Stewards Report

HARNESS RACING VICTORIA

STEWARDS REPORT FOR MELTON          

SATURDAY 6 DECEMBER 2025

	Grant Adams Scott Gillespie  Elliot Turner   Jason Fino (Starter) Dr Richard Cust, Dr Nick Branson (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 – MIMOSA HOMES TROT (1720 MS)

WALLIS – Slow to begin.

MAXIMEZ – Slow to begin before being restrained to the rear of the field.

PREFERRED LOVE – Broke gait free of interference at the 250m.

FOUROUTOFFIVE – Post-race swab sample obtained.

MISTER BLINDSIDE – Pre-race blood sample obtained. Out of position at the start for which a warning was issued.

RACE 2 – VALE JOE THOMPSON PACE (1720 MS)

ROADMASTER – Shifted ground when placed under pressure over the final stages.

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

RACE 3 – JAYBRO – THE CIVIL SUPPLY SPECIALISTS PACE (2240 MS)

CURYO GENTLEMAN – Post-race swab sample obtained.

TELEMACHUS – Held up for clear running inside the final 100m when disappointed for a run between UBETTA KNOT and ROSEBERG NZ. Examined by the clubs veterinarian post-race due to the gelding being nominated to compete the following day at Horsham. No abnormalities were found.

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

KARTIARE – Out of position at the start and will continue to be excluded from the mobile barrier draw. Near the 250m, shifted ground and paced roughly when positioned to the inside of WHERE IS WOODY.

RACE 4 – HYGAIN EDGE TROT (1720 MS)

SAMMY HALLER – Slow to begin.

HEART OF GRACELAND – Checked when taken back by the weakening MASSIF CENTRAL between the 500 and 250m.

MASSIF CENTRAL – Weakened over the final 500m to finish in 11th position, beaten 81.1m for which a warning was issued. A post-race veterinarian examination, including an endoscopic assessment failed to find any abnormalities.

RATTLE MY CAGE – Weakened over the final stages to finish in 9th position, beaten 54.2m. No action was taken.

TELLA SHES DREAMIN – Weakened over the final stages to finish in 10th position, beaten 57.5m. No action was taken.

NUCLEAR ATTITUDE – Trainer Ginger Gleeson was cautioned for failing to declare himself as the driver of the gelding by the prescribed time.

QUIRKY CHARACTER – Pre-race blood sample obtained. Momentarily trotted roughly passing the 250m when taken off the back of KYVALLEY JENNY. Post-race swab sample obtained.

RACE 5 – LOGICAL STAFFING SOLUTIONS PACE (1720 MS)

CLYMENUS NZ – Pre-race blood sample obtained.

JACCKA CONNOR NZ – Gave ground over the final stages to finish in 7th position, beaten 33.3m.

SPIRIT OF ANARCHY NZ – The start was delayed due to a late gear adjustment. Driver Tristen Larsen reported that the breastplate broke, which necessitated the delay. In view of the circumstances, no action was taken. The gelding weakened over the final stages to finish in 8th position, beaten 75.2m. A post-race veterinary examination, including an endoscopic assessment, revealed no abnormalities. When questioned regarding the early tactics and overall performance, driver Tristen Larsen explained that after making use of his drive early with the intention of finding the lead, he gained an advantage over JACCKA CONNOR NZ to his inside and consequently continued to drive forward throughout the majority of the first turn. Mr Larsen added that when JACCKA CONNOR NZ continued to hold its position and maintain the lead, he then immediately restrained to obtain cover. From this position, his runner travelled well and settled in the run, however weakened over the concluding stages and proved disappointing, particularly given that he did not consider the early challenge to be excessive. Stewards noted his explanation and agreed that, in the circumstances, the early challenge was not unreasonable. Given the overall performance, SPIRIT OF ANARCHY NZ was placed on a warning.

EMILY VINCENT – Broke gait free of interference at the 1450m and was placed on its last chance to race truly.

DAY TWO – Post-race swab sample obtained.

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

RACE 6 – HERTZ MELTON PACE (1720 MS)

WATTLEBANK ARNIE NZ – Approaching the winning post, inconvenienced when taken in and away from HES NO ROME NZ which was checked.

HUGO ROCKS – Pre-race blood sample obtained.

HES NO ROMEO NZ – Pulled hard during the score up. Approaching the winning post, checked and paced roughly when contacted by LUVA SCRAP which hung in.

LUVA SCRAP – Approaching the winning post, hung in when placed under pressure causing interference to HES NO ROMEO NZ. The gelding was placed on its last chance to race truly. Post-race swab sample obtained.

RACE 7 – BENSTUD STANDARDBREDS PACE (2240 MS)

DESSIE GEE – Pre-race blood sample obtained.

BLACK ONYX – Near the 1200m, had its sulky contacted by the trailing MADIGAN as it improved three wide.

MADIGAN – Driver Leigh Sutton was cautioned for careless driving when contacting the sulky of BLACK ONYX as it improved three wide.

ALOT LIKE LOUIE – Post-race swab sample obtained.

RACE 8 – ALDEBARAN PARK TROT (2240 MS)

BITTA IRISH LUCK – Pre-race blood sample obtained.

GOTFEELINGSYOUKNOW – Trotted roughly during the score up, out of position at the start and was placed on its last chance in the mobile barrier draw.

IMPERIAL COMMAND NZ – Post-race swab sample obtained.

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 – Mister Blindside; Race 2 – Rakajed NZ; Race 3 – Clarenden Express; Race 4 – Quirky Character; Race 5 – Clymenus NZ; Race 6 – Hugo Rocks; Race 7 – Dessie Gee; Race 8 – Bitta Irish luck.
		Post-Race: Race 1 – Fouroutoffive; Race 2 – Rakajed NZ;Race 3 – Curyo Gentleman; Race 4 – Quirky Character; Race 5 – Day Two; Race 6 – Luva Scrap; Race 7 – A lot Like Louie; Race 8 – Imperial Command NZ.
Suspensions
Nil
Fines
Nil
Cautions
Race 4	Ginger Gleeson		T/CLDC
Race 7	Leigh Sutton		D/CCARE
Horse Actions
Race 3	Kartiare		CRODM
Late Scratchings
Nil

Follow Ups

Nil

Adjourned Inquiries

Nil

Sulky Fund Claims

Nil

Medical Stand Down

Nil