Stewards Report

HARNESS RACING VICTORIA

STEWARDS REPORT FOR MILDURA

FRIDAY 14 JUNE 2024

	Adrian Crowther Wayne Smith Wayne Preston Starters- Emma Johnson(Races 1-6), Steve Phelan (Races 7-11) Dr Megan Ginifer,  (Vet)
	Track:    Rain affected Races 1-3, Good Races 4-11	Weather:	Showers/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 MAIDEN  PACE (2190 MS).

The amended start time for this races was 11.56 a.m

TO THE NINES- pre race swab samples taken. Checked into the first turn as Diamond Krusher broke.

DIAMOND KRUSHER- showed gate speed to led, then broke approaching the first turn checking several runners- placed on her last chance to race truly.

PLACES YOU DON’T- unable to hold the lead when challenged by Better Saint towards the mile. Driver Lisa Ryan was cautioned for the manner in which her drive shifted out in the back straight.

COTTON CANDY MAN- post race swab samples taken.

MISS POPPYS FRIEND- inconvenienced racing into the first turn, then again  as Places You Don’t shifted ground near the 500 metres.

MAGIC MATTY- checked racing into the first turn, then inconvenienced near the 500 metres.

DARK SANDS- inconvenienced racing into the first turn.

BETTER SAINT- out of position at the start and will continue out of the mobile barrier draw. Momentarily paced roughly on the first turn before working forward to take the lead near the mile. Tired from the back straight to be beaten 98 metres. Stewards queried driver Luke Dunne who explaine that the gelding had trialled well at Maryborough the week before todays race and was in his view disappointing today, explaining that after working forward to lead he was then able to set a suitable tempo for the first half of the last mile. A post race veterinary exam revealed no apparent abnormalities. Subsequent to the race meeting Stewards followed up with trainer Vince Vallelonga, who reported that the gelding had raced first up since October 2023 following throat surgery and that the gelding had appeared to pull up satisfactorily from the race, adding that connections would look to drive the gelding more conservatively in the near future in order  to have the gelding finish off  his races.

CENTREFIRE – out of position at the start and will continue out of the mobile barrier draw. Inconvenienced racing into the first turn.

RACE 2 –VERDE @ THE GATEWAY PACE (1st HEAT)(2190 MS)

The amended start time for this race was 12.26 p.m

BILUM tired to be beaten 170 metres and underwent a post race veterinary exam which revealed no apparent abnormalities. Given the beaten margin the mare was stood down pending the completion of a satisfactory trial. Trainer Andrew Vozlic reported that the mare would now be retired from racing.

NIGHT SAFARI- pre race swab samples taken.

FORTITUDO- underwent pre and post race veterinary checks due to his number of lifetime starts- no abnormalities were evident.

STONEBRIDGE STAR- underwent pre and post race veterinary checks due to his number of lifetime starts- no abnormalities were evident.

OPAL CROWN- paced roughly in the score up and will continue out of the mobile barrier draw.

 

RACE 3 – COLLIE AND TIERNEY  PACE(2nd HEAT) (2190 MS)

HAVELOCK- pre race swab samples taken. Held up around the home trun before obtaining a run to the inside of UNETHICAL in the home straight.

UNETHICAL shifted out under pressure in the home straight. Driver Ryan Backhouse was fined $100 pursuant to AHRR 162(1)(www) for allowing his drive to shift out under pressure, advantaging HAVELOCK.

MURIEL- driver Alex Ashwood was fined $100 pursuant to AHRR 156(3) for using his whip on more than the permitted number of times over the final 200 metres.

HALF MOON BEACH- broke on two occasions in the score up- paced out of the mobile barrier draw.

PUNTO CALIENTE- held up around the home turn.

ROZEL SUNNY- out of position at the start and will continue out of the mobile barrier draw.

RACE 4 – JADE BENHAM LOCAL MEMBER  PACE(3rd HEAT) (2190 MS)

DANCIN DOLLY- post race swab samples taken.

MUSTANG MAX- held up around the home turn.

GUYS BETTOR BET-  underwent pre and post race veterinary checks due to his number of lifetime starts- no abnormalities were evident. Caught wide early and restrained to the rear, then held up around the home turn.

MAGGACIS- hung in during the score, was out of position at te start and ws placed on his last chance in the mobile barrier draw.

WHITE STAR VILLAGE-- underwent pre and post race veterinary checks due to his number of lifetime starts- no abnormalities were evident. Hung in and contacted marker pegs near the 200 metres.

CHEERS POVERTY- held up around the home turn.

 

RACE 5 – MALLEE STOCKFEEDS  PACE(4th HEAT) (2190 MS)

MARY AUSTIN NZ- pre race swab samples taken. Unable to hold the lead into the first turn. Driver Jordan Leedham was fined $200 pursuant to AHRR 156(2)(a) for using his whip with more than a wrist flicking motion, and with overt force racing towards the first turn.

MIKIYOURSOFINE- held up around the home turn, then hung in under pressure when driven out in the home straight.

MISS LILLIROMAR- broke free of interference near the 1850 metres- stood down from racing pending the completion of a satisfactory trial. Trailed the field  after breaking.

WHITE START SAMMY- inconvenienced near the 1750 metres. Hung in and contacted marker pegs near the 200 metres.

SOCIAL WRITER- broke free of interference racing towards the final turn- placed on his last chance to race truly.

LOYOLA ROCKNROLLA- fractious and bucked coming out of the pre start circle and  kicked over  the removable gear cord and faltered, checking SOCIAL WRITER resulting in a false start. Underwent a pre race veterinary check and was passed fir to race. A sulky change was required due to a bent sulky shaft, and as a consequence the styart of this race was delayed by eight minutes. The gelding was placed right out of the mobile barrier draw and was stood down from racing pending for a period of ten days and until the completion of a satisfactory trial.

RAINBOW RAIN- gave ground to be beaten 46 metres.

RACE 6 – LASER SIGNS AND PRINT  PACE(1st HEAT) (2190 MS)

AARDIES MIRACLE NZ- held up and inconvenienced near the 450 metres behind CHAMPAGNE STRIDE as that runner gave ground.

CHAMPAGNE STRIDE- led and surrendered the lead before giving ground from the 500 metres to be beaten 41 metres.

OURBEACHBABE- raced outside the leader before giving ground to be beaten 47 metres.

ALWAYS THE SHOWMAN- post race swab samples taken.

LE SPARTACUS- pre race swab samples taken, pulled hard in running.

LETSGO MATILDA- tried to be beaten in excess of 50 metres- noinaction taken owing to the extended winning margin.

WOODY NIGHTSHADE- inconvenienced near the 400 metres.

RACE 7 – PARK DOUGLAS PRINTING PACE(2nd HEAT) (1790 MS)

NEDS BEACH- withstood a challenge for the lead early. Shifted out under pressure in the home straight despite the efforts of driver Ryan Backhouse- warning issued. Gave ground nearing the finish.

WILD CARD NZ- post race swab samples taken.

NIGHT SPIRIT- pre race swab samples taken. Contacted marker pegs  prior to the entrance to the home straight before being directed out around the final peg, driver Ellen Tormey was cautioned for allowing her drive to contact marker pegs. Obtained an inside run in the home straight as NEDS BEACH shifted out under pressure.

ABSTRACTOR- held up around the home turn and again nearing the finish.

 

RACE 8 – CLUB MERBEIN  PACE(3rd HEAT) (2190 MS)

 

VICTORY GEORGE- pulled hard in the score up. Sulky contacted by SHADOW TERROR approaching the 1800 metres.

 SINISTER- obtained an inside run in the home straight as ONLY ONCE BITTEN shifted out under pressure.

SHADOW TERROR- worked forwards early, driver Jordan Leedham was momentarily unbalanced as his sulky was contacted by VICTORY GEORGE, with SHADOW TERROR then racing three wide and restrained through the middle stages to take a trail.

ONLY ONCE BITTEN- hung out in the straights whilst leading, hung in and contacted marker pegs rounding the home turn before again shifting out in the home straight despite the efforts of driver Ryan Sanderson- a warning was placed on the racing manners of the mare.

SIANGDI- out of position at the start- warning issued.

POWERS OF PERSUASION- hung out at various stages.

YOURSNMINE- driver Luke Watson was not listed in the racebook.

Stewards inquired into the reasons for the sulky of  SHADOW TERROR(J Leedham) making contact with the hindleg of VICTORY GEORGE( E Tormey) and then racing three wide towards the 1800 metres. After viewing the race vision and hearing from both drivers it was noted that racing into the first turn Ms Tormey had commenced to shift away from the marker pegs , and that Mr Leedham, after going forward and obtaining  a short  advantage over VICTORY GEORGE,  then   maintained a position one and a half wide around the turn, with Ms Tormey’s drive racing half a horse off when SHADOW TERROR’S  nearside sulky wheel was contacted on two occasions by VICTORY GEORGE which maintained its correct gait throughout the incident. Stewards could not be satisfied, based on the evidence of both drivers and  from  the available race vision that blame was apportionable to either driver for the incident.

RACE 9- TASCO PETROLEUM PACE FINAL(1790 MS)

AUCKLAND LASS- tired to be beaten 56 metres. Struck by a dislodged marker peg near the 1200 metres, with trainer Fred Posgate reporting subsequent to the race meeting that the mare had a small lump on her hind shin which he attributed to the dislodged marker peg. Given the circumstances  no action was taken regarding the beaten  margin.

TERROROAN- hung in and  contacted a marker peg near the 1200 metres, with OUTA CONTROL, which was trailing,  then dislodging that marker peg.

BUS STOP- pre race swab samples taken.

SOUTHPAW SLUGGER- pulled hard and was then taken three wide near the 1500 metres to race outside the leader where he continued to race keenly.

REAL DASH- gave ground over the concluding stages

 

RACE 10- BRUCES BISTRO PACE FINAL(1790 MS)

OUR MASTER PLAY- tired to be beaten 53 metres- no action taken noting the extended winning margin.

WATCH THE ATTITUDE- post race swab samples taken.

MAJOR ASSASSIN- puled hard in the score up and in running.

JUST BURNFORU- worked forward in the middle stages before giving ground.

 

RACE 11- MCDONALDS IRYMPLE AND MILDURA PACE(2190 MS)

WILSHIRE BOULEVARD- held up and inconvenienced near the 400 metres behind the tiring RELENTLESS ME.

UNITED- pre race swab samples taken. Showed initial gate speed , however then broke shortly after the start- placed out of the mobile barrier draw. Tired to be beaten 69 metres- warning issued.

RELENTLESS ME- tired to be beaten 58 metres- warning issued.

MAJOR MEISTER NZ- held up and inconvenienced near the 400 metres.

DANCING FINN- inconvenienced after the start as UNITED broke.

HOT DEAL- inconvenienced after the start as UNITED broke.

 

 

 

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 1 – To The Nines; Race 2 – Night Safari; Race 3 – Havelock; Race 5– Mary Austin NZ; Race 6- Le Spartacus; Race 7- Night Spirit; Race 9 – Bus Stop; Race 11- United
	Post-Race: Race 1 –Cotton Candy Man ; Race 4–Dancin Dolly  ; Race 6 –Always The Showman ; Race 7 –Wild Card NZ ;  Race 10- Watch The Attitude
Suspensions
NIL
Fines
Race 3		R Backhouse	R182(1)(www)	$100
Race 3 Race 5		A Ashwood J Leedham	R156(3) R156(2)(a)	$100 $200
Cautions
Race 1		L Ryan	D/CSG
Race 7		E Tormey	D/CCMP
Race 7		J Leedham	D/CBOCS
Race 9		T Ryan	T/CT
Horse Actions
Race 1 Race 1 Race 2 Race 2 Race 3 Race 3 Race 5 Race 5 Race 11		Better Saint Centrefire Bilum Opal Crown Half Moon Beach Rozel Sunny Miss Lilliromar Loyola Rocknrolla United	CODM   CODM   SD1T    CRODM   ODM   CODM   SD1T   RODM, SD10D, SD1T ODM
Late Scratchings
Race 4 Race 11		Tact Tory 10.35 a.m Vets advice My Ultimate Billy 9.10 a.m Vets advice

Follow Ups

Nil

Adjourned Inquiries

Nil

Sulky Fund Claims

Race 5- LOYOLA ROCKNROLLA

Race 8- SHADOW TERROR