Stewards Report

HARNESS RACING VICTORIA

STEWARDS REPORT FOR MILDURA         

FRIDAY 7 NOVEMBER 2025

	Grant Adams Wayne Smith Wayne Preston John Packer (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. 

 

GENERAL

Stewards conducted stable inspections and observations of horses engaged at the race meeting.

During these inspections, Stewards received a report from HRV Steward Mr Wayne Smith regarding Trainer Noel Walsh administering a substance over the tongue to RONZEL RAFA, which was engaged to compete in Race 7. As a result, Stewards commenced an investigation into the matter. Acting under the provisions of AHRR 15(1)(t), RONZEL RAFA was withdrawn from its engagement at 12:44 pm. In accordance with AHRR 183(a), Stewards have stood down the gelding pending the outcome of the investigation and analysis of both the substance and the horse.

RACE 1 – APG PACE (1790 MS)

AVOCA BLUES – Presented in accordance with the elevated TCO2 policy. Pre-race blood sample obtained.

MY ULTIMATE JIMMY NZ – Pre-race blood sample obtained. Paced roughly over the final stages. Post-race swab sample obtained.

RIO ROCK – Presented in accordance with the elevated TCO2 policy. Post-race blood sample obtained at approx. 3 hours post event.

RACE 2 – THE BUTCHER PACE (2190 MS)

CORNELIA – Commenced to give ground with 850m to run to finish in 6th position, beaten 46.7m.

WILD IDEAL – Raced keenly throughout the event whilst leading.

UNCUT GEM – Broke gait during the early stages of the score up for which a warning was issued. Weakened over the final stages to finish in 7th position, beaten 56.4m. Given the 22.0m winning margin, no further action was taken.

VINCE LOMBARDI NZ– Failed to run on over the concluding stages to finish in 5th position, beaten 29.6m. When questioned regarding the performance, Driver Ryan Backhouse explained that connections were disappointed with the run and had expected a more forward showing. Mr Backhouse added that he was of the view the position outside the leader was likely to be obtained and that his gelding travelled well in that position until near the 600m, where it then commenced to give ground when placed under pressure.

CONNIES PRESIDENT NZ (TR) – Weakened over the final stages to finish in 9th position, beaten 71.9m. Given the 22.0m winning margin, no further action was taken.

CLARENDEN CRUISER – Weakened over the final stages to finish in 8th position, beaten 64.5m. Given the 22.0m winning margin, no further action was taken.

FIANO – Examined by the clubs veterinarian prior to the event and during the mare’s pre-race preliminary with the examination revealing no abnormalities and the mare passed fit to start.

RACE 3 – ZILZIE WINES PACE (1790 MS)

LOVE TO DEAL – Pulled hard during the score up and raced keenly throughout the event whilst leading. Shifted ground when placed under pressure over the final stages.

SUNSHINE WARRIOR – A post-race veterinary examination revealed the presence of blood on the right carpus. No lameness was detected and no treatment was required.

BEARTASTIC WRITER – Held up for clear running in the early stages of the home straight until passing the 100m when a run was presented to its outside.

ROBERT CROCKA – Examined by the clubs veterinarian prior to and following the event due to the gelding having competed in excess of 200 race starts. No abnormalities were found on either examination. Racing towards the 1500m, hung out and was corrected away from RONZEL SONNY. Driver Alex Ashwood was asked to exercise greater care when shifting ground near the 400m and placing his offside wheel inside the line of NEVS DREAM.

RACE 4 – PARK DOUGLAS PRINTING PACE (1790 MS)

NEDS BEACH NZ – Examined by the clubs veterinarian prior to and following the event due to the gelding having competed in excess of 200 race starts. No abnormalities were found on either examination. Trainer Reece Moore was cautioned for failing to lodge a correct gear form for the gelding.

RONZEL MICKY – Presented in accordance with the elevated TCO2 policy. Pre-race blood samples obtained. Post-race swab sample obtained.

STONEBRIDGE STAR – Examined by the clubs veterinarian prior to and following the event due to the gelding having competed in excess of 200 race starts. No abnormalities were found on either examination.

KEAYANG CRIPPA – Broke gait during the early stages of the score up and will continue to be excluded from the mobile barrier draw.

RACE 5 – HAPPY BIRTHDAY ROS ROLFE PACE (1790 MS)

CHOGI NZ – Trainer John Tormey was fined $50 under Rule 273(5)(b) for failing to lodge a correct gear form for the mare.

HESASTAR – Out of position at the start for which a warning was issued.

FLYING TOMMY NZ – Presented in accordance with the elevated TCO2 policy. Pre-race blood sample obtained.

ROJENBYE – Inconvenienced between the 400 and 200m when positioned behind FLYIN TOMMY NZ which gave ground.

RACE 6 – MCDONALDS IRYMPLE & MILDURA MAIDEN PACE (1790 MS)

MISTER HENDRIX – Broke gait free of interference at the 150m and was placed on its last chance to race truly.

EMMA ROX – Trainer Alex Ashwood was cautioned for failing to lodge a correct gear form for the filly. Shifted ground when placed under pressure over the final stages. Post-race swab sample obtained.

COURTNEY CHARLI – Inconvenienced shortly after the start when taken in to avoid the galloping ALIENFROMARMSTRONG. Weakened over the final stages to finish in 6th position, beaten 60.5m. No action was taken.

ALIENFROMARMSTRIONG – Began badly when galloping out, trailed the field throughout and will now be excluded from the mobile barrier draw.

DESTINY KEPT – Inconvenienced shortly after the start when taken out to avoid the galloping ALIENFROMARMSTRONG.

ELISSAS DELIGHT – Broke gait during the score up, out of position at the start and will continue to be excluded from the mobile barrier draw. After rejoining the rear of the field at the 1300m, the filly weakened over the concluding stages to finish in 9th position, beaten 101.9 metres. Given the ground lost due to the early error, no further action was taken.

LIVELY JOE – Broke gait shortly after the start and will now be excluded from the mobile barrier draw. After rejoining the rear of the field at the 1300m, the horse weakened over the concluding stages to finish in 8th position, beaten 82.7 metres. Given the ground lost due to the early error, no further action was taken.

RACE 7 – BARRY BOTTAMS MEMORIAL PACE (1790 MS)

IM ALRIGHT JACK – Driver Boris Devcic was cautioned for shifting ground near the 400m resulting in ANGELS WATCHING being required to be taken wider to avoid the wheel. Mr Devcic was fined $200 under rule 156(2)(a) for applying his whip in more than a wrist only flicking motion in the home straight on the final occasion.

WAZOWSKI – Examined by the clubs veterinarian during the filly’s pre-race preliminary after Stewards received an alert that the horse was exhibiting an elevated temperature when scanned in the parade ring. The filly was passed fit to race.

RONZEL RAFA – Pre-race blood and urine sample obtained. Withdrawn by Stewards at 12:44pm (refer to general).

LOUIEVILLE – Held up for clear running in the home straight and was not fully tested.

ANGELS WATCHING – Inconvenienced near the 400m when taken away from IM ALRIGHT JACK which shifted ground.

DALLAS MIKI – Broke gait shortly after the start and will now be excluded from the mobile barrier draw. Whilst trailing the field the gelding galloped on two separate occasions (950m and 150m) and will now be stood down from racing until it completes one requalifying trial. A post-race veterinarian examination failed to find any abnormalities.

FLAME BLASTER – Held up for clear running in the home straight and was not fully tested.

Grant Adams

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 1 – Avova Blues, My Ultimate Jimmy NZ; Race 4 – Ronzel Micky (x2); Race 5 – Flyin Tommy NZ; Race 7 – Ronzel Rafa (blood + Urine).
		Post-Race: Race 1 – Rio Rock (delayed blood), My Ultimate Jimmy NZ; Race 4 – Ronzel Micky;Race 6 – Emma Rox.
Suspensions
Nil
Fines
Race 5	John Tormey		273(5)(b)	$50
Race 7	Boris Devcic		156(2)(a)	$200
Cautions
Race 4	Reece Moore		T/CG
Race 6	Alex Ashwood		T/CG
Race 7	Boris Devcic		D/CSG
Horse Actions
Race 4	Keayang Crippa		CODM
Race 6	Alienfromarmstrong		ODM
Race 6	Elissas Delight		CODM
Race 6	Lively Joe		ODM
Race 7	Dallas Miki		ODM / SD1T
Late Scratchings
Race 7	Ronzel Rafa		12:44pm	By order of Stewards

Follow Ups

Nil

Adjourned Inquiries

Nil

Sulky Fund Claims

Nil

Medical Stand Down

Nil