Stewards Report

HARNESS RACING VICTORIA

STEWARDS REPORT FOR MILDURA

FRIDAY 19 JULY 2024

	Nick Murray Wayne Smith Wayne Preston Steve Phelan & Grant Adams (Starters) Dr Megan Ginifer (Vet)
	Track:    Good	Weather:	Overcast / Windy

 

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

 

 

RACE 1 – EUSTON CLUB 2YO PACE (1790 MS)

JILPANGER ROSE– trainer Aaron Dunn was cautioned for failing to notify the intended driving tactics to be adopted with multiple horses engaged (WICKED HANGOVER).

PERFECT PLAYGIRL – paced roughly approaching the winning post on the first occasion. Driver Jack Laugher was reminded of his whip action obligations.

WICKED HANGOVER– galloped clear of interference near the 1500m and was placed on its last chance to race truly.

CONISTON– hung out near the 200m and then raced greenly in the home straight.

 

RACE 2 – VERDE AT THE GATEWAY PACE (1790 MS)

General

Drivers Ros Rolfe (DALLAS MIKI) and Lochie Cook (SHES A TINY DANCER) were questioned as to the reasons for DALLAS MIKI being positioned four wide approaching the candy pole towards the back straight on the final occasion.On the evidence it was established that when DALLAS MIKI was improving three wide to the outside of SHES A TINY DANCER, Mr Cook had directed his drive into a three wide position however was then momentarily halted as KATHYS FREE (J Laugher) shifted wider when forward of SHES A TINY DANCER. In view of the circumstances, driver Lochie Cook (SHES A TINY DANCER) was reminded of his associated obligations when shifting wider.

DALLAS MIKI – inconvenienced when required to race four wide approaching the back straight on the final occasion.

JILLIBY TYPHOON– pulled hard during the score up and the middle stages. Held up for a clear run rounding the final turn before finishing in 3rd place.

MARTHA LAVINIA– inconvenienced after the start as DALLAS MIKI was restrained.

OUR ART WORK– pulled hard during the middle stages.

 

RACE 3 – PARK DOUGLAS PRINTING 3YO PACE (2190 MS)

MERLINS ILLUSION – tired (75m) over the concluding stages and a warning was issued against the performance. Post-race veterinary examination revealed no apparent abnormalities.

WHATS GLENDA GOT – galloped clear of interference passing the 1600m and was placed on its last chance to race truly.

AMERICAN BOXER – contacted a marker peg when leading rounding the final turn.

FOXY TWO GLOVES – inconvenienced for a short distance near the 1500m.

THE WAITING– late withdrawal on veterinary advice at 9:55am.

 

RACE 4 – ZILZIE WINES PACE (1790 MS)

General

Drivers Abby Sanderson (BETTER BLUE BOYS) and Lochie Cook (SUNFINE) were questioned in relation to an incident entering the first turn where BETTER BLUE BOYS momentarily paced roughly. Based on the evidence and minimal consequential affects, driver Lochie Cook (SUNFINE) was cautioned for failing to allow the required clearance when crossing, which caused BETTER BLUE BOYS to be momentarily tightened for room.

BETTER BLUE BOYS– momentarily tightened for room and paced roughly approaching the first turn.

SUNFINE– driver Lochie Cook was cautioned for causing tightening approaching the first turn.

POWERHIT PASCOE– three wide with cover over the latter stages before tiring to finish at the rear of the field beaten approximately 54m. Post-race veterinary examination revealed no apparent abnormalities. A warning was issued against the performance. When queried in relation to the performance of the gelding, driver Jack Laugher explained that the gelding failed to race genuinely and proved to be disappointing.

DEEWHY– inconvenienced when unable to improve for a short distance racing off the back straight on the final occasion.

MIKIYOURSOFINE– refused to score up, out of position at the start and will be excluded from the mobile barrier draw in future starts.

 

RACE 5 – MCDONALDS IRYMPLE & MILDURA PACE (2190 MS)

General

Drivers Ryan Sanderson (BEEJAYS STAR), Jack Laugher (OZZIE GEM) and Lochie Cook (NOTNEGOTIABLE) were questioned in relation to NOTNEGOTIABLE galloping near the 300m. On the evidence it was established that during this section OZZIE GEM was inclined to hang in slightly where at the same time BEEJAYS STAR shifted out marginally, resulting in NOTNEGOTIABLE being placed in restricted room, contacting the sulky of OZZIE GEM and breaking gait in consequence. Due to the minimal movement involved and that no driver or horse was responsible for the incident, no further action was pursued.

BEEJAYS STAR – inclined to hang out in the home straight.

OZZIE GEM– momentarily hung in approaching the 300m.

NEDS BEACH NZ– over-raced whilst leading through the early stages.

NOTNEGOTIABLE– improved three wide during the middle stages and then after being unable to obtain the position outside of the leader was obliged to race three wide for some distance thereafter. Driver Lochie Cook explained that when he improved three wide during the middle stages he considered that given the relative positioning of BEEJAYS STAR some distance back off the leader that the position outside of the leader may be attainable however once improving it was evident that driver Ryan Sanderson (BEEJAYS STAR) then elected to maintain that position and as such NOTNEGOTIABLE was then required to race three wide for some distance thereafter. Tightened for room, checked and broke gait approaching the 300m. Post-race veterinary examination revealed the gelding to be lame in the right hind leg and as such was stood down from racing until a veterinary clearance has been provided.  

ABSTRACTOR– galloped clear of interference near the 600m and has now been stood down from racing until the satisfactory completion of one (1) trial.

 

RACE 6 – IN MEMORY OF DES ARMSDEN PACE (2190 MS)

General

Drivers Jack Laugher (YOURSNMINE) and Neil McCallum (ROCKNROOSTA) were questioned in relation to an incident in the home straight where both runners locked sulky wheels and were checked. On the evidence it was established that rounding the final turn YOURSNMINE was shifted wider in a legitimate manner, where in the home straight due to ROCKNROOSTA maintaining a position to its outside and LETSGO MATILDA and MY LINE OF FIRE shifting out forward of YOURSNMINE, that horse was then unable to be directed any wider. When YOURSNMINE was then directed inwards to attempt a clear run, both YOURSNMINE and ROCKNROOSTA locked sulky wheels and were checked. In view of those circumstances, and as no driver was at fault, no further action was pursued.

YOURSNMINE– held up and unable to obtain a clear run in the home straight and then locked sulky wheels with ROCKNROOSTA.

WHATA OPTIMIST– late withdrawal on veterinary advice at 9:47am.

MY LINE OF FIRE– pulled hard whilst leading during the middle stages. Driver Lochie Cook was cautioned for a lack of control in permitting the gelding to shift out under pressure in the home straight.

HOLZHAUER– pulled hard during the middle stages.

HEART OF COOPER- pulled hard during the middle stages.

ROCKNROOSTA– checked and locked sulky wheels in the home straight.

 

RACE 7 – TASCO PETROLEUM PACE (2190 MS)

WATCH THE ATTITUDE– gave ground over the concluding stages.

OZZIE PUNTA– broke gait after the start and will be placed outside the mobile barrier draw.

DAYLIGHT AT DAWN– inconvenienced after the start. Held up for a clear run rounding the final turn.

DHAULAGIRI NZ– pulled hard during the early and middle stages.

 

RACE 8 – GARY RIDINGS HORSE HOTSPOT PACE (2190 MS)

ILLUSTRIOUS NZ– withstood a challenge to maintain the lead before then tiring noticeably over the concluding stages to finish at the rear of the field beaten approximately 103m. Post-race veterinary examination revealed no apparent abnormalities. Placed on its last chance to race competitively. Driver Jack Laugher was at a loss to explain the performance other than the most recent run at Melton (13/7/24) when beaten approximately 49m in a 1:51.4 mile rate may have been a contributing factor in the gelding backing up into this event. Stewards intend to follow up this performance with connections in the ensuing period.

TUPELO BEACH– held up for a clear run rounding the final turn.

MY ULTIMATE LEVI– trainer and driver Boris Devcic explained that when positioned outside of the leader the gelding over-raced despite his efforts before finishing in 3rd place. Driver Boris Devcic was fined $200 under rule 156(2)(a) for applying the whip with more than a wrist only flicking action in the home straight.

MATADOR NZ– fractious in the early part of the score up. Tired (93m) over the concluding stages and was placed on its last chance to race competitively.

SINISTER– held up for a clear run over the concluding stages.

 

RACE 9 – CLUB MERBEIN PACE (1790 MS)

General

The start of this race was delayed to avoid a clash with Mildura thoroughbreds.

LE SPARTACUS– shifted out for a short distance whilst leading near the 1100m.

EGBERT– galloped briefly in the score up and a warning was issued.

MAGGACIS– inconvenienced as LE SPARTACUS shifted out near the 1100m.

SOCIAL WRITER– held up for a clear run rounding the final turn.

DEADLINE– paced roughly entering the back straight on the first occasion.

 

RACE 10 – THE GATEWAY PACE (1790 MS)

STONEBRIDGE STAR – due to the gelding having accrued more than 200 lifetime starts, was examined by the veterinarian before and after the race in accordance with HRV policy which revealed no apparent abnormalities.

CAPTAIN COSMONAUT – due to the gelding having accrued more than 200 lifetime starts, was examined by the veterinarian before and after the race in accordance with HRV policy which revealed no apparent abnormalities.

LILBITAHENRYTEE– held up for a clear run rounding the final turn.

SHIREEN– held up for a clear run in the home straight.

CHEERS POVERTY- held up for a clear run rounding the final turn.

 

RACE 11 – LASER SIGNS & PRINT PACE (1790 MS)

HALF MOON BEACH– broke gait shortly after the start and will be placed outside the mobile barrier draw.

CHOGI NZ– driver Ellen Tormey was reminded of her whip action requirements.

SUNSHINE WARRIOR– driver Andrew Vozlic pleaded guilty to a charge of causing interference under rule 163(1)(a)(iii), the particulars of the charge being that near the winning post on the first occasion, Mr Vozlic permitted his drive to shift in towards a position on the marker pegline when insufficiently clear of HAVELOCK resulting in that gelding being checked and breaking gait for a short distance. In assessing penalty in accordance with the HRV Minimum Penalty Guidelines, Stewards considered Mr Vozlic’s guilty plea, overall good record, driving frequency and the degree of interference in what was classified as a first turn offence. Mr Vozlic’s licence to drive in races was suspended for 2 weeks to commence midnight 26 July 2024.

HAVELOCK– checked and broke gait for a short distance entering the first turn.

BRANSON– inconvenienced after the start. Pulled hard when positioned outside of the leader during the middle stages before giving ground.

TACT TORY NZ– commenced to give ground during the middle stages and was then distanced. Post-race veterinary examination revealed the gelding to have atrial fibrillation and therefore TACT TORY NZ was stood down from racing for 14 days (not to compete), until a veterinary and ECG clearance is obtained and the gelding has trialled satisfactorily on 1 occasion.

UNBECOMING– galloped shortly after the start, trailed the field throughout and will continue to be placed outside the mobile barrier draw.

 

 

Nick Murray

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 2 – Dallas Miki; Race 6 – Yoursnmine; Race 8 – My Ultimate Levi; Race 11 – Half Moon Beach.
		Post-Race:Race 2 – Avoca Blues; Race 6 – My Line Of Fire.
Suspensions
Race 11	A Vozlic		R 163(1)(a)(iii)	2 weeks
Fines
Race 8	B Devcic		R 156(2)(a)	$200
Cautions
Race 1	A Dunn		T/CT
Race 4	L Cook		D/CT
Race 6	L Cook		D/CLC
Horse Actions
Race 4	Mikiyoursofine		ODM
Race 5	Abstractor		SD1T
Race 5	Notnegotiable		SDVC
Race 7	Ozzie Punta		ODM
Race 11	Half Moon Beach		ODM
Race 11	Unbecoming		CODM
Race 11	Tact Tory NZ		SD14D SDVC SDECG SD1T
Late Scratchings
Race 3	The Waiting		Vets	9:55am
Race 6	Whata Optimist		Vets	9:47am

Follow Ups – Race 8

Illustrious

Adjourned Inquiries – Nil

Sulky Fund Claims – Nil