechook), acting on their own observations and viewing the official race replays Mr Leedham  was charged, and pleaded guilty to a charge pursuant to Rule 163(1)(a)(iii) for causing interference, the particulars being that he directed his drive wider on the track when not clear of Havelock,  resulting in that runner being checked and racing roughly.  In determining penalty Stewards took into consideration HRV Minimum Penalty guidelines, Mr Leedham’s guilty plea and good record under this rule, and the level of interference which was deemed to be of a low level, accordingly the minimum penalty of a seven day suspension was applied, with a nine day deferment granted to allow the suspension to commence at midnight on 17/8.

RACE 12 – MHRC SUPER 6’S SPONSORSHIP PACE (1790 MS)

Gilardi broke for some distance in the early part of the score up. The gelding has been placed on its last chance in the draw.

After leading the event Gilardi then commenced to tire rapidly  from the 500m mark.  Sarah Bonus, which was trailing that runner, then made contact with the off side sulky wheel of Gilardi when attempting to shift wider. Stewards could not be satisfied to the required standard that driver Corey Johnson was wholly responsible for the incident given the rate with which Gilardi was losing ground at that stage of the race. Gilardi underwent a post-race veterinary examination which revealed a slow recovery rate. Given the margin of 194m and the gelding’s previous racing history Gilardi has been stood down from racing pending completion of a satisfactory trial. Stewards will follow up with trainer Frank Cavallaro in the days after the event.

 

Adrian Crowther

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 – Colerne; Race 3 – CC Jones NZ; Race 4 – Milly Patone; Race 5 – Elizabethan Era; Race 6 – This Is Bill; Race 7 – Gilty Hanover; Race 8 – Shadow Terror; Race 9 - Holzhauer; Race 11 – Robert Crocka
		Post-Race: Race 12– Only In Rome NZ (b/u); Race 3 – Apache Wind; Race 5 – Fiftyshades Cresco; Race 7 – Shannonstheman; Race 9 – Hesastar; Race 11 – Another Sparky;
Suspensions
Race 5 Race 11	A Vozlic J Leedham		R163(1)(b) R163(1) (a)(iii)	10 days 7 days
Fines
Race 4	J Leedham		R156(2)	$400
Race 4	M Francis		R156(3)	$100
Race 7	J Chibnall		R156(3)	$100
Race 9	M Gadsden		R156(2)(a)	$200
Cautions
Race 3	K Watson		D/CSU
Race 10	T McMahon		D/CSP
Horse Actions
Race 1	Our Master Play		SD10D/SD1T
Race 1	Brieisbetter		ODM
Race 3	Heza Western		SDVC
Race 4	Cocorocks		ODM
Race 4	Takidah		ODM
Race 5	Pet Kitty		ODM
Race 6	Sir Roman		ODM
Race 10	Princess Lil		SDVC
Race 12	Gilardi		SD1T
Late Scratchings
Race 6	Heart Of Cooper		2.11 pm	Vets