Stewards Report

HARNESS RACING VICTORIA

STEWARDS REPORT FOR TABCORP PARK MELTON

SATURDAY 4 JUNE 2022

	Brett Day Grant Adams Scott Gillespie Des Benger Peter Lamb (Starter) Dr Richard Cust / Dr Ray Hutchinson (Vet)
	Track:    Good	Weather:	Overcast

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)

Mary-Jane Mifsud, trainer of Imnopumpkin, was cautioned for failing to have the gelding’s gear accurately recorded.

Magic Mike NZ pulled hard during the middle stages.

Belmont Royale NZ was tightened and inconvenienced passing the 300m and shifted inwards tightening Mister Macedon which raced inside the line of marker pegs as a result.

Matthew Craven, trainer/driver of Bettor Isolate ($1.40 fav), was questioned regarding the performance of the gelding which finished in 10th and last placing beaten 56m. Mr Craven explained that despite the use made of the gelding during the early and middle stages he felt Bettor Isolate was most disappointing over the concluding stages. Post-race veterinary and endoscopic examination of Bettor Isolate revealed the gelding to be displaying an elevated heart rate and Grade 1 EIPH. Mr Craven will be contacted in the coming days regarding the progress of Bettor Isolate following the event.

Post-race veterinary and endoscopic examination of Imnopumpkin failed to reveal any significant findings.

SUPPLEMENTARY REPORT - 8 JUNE 2022

Matthew Craven, trainer of Bettor Isolate advised subsequent to the poor performance at Tabcorp Park Melton on June 4 2022, that the gelding had a mild virus.  Mr.Craven stated that Bettor Isolate has been treated accordingly and a decision on the current preparation would be made over the coming days. 

RACE 2 – ALLIED EXPRESS MELTON MARES CHAMPIONSHIP (2240 MS)

David Miles, trainer of Enchanted Stride, was cautioned for failing to have the mare’s gear accurately recorded .

Emma Stewart, trainer of Treachery, was fined $100 under Rule 273(6)(b) for failing to have the mare’s gear accurately recorded. In assessing penalty Stewards were mindful of Ms Stewart’s recent record.

Itzamajor Surprise was tightened and contacted marker pegs inside the final 200m after improving into a narrow run to the inside of Iolanta NZ which shifted in.

Pray Tell pulled hard during the middle stages.

RACE 3 – TAB SAPLING STAKES (2YO FILLIES) (1720 MS)

Elsyian Jay hung in and contacted marker pegs approaching the finish.

Mark Pitt, driver of Keayang Blue Jeans ($4.20), was questioned regarding the performance of the filly which finished in 4th placing. Mr Pitt explained in his view Keayang Blue Jeans was disappointing over the concluding stages and did not pace fluently at various stages and in his view may not have handled the final turn. Mr Pitt further explained that Keayang Blue Jeans may have come to the end of its preparation. Post-race veterinary and endoscopic examination of Keayang Blue Jeans failed to reveal any significant findings.

RACE 4 – HAPPY RETIREMENT STEPHEN SULLIVAN TROT (2240 MS)

The all clear of this event was delayed allowing Stewards the opportunity to review the available replays in relation to 4th placed All Cashed Up breaking gait and remaining in the incorrect gait as it passed the finish. Upon review of the available replays, Stewards were satisfied that All Cashed Up was covered by 5th placed Peakz Luck NZ and 6th placed Imamaorijet. In accordance with VLR155A All Cashed Up was placed behind Peakz Luck NZ and Imamaorijet and the placings amended accordingly.

Prosthesis was checked approaching the finish as a consequence of All Cashed Up breaking gait.

Bromwich began badly inconveniencing Ymbro Wasted after the start. Bromwich will now be placed outside the draw in future mobile start events.

Bromwich broke clear of interference approaching the 900m.

Locksley Lover hung in approaching the 1900m.                                                                       

RACE 5 - BERALDO PACE (2240 MS)

Captain Confetti NZ raced roughly during the initial stages of the score up.

Captain Confetti NZ and Would You Mind NZ were held up rounding the home turn and the early stage of the straight prior to utilising the sprint lane.

Rick Reilly NZ was held up rounding the home turn and the early part of the straight.

Crime Writer failed to obtain clear running inside the final 200m and as a result was not fully tested.

RACE 6 – HYGAIN PACE (1720 MS)

Vincenzina and Jilliby Nitro locked wheels momentarily passing the 300m.

Vincenzina and Shoshone Brave locked wheels momentarily approaching the 150m.

Sheffield Sparky NZ was held up rounding the home turn and in the early stage of the straight.

Tuppence was tightened on the finish as Ozzie Playboy hung in under pressure.

James Herbertson, driver of Dont Need An Excuse NZ ($2.20 fav), explained the early use made of Dont Need An Excuse NZ to obtain the lead in his view told on the gelding over the concluding stages. Mr Herbertson added Dont Need An Excuse may benefit by being driven more conservatively in future.  Post-race veterinary and endoscopic examination of Dont Need An Excuse NZ failed to reveal any significant findings.

Post-race veterinary and endoscopic examination of Jilliby Nitro failed to reveal any significant findings.

RACE 7 – HIP POCKET WORKWEAR PACE (1720 MS)

Simone Walker, driver of Denis William, was cautioned for failing to be in position at the candy pole.

Khaki Nui NZ broke after the start and will now be placed outside the draw in future mobile start events.

The headcheck of Ozzie Battler became dislodged passing the 1400m.

It was noted at the completion of the event the number two hopple carrying strap of Shortys Mate NZ had become detached.

Greg Sugars, driver of Always Fast, explained he was at a loss to provide any tangible explanation for the performance as Always Fast was afforded a good run throughout. Post-race veterinary and endoscopic examination of Always Fast failed to reveal any significant findings.

RACE 8 – ALDEBARAN PARK LENIN TROTTERS FREE FOR ALL (GROUP 3) (2240 MS)

Chissy tired over the concluding stages to finish in last placing beaten 53m. Nathan Jack, driver of Chissy, explained he felt the performance was largely attributed to Chissy rising in class in tonight’s event. Post-race veterinary and endoscopic examination of Chissy revealed the gelding to be displaying a delayed recovery.

Kate Gath, driver of Majestuoso NZ ($1.80 fav), was questioned regarding the performance of the gelding which finished in 7th placing beaten 19m. Mrs Gath explained that Majestuoso NZ had contacted the sulky with its hind legs and over-raced significantly which she felt combined with Majestuoso NZ being first up in tonight’s event told on the gelding over the concluding stages. Post-race veterinary and endoscopic examination revealed Majestuoso NZ to be lame in the near fore leg and accordingly the gelding will now be stood down from racing until trialling to the satisfaction of Stewards. Trainer Andy Gath has since advised Majestuoso NZ has displayed signs of tying up and will be treated accordingly.

James Herbertson, driver of Nephew Of Sonoko, was questioned regarding the tactics adopted on the gelding inside the final 500m. Mr Herbertson explained that passing the 500m he was mindful that Ultimate Stride NZ, which was leading, had significant use made of it to secure the lead during the early stages and when the opportunity presented to follow Majestuoso NZ, which was positioned outside the leader, he availed himself of this opportunity as in his view Majestuoso NZ was travelling stronger than Ultimate Stride NZ and was better performed in this class of event over an extended period. Mr Herbertson added that upon directing Nephew Of Sonoko out to follow Majestuoso NZ it became apparent shortly after that Majestuoso NZ had commenced to be placed under pressure by its driver, however he was unable to return to his initial position following Ultimate Stride NZ as Sundons Courage had occupied that position. Mr Herbertson further added that due to Wobelee being positioned to his outside and slightly in advance he was unable to ease that runner wider to secure clear running and as a consequence Nephew Of Sonoko remained held up to the finish. Upon review of the available replays, the exposed form of all relevant runners and the explanation provided by Mr Herbertson Stewards were satisfied that in the circumstances the tactics adopted were not entirely unreasonable and took the matter no further.

RACE 9 – RUNNERS RELIEF PACE (1720 MS)

David Murphy, driver of Final Peace, was fined $200 under Rule 156(2)(a) for using the whip with more than a wrist only flicking motion inside the final 200m.

 

Brett Day

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’.

 

Raceday Summary

Swabs		Pre-Race: Race 1 – Cherokee Joe, Imnopumpkin; Race 2 – Enchanted Stride, Ruby Wingate; Race 3 – Snow Hunter, Keayang Blue Jeans; Race 4 – Locksley Lover, Peakz Luck NZ; Race 5 – Patsbeachstorm, Allshookup; Race 6 – Shoshone Brave, Jilliby Nitro; Race 7 - Cant Top This, Tango Tara NZ; Race 8 – Majestuoso NZ, Nephew Of Sonoko; Race 9 – Urus NZ, Final Peace
		Post-Race: Race 1 – Helluva NZ; Race 2 – Treachery; Race 3 – Aureus; Race 4 – Locksley Lover; Race 5 – Rock N Roll Doo NZ; Race 6 – Ozzie Playboy; Race 7 – Cant Top This; Race 8 – Sundons Courage; Race 9 – Stanbyme
Suspensions
Nil
Fines
Race 2	E Stewart		R273(6)(b)	$100
Race 9	D Murphy		R1056(2)(a)	$200
Cautions
Race 1	M-J Mifsud		T/CG
Race 2	D Miles		T/CG
Race 7	S Walker		D/CCP
Horse Actions
Race 4	Bromwich		ODM
Race 7	Khaki Nui NZ		ODM
Race 8	Majestuoso NZ		SDVC
Late Scratchings
Nil