Stewards Report
Mildura 28/11/2022
HARNESS RACING VICTORIA
STEWARDS REPORT FOR MILDURA
TUESDAY 28 NOVEMBER 2022
Daniel Borg (Chairman) Track: Good |
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)
Tale of the Dragon underwent pre and post-race veterinary examinations in accordance with the HRV Animal Welfare Policy, having not raced in 12 or more months with neither check revealing any obvious abnormalities.
Des Troy hung in, contacted, and dislodged a marker peg rounding the first turn.
Spring Delight raced roughly for most of the last lap, then commenced to give ground from approx. the 600m before being beaten 49.2m and a warning was issued for racing roughly.
Tale of the Dragon ($19) tired to be beaten 61.5m into last placing and a warning was issued.
RACE 2 – VERDE @ THE GATEWAY PACE (2190 MS)
Jack Laugher, driver of Lochster was cautioned for not having the gelding in position when the start was effected.
CC Jones NZ (gate four) hung in heading into the first turn, tightening the racing room of Fiftyshades Cresco (gate one) who then raced inside the line of marker pegs.
Fiftyshades Cresco was held up and unable to obtain clear running rounding the home turn on the final occasion.
Rocking Wroxton hung in and raced roughly under pressure at approx. the 200m.
Connor Clarke, driver of Trebek ($7 and gave ground to be beaten 38.6m into last placing) was questioned regarding what appeared to be a poor performance from the gelding. Mr. Clarke could offer no tangible explanation for the performance and conveyed his disappointment in the effort. Trebek underwent a post-race veterinary examination which failed to reveal any obvious abnormalities. Stewards intend to follow up with connections in the coming days as to the gelding’s recovery.
Michelle Phillips, driver of Fiftyshades Cresco was fined the sum of $100 under AHRR 168(1(a) for careless driving for allowing her drive to race in a half-cart position, in close proximity to the outside sulky wheel of Trebek, and inside sulky wheel of Bezzaboma, before advancing onto and contacting the rear sulky of Bezzaboma with Fiftyshades Cresco faltering and racing roughly as a result.
SUPPLEMENTARY REPORT - 8 DECEMBER 2022
Naomi Kerr, trainer of Trebek reported subsequent to the meeting, that blood tests had revealed the gelding to have a virus. Ms.Kerr stated that Trebek has been treated accordingly and will continue with the current preparation.
RACE 3 – TANKARD DENTAL PACE (2190 MS)
Only In Rome NZ underwent pre and post-race veterinary examinations in accordance with the HRV Animal Welfare Policy, having attained 200 or more race starts with neither check revealing any obvious abnormalities.
Mista Pumblechook pulled hard in the score-up.
Glitzy All Over broke in the score up, however, was able to fulfill her position when the start was effected and the mare will now be placed on her last chance in the draw.
Fomo pulled hard at various stages when leading the event.
RACE 4 – MILDURA EAST CRICKET CLUB PACE FINAL (1790 MS)
Viera underwent a pre-race veterinary examination prior to the start at the request of Stewards and was cleared to race.
White Star Village was out of position when the start was effected, despite the efforts of driver Jack Laugher, and a warning was issued.
Half Moon Beach was fractious in the score up, then broke in the score up and will now be placed on his last chance in the draw. Impetuoso, who was drawn behind Half Moon Beach was unable to fulfil his position on the gate. No action was taken against Impetuoso.
Our Modern Minnie and Doc Harvey were both inconvenienced to varying degrees by Impetuoso when that runner commenced to give ground in the back straight on the final occasion.
Jack Laugher, driver of White Star Village was fined the sum of $200 under AHRR 156(2)(a) for applying the whip to his drive with more than a wrist-only flicking motion in an action which engaged both the shoulder and elbow and exerted an excessive amount of force. In adopting this approach, Stewards considered that Mr. Laugher had a clear recent record under this rule.
RACE 5 - ZIZLIE WINES PACE (2190 MS)
Colerne was held up for clear running rounding the home turn on the final occasion and then held up for clear running over the concluding stages.
Stewards inquired into the driving tactics adopted by Ryan Sanderson (Beartastic Writer, $51 and beaten 175m into tenth and last placing), in particular his extended challenge for the lead before the gelding then tired from the 650 meters. Subsequent to hearing evidence from Mr. Sanderson, viewing the official race replays and acting on their own observations Stewards charged Mr. Sanderson pursuant to AHRR 149(2) which reads “a person shall not drive in a manner which in the opinion of Stewards is unacceptable”, with the particulars of the charge being that “after beginning from barrier six, Mr. Sanderson drove his horse forward and continued with an extended challenge for the lead around the first turn, which contributed to a lead time of 40.49 seconds, which is 2.75 seconds faster than the five-year average, and only 0.7 of a second outside the fastest lead time recorded at this track over the last five years. Further, given Beartastic Writer’s wide draw, the significant gate speed of runners drawn to his inside, and the very fast sectionals through this section of the race and that the driver of Micton Mouse (Luke Watson) to the immediate inside at no stage displayed any willingness to surrender the lead, actions in the early part of the race that Stewards opined to be unacceptable and a significant contributing factor in Beartastic Writer tiring from the 650m to finish in last placing beaten 175m”. Mr. Sanderson pleaded not guilty to the charge, however after considering all the evidence Stewards found Mr. Sanderson guilty as charged. In determining penalty, Stewards considered the relevant factors as outlined in the HRV Minimum Penalty guidelines including Mr. Sanderson’s not guilty plea, the degree of culpability which Stewards deemed to be in the mid-range, Mr. Sanderson’s driving experience and A-Grade license status, previous record under this rule and subsequently suspended Mr. Sanderson’s license to drive for a period of four (4) weeks, with a nine day deferment granted to allow the suspension to commence at midnight on 7 December, 2022. Mr. Sanderson was advised of his rights of appeal. A post-race veterinary examination of Beartastic Writer revealed no apparent abnormalities. Beartastic Writer will now be stood down pending the completion of one (1) satisfactory trial owing to the beaten margin.
RACE 6 – TASCO PETROLEUM PACE (1790 MS)
Feisty Phoebe was held up and unable to obtain clear running for the entirety of the home straight on the final occasion.
Kendys Butterfly pulled hard at various stages when leading the event.
RACE 7 – TENDERPRINT AUSTRALIA PACE (1790 MS)
Thomas Heights hung out at various stages when leading the event and hung out under pressure rounding the home turn on the final occasion. Feel The Reign, who was positioned behind Thomas Heights was able to obtain an inside run at the entrance of the home straight. Given the circumstances, a warning was placed on the manners of Thomas Heights for hanging out.
Cemetery Bay was held up and unable to obtain clear running over the concluding stages.
Aaron Coad, driver of Dennis was fined the sum of $100 under AHRR 162(1)(h) for not having the gelding in position when the start was effected which allowed Dennis to be directed up the track and obtain a position in the running line shortly after the start.
RACE 8 – PARK DOUGLAS PRINTING PACE (2190 MS)
Murranji Track underwent a pre-race veterinary examination in the preliminary at the request of driver Michelle Phillips and was subsequently declared a late scratching at 9.18pm due to swelling in the near hind groin area. Murranji Track will now be stood down pending veterinary clearance.
Waitpinga Lad broke in the score up, was out of position when the start was effected and will now be placed outside the draw in future mobile start events.
Luke Watson, driver of Waitpinga Lad was cautioned for disobeying the starters orders by not moving his drive up the track when directed to do so prior to the start being effected.
Wild Man pulled hard at various stages of the event when travelling behind the leader.
Our Bella Lucia ($14) tired to be beaten 53.3m and a warning was issued.
RACE 9 – MILDURA BOAT & CAMP HIRE PACE (2190 MS)
Lorne Beach pulled hard in the score up.
Courtney Katarina pulled hard at various stages of the event when positioned outside the leader.
Valbarann commenced to pull hard at approx. the 1700m and contacted the rear sulky of Jordie Dee, with Valbarann then racing roughly as a result. Valbarann was issued with a warning for her racing manners. Stylish Heaven and Tell Us We Dream, who were both trailing Valbarann at the time were checked to varying degrees as a result.
Stylish Heaven ($14) tired to be beaten 60.1m and a warning was issued. Stylish Heaven underwent a post-race veterinary examination which failed to reveal any obvious abnormalities. Driver Aaron Coad reported that the mare may have been wind-sucking wind during the run.
Codi Rauchenberger, driver of Rocking Tiff ($1.45 favourite and gave ground to be beaten 28.3m) was questioned regarding the overall performance of the mare. Ms Ruchenberger conveyed her disappointment in the effort but noted that the mare blew hard after the running of the event and added that this was the first time that Rocking Tiff had travelled a significant distance from the mare’s training base and could go some way to explaining the performance. Rocking Tiff underwent a post-race veterinary examination, which revealed a slow recovery.
Jordan Leedham, driver of Woody Nightshade was fined the sum of $200 under AHRR 156(2)(a) for applying the whip to his drive with more than a wrist-only flicking motion in an action which engaged both the shoulder and elbow and exerted an excessive amount of force. In adopting this approach, Stewards considered that Mr. Leedham had a clear recent record under this rule.
Courtney Katarina was detained on-course for a period of two (2) hours for the purposes of post-race blood sampling.
RACE 10 – HATTAH ROADHOUSE PACE (1790 MS)
Pete Mitchell underwent a veterinary examination after displaying signs of colic after arriving on course and was a late scratching at 6.38pm on veterinary advice. Pete Mitchell was treated by the on-course veterinarian prior to being transported to the Bendigo Equine Clinic for further assessment. Pete Mitchell will now be stood down pending a veterinary clearance and for a period of ten (10) days. Stewards intend to follow up with connections in coming days as to the gelding’s recovery.
Too Many Days (gate three) began badly and will now be placed outside the draw in future mobile start events. The mare trailed the field thereafter. Auckland Lass (gate 11) was checked after the start by Too Many Days. Terror To Rock (gate 10) was checked and broke by Too Many Days after the start.
Too Many Days underwent a post-race veterinary examination which failed to reveal any significant findings.
Stewards questioned drivers Denbeigh Wade (Mustang Max) and Michelle Phillips (Lets Go Exclusive) regarding an incident at approx. the 300m, where Mustang Max contacted the inside sulky wheel of Lets Go Exclusive and broke gait as a result. Subsequent to taking evidence from both drivers, viewing the official replays and via their own observations, Stewards concluded that prior to the point of contact Mustang Max was progressing forward into the position vacated by Lets Go Exclusive as that runner was directed wider to obtain clear running, with Lets Go Exclusive then hanging in and shifting in marginally despite the efforts of Ms. Phillips. Stewards could not be satisfied that either driver was blameworthy in the circumstances and did not proceed with the matter any further other than to issue Lets Go Exclusive with a warning for hanging in.
RACE 11 - MALLEE BEARINGS PACE (1790 MS)
Dontshowyouraces pulled hard in the score up and then hung out and raced roughly heading into the first turn.
Always a Celebrity was held up and unable to obtain clear running for the entirety of the home straight on the final occasion.
Stonebridge Star was held up and unable to obtain clear running over the concluding stages.
RACE 12 – HORSELAND MILDURA 3YO PACE (1790 MS)
Im Stuck Man hung in raced roughly and contacted a marker peg rounding the home turn on the final occasion.
Daniel Borg
Chairman
‘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.’
Swabs:
Pre-Race:
Race 1: Stormont Star
Race 4: Impetuoso
Race 7: Overpowering
Race 8: Our Bella Lucia
Race 9: Valbarann
Race 10: Sportseal
Race 12: Tarifa Girl
Post-Race:
Race 2: CC Jones NZ
Race 3: Coco Beach
Race 4: White Star Village
Race 5: No Win No Worries
Race 6: Lightning Jash
Race 9: Woody Nightshade
Race 9: Courtney Katarina
Race 10: Moreartsthanclass
Race 11: Puopolo
| Suspensions: | |||
| Race 5: | R. Sanderson | 149(2) | 4 Weeks |
| Fines: | |||
| Race 2: | M. Phillips | 168(1)(a) | $100 |
| Race 2: | Wayne Hill | 156(3) | $100 |
| Race 4: | J. Laugher | 156(2)(a) | $200 |
| Race 7: | A. Coad | 162(1)(h) | $100 |
| Race 9: | J. Leedham | 156(2)(a) | $200 |
| Cautions: | |||
| Race 2: | J. Laugher | D/CSU | |
| Race 8: | L. Watson | D/CDSO | |
| Horse Actions: | |||
| Race 5: | Beartastic Writer | SD1T | |
| Race 8: | Waitpinga Lad | ODM | |
| Race 8: | Murranji Track | SDVC | |
| Race 10: | Too Many Days | ODM | |
| Race 10: | Pete Mitchell | SDVC & SD10D | |
| Late Scratchings: | |||
| Race 10: | Pete Mitchell | Vet's Advice | 6.38pm |
| Race 8: | Murranji Track | Vet's Advice | 9.18pm |
| Adjourned Inquiries: | NIL | ||
| Follow Ups: | |||
| Race 2: | Trebek | ||
| Race 10: | Pete Mitchell | ||
| Sulky Fund Claims: | NIL | ||
