Stewards Report

HARNESS RACING VICTORIA

STEWARDS REPORT FOR MILDURA

FRIDAY 24 JUNE 2022

	Grant Adams John Packer Wayne Smith Jason Fino (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 PACE (1790 MS)

Illawong Phillipa (barrier 5) broke gait during the score up for which a warning was issued.

Entering the first turn Puopolo broke gait free of interference which resulted in the trailing Roll With Eva being inconvenienced near the 1400m. Puopolo was placed on its last chance to race truly.

Harry Mckinnis shifted ground when placed under pressure over the concluding stages of the event which permitted a run to its inside for Roll With Eva. As stewards were satisfied that Jordan Leedham, the driver of Harry Mckinnis, made reasonable attempts to maintain his position, no further action was taken.

Roll With Eva was held up for clear running in the early stages of the home straight prior to obtaining an inside run.

Michael Gadsden, the driver of Dontshowyouraces, was reminded of his obligations with regards to his whip use displayed in the home straight.

Michael Francis, the driver of Asher Abbey, was fined $100 under Rule 156(3) for applying his whip in excess of 20 occasions over the final 200m.

RACE 2 – THE GATEWAY MAIDEN PACE (1790 MS)

A false start was declared at the first attempt when Doc Harvey (barrier 2) broke gait during the score up hampering trailing runners. Doc Harvey will now be excluded from the mobile barrier draw. As a result of the false start a further delay was required to enable Bettor You Bet to undergo late gear adjustments.

Near the 200m Lets Go Exclusive hung in and contacted a number of marker pegs.

Doc Harvey hung out when placed under pressure over the concluding stages of the event.

Beaudienegold was held up for clear running for entire length of the home straight and was not fully tested.

Wayne Hill, the driver of Havelock ($3.90), was questioned as to the performance of the gelding which finished in 5th position beaten 15.5m. Mr Hill explained that in his opinion given the gelding’s extensive form, Havelock may have been a false favourite in today’s event but also attributed the performance to the gelding being required to work in the early stages and additionally improving three wide from the 400m.

Connor Clarke, the driver of Rock Ruby Rock, was fined $200 under Rule 156(2)(a) for applying his whip in the early stages of the event in more than a wrist only flicking motion.

Ryan Sanderson, the driver of Doc Harvey, was reminded of his obligations with regards to his whip use displayed in the home straight on the final occasion.

RACE 3 – TAB LONG MAY WE PLAY PACE (1790 MS)

Mods (barrier 5) began badly when galloping away and will now be excluded from the mobile barrier draw.

Approaching the 1400m Mods shifted in and momentarily crowded Martha Lavinia when obtaining a position in the running line. Ryan Sanderson, the driver of Mods, was reminded of his obligations to ensure he provides the required clearance when crossing in future.

Corey Johnson, the driver of Elizabethan Era, was cautioned for contacting marker pegs when racing towards the 600m he permitted his mare to shift in and failed to take any corrective action.

Shesa Pearla was held up for clear running in the early stages of the home straight.

RACE 4 – PARK DOUGLAS PRINTING PACE (2190 MS)

Corey Johnson, the driver of Run For Stikka ($5.50), was questioned as to the performance of the horse which finished in 7th position beaten 48.6m. Mr Johnson explained that after obtaining the lead he was able to record a comfortable first half and as a result quickened the tempo from the 800m but his horse failed to respond and proved disappointing and gave ground from the 500m. Mr Johnson added that in his opinion Run For Stikka may be benefited with a slight let up. A post-race veterinarian examination failed to reveal any abnormalities.

Flame Blaster was inconvenienced when taken back by the weakening Run For Stikka near the 400m and was held up for clear running in the early stages of the home straight.

Jordan Leedham, the driver of Northern Terror $3.50), was questioned as to the performance of the gelding which finished in 5th position beaten 26.3m. Mr Leedham explained that his gelding raced a little erratically today and due to the slow early pace he elected to improve his position in the run. Mr Leedham added that when the pace quickened from the 600m his gelding failed to respond and proved disappointing. A post-race veterinarian examination failed to reveal any abnormalities.

Apache Wind weakened over the final 500m to finish in 8th position beaten 73.4m for which a warning was issued.

RACE 5 - MALLEE BEARINGS MILDURA PACE (1790 MS)

Only In Rome NZ was examined by the club’s veterinarian prior to and following the event as a result of the gelding racing in excess of 200 race starts. No abnormalities were detected on either examination.

Only In Rome NZ (barrier 9) hung out during the score up, was out of position at the start and was issued with a warning.

Shadow Terror pulled hard whilst leading.

Near the 1300m Shazzam was steadied when improving on to the back of Jordie Dee as the pace in the event was eased.

Alex Ashwood, the driver of Shadow Terror, was cautioned for allowing his whip to project outside of the confines of his sulky in the home straight.

Samantha Pascoe, the driver of Egbert, was fined $200 under Rule 159A(7) for driving in the event with a vest which was not approved by HRA.

RACE 6 – TOBIN SOUND SERVICE PACE (1790 MS)

Somedeal Safari was examined by the club’s veterinarian prior to and following the event as a result of the gelding not racing in the previous 12 months. No abnormalities were detected on either examination.

Somedeal Safari (barrier 8) began badly when galloping out, trailed the field throughout and will now be excluded from the mobile barrier draw.

Sir Jujon (barrier 10) was out of position at the start for which a warning was issued.

Lovin Everyday, which obtained the lead, pulled hard during the event and nearing the 500m, lost its balance and was subsequently eased up and retired by its driver Jordan Leedham a short distance later. A post-race veterinarian examination failed to reveal any abnormalities other than evidence of the mare choking down. Given the performance, Lovin Everyday was stood down until it completes one requalifying trial.

Aaron Coad, the driver of Sir Jujon, was questioned as to the tactics adopted on the gelding, in particular his decision from the 1300m to race three wide and remain wide for the remainder of the event. Mr Coad explained that pre-race and due to the 2nd line draw he had been intending to be positive in the event and look to obtain a more forward position and with the expectation of the favourite Tact Tory NZ likely to move forward from its 2nd line draw, he was looking to improve forward with that runner. Mr Coad stated that when settling in a running line position and racing towards the 1300m, given the slow early pace and the fact that Tact Tory NZ had improved, he elected to improve his drive but was unable to muster the required speed to cross prior to the turn approaching. Mr Coad further explained that when wide, he continued to drive his runner forward but was unable to cross as the pace in the event had quickened, and on reflection, he had erred in his continuation to drive the gelding forward but was not alert to the troubles with Lovin Everyday which had been over racing. Given the assessment of Mr Coad’s drive stewards formed the opinion that his decision to initially improve three wide was not that unreasonable however, this decision did come with a level of risk given the assessed form of both runners. Stewards did find that Mr Coad’s driving from approximately the 1100m to continue to apply pressure to his gelding when it was evident that the position outside of the leader or a position closer towards the marker pegs was not going to be available was not acceptable. Having considered Mr Coad’s relative inexperience, the fact that Mr Coad has only had 12 career race drives, stewards issued Mr Coad with a caution for a lack of judgement. Mr Coad was further advised that a repetition in the near future would likely result in further action being taken by stewards.

RACE 7 – TENDERPRINT AUSTRALIA PACE (1790 MS)

Wilshire Boulevard was declared a late scratching at 10.55 am by order of stewards.

Caulonia Courage was held up for clear running in the early stages of the home straight.

Wayne Hill, the driver of Justanextragrand , was fined $200 under Rule 159A(7) for driving in the event with a vest which was not approved by HRA.

RACE 8 – TASCO PETROLEUM PACE (2190 MS)

Orama and This Is Bill were declared late scratchings at 10.55 am by order of stewards.

Sarah Bonus failed to run on over the concluding stages to finish in 8th position beaten 75.1m for which a warning was issued.

RACE 9 – TASCO PETROLEUM PACE (1790 MS)

The official race book was amended to reflect the starting time to 5:28 pm.

Mamma Kass hung in and raced inside the line of marker pegs racing towards the home straight.

RACE 10 – TANKARD DENTAL PACE (1790 MS)

Good Onya was examined by the club’s veterinarian prior to and following the event as a result of the gelding racing in excess of 200 race starts. No abnormalities were detected on either examination.

Robert Crocka paced roughly for a short distance near the 300m when improving on to the back and the wheel of Rays Daughter and to the inside of Deekays Major.

Good Onya was held up for clear running in the early and final stages of the event.

Robert Crocka was held up for clear running for the entire length of the home straight and was not fully tested.

Sam Barker, the driver of Good Onya, was fined $200 under Rule 156(3) for applying his whip in excess of 20 occasions over the final 200m.

RACE 11 – MILDURA PLUMBING PLUS PACE (2190 MS)

Frankntank was held up for clear running in the early stages of the home straight.

Falcons Lad commenced to weaken badly over the final 800m to finish in 10th position beaten 144.5m. A post-race veterinarian examination failed to reveal any abnormalities. When questioned regarding the performance driver Ryan Sanderson explained that his gelding failed to travel during the event and there appears to be something amiss. In view of the performance Falcons Lad was stood down until it completes one requalifying trial.

A post-race veterinarian examination of Animado ($1.45 fav) which finished in 3rd position beaten 5.4m failed to reveal any abnormalities. Alex Ashwood, the driver and trainer of the gelding, explained that in his opinion Animado had not come up in this preparation as well as expected and does not appear to be racing genuine over the concluding stages of its events.

Alex Ashwood, the driver of Animado, was fined $100 under Rule 156(3) for applying his whip in excess of 20 occasions over the final 200m.

Grant Adams

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 – Harry Mckinnis; Race 2 – Steal Some Time; Race 4 – Hesastar; Race 6 – Hanover Jack; Race 8 – Rocks Arnt Pets; Race 9 - Mikiyoursofine; Race 11 – Neds Beach
		Post-Race: Race 2 – Rock Ruby Rock; Race 3 – Whereyagoinbabe; Race 4 – Hesastar; Race 5 – Shadow Terror; Race 8 - Herecomessassy; Race 9 – Barack Enobrac; Race 10 – Oh So Easy; Race 11 – Neds Beach
Suspensions
Nil
Fines
Race 1	M Francis		R156(3)	$100
Race 2	C Clarke		R156(2)(a)	$200
Race 5	S Pascoe		R159A(7)	$200
Race 7	W Hill		R159A(7)	$200
Race 10	S Barker		R156(3)	$200
Race 11	A Ashwood		R156(3)	$100
Cautions
Race 3	C Johnson		D/CCMP
Race 5	A Ashwood		D/CWOC
Race 6	A Coad		D/CLJ
Horse Actions
Race 2	Doc Harvey		ODM
Race 3	Mods		ODM
Race 6	Somedeal Safari		ODM
Race 6	Lovin Everyday		SD1T
Race 11	Falcons Lad		SD1T
Late Scratchings
Race 7	Wilshire Boulevard		10.55 am	OOS
Race 8	Orama		10.55 am	OOS
Race 8	This Is Bill		10.55 am	OOS