Stewards Report

HARNESS RACING VICTORIA

STEWARDS REPORT FOR MELTON         

SATURDAY 7 DECEMBER 2024

	Grant Adams Scott Gillespie Chris Simpson       Jason Fino (Starter) Dr Richard Cust, Dr Chris Heislers (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 – GARRARDS HORSE & HOUND PACE (2240 MS)

VEE EM GEE MACRAY – Broke gait free of interference at the 1900m, trailed the field throughout and will now be placed on its last chance to race truly.

MAGIC MIKE NZ – Weakened over the final stages to finish in 5th position, beaten 51.3m for which a warning was issued.

RUBINS PLIGHT – Hung out after the start. Weakened over the final stages to finish in 7th position, beaten 64.4m for which a warning was issued. A post-race veterinarian examination, including an endoscopic examination failed to find any abnormalities other than a grade 2 EIPH. When questioned regarding the performance, Driver Lochie Cook stated that he was at a lost to explain the disappointing run. Stewards will follow up with connections in the coming days.

Follow up report – Tuesday 10 December 2024

RUBINS PLIGHT – Trainer Matthew Craven has today reported to Stewards that following the disappointing run, the gelding has pulled up well and given the veterinarian findings, the horse will miss a week from racing.

GHOST OF TIME – Inconvenienced after the start when taken away from RUBINS PLIGHT. Post-race swab sample obtained.

ROARFORROSCOE – Pre-race blood sample obtained. Inconvenienced near the 1900m when taken wider to avoid the galloping VEE EM GEE MACRAY. Gave ground over the final stages to finish in 4th position, beaten 41.9m.

WATTLEBANK ARNIE NZ – Near the 1900m, checked and galloped when trailing VEE EM GEE MACRAY which broke. The gelding trailed the field thereafter.

CORRAVALLEY STAR NZ – Inconvenienced near the 1900m when taken wider to avoid the galloping VEE EM GEE MACRAY. Weakened over the final stages to finish in 6th position, beaten 59.3m. for which a warning was issued. A post-race veterinarian examination, including an endoscopic examination failed to find any abnormalities other than a grade 1 EIPH. When questioned regarding the performance, Driver Kate Gath explained that it was her intension to drive the horse with cover however, as she was taken wider rounding the first turn to avoid interference, she then elected to improve to the position outside the leader and was then disadvantaged with the solid pace throughout. Ms Gath added that she would be expecting improvement from the run.  

RACE 2 – CONGRATULATIONS TRIPLE EIGHT – 150 RACES PACE (1720 MS)

ACT NOW – Post-race swab sample obtained.

OUR VINCENT CAN GOGH NZ – Held up for clear running over the final 150m and was not fully tested.

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

RACE 3 – ALDEBARAN PARK TROT (1720 MS)

THUNDA STRUCK – Post-race swab sample obtained.

SUNSUP – Pre-race blood sample obtained.

MITCHELL WRAP – Broke gait during the score up, out of position at the start and will now be excluded from the mobile barrier draw.

ROBBINMEMATES – Began badly when galloping away, trailed the field throughout and will now be excluded from the mobile barrier draw.

HANOVER DA MOON NZ – Inconvenienced near the 150m when taken away from NAKEDTRUTH which shifted ground.

NAKEDTRUTH – Shifted ground over the final 150m. Driver Zac Phillips was cautioned for lack of control.

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

DESTRIER – Inconvenienced near the 150m when taken away from HANOVER DA MOON NZ which was taken wider by NAKEDTRUTH which shifted ground.

RACE 4 – ALABAR NMW PACE (1720 MS)

NAKULA NZ – Pre-race blood sample obtained. Shifted ground when placed under pressure over the final stages.

DENNY NZ – Trainer Andy Gath was cautioned for failing to notify Jordan Leedham as the driver by the prescribed time.

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

SWEETNIKKILOU – Post-race swab sample obtained.

AZOR AHAI NZ – Driver Alex Ashwood pleaded guilty to a charge under Rule 156(2)(a) for applying his whip in more than a wrist only flicking motion inside the final 200m. Mr Ashwood was fined $400.

RACE 5 – GORDON ROTHACKER MEMORIAL CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL (2240 MS)

STORMRYDER – Post-race swab sample obtained.

TALLARAS SHADOW – Inconvenienced near the 300m when shifting in to avoid the weakening ANGUS INDIANA.

HES A MEISTER NZ – Pre-race blood sample obtained. Raced keenly during the middle stages.

ANGUS INDIANA – Weakened over the final stages to finish in 10th position, beaten 76.1m for which a warning was issued. A post-race veterinarian examination, including an endoscopic examination failed to find any abnormalities. When questioned regarding the performance and tactics adopted, Driver Sean O’Sullivan explained that pre-race he was instructed to drive the gelding forward to find the position outside the leader given the gelding had recently raced well in this position, citing a recent 2nd at Bendigo (20 November 2024) in fast time. Mr O’Sullivan stated that during the run, his gelding travelled well but was then disappointing when failing to run on, which he was at a loss to explain. On review Stewards accepted that the gelding has recent form whilst positioned outside the leader and his decision to improve was not one that is considered unreasonable however, Stewards did advise Mr O’Sullivan that he must consider all options that are available to ensure he provides his runners with their best chance to finish off the event.

RACE 6 – IRT TORNADO VALLEY TROT (2240 MS)

LOVE YA BROTHER – Declared a late scratching at 11:50am on veterinarian advice.

HAROLD SMITH NZ – Pre-race blood sample obtained. Post-race swab sample obtained.

RACE 7 – ALABAR NMW PACE (1720 MS)

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

LIKEABLE ROGUE – Fractious during the score up and was placed on its last chance in the mobile barrier draw. Post-race swab sample obtained.

VALIENTE – Pre-race blood sample obtained.

STAG PARTY NZ – A post-race veterinarian examination due to the gelding being engaged to race the following day at Gunbower, failed to find any abnormalities.

MIKI MAHONEY – Examined by the clubs veterinarian prior to and following the event due to the gelding not competing in the prior 12 months. No abnormalities were found on either examination.

RACE 8 – HYGAIN PACE (1720 MS)

GENERAL

Due to CEE CEE LOU being excluded from the mobile barrier draw at its prior start (Shepparton 3 December 2024), the gelding was ordered to commence from barrier 9 in accordance with AHRR 134        (7) which reads, ‘If a horse is made ODS or ODM after the draw for barrier positions in a race has been completed such horse shall be placed in the outside of the line in which it is drawn’.

WINGATE GUY – Held up for clear running in the early stages of the home straight until utilising the sprint lane. Driver Jordan Leedham was placed on notice as to the manner he applied his whip inside the final 200m.

RUBY WINGATE – Post-race swab sample obtained.

CHEYS ANGEL – Pre-race blood sample obtained.

CEE CEE LOU – A post-race veterinarian examination due to the gelding being engaged to race the following day at Gunbower, failed to find any abnormalities.

AISHABEACH – Examined by the clubs veterinarian prior to and following the event due to the gelding not competing in the prior 12 months. No abnormalities were found on either examination.

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 – Roarforroscoe; Race 2 – Triple Eight NZ; Race 3 – Sunsup; Race 4 – Nakula NZ; Race 5 – Hes A Meister NZ; Race 6 – Harold Smith NZ; Race 7 – Valiente; Race 8 – Cheys Angel.
		Post-Race: Race 1 – Ghost Of Time; Race 2 – Act Now;Race 3 – Thunda Struck; Race 4 – Sweetnikkilou; Race 5 – Stormryder; Race 6 – Harold Smith NZ; Race 7 – Likeable Rogue; Race 8 – Ruby Wingate.
Suspensions
Nil
Fines
Race 4	Alex Ashwood		156(2)(a)	$400
Cautions
Race 3	Zac Phillips		D/CLC
Race 4	Andy Gath		T/CLDC
Horse Actions
Race 3	Mitchell Wrap		ODM
Race 3	Robbinmemates		ODM
Late Scratchings
Race 6	Love Ya Brother		11:50am	Vets

Follow Ups

Race 1 – Rubins Plight (Matthew Craven)

Adjourned Inquiries

Nil

Sulky Fund Claims

Nil

Medical Stand Down

Nil