Stewards Report

HARNESS RACING VICTORIA

STEWARDS REPORT FOR MILDURA

FRIDAY 8 JULY 2022

	Michael Ross Nicholas Murray 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)

Jaimee was declared a late scratching at 11:27am on veterinary advice.

Alex Ashwood, driver of Credulous was issued a caution for tightening the racing room of Shallow Pockets (Boris Devcic) entering the first turn.

Rocket Me (Ellen Tormey) hung inwards for majority of the event.

Whodat Boodat (Luke Watson) raced roughly approaching the 600m.

Shallow Pockets & Rocket Me were both held up and failed to gain clear running over the final 200m.

RACE 2 – THE GATEWAY PACE (1ST HEAT) (2190 MS)

Somedeal Safari (Sam Barker) pulled hard throughout the score up.

Somedeal Safari raced fiercely during the event.

Impetuoso (Alex Ashwood) hung outwards approaching the 600m.

Mini Major (Kathy Watson) & Lilbitahenrytee (Aaron Dunn) were both held up and failed to gain clear running over the final 200m.

Sam Barker, driver of Somedeal Safari which finished in 9th and last position beaten 120.1m after racing outside the leader from the 1700m was queried into the reasons for the gelding being directed wider on the track passing the 1000m. Mr Barker advised Somedeal Safari was racing fiercely during the event approaching the 1200m the gelding commenced to make abnormal noises and race roughly at which point he felt Somedeal Safari was going to choke down and for safety reasons directed the gelding wider on the track & ultimately took no competitive part in the event thereafter. After viewing the available replays which supported Mr Barker’s comments. Somedeal Safari will now be stood down from racing until trialling to the satisfaction of stewards on one (1) occasion. A post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any abnormalities.

RACE 3 – WATERS EXCAVATIONS PACE (2ND HEAT) (2190 MS)

Robert Crocka (Ryan Sanderson) raced roughly shortly after the start was effected. A warning was issued against the gelding’s barrier manners.

Lorne Beach (Corey Johnson) yielded ground from the 600m to finish in 10th and last position beaten 72.1m. A warning was issued against the gelding’s racing competitiveness.

Ellen Tormey, driver of Linxx was fined the sum of $200 under AHR Rule 156(2)(a) for applying the whip to the gelding with more than a wrist flicking action and with overt force over the final 300m.

Ashleigh Markham, driver of Whereyagoinbabe ($9.00) which finished in 8th position beaten 11.8m was queried into the tactics adopted upon the mare from the 600m onwards in regards to his decision to direct the mare to a marker line position resulting in the mare failing to gain clear running for the entire length of the home straight. Mr Markham advised approaching the 600m he gave consideration in directing the mare three (3) wide however noticed Regal Breeze which was racing in advance was under significant driving and was directed three wide on the track resulting in Whereyagoinbabe going to be three wide three back and felt that runner would not bring the mare into the event therefore he would need to improve four & five wide into the event a significant distance from the finish as he was advised by the trainer Whereyagoinbabe only has a limited sprint therefore he elected to direct the mare back to the marker line in an effort to save ground and look to progress wider if any opportunity arose. Mr Markham added he was able to obtain a clear run until reaching the 300m when he was briefly held up and progressed onto the back of the leader Robert Crocka passing the 200m where he was able to commence driving the mare out however unable to shift wider and obtain clear running due to multiple runners across the track and subsequently being held up over the latter stages. After viewing the available replays which supported his comments stewards felt the tactics adopted were not unreasonable in the circumstances and took the matter no further.

RACE 4 – TANKARD DENTAL PACE (3RD HEAT) (2190 MS)

Woody Nightshade (Samantha Pascoe) pulled hard during the middle stages of the event.

Rock Ruby Rock (Boris Devcic) raced roughly under pressure inside the final 100m.

Jayden Brewin, driver of Oh So Easy ($6.00) which finished in 10th and last position beaten 42.1m after improving three (3) wide from the 1300m and raced wide thereafter was queried into the tactics adopted upon the mare and the overall performance. Mr Brewin advised the speed of the event had eased passing the 1400m therefore he elected to improve into the event at speed however approaching the 1100m leaving the back straight and entering the turn the mare commence to strike its knees and lose momentum resulting in the mare being unable to progress to the drivers desire in obtaining the lead or position outside the leader at which point Mr Brewin explained he took immediate restraint of Oh So Easy and commenced to ease the mare to the rear of the field. After viewing the available replays which supported his comments stewards took the matter no further. A post-race veterinary examination revealed the mare displaying a slow recovery.    

RACE 5 - SUNRAYSIA SECURITY PROTECTIVE SERVICES PACE (1790)

Rocknroll Sass (Rodney Coelli) broke gait during the early stages of the score. A warning was issued against the filly’s barrier manners.

Rodney Coelli, driver of Rocknroll Sass ($4.40) which finished in 9th and last position beaten 25m after racing outside the leader throughout the event was queried into the seemingly poor performance of the filly. Mr Coelli advised the filly to be disappointing and was at a loss to explain the performance other then Rocknroll Sass may not have backed up from its most recent start three (3) days prior on the 5th July at Leeton and the filly was having its third start within the past ten (10) days and he would recommend for the stable to space the fillies starts going forward. A post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any abnormalities.

RACE 6 – TENDERPRINT AUSTRALIA PACE (1790 MS)

Riverina Flash (Ashleigh Markham) was fractious during the early stages of the score up. A warning was issued against the geldings’ manners.

Loyola Rocknrolla (Mark Risely) bucked on multiple occasions during the score up and broke gait and was out of position when the start was effected. Loyola Rocknrolla will now be placed right outside the draw in future mobile start events.

Sunshine Warrior (Alex Ashwood) near side first carrying strap broke shortly after the start was effected resulting in the gelding stepping out of its hopple loop and breaking gait. Sunshine Warrior was subsequently retired from the event a short distance later. As stewards could determine the gear had broken prior to the gelding galloping no action was taken against Sunshine Warrior. The gear was inspected by stewards and found to be of satisfactory condition.

Sarah Bonus (Ryan Sanderson) broke gait entering the first turn and will now be placed on its last chance to race truly.

Riverina Flash (Ashleigh Markham) pulled hard throughout the event.

David Nunn, trainer of Loyola Rocknrolla was advised the gelding would be stood down from racing until trialling to the satisfaction of stewards on two (2) occasions for displaying poor racing manners during the score up in bucking multiple times. In taking this action stewards were mindful the gelding displayed similar manners at its most recent start.

Ashleigh Markham, driver of Riverina Flash ($7.00) which finished in 3rd position beaten 4.9m after racing behind the leader throughout the event was queried into the tactics adopted upon the gelding particularly from the 400m when he directed the gelding away from the marker line into a running line position and if he gave consideration in attempting to manoeuvre the gelding wider on the track passing the 300m. Mr Markham advised he was able to shift into a running line position passing the 400m in attempt to shift wider however was not able to shift any wider as he was covered by Ayejayem (Samantha Pascoe) which was racing to his outside three (3) wide and he would have to take significant hold of the gelding which was pulling to shift behind that runners sulky and felt in doing so it would be to the determent of the geldings chances at that stage of the event as Riverina Flash does have a tendency to strike its knees when racing wider which the gelding did so approaching the 200m and race roughly therefore he elected to shift back to the marker line position in an attempt he would be able to secure a run which did not eventuate resulting in the gelding being held up for clear running. After viewing the available replays which supported his comments stewards took the matter no further.

RACE 7 – 1-800-GOT-JUNK? PACE (2190 MS)

Bet On The Tiger NZ (Ellen Tormey) raced roughly at various stages of the event.

Write About Angus NZ (Abby Sanderson) broke gait clear of interference approaching the 200m inconveniencing Call Me Henry & King Solomon NZ which were trailing. Write About Angus NZ will now be stood down from racing until trailing to the satisfaction of stewards on one (1) occasion.

Aaron Dunn, driver of Mykorona ($1.35 fav) which finished in 4th position beaten 10.4m after leading was queried into the overall performance of the filly. Mr Dunn advised the filly to be disappointing and contributed the performance to a combination of the filly failing to race genuinely when leading & the filly may have not come up to his expectations this campaign as Mykorona was disappointing last start when winning first up from a spell at Stawell on 27th June 2022 in his opinion which Mr Dunn added he had blood samples obtain which failed to reveal any abnormalities. Mr Dunn explained he will monitor the filly over the ensuring days if he continues with the current preparation or sends the filly for a spell. Stewards intend to contact Mr Dunn in the coming days to the progress of the filly.

Ellen Tormey, driver of Bet On The Tiger NZ ($5.50) which finished in 7th position beaten 21.3m after racing outside the leader throughout the event was queried into the overall performance of the gelding. Ms Tormey advised the gelding was striking its knees throughout the event in particularly on the turns when racing away from the marker line which contributed to the gelding failing to handle the track circuit.

Ricky O’Brien, trainer of Shadow Terror (winner) was advised the gelding would be detained on course for a post-race blood sample to be obtained 2 ½ hours subsequently from this event.

SUPPLEMENTARY REPORT - 21 JULY 2022

Aaron Dunn, trainer of Mykorona advised subsequent to the poor performance at Mildura on July 8 2022, that the filly had recovered well.  Mr.Dunn stated Mykorona is now having a short spell.

RACE 8 – TASCO PETROLEUM PACE (2190 MS)

Bernie Winkle NZ underwent pre and post-race veterinary examinations under the HRV horse welfare policy due to the gelding having started in excess of 200 races. Neither examination revealed any significant abnormalities.

Zadaka NZ (Neil McCallum) pulled hard during the early stages of the event when being restrained approaching the 1600m commence to yield ground and was directed wider on the track where the gelding fell at the 1500m. Neil McCallum advised the gelding to have choked down.

Ozzie Battler (Abby Sanderson) pulled hard during the early and middle stages.

Murranji Track (Ryan Sanderson) was inconvenienced passing the 600m when Velox Equus (Boris Devcic) commence to give ground.

A post-race veterinary examination of Zadaka NZ revealed the gelding to a superficial laceration above the nose and blood present in the left nostril. Zadaka NZ received precautionary treatment on course. Zadaka NZ will now be stood down from racing pending a veterinary clearance and trialling to the satisfaction of stewards on one (1) occasion.

RACE 9 – AARON BAIN RACING PACE (1790 MS)

Mods was declared a late scratching at 3:05pm on veterinary advice.

Good Onya underwent pre and post-race veterinary examinations under the HRV horse welfare policy due to the gelding having started in excess of 200 races. Neither examination revealed any significant abnormalities.

Rocking Wroxton (Ellen Tormey) broke gait clear of interference 1600m inconveniencing Martha Lavinia, Caesars Reign, Shezlikeroyalty & Heza Western all to varying degrees.

RACE 10 – PARK DOUGLAS PRINTING MAIDEN PACE (1790 MS)

Jasperine raced roughly under pressure over the concluding stages.

Alex Ashwood, trainer/driver of Jasperine ($2.30 fav) winner of the event was queried into the seemingly improved performance of the gelding to its recent starts. Mr Ashwood advised the gelding was having its first start for his stable and had been in his care of approximately a month at which point had performed numerous gear alterations upon the gelding as Jasperine has a poor history of breaking gait. Mr Ashwood added the gelding had trialled satisfactorily at Bendigo 4th July 2022 indicating it would be competitive in a maiden event. Mr Ashwood explained the gelding was further assisted with a slow first half of 65.8 seconds.

Sam Barker, driver of Steal Some Time pleaded guilty to a charge under AHR Rule 156(3) for applying the whip to the mare inside the final 200m on more occasions than is permitted. In assessing penalty Stewards took into account the relevant considerations as outlined within the HRV Stewards Minimum Penalty Guidelines along with this was Mr Barker’s third offence under this rule within the past twenty-eight (28) days. Mr Barker’s licence to drive in races was suspended for a period of seven (7) days commencing midnight 8th July 2022.

RACE 11 – TAB LONG MAY WE PLAY PACE (1790 MS)

The Mach Army (Neil McCallum) was slow to begin.

Dontshowyouraces (Michael Gadsden) contacted a marker peg passing the 400m

Harry McKinnis (Ellen Tormey) contacted and dislodged a marker peg passing the 400m.

The Mach Army jumped a marker peg which was dislodged passing the 400m and broke gait no action was taken against the gelding.

Michael Gadsden, driver of Dontshowyouraces was issued a caution for his lack of control upon the gelding in shifting up the track over the concluding stages.

Jayden Brewin, driver of Red Terror NZ ($3.10 fav) which finished in 9th and last position beaten 63.5m was queried into the seemingly poor performance of the gelding. Mr Brewin advised the gelding had gotten its tongue over the bit during the event and pulled which he felt was the main contributing factor for the gelding’s performance. A warning was issued against the gelding’s racing competitiveness. A post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any abnormalities.

 

Michael Ross

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 –Shallow Pockets; Race 2 –Impetuoso; Race 3 –Robert Crocka; Race 4 –Jimmy Reactor; Race 5 –Gracie Cullen; Race 6 –Loyola Rocknrolla; Race 8 -Hit The Sky NZ
		Post-Race: Race 1 –Our Master Play; Race 4 –Indyanna; Race 5 –Roberts Delight; Race 6 –Guaranteed Secret; Race 7 -Shadow Terror; Race 8 -Rocknroll Ronnie; Race 10 -Jasperine; Race 11 –Apache Wind
Suspensions
Race 10	S Barker		156(3)	7 Days
Fines
Race 3	E Tormey		156(2)(a)	$200
Cautions
Race 1	A Ashwood		D/CT
Race 11	M Gadsden		D/CLC
Horse Actions
Race 2	Somedeal Safari		SD1T
Race 6	Loyola Rocknrolla		RODM & SD2T
Race 7	Write About Angus NZ		SD1T
Race 8	Zadaka NZ		SD1T & SDVC
Late Scratchings
Race 1	Jamiee		Vets Advice	11:27am
Race 9	Mods		Vets Advice	3:05pm