Stewards Report

HARNESS RACING VICTORIA

STEWARDS REPORT FOR MELTON         

SATURDAY 2 NOVEMBER 2024

	Grant Adams John Packer   Tom Bick Jason Fino (Starter) Dr Richard Cust, Dr B Trainor (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 – HYGAIN 4YO & 5YO CHAMPIONSHIP (GROUP 3) (2240 MS)

OOH AH LISTAH – Weakened over the final stages to finish in 11th position, beaten 52.8m. Given the recorded mile rate, no action was taken.

NICHOLAS CAGE NZ – Weakened over the final 600m to finish in 12th position, beaten 84.8m.  A post-race veterinarian examination, including an endoscopic examination failed to find any abnormalities. When questioned regarding the performance, Driver/trainer Kyle Marshall explained that after making use of his drive early in an attempt to obtain the lead and being unsuccessful, he was then able to gain a trail and from this period his gelding lost interest. Mr Marshall added that given the recent work and that the gelding was 2nd up tonight, the performance of NICHOLAS CAGE NZ was well below expectations.

EXOTIC BUSHRANGER – Pre-race blood sample obtained. Driver Michael Stanley was fined $200 under Rule 162(1)(g) for starting from the incorrect barrier when failing to come up into position and shifted up to follow barrier 2 prior to the start.

CANTFINDABETTORMAN NZ – Pre-race blood sample obtained. Post-race swab sample obtained.

CATCH A WAVE – When questioned regarding the performance of the gelding which finished in 6th position, beaten 23.9m, Driver Kate Gath explained that due to the poor draw, she was required to settle well back in the run and was further disadvantaged due to the slow early speed. Mr Gath added that when improving three wide from the 800m, she was able to improve with cover and when tested late, her gelding found the line strong in a fast final half and she was pleased with the run.

RACE 2 – NEVELE R STUD FREE FOR ALL (1720 MS)

JUSTALITTLESIP NZ – Pre-race blood sample obtained. Trainer Joe Pace was cautioned for failing to have the gear accurately recorded for the gelding.

LETSROCKLETSROLL – Brake gait during the score up, out of position at the start will now be excluded from the mobile barrier draw.

OUR VINCENT CAN GOGH NZ – Raced keenly during the middle stages.

FIDES – Broke gait free of interference near the 450m and will now be placed on its last chance to race truly. A post-race veterinarian examination found the gelding lame in its off-hind leg. In accordance with veterinarian recommendations, FIDES was stood down from racing for a period of 7 days (NTC) and until a certificate of fitness is received.

HELLUVA NZ – Trainer John Justice was cautioned for failing to have the gear accurately recorded for the gelding.

TRIPLE EIGHT NZ – Post-race swab sample obtained.

RACE 3 – THE BIG SCREEN COMPANY PACE (2240 MS)

CLYMENUS NZ – Slow to begin. Paced roughly near the 100m.

NORMS LADY – Held up for clear running in the early stages of the home straight.  

LOUIE LOU I NZ – Held up for clear running in the early stages of the home straight.

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

WENDYS WISH – Trainer Russell Jack was cautioned for failing to have the gear accurately recorded for the mare. Gave ground over the final stages to finish in 12th position, beaten 19.9m. A post-race veterinarian examination failed to find any abnormalities. When questioned regarding the performance, Driver Nathan Jack explained that whilst leading, his mare was racing strongly when making contact with the wheels and notwithstanding this, the mare performed below expectations. Mr Jack added that given the mare was first up, he would expect improvement from the run.

OZZIE PUNTA – Raced keenly during the early stages when caught wide.

LAYDEN – Trainer Charlie Attard was cautioned for failing to have the gear accurately recorded for the horse. Post-race swab sample obtained.

GIPSY PRINCESS – Pre-race blood sample obtained.

RACE 4 – MIMOSA HOMES TROT (2240 MS)

DESTRIER – Driver Lisa Miles was cautioned for allowing her gelding to shift in and race to the inside of the final marker peg prior to the entry to the home straight. Hung in when placed under pressure over the final stages.

HIGHPOINT – Held up for clear running in the early stages of the home straight prior to utilising the sprint lane.

LOVE YA BROTHER – Broke gait free of interference at the 150m.

AVANT GUARD – Post-race swab sample obtained.

HES A HAMMER – Pre-race blood sample obtained. Began badly when galloping away, trailed the field throughout and will now be excluded from the mobile barrier draw.

WHOS THE MAN – Hung in when placed under pressure inside the final 50m.

ALDEBARAN ACRUX USA – Hung in when placed under pressure inside the final 50m.

KINGS GUARD – Broke gait during the score up and will be placed on its last chance in the mobile barrier draw.

RACE 5 – CATANACH’S JEWELLERS PACE (1720 MS)

BLAZING SHANNON – Slow to score up. At a subsequent inquiry, it was determined that although not in position by the nominated marker post, Driver Lochie Cook was found to be taking all reasonable efforts to be in position and consequently, no action was taken.

BETA THAN LOVE NZ – Driver Tasmyn Potter was fined $200 under Rule 156(3) for applying her whip in excess of the amount permitted inside the final 200m.

BLISSFULL STRIDE – Weakened over the final stages to finish in 9th position, beaten 86.1m. A post-race veterinarian examination, including an endoscopic examination failed to find any abnormalities. The gelding was placed on its last chance to race truly.

WEMADE FREO – Broke gait free of interference at the 1200m and was placed on its last chance to race truly.

KHANS CREED – Pre-race blood sample obtained. Held up for clear running in the early stages of the home straight prior to utilising the sprint lane.

PABLO ROCKS – Trainer Chris Svanosio was cautioned for failing to have the gear accurately recorded for the gelding. No action was taken against the gelding for being out of position due to BLAZING SHANNON being slow to score up.

SEVE NZ – Trainer Andy Gath was fined $50 under Rule 273(6)(b) for failing to have the gear accurately recorded for the gelding.

ANOTHER NIEN – Pre-race blood sample obtained. Post-race swab sample obtained.

RACE 6 – ALDEBARAN PARK TROTTERS FREE FOR ALL (1720 MS)

General

The start of this event was delayed to a allow Zac Phillips time to obtain and fit a body protector.

NEPHEW OF SONOKO – Near the 200m, placed in restricted room to the inside of ILLAWONG LARAJAY which hung in and contacted marker pegs in consequence.  

SEBASTIANS BOY – Held up for clear running in the early stages of the home straight prior to utilising the sprint lane.

ILLAWONG LARAJAY – Pre-race blood sample obtained. Hung in when placed under pressure near the 200m. Driver Zac Phillips was fined $300 under Rule 159B(1)(a) for presenting to drive and completing his pre-race preliminary when not wearing a body protector.

KEAYANG CHUCKY – Post-race swab sample obtained.

RACE 7 – HYLAND HARNESS COLOURS PACE (2240 MS)

WOTDIDUSAAAY – Raced keenly during the middle stages.

MAGIC MIKE NZ – Weakened over the final stages to finish in 8th position, beaten 52.9m for which a warning was issued.

RAKERO SLAMMER NZ – Post-race swab sample obtained.

SPIRIT OF ARION NZ – Pre-race blood sample obtained.

SPYGLASS NZ – Held up for clear running in the early stages of the home straight prior to utilising the sprint lane.

RACE 8 – APG TROT (2240 MS)

FOUROUTOFFIVE – In accordance with Rule 141(4), the gelding was declared a late scratching at 10:39pm when causing two false starts.

MORE WANTED – Locked wheels with ALDEBARAN MILEY for a brief period at the 200m.

I DREAM OF MILLIE – Pre-race blood sample obtained. Broke gait during the score up, out of position at the start and trailed the field throughout. Given the two false starts, no action was taken.

EL RESAMO – Post-race swab sample obtained.

ALDEBARAN MILEY – Locked wheels with MORE WANTED for a brief period at the 200m. A post-race veterinarian revealed a laceration in the mares mouth with no treatment or standdown required.

ALDEBARAN VERA – Raced keenly throughout the event.

IMPERIAL MONARCH NZ – Hung in when rounding the final turn. When questioned regarding the performance of the gelding, Driver Lochie Cook explained that during the early stages, his gelding was not trotting comfortably and consequently he was unable to ask for any further effort to gain the position on the back of ALDEBARAN MILEY which was then taken up by ALDEBARAN VERA. Mr Cook added that with a lap remaining, his gelding commenced to raced keenly and continued to trot without any fluency and rounding the final turn, he was unable to test the gelding when positioned wide and hanging inwards.

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 – Exotic Bushranger, Cantfindabettorman NZ; Race 2 – Justalittlesip NZ; Race 3 – Gipsy Princess; Race 4 – Hes A Hammer; Race 5 – Khans Creed, Another Nien; Race 6 – Illawong Larajay; Race 7 – Spirit Of Arion NZ; Race 8 – I Dream Of Millie.
		Post-Race: Race 1 – Cantfindabettorman NZ; Race 2 – Triple Eight NZ;Race 3 – Layden; Race 4 – Avant Guard; Race 5 – Another Nien; Race 6 – Keayang Chucky; Race 7 – Rakero Slammer NZ; Race 8 – El Resamo.
Suspensions
Nil
Fines
Race 1	Michael Stanley		162(1)(g)	$200
Race 5	Tasmyn Potter		156(3)	$200
Race 5	Andy Gath		273(6)(b)	$50
Race 6	Zac Phillips		159B(1)(a)	$300
Cautions
Race 2	Joe Pace		T/CG
Race 2	John Justice		T/CG
Race 3	Russell Jack		T/CG
Race 3	Charlie Attard		T/CG
Race 4	Lisa Miles		D/CCMP
Race 5	Chris Svanosio		T/CG
Horse Actions
Race 2	Letsrockletsroll		ODM
Race 2	Fides		SDVC / SD7D (NTC)
Race 4	Hes A Hammer		ODM
Late Scratchings
Race 8	Fouroutoffive		10:39pm	Two false starts (141(4))

Follow Ups

Nil

Adjourned Inquiries

Nil

Sulky Fund Claims

Nil

Medical Stand Down

Nil