Stewards Report

HARNESS RACING VICTORIA

STEWARDS REPORT FOR MILDURA         

FRIDAY 28 JUNE 2024

	Grant Adams Wayne Smith        Wayne Preston Stephen Phelan (Starter) / Jason Fino (Assistant 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 – COLLIE & TIERNEY 2YO PACE (1790 MS)

DIAMOND KRUSHER – Broke gait free of interference near the 1500m and will now be stood down until it completes one requalifying trial.

CONISTON – Hung in and contacted marker pegs on the entry to the back straight.

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

AUCKLAND LASS – Raced keenly throughout the event. Held up for clear running in the early stages of the home straight.

UNETHICAL – Gave ground over the final stages to finish in 7th position, beaten 23.9m. A post-race veterinarian examination failed to find any abnormalities. Driver Ellen Tormey explained that this was her first drive on the mare and connections were intent to lead but she was unable to offer any explanation regarding the performance.

WHODAT BOODAT – Pre-race blood sample obtained.

REALITY PLAYER – Driver Luke Dunne was placed on notice as to the manner he applied his whip in the early stages of the home straight.

STONEBRIDGE STAR – Examined by the clubs veterinarian prior to and following the event due to the gelding having competed in excess of 200 race starts. No abnormalities were found on either examination.

RACE 3 – CLUB MERBEIN PACE (2ND HEAT) (2190 MS)

HAVELOCK – Driver Jack Laugher was cautioned for failing to have his gelding in position by the nominated marker.

ROCKING WROXTON – Raced keenly throughout whilst positioned without cover.

GUYS BETTOR BET – Examined by the clubs veterinarian prior to and following the event due to the gelding having competed in excess of 200 race starts. No abnormalities were found on either examination.

MUSTANG MAX – Held up for clear running in the home straight and was not fully tested.

COTTON CANDY MAN – Raced keenly during the middle stages. Hung in when placed under pressure inside the final 150m.

RIVERGUM COUNTESS – Unable to obtain clear running in the home straight.

RACE 4 – THE NUMBERS ROOM GIRLS MAIDEN PACE (2190 MS)

MISS MAGIK – Held up for clear running until inside the final 75m.

MISS DAPHNE – Pre-race blood sample obtained. Broke gait during the score up and shortly after the start to trail the field throughout. The mare will now be excluded from the mobile barrier draw.

JILLIBY SOVEREIGN – Post-race swab sample obtained.

DARK SANDS – Held up for clear running in the early stages of the home straight.

MAGIC MATTY – Near the 600m, shifted out slightly and locked wheels with BETTER SAINT and broke gait. As this incident was not brought about by any careless driving and given the minimal movement, no action was taken.

BETTER SAINT – Hung out during the score up, out of position at the start and will now be placed on its last chance in the mobile barrier draw. Near the 600m, locked wheels with MAGIC MATTY which shifted out to its inside and was severely checked.

ALIENFROMARMSTRONG – Inconvenienced on the entry to the first turn when taken wider to avoid the galloping MISS DAPHNE. Broke gait free of interference at the 1500m and will now be placed on its last chance to race truly.

RACE 5 – J & A MAZZETTI PACE (3RD HEAT) (2190 MS)

SUNSHINE WARRIOR – Driver Ellen Tormey was cautioned for racing tight to the outside of MAGGACIS racing into the first turn.

KULANI COURAGE – Pre-race blood sample obtained. When questioned regarding the performance of the gelding which finished in 8th position, beaten 19.6m, Driver Wayne Hill explained this was the geldings first run for the Aaron Coad stable and in his opinion would benefit from the run and additional gear changes as the gelding was not comfortable when positioned on the fence line.

MAGGACIS – Racing into the first turn inconvenienced when placed in restricted room to the inside of SUNSHINE WARRIOR.

BELLA ABBY – Driver Corey Johnson was advised to ensure he does not progress forward of his allocated barrier position when not trailing a runner forward on the 2nd line. In not taking any direct action, Stewards were mindful that the mare was restrained after the start with no advantage gained.

RACE 6 – MCDONALDS IRYMPLE & MILDURA 3YO PACE (1790 MS)

ROLLING BONUS – When questioned regarding the tactics adopted, Driver Neil McCallum explained that pre-race, it had been his intention to lead and maintain this position and following the use of his horse in the early stages to hold out a challenge from TOUGH AINT ENOUGH, he was then challenged on a 2nd occasion by AMERICAN BOXER. Mr McCallum stated that due to the work and the speed in which AMERICAN BOXER had progressed, he attempted to hold his position for a short distance before taking cover. Stewards noted his comments. Post-race swab sample obtained.

LIGHTNING BLING – Gave ground over the final stages to finish in 7th position, beaten 42.0m.

INDIANAS SON – Gave ground over the final stages to finish in 8th position, beaten 46.4m.

THE WAITING – Broke gait shortly after the start and will now be excluded from the mobile barrier draw.

GEMAEDDE – Pre-race blood sample obtained. When questioned regarding the performance of the filly which finished in 6th position, beaten 18.5m, Driver Aaron Dunn explained that his filly struck its knee in the run and failed to handle the tight turns.

AMERICAN BOXER – Broke gait during the score up and was placed on its last chance in the mobile barrier draw. A post-race veterinarian examination failed to find any abnormalities. When questioned regarding the tactics and performance of the colt, Driver Lochie Cook explained that pre-race there had been no set instructions or plans and after settling with cover in the early stages, the speed had slackened as the field progressed into the back straight on the first occasion. Mr Cook stated that due to this slackening, he elected to improve however, as he was doing so TOUGH AINT ENOUGH improved up to his inside and held its position. Mr Cook added that after this challenge, he had then attempted to restrain but when the position trailing TOUGH AINT ENOUGH was taken, he again continued forward with momentum before taking up the lead near the 800m. Mr Cook added that in his opinion, based on the colts recent form, he considers AMERICAN BOXER to have underperformed and further he had likely erred with the benefit of hindsight to improve at which time he did. Stewards noted his comments but did advise Mr Cook to show greater judgement in future.

FOXY TWO GLOVES – Paced roughly in the early stages of the score up.

RACE 7 – IN MEMORY OF DES LEO PACE (1ST HEAT) (2190 MS)

RAYS DAUGHTER – Held up for clear running in the home straight and was not fully tested.

MANHATTAN SUNSHINE NZ – Pre-race blood sample obtained. Raced keenly throughout the event whilst leading.

FORTITUDO – Examined by the clubs veterinarian prior to and following the event due to the gelding having competed in excess of 200 race starts. No abnormalities were found on either examination.

GOJOE – Checked at the 250m when avoiding the galloping DEEWHY.

DEEWHY – Raced keenly throughout the event. Broke gait free of interference at the 250m and was placed on its last chance to race truly.

LE SPARTACUS – Pre-race blood sample obtained.

ABSTRACTOR – Held up for clear running in the home straight and was not fully tested.

RACE 8 – ZILZIE WINES PACE (2ND HEAT) (2190 MS)

STYLISH GEM – Broke gait free of interference at the 1500m and will now be placed on its last chance to race truly.

ONLY ONCE BITTEN NZ – Driver Ryan Sanderson was cautioned for failing to have his mare in position by the nominated marker. Shifted ground despite the efforts of its driver on the entry to the home straight. The mare was placed on its last chance to race truly.

OUR ART WORK – Gave ground over the final 300m to finish in 8th position, beaten 25.0m. A post-race veterinarian examination failed to find any abnormalities. Driver Corey Johnson pleaded guilty to a charge under Rule 149(2) for driving in a manner which in the opinion of the Stewards was unacceptable in that after making use of his gelding to find the position outside the leader and challenged for the lead rounding the first turn, he has then withstood a challenge from ALWAYS THE SHOWMAN between the 1700 and 1400m and again, withstood a second challenged from ALWAYS THE SHOWMAN between the 1300 and 1100m. In view of the pace of the event and the assessed form, this decision was considered unacceptable. Mr Johnson had his licence to drive in races suspended for a period of 4 weeks which was ordered to commence at midnight, Monday 1 July 2024 and to expire on Tuesday 30 July 2024 on which day he may drive. When considering penalty Stewards were mindful of Mr Johnson’s guilty plea, driving and offence record.

ALWAYS THE SHOWMAN – A post-race veterinarian examination failed to find any abnormalities. Stewards adjourned an inquiry into the tactics displayed by Driver Ellen Tormey during the early and middle stages. Inconvenienced near the 500m as MY ULTIMATE LEVI shifted out slightly to its inside.

MY ULTIMATE LEVI – Passing the 1400m, the gelding raced fiercely and was taken inside the line of marker pegs to avoid runners. A warning was issued against the gelding.

RACE 9 – EUSTON CLUB RESORT PACE FINAL (1790 MS)

AMYS BABY ANGEL – Raced to the inside of a number of marker pegs near the 200m. Unable to obtain clear running in the home straight.

ILLUSTRIOUS NZ – Post-race swab sample obtained.  

ROCKETS MATE – Pre-race blood sample obtained. Held up for clear running in the early stages of the home straight.

JUST BURNFORU – Declared a late scratching at 1:33pm on veterinarian advice.   

RACE 10 – TASCO PETROLEUM PACE (2600 MS)

NIKI NAH NAH – Held up for clear running in the early stages of the home straight.

RACE 11 – PARK DOUGLAS PRINTING PACE FINAL (1790 MS)

SHES POPPY – Weakened significantly over the final 700m to finish in 10th position, beaten 209.5m. A post-race veterinarian examination revealed the mare to be suffering from Atrial Fibrillation. In accordance with AHRR 101C(2)(a), SHES POPPY was stood down from racing for a period of 14 Days (NTC), until receipt of a veterinarian certificate including an ECG and one requalifying trial.   

MACHSTIQUE – Pre-race blood sample obtained. Consideration was given to a protest lodged by Aaron Dunn, the driver of the 3rd placed MACHSTIQUE against the 2nd placed YOU LITTLE TERROR (Neil McCullum) with the grounds of protest being interference inside the final 150m. On review it was established that racing into the home straight, both MACHSTIQUE and YOU LITTLE TERROR were taken slightly wider due to WHATA OPTIMIST shifting out and from approximately the 100m, YOU LITTLE TERROR gradually shifted wider to the inside of MACHSTIQUE. Further and inside the final 30m, YOU LITTLE TERROR continued to shift and came together with MACHSTIQUE. Given the minimal interference, the proximity of the incident to the finish line and head margin, Stewards were unable to find that had this incident not occurred, there would have been an amendment to the placings, and therefore the protest was dismissed and all-clear subsequently announced.

YOU LITTLE TERROR – Shifted ground when placed under pressure over the final stages for which a warning was issued. Withstood a protest lodged by the 3rd placed driver Aaron Dunn (MACHSTIQUE).

RACE 12 – THE GATEWAY PACE (3RD HEAT) (2190 MS)

ICY RECEPTION NZ – Post-race swab sample obtained.

MISS BALLYMENA NZ – Gave ground over the final 400m to finish in 9th position, beaten 31.0m. A post-race veterinarian examination failed to find any abnormalities. When questioned regarding the performance, Driver Ryan Sanderson explained that given the moderate recorded times, he was disappointed with the performance of his mare when failing to run on from the 400m and was unable to offer any explanation.

NIGHT SPIRIT – Inconvenienced at the 400m when taken back by the weakening MISS BALLYMENA NZ.

HEART OF COOPER – Checked and lost ground between the 400 and 200m when position behind the weakening MISS BALLYMENA NZ.

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 2 – Whodat Boodat; Race 4 – Miss Daphne; Race 5 – Kulani Courage; Race 6 – Gemaedde; Race 7 – Manhattan Sunshine NZ, Le Spartacus; Race 9 – Rockets Mate; Race 11 – Machstique.
		Post-Race: Race 4 – Jilliby Sovereign;Race 6 – Rolling Bonus; Race 9 – Illustrious NZ; Race 12 – Icy Reception NZ.
Suspensions
Race 8	Corey Johnson		149(2)	4 Weeks
Fines
Nil
Cautions
Race 3	Jack Laugher		D/CCP
Race 5	Ellen Tormey		D/CT
Race 8	Ryan Sanderson		D/CCP
Horse Actions
Race 1	Diamond Krusher		SD1T
Race 4	Miss Daphne		ODM
Race 6	The Waiting		ODM
Race 11	Shes Poppy		SD14D (NTC), SDECG, SDVC, SD1T (Rule 101C(2)(a)
Late Scratchings
Race 9	Just Burnforu		1:33pm	Vets

Follow Ups

Nil

Adjourned Inquiries

Race 8 – Ellen Tormey (Always The Showman) Driving Tactics

Sulky Fund Claims

Nil

Medical Stand Down

Nil