Stewards Report

HARNESS RACING VICTORIA

STEWARDS REPORT FOR MILDURA

FRIDAY 17 JUNE 2022

	Adrian Crowther Daniel Borg Wayne Smith Nathan Moy (Starter) 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. 

GENERAL

Driver Michael Gadsden encountered a vehicle breakdown enroute to the track and was unable to arrive at the track in time to fulfill his engagements in races 1 and 2. Stewards approved Kathy Watson as the replacement driver of Mustang Max in race 1 and Sam Pascoe as the  replacement driver  on Dontshowyouraces in race 2.

RACE 1 – EUSTON CLUB RESORT PACE (1790 MS)

Driver Kathy Watson (Mustang Max) was cautioned for failing to have that runner adequately in position at the start.

Lilbitahenrytee hung in under pressure upon entering the home straight.

Caesars Reign was held up and unable to obtain clear running.

Reality Player was held up for clear running.

Lets Go Exclusive was held up for clear running rounding the home turn and contacted marker pegs prior to the entrance to the straight.

 Driver Jordan Leedham (Lilbitahenrytee) pleaded guilty to a charge pursuant to Rule 156(2)(a) for using his whip with more than a wrist only flicking motion. In light of a previous first tier penalty being imposed  within  the preceding 28 days he was fined $400.

RACE 2 – THE GATEWAY PACE (2190 MS)

The start of this race was delayed due to Sunshine Coast gallops race 5 running significantly behind schedule and was  broadcast on Sky2.

The all clear was delayed in to allow Stewards to view the official race replays and  photo finish of the race in relation to Hesastar breaking gait nearing the finish. After viewing both Stewards were satisfied that the gelding had broken free of interference and that driver Neil McAllum had immediately restrained his drive once in a gallop and that the  sixth and seventh placegetters   were not covering Hesastar at the finish. As such all clear was given. Hesastar was placed on his last chance to race truly.

Stewards inquired into the reasons for Seeking Amnesty being checked and racing roughly into the first turn. After hearing evidence from drivers Jordan Leedham( Seeking Amnesty) and Kathy Watson(Stonebridge Star) and viewing the official race replays Ms Watson pleaded guilty to a charge pursuant to Rule 163(1)(a)(iii) for causing interference, the particulars of the charge being that she permitted her drive to shift inwards when not clear of Seeking Amnesty, resulting in the front legs of  that runner being contacted by her inside sulky wheel and being checked and racing roughly. In determining penalty Stewards took into consideration HRV Minimum Penalty Guidelines, Ms Watsons good offence record and guilty plea, and the nature of the incident which occurred racing into the first turn and involved contact to the legs of Seeking Amnesty. Ms Watson’s licence to drive in races was suspended for two weeks to commence at midnight on 24 June 2022.

Driver Alex Ashwood(Shadow Terror) was fined $100 pursuant to Rule 162(1)(y) for failing to comply with minimum sectional time requirements.

RACE 3 – WEIGHTMAN'S PACKAGING & STATIONERY PACE (1790 MS)

The start of this race was delayed due to Sunshine Coast gallops race 6 running significantly behind schedule and was  broadcast on Sky2.

Chalkncheddar hung in after the start.

Jordie Dee was held up for clear running over the concluding stages.

Stewards queried driver Ellen Tormey (Overreaction) as to the performance of Overreaction. Ms Tormey explained that the gelding had a tendency to hang out and was  hard on its offside  rein particularly in the latter stages. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no apparent abnormalities. Overreaction has been placed on its last chance to race truly.

RACE 4 – ZILZIE WINES PACE (2190 MS)

This race was delayed due to Sunshine Coast gallops running behind schedule, and  was  broadcast on Sky2.

Good Onya underwent pre and post race veterinary examinations due to its number of lifetime starts. No abnormalities were evident.

Only In Rome underwent pre and post race veterinary examinations due to its number of lifetime starts with no abnormalities evident.

Harry McKinnis ( J Laugher) hung in and raced roughly after the start and was placed on its last chance in the mobile barrier draw. Approaching the first turn the gelding hung in and contacted the sulky of Redbank Rockabear and broke, trailing the field thereafter.

Stewards inquired into the reasons for Gojoe racing four wide in the middle stages of the race. After hearing evidence form drivers Ellen Tormey(Gojoe)and Jordan Leedham(Sir Jujon) and viewing the official race replays it was established that Sir Jujon had begun to pull hard after Good Onya had raced up to its outside to take the position outside the leader and that as the pace of the race then eased  Mr Leedham had shifted wider simultaneous to the shift of Gojoe in order to avoid contacting the sulky of Good Onya as his drive was proving very difficult to restrain. Sir Jujon was placed on its last chance to race truly due to its intractability.

Redbank Rockabearchung out throughout the race and after easing to the one out line in the back straight then hung out despite the efforts of driver Samantha Pascoe and contacted Sir Jujon which broke. Redbank Rockabear was placed on it last chance to race truly, with Ms Pascoe advising that connections would effet gear changes to have the gelding race more tractably in future.

Stewards queried trainer/driver Aaron Coad(Only In Rome)as to the performance of the gelding. Mr Coad explained that in his opinion the gelding races better over shorter distances, and that the stop start tempo of the race had not suited his drive. Mr Coad further explained that the gelding had raced on two occasions in three days the week prior and that this may also have told on the gelding. Stewards will follow up with Mr Coad in the days following the race.

SUPPLEMENTARY REPORT - 22 JUNE 2022

Aaron Coad, trainer of Only In Rome advised subsequent to the poor performance at Mildura on June 17 2022, that the gelding had recovered well.  Mr.Coad stated Only In Rome is engaged at Mildura this Friday (24 June 2022).

RACE 5 - PARK DOUGLAS PRINTING PACE (1790 MS)

Elizabethan Era and Fiftyshades Cresco were both held up for clear racing room.

Driver Jayden Brewin (Shezlikeroyalty) was fined $100 pursuant to Rule 162(1)(y) for failing to comply with the minimum sectional time requirements.

Driver Andrew Vozlic (Dougs Cino) was fined $200 pursuant to Rule 156(2)(a) for his whip use which was more than a wrist only flicking motion.

RACE 6 – MCDONALD'S MILDURA & IRYMPLE PACE (2190 MS)

Stewards queried driver Ryan Sanderson (Robert Crocka) as to his tactics. Mr Sanderson explained that his gelding has consistently led and handed up when drawn similarly as it is inclined to finish its races off better when racing with cover, especially over longer distances.

Stewards queried driver Wayne Hill (Waiting For You) as to the performance of that runner. Mr Hill explained that he had to do more work than anticipated in the early stages to get to the position outside the leader. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no apparent abnormalities. Stewards will follow up with trainer Andrew Vozlic in the days following the race.

Rounding the home turn Classic Reactor and Robert Crocka were held up and then checked as Waiting For You, which had hung out, then locked wheels with Headbanger and  broke.  Trebek was also checked as a consequence. A warning was placed in relation to the manners of Waiting For You.

SUPPLEMENTARY REPORT - 22 JUNE 2022

Andrew Vozlic, trainer of Waiting For You advised subsequent to the poor performance at Mildura on June 17 2022, that the mare had recovered well and awaiting results of blood tests.  Mr.Vozlic stated Waiting For You is engaged to race at Mildura this Friday (24 June 2022).

RACE 7 – TASCO PETROLEUM PACE (1790 MS)

The start of this race was briefly delayed due to Ballarat greyhounds race 4 running behind schedule.

Assassinator and Bernie Winkle NZ both underwent pre and post-race veterinary examinations due to having raced on more than 200 occasions with no abnormalities detected.

Ozzie Battler pulled hard and  contacted  its own sulky with its hindlegs  whilst  leading.

RACE 8 – TANKARD DENTAL PACE (2190 MS)

Coming out of the pre-start circle Caulonia Courage was fractious inconveniencing National Draft before then regaining its correct position. Caulonia Courage was placed on its last chance in the mobile barrier draw.

Major Watson attempted to buck in the middle stages of the score up and was placed on its last chance in the mobile barrier draw

Murranji Track had a tendency to contact its own sulky during the run.

Stewards queried driver Jack Laugher (Major Watson NZ) as the gelding had a tendency to shift out under pressure. Mr Laugher explained, and Stewards verified on the available race vision, that the gelding had hung out after the start and then in the straights throughout the event and was unable to maintain a straight course despite his best efforts. A warning has been placed on the racing manners of Major Watson NZ.  

Driver Jordan Leedham (Justanextragrand) pleaded guilty to a charge pursuant to Rule 156(2)(a) for his whip use which was more than a wrist only flicking motion. In considering  penalty Stewards took into account Mr Leedham had been fined  $400   earlier at this  race meeting. Mr Leedham’s licence to drive in races was suspended for a period of 2 weeks with a nine-day deferment granted to allow the suspension to commence at midnight 26 June 2022.

Driver Boris Devcic (Nationaldraft) was cautioned for failing to have his runner adequately in position at the start. In not taking more severe action Stewards noted the score up  manners of Caulonia Courage.

RACE 9 – TENDERPRINT AUSTRALIA PACE (1790 MS)

Overpowering began badly and was placed out of the mobile barrier draw. Trainer/driver Aaron Coad reported that the removable ear plugs had come out in the score up and he believed this contributed to the gelding’s intractability.

Driver Sam Barker (Heart Of Cooper) was fined $200 pursuant to Rule 156(2)(a) for using his whip with more than a wrist only flicking motion.

RACE 10 – GOOD DEAL TYRES MILDURA 3YO PACE (2190 MS)

The start of this race was delayed due to Ballarat greyhounds race 8 running behind schedule.

Stewards queried trainer/driver Alex Ashwood (Tooby Gold) which was a beaten favourite (25m). A post-race veterinary examination revealed no apparent abnormalities. Mr Ashwood explained that in his opinion the filly failed to handle the longer distance of this race.

Jay Miller tired and was placed on its last chance to race competitively.

Karuma Kev tired to be beaten 105m and underwent a post-race veterinary examination which indicated signs of a slow recovery. Given the beaten margin Karuma Kev was stood down from racing until the completion of one satisfactory trial.

RACE 11 – ONE STOP WHOLESALERS MILDURA PACE (2190 MS)

Neil McCallum did not appear in the racebook as the driver of Fly Like An Angel.

Lochster broke in the score up and was placed on its last chance in the mobile barrier draw.

Driver Jordan Leedham (Our Holla Star) was cautioned for easing the pace rounding the first turn after getting to the position outside the leader.

Doc Harvey was held up and inconvenienced behind Our Holla Star, contacting the sulky of that runner despite the efforts of driver Ryan Sanderson.

Stewards queried driver Wayne Hill as to the performance of Longtan Cassanova which tired to finish beaten 182m. Mr Hill explained that in his view the gelding was not suited by having to race forward however he  was very disappointed in its ability to finish the race off. Longtan Cassanova underwent a post-race veterinary examination which revealed a somewhat slow recovery. Given the beaten margin the gelding has been stood down from racing pending completion of a satisfactory trial.

Driver Luke Watson (Deekays Major) was fined $200 pursuant to Rule 156(2)(a) for his whip action which was more than a wrist only flicking motion.

Fly Like An Angel hung in severely throughout before tiring finishing beaten 111m. Driver Neil McCallum explained that the gelding had struck its near side knee repeatedly  throughout the race contributing to its hanging in severely. A post-race veterinary examination revealed a minor abrasion to the gelding’s near fore knee. Given the nature of the performance and beaten margin Fly Like An Angel has been stood down from racing pending completion of a satisfactory trial.

RACE 12 – TAB LONG MAY WE PLAY PACE (2190 MS)

Golden Scribe underwent pre and post-race veterinary examinations due to its number of lifetime starts with no abnormalities detected.

Stewards queried trainer Scott Garraway (Springfield Shadow) as to the apparent improved performance of that gelding. Mr Garraway explained he had just taken over the training of the gelding after its most recent run on 6 May 2022 and believed the horse had gained considerably in fitness under his care. Mr Garraway further explained that the gelding had trialled on one occasion whilst in his care  some three weeks ago and  had a tendency to pace roughly and that numerous gear changes had been affected since that trial,  adding that the gelding had worked well in the days leading up to the race.  

Driver Alex Ashwood (Another Sparky) was fined $200 pursuant to Rule 156(2)(a) for his whip action which was more than a wrist only flicking motion.

 

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 – Lets Go Exclusive; Race 2 – Seeking Amnesty; Race 3 – Hanover Jack; Race 4 – Only In Rome NZ; Race 5 – Elizabethan Era; Race 6 – A Rocknroll Jet; Race 7 – Ozzie Battler; Race 8 - Justanextragrand; Race 12 – Springfield Shadow
		Post-Race: Race 1 – Lilbitahenrytee; Race 2 – This Is Bill; Race 5 – Dougs Cino; Race 7 – Ozzie Battler; Race 8 – Cemetery Bay; Race 10 – Herecomessassy; Race 12 – Springfield Shadow
Suspensions
Race 2	K Watson		R163(1)(a)(iii)	2 weeks
Race 8	J Leedham		R156(2)(a)	2 weeks
Fines
Race 1	J Leedham		R156(2)(a)	$400
Race 2	A Ashwood		R162(1)(y)	$100
Race 5	A Vozlic		R156(2)(a)	$200
Race 5	J Brewin		R162(1)(y)	$100
Race 9	S Barker		R156(2)(a)	$200
Race 11	L Watson		R156(2)(a)	$200
Race 12	A Ashwood		R156(2)(a)	$200
Cautions
Race 1	K Watson		D/CSU
Race 8	B Devcic		D/CSU
Race 11	J Leedham		D/CEP
Horse Actions
Race 9	Overpowering		ODM
Race 10	Karuma Kev		SD1T
Race 11	Fly Like An Angel		SD1T
Race 11	Longtan Cassanova		SD1T
Late Scratchings
Nil