Stewards Report

HARNESS RACING VICTORIA 

STEWARDS REPORT FOR MILDURA 

FRIDAY 7 JUNE 2024 

	Scott Gillespie  Daniel Borg Wayne Smith Jason Fino & Steve Phelan (Starters)  Dr Megan Ginifer (Vet)
	Track:    Good	Weather:	Overcast

 

Trainers with multiple horses engaged in any given race were questioned as to the intended driving tactics to be adopted.  

 

RACE 1 – EUSTON CLUB PACE FINAL (2190 MS) 

STONEBRIDGE STAR– (200+starts) Underwent pre and post-race veterinary examinations in accordance with HRV Animal Welfare Policy.  Neither check revealed any abnormalities.

HALF MOON BEACH– Pulled hard behind the leader.

ROCKING WROXTON– Driver Corey Johnson was queried regarding the performance of the gelding which gave ground from the 400m to be beaten 48m into last placing.  Mr.Johnson stated the gelding wasn’t suited with the quicker tempo of this race and was under pressure at the 800m.  A post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any abnormality.

BEARTASTIC WRITER– Driver Liam Older pleaded guilty to a charge under AHR Rule 170(4)(b) for allowing his right foot to be placed in the immediate vicinity of the hind legs of the gelding in the home straight.  Mr.Older was fined the sum of $250.

LETSGO MATILDA– ($4.80) Driver Michelle Phillips was cautioned for failing to have the mare in position at the start.  Ms.Phillips was queried regarding the performance of the mare which finished in 7th position beaten 20m.  Ms.Phillips stated the mare races best when able to find a position near the lead and travelled keenly once getting to the spot outside the leader following a mid-race three wide move.

RACE 2 – THE VERDE @ THE GATEWAY PACE FINAL (2600 MS) 

GOJOE – Inconvenienced at the 500m by Louieville which tired.

HAWAIIANBEACH – Driver Corey Johnson was queried regarding the driving tactics adopted on the gelding in the early and middle stages when electing to maintain the position outside the lead.  Mr.Johnson stated he was comfortable holding the spot outside the lead in the early stages while Abstractor was racing three wide near the lead.  Approaching the 1600m, Shadow Terror progressed three wide and Mr.Johnson attempted to find the lead with the hope that Louieville may surrender that position.  Once it became apparent this wasn’t an option, Mr.Johnson took cover.  Stewards were not of the opinion that the tactics adopted were unreasonable and the explanation was noted.

ABSTRACTOR – Tired to be beaten 54m into last position, no action taken.

LOUIEVILLE – ($9.50) Driver Wayne Hill was queried regarding the performance of the gelding which tired to be beaten 52m into 9th position.  Mr.Hill stated that the mid race pressure was too much for the gelding, and after having a comfortable time leading last time he was unable to obtain a similar run tonight.  A post-race veterinary examination revealed no abnormality.

RACE 3 – MCDONALDS IRYMPLE & MILDURA PACE (1ST HEAT) (1790 MS) 

WATCH THE ATTITUDE – Pulled hard in the lead.

WILD CARD– Held up for clear running over the concluding stages.

NEDS BEACH NZ– (Engaged tomorrow 8/6) Underwent post-race veterinary examination in accordance with HRV Animal Welfare Policy.  The check revealed no abnormality.

CORZAN DRAMA– Shifted out under pressure on the final turn, driver Ryan Backhouse issued a caution for a lack of control.

JUST BURNFORU – Driver Michelle Phillips pleaded guilty to a charge under AHR Rule 156(3) for applying the whip to the gelding on more occasions than permitted in the home straight.  Given her recent record under this rule, Ms.Phillips had her licence to drive in races suspended for a period of 7 days to begin at midnight 9 June 2024.

KEAYANG MOROCCAN– Held up for clear running on the final turn and in the home straight.

RACE 4 – HAPPY BIRTHDAY OUR STARTER EMMA JOHNSON PACE (2ND HEAT) (1790 MS) 

OUR MASTER PLAY – Broke gait when clear of interference at the 1300m and placed on last chance to race truly.

CHAMPAGNE STRIDE – Shifted out after the start.  Inconvenienced at the 1400m by Our Master Play.  Driver Neil McCallum could offer no explanation for the performance of the mare which gave ground from the 400m to be beaten 27m into 7th placing.  A post-race veterinary examination revealed no abnormality.

DRIBBLABILL – Inconvenienced after the start by Miss Ballymena NZ.

MISS BALLYMENA NZ – Hung in after the start (warning issued), inconveniencing Dribblabill.

MY LINE OF FIRE – Pulled hard in the score up.  Hung out on the first turn, locking wheels with Majestic Sue and checked.

MAJOR ASSASSIN – Checked by Our Master Play at the 1300m.

MAJESTIC SUE - Pulled hard in the score up.  Locked wheels with My Line Of Fire on the first turn and checked.  Driver Jordan Leedham could offer no explanation for the performance of the mare which finished in last position beaten 42m.  A post-race veterinary examination revealed no abnormality.

RACE 5 – THE GREG DEWES MEMORIAL PACE (1790 MS) 

MODERN GINGER– Gave ground from the 400m to be beaten 32m into 6th placing.

DAYLIGHT AT DAWN– Pulled hard in the score up.

RACE 6 – ZILZIE WINES PACE (1ST HEAT) (1790 MS) 

SIR STEVENATOR– Tired from the 500m to be beaten 77m into last placing.  The horse has now been stood down from racing until the completion of one satisfactory trial.

KEEP BETTING– Tired from the 600m to be beaten 59m into 9th placing.

DEEWHY– Hung in at the 1400m and again on final turn, warning issued.

SOUTHPAW SLUGGER– Pulled hard in the score up and early stages.

RACE 7 - TASCO PETROLEUM PACE (2ND HEAT) (1790 MS) 

WHITE STAR VILLAGE– (200+starts) Underwent pre and post-race veterinary examinations in accordance with HRV Animal Welfare Policy.  Neither check revealed any abnormalities.  Tightened by Cheers Poverty on the first turn, contacting marker pegs and racing rough for a short distance.  Inconvenienced on the final turn and contacted marker pegs.

CHEERS POVERTY – Driver Michelle Phillips pleaded guilty to a charge under AHR Rule 165(1)(b) for permitting her runner to shift in approaching the first turn when not the required clearance of White Star Village resulting in that runner being tightened, contacting marker pegs and racing roughly for a short distance.  Ms.Phillips had her licence to drive in races suspended for a period of 10 days.  When considering penalty Stewards were mindful of the driving and offence record of Ms.Phillips and the circumstances attached to this incident.

SURFIN AT MIDNIGHT– Broke in the score up, warning issued.  Pulled hard middle stages.  Sulky contacted by Arendelle at the 500m.  Hung in under pressure on the final turn.

ARENDELLE– Driver Ryan Backhouse cautioned for careless driving after contact was made to the sulky of Surfin At Midnight at the 500m.  Broke gait when clear of interference in the home straight and placed on last chance to race truly.

TWO TOES BENNY– Driver Ryan Sanderson cautioned for careless driving after contact was made to the sulky of Loyola Rocknrolla and Maythehorsebewithu passing the 800m. 

BUS STOP– Hung in under pressure on the final turn.

YOU LITTLE TERROR– Inconvenienced on the final turn by Surfin At Midnight.

MAYTHEHORSEBWITHU– Sulky contacted by Two Toes Benny passing the 800m.

LOYOLA ROCKNROLLA- Sulky contacted by Two Toes Benny passing the 800m.

RACE 8 – VALE NEVILLE JAP PACE (3RD HEAT) (1790 MS) 

NICOLESCRUISER – Trainer Zac Steenhuis was fined $50 for failing to advise Stewards of the driving tactics to be adopted on the stable runners.

MURIEL – Inconvenienced by Guys Bettor Bet at the 500m.  Contact made to the sulky of Guys Bettor Bet on the final turn when racing in restricted room.

GUYS BETTOR BET– (200+starts) Underwent pre and post-race veterinary examinations in accordance with HRV Animal Welfare Policy.  Neither check revealed any abnormalities.  Driver Mark Riseley was queried regarding his decision to move into a three wide position passing the 500m.  Mr.Riseley stated he felt the gelding was travelling well and would be best suited to move three wide rather than risk being held up later in the race by the runners wider on the track.  Stewards noted the comments.  Sustained an off side flat tyre on the final turn when Muriel made contact to the sulky.  Mr.Riseley fined $200 under AHR Rule 156(2)(a) for applying the whip with more than a wrist only flicking motion soon after the start.

RACE 9 – PACING FOR PINK APPRECIATES DAVID MERRY PACE (4TH HEAT) (1790 MS) 

ROCKNROLL RANGER – Fractious in the early stages of the score up, warning issued.  Hung out passing the 800m and made contact to the sulky of Robert Crocka.

TIGER OF OLD – Hung in on the final turn.

HEAVELOCK – Held up for clear running on the final turn and in the home straight.

DEVIL OF A SMILE – Broke gait when clear of interference on the first turn and placed on last chance to race truly.

LILBITAHENRYTEE – Held up for clear running on the final turn and in the home straight.

ROBERT CROCKA – Sulky contacted by Rocknroll Ranger passing the 800m.

RACE 10 – PARK DOUGLAS PRINTING PACE (5TH HEAT) (1790 MS) 

FORTITUDO– (200+starts) Underwent pre and post-race veterinary examinations in accordance with HRV Animal Welfare Policy.  Neither check revealed any abnormalities.

EGBERT– Trainer Shane Osborn cautioned for the late driver notification of Ellen Tormey.

RACE 11 – COLLIE AND TIERNEY REAL ESTATE VICBRED GRADUATE (1790 MS) 

General – Stewards will inquire further with drivers Wayne Hill (Deadline) and Liam Older (Mikiyoursofine) into the circumstances of Deadline racing inside marker pegs on the first turn.

SUPPLEMENTARY REPORT 14/6/24- after hearing evidence from both drivers and viewing the race vision Mr Older was cautioned for tightening the running of DEADLINE, In not taking further actiuon Stewards noted that Mr Older was unable to relieve the  pressure earlier on DEADLINE, as his own drive momentarily raced in restricted room as DARK SANDS shifted in, and the low level of innconvenience to DEADLINE, which did not lose iits racing position.

CENTREFIRE– Broke in the score up and false start declared.  The gelding will now be placed outside of the draw in future mobile start events.  Broke gait when clear of interference at the 600m and placed on last chance to race truly.

DARK SANDS– Raced roughly approaching the first turn.

TO THE NINES– Inconvenienced passing the 600m by Centrefire.

RIVERGUM COUNTESS– Held up for clear running on the final turn and in the home straight.

DEADLINE– Inconvenienced passing the 600m by Centrefire.

MIKIYOURSOFINE- Inconvenienced passing the 600m by Centrefire.

RACE 12 – CLUB MERBEIN VICBRED GRADUATE (1790 MS) 

Race start time amended to 10.40pm.

DOUGS TRIBE– Driver Michelle Phillips failed to appear in the racebook.  Raced roughly at the 1200m and shifted out.  Raced roughly again passing the 800m.  Tired to be beaten 161m into last placing.  A post-race veterinary examination revealed no abnormality and the colt has now been stood down from racing until the completion of one satisfactory trial.

DIAMOND KRUSHER – Hung in and contacted marker pegs at the 300m.

SUNSHINE RAY – Tired to be beaten 50m into 6th placing, no action taken.

BUZZ BOMB- Driver Paul Cavallaro was cautioned for failing to have the colt in position at the start.  Driver Paul Cavallaro fined $100 under AHR Rule 156(3) for applying the whip to the colt on more occasions than permitted over the final 200m.

MUSTANG DAISY– Raced roughly at the 400m before tiring to be beaten 76m into 7th placing, warning issued.

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 – Corzan Drama; Race 4 – Miss Ballymena NZ; Race 5 – Wilshire Boulevard; Race 8 – Nicolescruiser, Treacherous Heart; Race 9 – Sugoi Alto; Race 10 – Night Safari; Race 12 – Buzz Bomb;
		Post-Race:Race 1 – Rays Daughter, Beartastic Writer; Race 3 – Watch The Attitude; Race 5 – Jaxon Beach; Race 7 – Bus Stop; Race 8 – Treacherous Heart; Race 10 – Outa Control; Race 11 – Sporty Philtra;
Suspensions -	Race 3 Michelle Phillips		Justburnforu	156(3)	7 days
	Race 7 Michelle Phillips		Cheers Poverty	165(1)(b)	10 days
Fines –
	Race 1 Liam Older		Beartastic Writer	170(4)(b)	$250
	Race 8 Mark Riseley		Guys Bettor Bet	156(2)(a)	$200
	Race 8 Zac Steenhuis		Nicolescruiser	238	$50
	Race 12 Paul Cavallaro		Buzz Bomb	156(3)	$100
Cautions -	Race 1		Michelle Phillips	Letsgo Matilda	D/CSU
	Race 3		Ryan Backhouse	Corzan Drama	D/CLC
	Race 7		Ryan Backhouse	Arendelle	D/CCD
	Race 7		Ryan Sanderson	Two Toes Benny	D/CCD
	Race 10		Shane Osborn	Egbert	T/CLDC
	Race 12		Paul Cavallaro	Buzz Bomb	D/CSU
Horse Actions -	Race 6		Sir Stevenator	SD1T
	Race 11		Centrefire	ODM
	Race 12		Dougs Tribe	SD1T
Late Scratchings –	Nil

 

Follow Ups – Nil

Adjourned Inquiries – Race 11 W.Hill (Deadline) & L.Older (Mikiyoursofine)

Sulky Fund Claims – Nil