Stewards Report

HARNESS RACING VICTORIA

STEWARDS REPORT FOR MELTON

SATURDAY 8 NOVEMBER 2025

	Scott Gillespie Adrian Crowther Grant Adams Jason Fino (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 – BENSTUD STANDARDBREDS PACE (1720 MS)

TARA VICTORY NZ – Held up for clear running on the final turn prior to utilising sprint lane.

WILD BULL NZ – ($2.20 fav) Driver Kerryn Manning was queried regarding the driving tactics adopted on the gelding, in particular the decision to work forward from the 900m in an attempt to find the lead. 
Ms.Manning stated that after finding the position outside the lead with a lap remaining, she elected to progress forward as the gelding races best when able to front.  Ms.Manning added that she felt the lead was available given Ellen Tormey (Hes No Romeo NZ) did appear to be happy to obtain cover.  From that point, he gelding was reluctant to go to the front past Hes No Romeo NZ, despite being driven aggressively.  Stewards accepted the explanation of Ms.Manning, which was supported by the video footage and noted the comments.

HES NO ROMEO NZ – Hung in under pressure over the concluding stages.

FERRIGNO – Pulled hard middle stages.

ROCKNALLOVERTHEWORLD NZ– Held up for clear running on the final turn and in the home straight.

HERAKLES– Held up for clear running on the final turn and over the concluding stages.

OLIVIA ROSE– Fractious before the start, warning issued.

BIZZNESS CLASS- Held up for clear running on the final turn and over the concluding stages.

RACE 2 – LOGICAL STAFFING SOLUTIONS PACE (1720 MS)

HES CHARLIES ANGEL – Gave ground from the 400m to be beaten 38m into last placing.  A post-race veterinary examination revealed no abnormalities.

TALLARAS SHADOW– Checked by Hes Charlies Angel approaching the final turn and held up for clear running on the final turn.

RICK REILLY NZ– Contacted marker pegs at the 1200m.

REPELLING– Hung in under pressure on the final turn.

RACE 3 – RANVET PACE (1720 MS)

HEZASWEETIE NZ – Driver Ryan Sanderson could offer no explanation regarding the performance of the gelding which gave ground to be beaten 37m into last placing. Mr.Sanderson stated that the gelding raced roughly going into the first corner, however was happy to find the position behind the lead.  A post-race veterinary examination revealed no abnormalities and the comments were noted.

SHADOW CELT– Held up for clear running over the concluding stages.

RACE 4 – GARRARDS HORSE & HOUND PACE (1720 MS)

KEAYANG SANTIAGO – Utilised sprint lane in home straight.

DEEBRAXTON – Checked and broke gait on the first turn, placed on last chance to race truly.

SPEEDY HEALEY– Inconvenienced on the first turn by Deebraxton.  Held up for clear running on the final turn.

MACK PACK NZ– Checked on the first turn by Deebraxton.

NETRA NZ– Held up for clear running on the final turn.  Utilised sprint lane in home straight.

INDI PARTY MOOD– Inconvenienced on the first turn by Deebraxton.  Held up for clear running on the final turn and in the home straight.

OOH AH LISTAH– Inconvenienced by Deebraxton on the first turn.

RACE 5 – IRT TROT (2240 MS)

DOSSIER – Utilised sprint lane in home straight.

BUSLIN BRODY – Hung in passing the 400m and shortly afterwards locked wheels with Meadow Valley Star, checking both horses.  A warning was issued against the racing manners of the gelding.  Driver Joe Attard was found guilty under AHR Rule 163(1)(b) for making another horse cover more ground than necessary.  The particulars of the charge being that approaching the 800m, he shifted wider on the track when not clear of Tictok, resulting in that mare being placed in a four wide position.  Taking into account HRV Minimum Penalty Guidelines, Mr.Attard had his licence to drive in races suspended for a period of 7 days.

THE SKY IS THE LIMIT– Contacted marker pegs on the final turn.

MEADOW VALLEY STAR– Checked when locking wheels with Buslin Brody approaching the 300m.

TICTOK– Inconvenienced when forcer wider by Buslin Brody approaching the 800m.  Checked when Buslin Brody and Meadow Valley Star locked wheels approaching the 300m.

RACE 6 – SWIFT SIGNS PACE (2240 MS)

ARNIES ARMY NZ- Arrived on course 4 hours prior in accordance with HRV Elevated TCO2 Policy.

OLLIES THE BOSS– (Raced yesterday) Underwent pre and post-race veterinary examinations in accordance with HRV Animal Welfare Policy.  Neither check revealed any abnormality.  Pulled hard middle stages.  Hung in at the 800m. 

GUNFORHIRE – Driver Rory Coverdale was fined $100 under AHR Rule 156(3) for applying the whip on more occasions than permitted over the final 200m.

IM DUSTEE– Pulled hard middle stages.  Held up for clear running on the final turn.

KITSUNE– (Last started Nov 2024) Underwent pre and post-race veterinary examinations in accordance with HRV Animal Welfare Policy.  Neither check revealed any abnormality.  Hung in and contacted marker pegs on the final turn.

RACE 7 – DYNAMIC PRINT GROUP TROT (1720 MS)

LITTLE YANKEE – Driver Connor Ronan cautioned for careless driving after contacting the offside sulky wheel of Rapid Return at the 1100m.

RAPID RETURN– Sulky contacted by Little Yankee at the 1100m.

ALRIGHTY– Broke in the score up and placed on last chance in draw.  Raced roughly at the 300m.

KYVALLEYHONEYBUNNY– Fractious in the early stages of the score up, warning issued.

RACE 8 – PRYDES EASIFEED TROTTERS FFA (2240 MS)

VIRGINIA CLOWERS NZ – Began badly and trailed the field.  The mare will now be placed outside of the draw in future mobile start events.

DICHOTOMY – Broke gait when clear of interference on the final turn.

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 – Hes No Romeo NZ, Ferrigno; Race  2 – Crime Writer; Race  4 – Wild Card NZ; Race  5 – Gee Cee Calder; Race  6 – Arnies Army NZ, Kitsune; Race  8 – Tweedledee NZ;
	Post- Race: Race 1 – Hes No Romeo NZ; Race 2  – Ima Terminator; Race 3  – Twisting By NZ; Race 4 – Keayang Santiago; Race  5 – Ringer Wells; Race 6  – Hugo Rocks; Race 7 – Alrighty; Race  8 – Ollivici NZ;
Suspensions
Race 5	Joe Attard	Buslin Brody	163(1)b)	7 days
Fines
Race 6	Rory Coverdale	Gunforhire	156(3)	$100
Cautions
Race 7	Connor Ronan	Little Yankee	D/CCD
Horse Actions
Race 8	Virginia Clowers NZ	ODM
Late Scratchings	Nil
Follow Ups	Nil
Adjourned Inquiries	Nil
Sulky Fund Claims	Nil