Stewards Report

HARNESS RACING VICTORIA

STEWARDS REPORT FOR MELTON

FRIDAY 5 DECEMBER 2025

	Scott Gillespie Daniel Borg Grant Adams Carl Coady (Starter) Dr Richard Cust & Dr Virginia Brosnan (Vets)
	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 – WOODLANDS STUD BREEDERS CROWN (3YO COLTS & GELDINGS) (HEAT) (2240 MS)

SOHO THE REAL DEAL – Held up for clear running on the final turn prior to utilising sprint lane.

WILLIAMS– Broke in the early stages of the score up and placed on last chance in draw.

IM ALL BUSINESS– Driver Michael Bellman replaced Kevin Weidenbach (unavailable).

TO THE NINES– Held up for clear running on the final turn.

MY ULTIMATE JIMMY NZ– Raced roughly under pressure in the home straight.

RACE 2 – BACCHUS MARSH PACING CUP (2ND HEAT) (2240 MS)

LOTAKEVI – (200+starts, 12+yrs) Underwent pre and post-race veterinary examinations in accordance with HRV Animal Welfare Policy.  Neither examination revealed any abnormality.

LUVERBOY– Broke after the start and will now be placed outside of the draw in future mobile start events.  Blood sample taken 3 hours post-race in accordance with HRV Elevated TCO2 Policy.

WRITTEN IN SILK– Pulled hard middle stages while leading.

ILLAWONG PHOENIX– Blood sample taken 3 hours post-race in accordance with HRV Elevated TCO2 Policy.

SPORTS NARRATOR– Inconvenienced after the start by Luverboy.

ROYLANCE– Driver Sam Florentzou pleaded guilty to a charge under AHR Rule 163(1)(b)(i) for making another horse cover more ground than necessary.  The particulars of the charge being that approaching the 800m, Mr.Florentzou shifted his drive wider on the track placing Asmileandawinx in a four wide position.  After considering HRV Minimum Penalty Guidelines, Mr.Florentzou had his licence to drive in races suspended for 10 days.

AUCKLAND RED– Pulled hard middle stages.

ASMILEANDAWINX– Checked and locked wheels with Roylance approaching the 800m, before being forced wider on the track.

RACE 3 – IRT BREEDERS CROWN (2YO COLTS & GELDINGS) (1ST HEAT) (2240 MS)

LUVTOBEUPTOME – Held up for clear running on the final turn.

CARDIGAN DAN– Held up for clear running on the final turn prior to utilising sprint lane.

COOPER CHUBB– Tired to be beaten 82m into last placing and will remain on its last chance to race competitively.

RACE 4 – BACCHUS MARSH TROTTERS CUP (2ND HEAT) (2240 MS) (2240 MS)

CONNIES PRESIDENT NZ – Gave ground to be beaten 34m into 8th position.

BLACK AND GOLD– (200+starts) Underwent pre and post-race veterinary examinations in accordance with HRV Animal Welfare Policy.  Neither examination revealed any abnormality.  Hung out middle stages.  Inconvenienced on the final turn by Connies President NZ.

TE AMO– Broke in the score up and out of position at the start.  The gelding will now be placed outside of the draw in future mobile start events.

SCAR – Broke under pressure over the concluding stages.  Covered by Spirited Lass at the finishing line while in the incorrect gait, and acting under VLR 155A(1) was relegated to sixth position.

KEAYANG GYPSY– Driver Glen Craven failed to appear in the racebook.

SPIRITED LASS– Out of position at the start and will continue to be placed right outside of the draw in future mobile start events.  Promoted to fifth position ahead of Scar which broke gait over the concluding stages.

RACE 5 – NUTRIEN BREEDERS CROWN (3YO FILLIES) (1ST HEAT) (2240 MS)

General – A false start was declared when Smirkin Serene broke in the latter stages of the score up.

SMIRKIN SERENE – Broke in the score up and caused a false start.  The filly will now be placed outside of the draw in future mobile start events.

JOYRIDE– On course 4 hours prior to race in accordance with HRV Elevated TCO2 Policy.

KEAYANG LEXI– Driver Glen Craven failed to appear in the racebook.  Inconvenienced by This Time NZ at the 400m.

DELIGHTFUL MIKI – Out of position at the start, no action taken.

THIS TIME NZ– Pulled hard early and middle stages.  Tired from the 500m to be beaten 146m into last placing.  Driver Nathan Jack stated the filly may have choked down.  A post-race veterinary examination revealed the filly to have a slow recovery and she will now be stood down from racing until the completion of one satisfactory trial.

RACE 6 – NUTRIEN BREEDERS CROWN (3YO FILLIES) (2ND HEAT) (2240 MS)

General – Race start time amended to 9.04pm.

SOHO AMERICANO – Driver Michael Stanley fined $200 under AHR Rule 162(1)(y) for failing to complete the first half of the last mile in under 64.0 seconds (67.3sec).

GOLDEN SHOOZ– Held up for clear running on the final turn prior to utilising sprint lane.

WATERMAIN GIRL– Utilised sprint lane in home straight.

RACE 7 – HYLAND RACING COLOURS BREEDERS CROWN (2YO FILLIES) (1ST HEAT) (2240 MS)

General – Race start time amended to 9.36pm.

ROCKNROLL WILLOW– Held up for clear running prior to utilising sprint lane.  Driver Kerryn Manning cautioned for contacting marker pegs on the final turn.

CAPTURE OUR HEART NZ– Pulled hard throughout.  Gave ground to be beaten 47m into last placing.

SWEET IRISH LOCH– Driver James Herbertson cautioned for failing to maintain his position until the start.

WILLOWS GIRL– Held up for clear running on the final turn.

RACE 8 – WOODLANDS STUD BREEDERS CROWN (3YO COLTS & GELDINGS) (HEAT) (2240 MS)

VINEY – Shifted in under pressure over the concluding stages.

OLLIES THE BOSS– Hung in during the score up and middle stages.

RACE 9 – HYLAND RACING COLOURS BREEDERS CROWN (2YO FILLIES) (1ST HEAT) (2240 MS)

General – Race start time amended to 10.32pm.

PRE EMINANT – Late scratching at 5.05 on Vets Advice.

BETTOR BEACH – Trainer Emma Stewart cautioned for failing to have gear accurately recorded for the filly.

 

 

Scott Gillespie

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 – Im All Business; Race  5 – Joyride; Race  7 – Rocknroll Willow; Race  8 – Captain Perfect;
	Post- Race: Race 1 – Mac Bon; Race 2 – Luverboy, Written In Silk, Illawong Phoenix; Race 3  – Loucasso; Race 5  – Let Her Roll; Race 6 – Peace Out; Race 7 – One Millie; Race 8 – Captain Perfect; Race 9 – Bettor Beach;
Suspensions
Race 2	Sam Florentzou	Roylance	163(1)(b)(i)	10 days
Fines
Race 6	Michael Stanley	Soho Americano	162(1)(y)	$200
Cautions
Race 7	Kerryn Manning	Rocknroll Willow	D/CCMP
Race 7	James Herbertson	Sweet Irish Loch	D/CSU
Race 9	Emma Stewart	Bettor Beach	T/CG
Horse Actions
Race 2	Luverboy	ODM
Race 4	Te Amo	ODM
Race 4	Spirited Lass	CRODM
Race 5	Smirkin Serene	ODM
Race 5	This Time NZ	SD1T
Late Scratchings
Race 9	#1 Pre Eminant	Vets Advice	5.05pm
Follow Ups	Nil
Adjourned Inquiries	Nil
Sulky Fund Claims	Nil