Stewards Report

HARNESS RACING VICTORIA

STEWARDS REPORT FOR MELTON

SATURDAY 8 JUNE 2024

	Nick Murray Christopher Simpson Des Benger David Young (Starter) Dr Richard Cust & Nick Branson (Vets)
	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 – TAB LAZARUS FREE FOR ALL (1720 MS)

CURLY JAMES – driver David Moran was cautioned for failing to have the gelding in the required position at the candy pole prior to the start.

SUPREME DOMINATOR NZ– held up for a clear run inside the 50m. Cast its near fore shoe during the event.

SEW WHAT– pulled hard during the score up. Hung in for a short distance passing the 200m.

KOSIMO– held up for a clear run until using the sprint lane. Inconvenienced at the winning post as HELLUVA NZ shifted in slightly.

HEZA SON OF AGUN– late withdrawal on veterinary advice at 11am.

MACH DAN– held up and unable to obtain a clear run in the home straight when finishing in 7th position beaten 6.3m. When questioned in relation to the driving tactics adopted Mark Pitt explained that at the entrance to the home straight when in a position three horses back on the marker pegline he considered the horse in advance of his drive, HELLUVA NZ would shift deep into the sprint lane and that he would then be able to continue through between horses to establish a clear run. Mr Pitt added that when this did not eventuate and the leader (CURLY JAMES) shifted out at the entrance to the home straight he was then unable to secure clear running. After giving consideration to the evidence, circumstances of the matter in that it was a split-second decision, Stewards determined that in hindsight Mr Pitt ought to have pursued a run deep in the sprint lane to the inside of HELLUVA NZ however this error was not considered culpable and being deserving of action being taken against his licence, therefore the explanation was recorded.  

 

RACE 2 – IRT CARLOTTA'S PRIDE TROTTERS FREE FOR ALL (1720 MS)

General

All clear was withheld to enable Stewards to review the footage in the home straight in relation to COURMAYEUR (4th place) racing inside the line of marker pegs inside the 50m. After viewing the footage it was established that leading up to this section, COURMAYEUR had established a clear run in the sprint lane to the inside of SHES RUBY ROO. Approaching the winning post, ROCKINWITHATTITUDE shifted in slightly, resulting in SHES RUBY ROO shifting in and away from that mare, contributing to COURMAYEUR then shifting inside the line of marker pegs. Given these circumstances, no further action was deemed necessary and all clear was declared on the Judges’ placings.

EBONYS AVENGER – checked and broke gait entering the first turn when contacting the near side sulky wheel of SHESAWISH. Trailed the field thereafter.

SHESAWISH– driver Anthony Butt pleaded guilty to a charge of causing interference under rule 163(1)(a)(iii). The particulars of the charge being that entering the first turn Mr Butt permitted SHESAWISH to shift in when insufficiently clear of EBONYS AVENGER resulting in contact being made to the off fore leg of that mare with the near side sulky wheel of SHESAWISH. Mr Butt’s licence to drive in races was suspended for 2 weeks to commence midnight 15 June 2024. In assessing penalty in accordance with the HRV Minimum Penalty Guidelines, Stewards considered Mr Butt’s guilty plea, good recent record, driving frequency and the level of interference. SHESAWISH sustained a flat trye during this incident. Gave ground over the concluding stages and a post-race veterinary and endoscopic examination revealed no apparent abnormalities.

LADY ADELIA– galloped clear of interference near the 200m.

SHES RUBY ROO– inconvenienced when taken in slightly near the winning post.

ROCKINWITHATTITUDE– shifted in slightly approaching the winning post.

COURMAYEUR– inconvenienced slightly and contacted marker pegs near the 1200m as ALDEBARAN MILEY initially endeavoured to shift in however was then corrected by its driver. Inconvenienced racing off the back straight as SHESAWISH gave ground. Inconvenienced and contacted marker pegs approaching the winning post as both SHES RUBY ROO and ROCKINWITHATTITUDE shifted in marginally.

 

RACE 3 – ALLIED EXPRESS PACE (2240 MS)

NONPARREIL -  inconvenienced approaching the home straight as IDEAL ESCAPE gave ground.

RADIUS– held up for a clear run rounding the final turn before finishing in 5th place.

I CAST NO SHADOW NZ– held up for a clear run rounding the final turn before finishing in 8th place.

IDEAL ESCAPE – worked three wide during the middle stages to progress to the position outside of the leader before giving ground over the concluding stages to finish at the rear of the field beaten approximately 30m.

 

RACE 4 – LOGICAL STAFFING SOLUTIONS 3YO PACE (2240 MS)

SOHO HONEY RIDER – held up for a clear run rounding the final turn before using the sprint lane to finish in 7th place.

MISS IDAHO– hung out and paced roughly shortly after the start. Had some difficulty in obtaining a clear run in the home straight.

 

RACE 5 – BERALDO COFFEE PACE (2240 MS)

MATADOR NZ– galloped for a short distance in the score up and a warning was issued.

OUR SAYDIE KAY– showed gate speed to lead and then commenced to over-race during the middle stages before finishing in 7th place beaten 9m. Post-race veterinary and endoscopic examination of the filly revealed no apparent abnormalities. Trainer Andy Gath considered the addition of block blinkers resulted in the filly over-racing once EXOTIC BUSHRANGER progressed to its outside and was the main contributing factor for the performance.

STYLISH GEM– held up for a clear run rounding the final turn and then over the final stages.

VICTORY GEORGE– held up for a clear run rounding the final turn.

 

RACE 6 – ALDEBARAN PARK TROT (2240 MS)

ZAREM – relatively slow to begin from barrier 2.

MERCENARY – shifted out slightly near the 200m.

LOVE GUN– driver Greg Sugars was cautioned for permitting the gelding to shift in when inclined to hang in near the 200m causing tightening to THE LOCOMOTIVE which was yielding ground. In not taking further action Stewards acknowledged that MERCENARY also shifted out slightly during this section.

THE LOCOMOTIVE– raced without cover before commencing to yield some ground and then tightened for room near the 200m.

 

RACE 7 – APG TROT (2240 MS)

ALL THE TRIX– broke gait shortly after the start and will be placed outside the mobile barrier draw. Trotted roughly at various stages and particularly down the back straight on the final occasion when giving ground. Post-race veterinary examination revealed the gelding to have struck itself in the event and was therefore administered first aid, however no stand period was required.

HOT TO TROT NZ– galloped clear of interference near the 400m.

 

RACE 8 – MIMOSA HOMES PACE FINAL (2240 MS)

General

A false start was declared at the first attempt due to FULLOFMISCHIEF and CARRAMAR SOLOMONA momentarily locking sulky wheels in the latter part of the score up.

VILLAGE VOICE– sulky contacted passing the 100m resulting in driver Jackie Barker becoming momentarily unbalanced. Locked sulky wheels with FULLOFMISCHIEF shortly thereafter.

NIGHT SPIRIT– driver Ewa Justice pleaded guilty to a charge of causing interference under rule 163(1)(a)(iii). The particulars of the charge being that near the 800m Ms Justice permitted NIGHT SPIRIT to shift out from a position on the marker pegline when insufficiently clear of FULLOFMISCHIEF resulting in that gelding being tightened for room, checked and losing its rightful racing position. Ms Justice’s licence to drive in races was suspended for 7 days to commence midnight 17 June 2024. In assessing penalty in accordance with the HRV Minimum Penalty Guidelines, Stewards considered Ms Justice’s guilty plea, recent record, driving frequency and the level of interference.

ALWAYS THE SHOWMAN– galloped shortly after the start, trailed the field throughout however due to the initial delay no action was taken.

HIGH FLUX– pulled hard during the middle stages.

FULLOFMISCHIEF– tightened for room, checked and lost its position in the two-wide line near the 800m. Checked and locked sulky wheels with VILLAGE VOICE passing the 100m. Driver Jordan Chibnall was cautioned for driving where there was insufficient room in the home straight. In not taking further action Stewards considered the racing manners of FULLOFMISCHIEF and degree of movement from VILLAGE VOICE and YOURSNMINE when forward of FULLOFMISCHIEF.

 

RACE 9 – HYLAND HARNESS COLOURS TROT FINAL (2240 MS)

SERTORIUS NZ – held up for a clear run in the home straight.

ITS DIAMOND CREEK– held up for a clear run rounding the final turn before finishing in 8th position.

OLD VILLA BOY– progressed forward three wide to obtain the lead into the back straight on the first occasion. Gave ground over the concluding stages to finish in 9th position beaten approximately 22m. Trainer and driver Anthony O’Connor considered that the gelding was making abnormal respiratory noises and may have choked down during the event. Post-race veterinary and endoscopic examination revealed Grade 1 EIPH however no significant findings.

IMPERIAL WHIZ NZ– due to the gelding having competed in more than 200 races, was examined by the veterinarian before and after the race in accordance with HRV policy which revealed no apparent abnormalities.

RYMES– out of position at the start and will continue to be placed outside the mobile barrier draw.

VICI BLOOM- out of position at the start and will continue to be placed outside the mobile barrier draw.

LITTLE YANKEE- out of position at the start and will continue to be placed outside the mobile barrier draw. Held up for a clear run rounding the final turn and in the early part of the home straight.

 

RACE 10 – NEVELE R STUD PACE (2240 MS)

JOHN MCCLEAN NZ – tired (99m) over the concluding stages and was placed on its last chance to race competitively.

TWISTED BLISS– pulled hard during the score up.

 

 

Nick Murray

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 – Curly James, Mach Dan; Race 2 – Rockinwithattitude, Shes Ruby Roo, Shesawish; Race 3 – Operative Line, Nonparreil; Race 4 – Wild Bull NZ, Bubby To Base; Race 5 – Blaster Ranger, Our Saydie Kay; Race 6 – Mercenary, The Locomotive; Race 7 – Copacobana, Hatchback; Race 8 – Captains Catch; Race 9 – Sertorius NZ; Race 10 – Jilliby Selwood, John McClean NZ.
		Post-Race:Race 1 – Triple Eight NZ; Race 2 – Aldebaran Vera; Race 3 – Operative Line; Race 4 – Some American; Race 5 – Jaccka Connor NZ; Race 6 – Hesallmuscle; Race 7 – Imperial Monarch; Race 8 – Carramar Solomona; Race 9 – Sunsup; Race 10 – Heavenly Charm.
Suspensions
Race 2	A Butt		R 163(1)(a)(iii)		2 weeks
Race 8	E Justice		R 163(1)(a)(iii)		7 days
Fines
Nil
Cautions
Race 1	D Moran		D/CCP
Race 6	G Sugars		D/CT
Race 8	J Chibnall		D/CDWIR
Horse Actions
Race 7	All The Trix		ODM
Race 9	Rymes		CODM
Race 9	Vici Bloom		CODM
Race 9	Little Yankee		CODM
Late Scratchings
Race 1	Heza Son Of Agun		11am	Vets

Follow Ups – Nil

Adjourned Inquiries – Nil

Sulky Fund Claims – Nil