Stewards Report

HARNESS RACING VICTORIA

STEWARDS REPORT FOR MILDURA

FRIDAY 21 JUNE 2024

	Nick Murray Wayne Smith Wayne Preston Emma Johnson & Steve Phelan (Starters) 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 PACE (1790 MS)

TO THE NINES – inconvenienced near the 1100m.

ARCHIE MOTH– inconvenienced near the 1100m. Driver Damian Wilson pleaded guilty to a charge under rule 170 (4)(a), the particulars of the charge being that approaching the winning post, Mr Wilson allowed his right to come away from the sulky footrest and make contact with the off hindleg of the colt. Mr Wilson’s licence to drive in races was suspended for 7 days to commence midnight 27 June 2024. In assessing penalty Stewards took into account Mr Wilson’s guilty plea, good driving record, driving frequency and penalty submissions from Mr Wilson.

OZZIE CORKA– galloped clear of interference near the 1100m and again near the 800m. Stood down from racing until the satisfactory completion of one (1) trial.

 

RACE 2 – VERDE @ THE GATEWAY 3YO PACE (1790 MS)

FOXY TWO GLOVES – hung in and contacted marker pegs near the 1300m and again near the 800m. Paced roughly and then galloped clear of interference near the 200m and was placed on its last chance to race truly.

CENTREFIRE– galloped clear of interference near the 200m and has now been stood down from racing until the satisfactory completion of one (1) trial.

 

RACE 3 – LASER SIGNS & PRINT VICBRED GRADUATE (2190 MS)

DEADLINE– paced roughly entering the first turn. Tightened for room, contacted marker pegs and then checked and broke gait when rounding the first turn.

MISS DAPHNE– driver Ryan Backhouse pleaded guilty to a charge under rule 165(1)(b), the particulars of the charge being that rounding the first turn Mr Backhouse permitted MISS DAPHNE to shift into a position behind the leader SANTA CASA LANE, when not the required clearance of DEADLINE, resulting in that gelding being tightened for room, contacting marker pegs and being checked and breaking gait, losing its rightful racing position. Mr Backhouse’s licence to drive in races was suspended for 2 weeks to commence midnight 13 July 2024. In assessing penalty Stewards considered Mr Backhouse’s guilty plea, relevant record, driving frequency and the circumstances of the incident. Contacted marker pegs at the entrance to the home straight.

TOMMY MACH– the racebook failed to show Luke Dunne as the driver of the gelding.

SWEET APREGGIO– galloped clear of interference near the 1700m, trailed the field thereafter and was placed on its last chance to race truly.

RIVERGUM COUNTESS– galloped during the score up, out of position at the start and will be excluded from the mobile barrier draw.

ALIENFROMARMSTRONG– out of position at the start and will continue to be placed outside the mobile barrier draw.

 

RACE 4 – JADE BENHAM MP PACE (1ST HEAT) (1790 MS)

OUTA CONTROL – held up for a clear run rounding the final turn and in the early part of the home straight. Hung out under pressure and a warning was issued.

ROBERT CROCKA– pulled hard when leading through the middle stages. Shifted out in the early part of the home straight. Driver Ryan Sanderson was cautioned for an apparent lack of control during this section.

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

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

PUNTO CALIENTE– the racebook failed to show Aaron Coad as the driver of the gelding.

HALF MOON BEACH- the racebook failed to show Jordan Leedham as the driver of the gelding. Paced roughly after the start and will continue to be placed outside the mobile barrier draw.

 

RACE 5 – MCDONALDS MILDURA & IRYMPLE PACE (2ND HEAT) (1790 MS)

BEARTASTIC WRITER – driver Liam Older was reminded of his requirements to maintain his feet in the sulky footrest unless activating gear in an approved manner.

DALLAS CHARLIE– hung out racing down the back straight on the final occasion whilst giving ground. A warning was issued against the racing manners of the gelding. Post-race veterinary examination revealed no apparent abnormalities.

ISLAND CAESAR– pulled hard during the score up and during the event. Inconvenienced approaching the 400m.

SHES POPPY – the headcheck clip came adrift during the event.

WHITE STAR VILLAGE- due to the gelding having competed in more than 200 races, was examined by the veterinarian before and after the race in accordance with HRV policy which revealed no apparent abnormalities. Inconvenienced approaching the 400m.

 

RACE 6 – HORSE HOTSPOT - GARY RIDINGS PACE (3RD HEAT) (1790 MS)

REAL DASH NZ – hung out rounding the final turn before galloping clear of interference at the entrance to the home straight. Placed on its last chance to race truly. Post-race veterinary examination of the gelding revealed no apparent abnormalities. Connections reported that they intend to make gear alterations for future starts.

SPRING DELIGHT– paced roughly rounding the first turn when restraining to obtain a position in the running line.

 

RACE 7 – PARK DOUGLAS PRINTING PACE FINAL (2190 MS)

General

All clear was delayed to allow Stewards and driver Jack Laugher (2nd place – MURIEL) to review the footage in the home straight in relation to LILBITAHENRYTEE (1st place) obtaining an inside run. After establishing that there was sufficient room for LILBITAHENRYTEE to establish and maintain a run to the inside of MURIEL, and after this occurrence, MURIEL had then raced inside the line of one marker peg, no identifiable advantage had been gained and therefore all clear was declared on the Judges’ placings.

FORTITUDO- due to the gelding having competed in more than 200 races, was examined by the veterinarian before and after the race in accordance with HRV policy which revealed no apparent abnormalities. Held up for a clear run rounding the final turn and in the early part of the home straight.

REALITY PLAYER– fractious during the early part of the score up and then required an adjustment to the sulky resulting in a short delay. A warning was issued against the barrier manners of the gelding.

LILBITAHENRYTEE– held up before obtaining a clear run in the home straight to win the event. When queried in relation to the tactics adopted, driver Ellen Tormey explained that particularly over the long distance events, the gelding is usually driven with a sit. Ms Tormey added for that reason she was satisfied to relinquish the lead during the early stages to MURIEL. Ms Tormey’s explanation was noted.

MURIEL– driver Jack Laugher was found guilty of a charge under rule 162(1)(www) for failing to take sufficient measures in the early part of the home straight to maintain a position closest to the marker pegline, resulting in LILBITAHENRYTEE being able to obtain a clear run to its inside. After considering the circumstances, racing manners of MURIEL and Mr Laugher’s clear recent record a fine of $200 was imposed. Post-race veterinary examination of the mare revealed no apparent abnormalities.

DANCIN DOLLY– no action was taken for the mare being out of position at the start due to the initial delay.

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

ARENDELLE- no action was taken for the gelding being out of position at the start due to the initial delay.

MARY AUSTIN NZ– pulled hard before improving three wide without cover over the latter stages.

MIKIYOURSOFINE- no action was taken for the mare being out of position at the start due to the initial delay. held up for a clear run rounding the final turn and in the early part of the home straight.

  

RACE 8 – MALLEE STOCK FEEDS PACE (1ST HEAT) (1790 MS)

ILLUSTRIOUS NZ – inclined to shift out in the home straight however had no bearing on the outcome of the event.

MISS BALLYMENA NZ– sulky contacted near the 1200m.

DALLAS MIKI– galloped during the score up and was placed on its last chance in the barrier draw. Driver Ros Rolfe pleaded guilty to a charge of careless driving under rule 168(1)(a), the particulars of the charge being that near the 1200m, Ms Rolfe permitted to trail too close and contact the sulky of MISS BALLYMENA NZ resulting in DALLAS MIKI breaking gait. Ms Rolfe’s licence to drive in races was suspended for 7 days to commence midnight 21 June 2024. In assessing penalty Stewards considered Ms Rolfe’s guilty plea, good prior record, the level of carelessness and consequential effects.

BEEJAYS STAR– inconvenienced slightly passing the 1200m.

 

RACE 9 – THE GATEWAY PACE (2ND HEAT) (1790 MS)

General

All clear was withheld to enable Stewards and driver Ryan Backhouse (ROJENBYE – 4th place) to view the footage in relation to ROJENBYE galloping around the final turn. In accordance with Rule 155 (1), as Stewards were of the opinion that as a consequence ROJENBYE galloping, that had caused interference to the majority of the field and for some distance the gelding had maintained its position in the incorrect gait, ROJENBYE was therefore relegated to 9th place. With the placings amended to 9, 10, 1, 6 & 11. Given ROJENBYE was in the lead at the point of galloping and had trailing runners immediately behind, no further action was pursued against driver Ryan Backhouse in relation to his associated obligations.

ROJENBYE– galloped clear of interference rounding the final turn and was placed on its last chance to race truly. Post-race veterinary examination revealed no apparent abnormalities.

HOLZHAUER– checked rounding the final turn.

DEEWHY– hung in when three wide rounding the first turn. Retired from the event racing down the back straight on the first occasion when a hopple carrying strap had come adrift. After inspecting the harness and it being identified to be of suitable quality, no further action was pursued.

RAYS DAUGHTER- checked rounding the final turn.

VICTORY GEORGE- checked rounding the final turn. Checked again approaching the 200m. Stewards inquired into this incident however establishing that this was contributed to by movement from inside runners as a consequence of ROJENBYE galloping, no further action was pursued other than advising driver Charli Masotti (ABSTRACTOR) to exercise greater care in similar circumstances.

MAJESTIC SUE- checked rounding the final turn.

AMYS BABY ANGEL- checked rounding the final turn.

ABSTRACTOR– inconvenienced rounding the final turn.

 

RACE 10 – PRESTIGE EQUINE VETERINARY PACE (3RD HEAT) (1790 MS)

QUARTZITE– showed gate speed to lead from barrier 1 before tiring over the concluding stages to finish at the rear of the field beaten approximately 50m. Driver Ryan Backhouse was at a loss to explain the disappointing performance of the gelding. Post-race veterinary examination revealed the gelding to have bitten its tongue resulting in some blood being present.

WILSHIRE BOULEVARD– held up and unable to obtain a clear run in the home straight.

ARNIES ARMY NZ– held up for a clear run rounding the final turn.

CORZAN DRAMA– raced wheel to wheel with JUST BURNFORU approaching the winning post as that gelding shifted out slightly.

JUST BURNFORU– steadied wider approaching the winning post as ROCKETS MATE shifted out slightly resulting in JUST BURNFORU racing wheel to wheel with CORZAN DRAMA.

 

RACE 11 – TASCO PETROLEUM PACE FINAL (2190 MS)

LE SPARTACUS – competed in accordance with the HRV Elevated TC02 levels policy.       

GOJOE– hung in approaching the first turn, resulting in its near side sulky wheel being contacted and a flat tyre being sustained. Subsequently retired from the event. A warning was issued against the gelding’s racing manners.

NIGHT SPIRIT– the racebook failed to show Lochie Cook as the driver of the gelding.

SINISTER– inconvenienced approaching the first turn and made slight contact the sulky of GOJOE. Held up for a clear run rounding the final turn.

ONLY ONCE BITTEN NZ– held up for a clear run over the concluding stages.

 

RACE 12 – ZILZIE WINES PACE (2190 MS)

IM BLINGIN IT – withstood an early challenge for the lead before giving ground over the latter stages to finish at the rear of the field beaten approximately 41m. Driver Lochie Cook considered that the early speed in the race to maintain the lead may have been a contributing factor for the disappointing performance. Post-race veterinary examination revealed no apparent abnormalities.

DAYLIGHT AT DAWN– inconvenienced racing off the back straight on the final occasion.

 

 

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 – Little Showgirl; Race 3 – Deadline; Race 5 – Shes Poppy; Race 6 – Spring Delight; Race 10 – Rockets Mate, Quartzite; Race 11 – Le Spartacus; Race 12 – Daylight At Dawn.
		Post-Race: Race 3 – Santa Casa Lane; Race 5 – Courtney Katarina; Race 7 – Lilbitahenrytee; Race 9 – Majestic Sue; Race 11 – Always The Showman.
Suspensions
Race 1	D Wilson		R170 (4)(a)	7 days
Race 3	R Backhouse		R165 (1)(b)	2 weeks
Race 8     Fines	R Rolfe		R168 (1)(a)	7 days
Race 7	J Laugher		R162 (1)(www)	$200
Cautions
Race 4	R Sanderson		D/CLC
Horse Actions
Race 1	Ozzie Corka		SD1T
Race 2	Centrefire		SD1T
Race 3	Rivergum Countess		ODM
Race 3	Alienfromarmstrong		CODM
Race 4	Half Moon Beach		CODM
Late Scratchings
Nil

Follow Ups – Nil

Adjourned Inquiries - Nil

Sulky Fund Claims – Nil