Stewards Report
Tabcorp Park Melton 03/08/2022
HARNESS RACING VICTORIA
STEWARDS REPORT FOR TABCORP PARK MELTON
WEDNESDAY 3 AUGUST 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 – DNR LOGISTICS PACE (2240 MS)
The start time of this event was amended to 5.28pm due to the Belmont (WA) thoroughbred meeting being abandonded.
Mach Charm underwent pre and post-race veterinary examinations in accordance with HRV policy, having attained 200 or more race starts. The pre-race examination failed to reveal any obvious abnormalities and the mare was cleared to start. The post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any significant findings other than mild tying up (myositis).
Our Tempo was fractious in the early part of the score-up requiring the assistance of the Clerk of the Course, and a warning was issued.
Four Lonely Nights broke in the score-up. Given the gelding as able to fulfill his position on the gate when the start was effected, he will now be placed on his last chance in the draw.
Ryan Sanderson, driver or Zero Doubt was cautioned for tightening the racing room of Denstown NZ (Robert Walters) heading into the first turn.
Zero Doubt ($81) tired to be beaten 76.1m and a warning was issued for the beaten margin.
Mach Charm ($19) tired to be beaten 57.8m and a warning was issued for the beaten margin.
Darren Pace, driver of Four Lonely Nights ($9 and beaten 38.1m) was questioned regarding the overall performance of the gelding. Mr Pace could offer no tangible explanation for the effort and conveyed his disappointment in the performance. Four Lonely Nights underwent a post-race veterinary and endoscopic examinations which failed to reveal any obvious abnormalities other than Grade 1 mucous.
RACE 2 – TAB PLAY CENTRAL PACE (1720 MS)
Southern GNP NZ underwent a pre-race veterinary examination in accordance with HRV policy, having attained 200 or more race starts which failed to reveal any obvious abnormalities and the gelding was cleared to start.
Border Cross underwent pre and post-race veterinary examinations in accordance with HRV policy, having attained 200 or more race starts with neither check revealing any obvious abnormalities.
Royal Apollo hung out in the score-up and then broke in the score-up. Given the gelding was able to fulfil his position on the gate when the start was effected, he will now be placed on his last chance in the draw.
Blue Ocean was slowly away.
Terroroan commenced to pull hard, heading into the home straight with one lap to run, when travelling in the running line.
Kevin Jnr Weidenbach, driver of Well Well ($12) was questioned regarding the overall performance of the gelding who commenced to give ground from approx. the 500m to beaten 31.1m into last placing. Mr Weidenbach explained that despite racing on consecutive days in the week prior and travelling in the position outside the leader, he could offer no tangible explanation for the performance. Mr Weidenbach added that in his view, Well Well may not be overly genuine in application and can mix his form. Stewards noted Mr Weidenbach’s comments.
Southern GNP NZ who was trailing Well Well was inconvenienced when that runner commenced to tire, contacting the outside sulky wheel of Well Well and racing roughly as a result. Terroroan, who was trailing Southern GNP NZ, was inconvenienced, raced roughly as a result.
Mister Nien hung-in under pressure over the concluding stages.
Ringer Russ was held-up for clear running rounding the home turn on the final occasion.
Robert Walters, driver of Southern GNP NZ ($4.60 and beaten 15.9m) was questioned regarding the overall performance of the gelding. Mr Walters explained that Southern GNP NZ cast a near-hind plate during the event and was not comfortable in his action during the run. Mr Walters added that given the relatively quick last half of the event, overall mile-rate for this class of race, and having to progress three wide from approx. the 400m, he wasn’t overly disappointed in the performance. Southern GNP NZ underwent a post-race veterinary and endoscopic examination which failed to reveal any significant abnormalities other than Grade 1 mucous. Stewards intend to follow-up with connections of Southern GNP NZ in the coming days as to the gelding’s recovery.
RACE 3 – DANN EVENT HIRE 2YO PACE (1720 MS)
The start time of this event was amended to 6.26pm.
Shane Sanderson, trainer of Dangerous was cautioned for presenting the colt in gear that was not accurately recorded.
Major Shoobee was out of position when the start was effected, despite the efforts of his driver (Josh Duggan) and a warning was issued. The gelding then tired to be beaten 63.6m and a warning was issued for the beaten margin.
Spicey Major commenced to pull hard in the home straight with one lap to run, hung out rounding the back turn and a warning was issued.
Roblem Ranger ($151) tired to be beaten 62.5m and a warning was issued for the beaten margin.
Michael Bellman, driver of Andaman Bay ($7.50 and beaten 37.5m) was questioned regarding the overall performance of the gelding. Mr Bellman explained that given the gelding was first-up and had not trialled, he expects Andaman Bay to derive benefit from the outing.
RACE 4 – COBBITTY LODGE PACE (1720 MS)
Shane Taylor, trainer of Skedaddle Shannon requested that the gelding continue to be placed outside the draw in future mobile start events.
Jason Ainsworth, driver of Tallaras Shadow was issued with a caution in the score-up for failing to have the mare in position when the start was effected.
Clinton Welsh, driver of Confusionanddelay was issued with a caution for failing to have the mare in position, behind Dads My Hero (Arthur Wood), when the start was effected.
Charlie Borg, driver of Blue Chipped was fined the sum of $100 under AHRR 162(1)(h) for failing to have the gelding in position when the start was effected.
Stewards questioned drivers George Chamouras (Josie Ella) and George Schembri (Rhyflective) regarding an incident heading into the first turn, where it appeared that Josie Ella was tightened for racing room, in turn tightening the racing room of Dads My Hero (Matthew Cain) who was placed to the inside of Josie Ella, subsequently locking wheels with that runner as a result. Upon review of the replays and considering evidence put forth by both drivers, Mr Schembri was issued with a caution for tightening for allowing his drive to progress down the track and into the first turn when not clear of runners positioned to his inside. In not taking further action, Stewards were mindful that Josie Ella hung out after the start, hung in toward the first turn and had contributed to the incident.
RACE 5 – BERALDO COFFEE 3YO VICBRED MAIDEN PACE (1720 MS)
James Herbertson was a late driver change on Flowertop Mountain, replacing Jackie Barker who was indisposed.
Flowertop Mountain (four) was placed outside the draw at Stawell on 31 July, 2022 and therefore placed outside the front row for this event (EOD).
Wellsaidmylady was out of position when the start was effected and a warning was issued.
Duchess Elizabeth, whom was on debut hung out heading into the straight on the first occasion when positioned on the marker pegs. The filly then broke gait in the back straight on the final occasion and will now be placed on her last chance to race truly.
Plains in Heaven was held-up for clear running rounding the home turn on the final occasion.
Eye See Amour was held-up for clear running rounding the home turn on the final occasion before utilizing the sprint lane.
RACE 6 – ALABAR PACE (2240 MS)
Shady Dancer ($71) tired to be beaten 50.4m and a warning was issued.
Calypso Mistress ($151) tired to be beaten 66.8m and a warning was issued.
Ryan Sanderson, driver of Art of Sheng Li ($1.90 favourite) was questioned regarding the overall performance of the mare. Mr Sanderson explained that given his drive was returning from a brief let-up, Art of Sheng Li would derive benefit from the outing and added that he wasn’t overly disappointed in the performance. Art of Sheng Li underwent a post-race veterinary and endoscopic examination which failed to reveal any obvious abnormalities.
RACE 7 – RUNNERS RELIEF PACE (1720 MS)
Sasscilian ($34) tired to be beaten 50.3m. Given the margin between the placings, Stewards displayed some leniency and took no action for the beaten margin.
Stewards questioned drivers Shannon O’Sullivan (Vallani Magic) and Ellen Rixon (Zaras All Good) regarding in incident heading into the first turn where it appeared Zaras All Good was tightened and raced inside the line of several marker pegs. Upon taking evidence from both drivers and observing replays, Stewards concluded that with both drivers contributing to the incident to varying degrees, on this occasion action was not warranted against either driver.
Vallani Magic hung-in and raced inside several marker pegs rounding the home turn on the final occasion.
Ferocious Son was tightened by Zaras All Good, and Oceanique rounding the home turn on the final occasion. The gelding as then held up for clear running before utilizing the sprint lane.
Carmy Dan was inconvenienced at approx. the 400m when trailing Zaras All Good and Saccscilan, when those two runners commenced to yield ground. Carmy Dan then raced roughly and shifted out inconveniencing Tic Tact, who was positioned to his outside, with Tic Tact then being carried wider on the track and racing roughly as a result.
Carmy Dan raced roughly under pressure over the concluding stages.
Tic Tact underwent a post-race veterinary and endoscopic examinations which failed to reveal any obvious abnormalities other than Grade 1 EIPH.
George Batsakis, driver of Oceanique was found guilty of a charge under AHRR 163(1)(a)(iii) which reads “a driver shall not cause or contribute to any interference” with the particulars of the charge being that “as the driver of Oceanique when progressing forward rounding the home turn on the final occasion Mr Batsakis has allowed his runner to shift in and tighten the racing room of Zaras All Good whom was placed to his inside, causing interference that runner as a result, and further, making body contact with his left arm to the sulky shaft of Zaras All Good”. In assessing penalty, in accordance with the HRV Minimum Penalty Guidelines, Stewards considered Mr Batsakis not guilty plea, level of interference which was deemed to be in the low-to-mid range, the infrequency in which Mr Batsakis drives and poor record under this rule. Mr Batsakis’ license was suspended for a period of ten (10) days, to commence at midnight on 3 August, 2022.
RACE 8 – ALDEBARAN PARK TROTPACE (2240 MS)
Stunning Jasper underwent pre and post-race veterinary examinations in accordance with HRV policy, having attained 12 or more years of age with neither check revealing an obvious abnormalities.
Roll With Rosco was slowly away, broke after the start and will now be placed outside the draw in future mobile start events. The entire trailed the field thereafter.
Penelope broke gait heading into the first turn and will now be placed on her last chance to race truly. The mare trailed the field thereafter.
Krakuer broke gait entering the home straight with one lap to run and a warning was issued. The gelding trailed the field thereafter.
Dicko Dixon was inconvenienced by Majestic Connies NZ when that runner commenced to yield ground in the back straight on the final occasion.
Michael Bellman, driver of Fling It Rainbow was fined the sum of $100 under AHRR 156(3) for applying the whip to his drive on more occasions than are permitted in the home straight on the final occasion.
Tyrone Abela, trainer and driver of Gee Cee Calder ($13.00 and gave ground to be beaten 35.8m after travelling outside the leader) was questioned regarding the overall performance of the gelding. Mr Abela explained that Gee Cee Calder pulled hard in the run and this reason alone goes some way to explaining the below-par performance. Gee Cee Calder underwent a post-race veterinary and endoscopic examination which failed to reveal any obvious abnormalities other than Grade 1 EIPH. Stewards intend to follow up with the connections of Gee Cee Calder in the coming days as to the gelding’s recovery.
Tyrone Abela, trainer of Majestic Connies NZ ($19 and gave ground to be beaten 154.7m after leading the event) was questioned regarding the overall performance of the gelding. Mr Abela explained that Majestic Connies NZ had been working well leading into tonight’s event and he could offer no tangible explanation for the performance. Majestic Connies NZ underwent a post-race veterinary examination which revealed a slow recovery. Endoscopic examination was intended, yet aborted when the gelding became fractious. Stewards intend to follow-up with the connections of Majestic Connies NZ in the coming days as to the gelding’s recovery.
SUPPLEMENTARY REPORT - 8 AUGUST 2022
Tyrone Abela, trainer of Gee Cee Calder and Majestic Connies NZ advised that subsequent to the poor performances at Tabcorp Park Melton on August 3, 2022 that both horses had recovered well. Mr. Abela added that both Gee Cee Calder and Majestic Connies NZ will remain in work and continue with their current preparations.
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: CC Jones NZ
Race 2: Well Well
Race 3: Dangerous
Race 4: Skedaddle Shannon
Race 5: Flowertop Mountain
Race 6: Execution Oro
Race 7: Zaras All Good
Race 7: River Patrol NZ
Race 8: Fling It Rainbow
Post-Race:
Race 1: Denstown NZ
Race 2: Mister Nien
Race 3: Dangerous
Race 4: Nifty Jolt
Race 5: Our Escapade
Race 6: No Win No Worries
Race 7: The Kew Legend
Race 8: Kyvalley Heist NZ
| Suspensions: | |||
| Race 7: | G. Batsakis | 163(1)(a)(iii) | 10 days |
| Fines: | |||
| Race 4: | C. Borg | 162(1)(h) | $100 |
| Race 8: | M. Bellman | 156(3) | $100 |
| Cautions: | |||
| Race 1: | R. Sanderson | D/CT | |
| Race 3: | S. Sanderson | T/CG | |
| Race 4: | J. Ainsworth | D/CSU | |
| Race 4: | C. Welsh | D/CSU | |
| Race 4: | G. Schembri | D/CT | |
| Horse Actions: | |||
| Race 4: | Skedaddle Shannon | TRCODM | |
| Race 8: | Roll With Rosco | ODM | |
| Late Scratchings: | NIL |
