Stewards Report

HARNESS RACING VICTORIA

STEWARDS REPORT FOR MELTON

SATURDAY 9 NOVEMBER 2024

	Kylie Harrison Tom Bick Des Benger Emma Johnson (Starter) Dr Richard Cust & Virginia Brosnan (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 – SWIFT SIGNS PACE (2240 MS)

BLAZING SHANNON – Galloped during the early stages of the score up and was out of position at the start. Trailed the field throughout. Placed out of the mobile barrier draw.

TALLARAS SHADOW – Driver Jason Ainsworth was fined $200 under Rule 156(3) for using the whip in an unapproved manner after he applied the whip to his drive on more occasions than permissible over the final 200m. When assessing penalty, Stewards took into consideration the HRV penalty guidelines and Mr Ainsworth’s recent driving record in relation to this rule.  

KHANS CREED – Hung in under pressure while leading around the final turn and contacted marker pegs as a result.

GIVE ME A MINUTE NZ – Pulled hard throughout while racing on the peg line. Held up for a clear run rounding the final turn.

KEAYANG WASABI – Briefly contested the lead during the early stages before racing without cover throughout.

RACE 2 – GOODFORM PACE (1720 MS)

ROCKNROLL WALLA – Held up for a clear run rounding the final turn. Contacted a marker peg while trailing Layden which hung in under pressure. Dead heat for first place.

VEE EM GEE MACRAY – Held up and unable to obtain a clear run in the home straight. Driver James Herbertson was questioned regarding the reasons he elected not to shift three wide approaching the end of the back straight on the final occasion before being covered by Hes A Meister NZ. Vee Em Gee Macray failed to obtain clear running thereafter finishing in 7th place. Mr Herbertson explained that he unsuccessfully challenged for the lead during the early stages, recording a fast lead time. He then restrained to receive cover. The second quarter was slow and he assessed that the last quarter would be quick. He added that he was following a well performed runner and was of the opinion that Hes A Meister NZ, which was improving three wide, would not sustain its run and he would be able to obtain clear running over the latter stages. Mr Herbertson further advised that Vee Em Gee Macray was best suited to limited work in its races and given the early work endured, he was not confident the mare would be competitive working three wide from approximately the 500m. Trainer Jess Tubbs was questioned regarding the tactics and confirmed that given the circumstances of the race the mare was best suited driven with cover until the latter stages. Stewards noted the comments of both trainer and driver.  

LAYDEN – Hung in under pressure rounding the final turn while leading and contacted a marker peg.

SPIRIT VOF ARION NZ – Dead heat for first placing.

JUSTALITTLESIP NZ – Galloped during the score up, regaining its position prior to the start and will be given one last chance in the mobile barrier draw.

ROARFORROSCOE – Contacted and dislodged a marker peg rounding the final turn while trailing Layden and Rocknroll Walla which both contacted marker pegs forward of Roarforroscoe. Held up for a clear run over the latter stages. Driver Juanita Breen was questioned why she had not looked to improve deep into the sprint lane. Ms Breen advised that Rocknroll Walla had shifted inwards forward of her as the sprint lane became available and the available room to improve deep in the sprint lane was restricted. Upon review it was evident that the run was momentarily restricted and noted the circumstances.

EARL OF PEMBROKE NZ – Held up for a clear run rounding the final turn and early stages of the home straight then no clear run over the concluding stages. Reported that the gelding cast its off front shoe during the race.

Further analysis of wagering for this race will be conducted.

RACE 3 – CATANACH'S JEWELLERS FREE FOR ALL (2240 MS)

VANQUISH STRIDE NZ – Driver Kerryn Manning was cautioned for failing to maintain her barrier position prior to the start. Held up for a clear run until entering the sprint lane over the concluding stages.

ACT NOW – Gave ground after racing without cover throughout to finish in last placing. Driver Jodi Quinlan reported the horse never travelled well throughout and had contacted its own sulky wheel at various stages during the race. A post race veterinary examination revealed the horse had suffered an atrial fribulation. Under the circumstances Act Now was stood down for a period of 14 days. Until a veterinary certificate and clear ECG is received and until the completion of one satisfactory trial.

 

RACE 4 – 2CONSTRUCT TROT (1720 MS)

STAR DOWN UNDER – Raced roughly during the score up and was out of position at the start and will be given one last chance in the mobile barrier draw. Driver Steven Linburg reported that the gelding contacted its own sulky wheels and raced roughly throughout.

HES A HAMMER – Slow to score up and will continue out of the mobile barrier draw.

 

RACE 5 – HARAS DES TROTTEURS DELVIN DANCER 4YO TROTTERS CLASSIC (2240 MS)

CALL ME JACK – Pulled hard during the middle stages. Driver Ian McMahon was fined $100 under Rule 168(1)(a) for careless driving after making contact with the right sulky wheel of Aldebaran Brooke when directing his driver away from the peg line resulting in that runner receiving a flat tyre. Call Me Jack galloped briefly at a result approaching the 400m.

ALDEBARAN BROOKE – Received a flat tyre when Call Me Jack contacted the tyre at approximately the 400m.

DICHOTOMY – Held up and no clear run in the home straight.

AVANT GUARD – Raced roughly and gave some ground at approximately the 600m. Inconvenienced as Call Me Jack galloped at the 400m.

FOUROUTOFFIVE – Out of position as the start was effected and will continue to be drawn wide in future mobile start races.

 

RACE 6 – LOGICAL STAFFING SOLUTIONS PACE (1720 MS)

No reportable incidents

 

RACE 7 - LIFESTYLE COMMUNITIES PACE (1720 MS)

LUVA SCRAP – Driver Jackie Barker was cautioned for allowing her drive to race in a half cart position for approximately 75m in the back straight on the final occasion.

 

BANKSOFTHEMURRAY – engaged to race at St Arnaud the following day (10/11/24) and therefore examined by the veterinarian post-race which revealed no apparent abnormalities.

 

RACE 8 – THE HYGAIN MAKE MINE CULLEN (1720 MS)

No reportable incidents.

 

RACE 9 – ALDEBARAN PARK TROTTERS FREE FOR ALL (2240 MS)

JAZSPUR – Held up for a clear run rounding the home turn and during the early stages of the home straight.

 

RACE 10 – NUTRIEN TROT (1720 MS)

HADTOBEHARRY – Late scratching at 4.00pm on Veterinary Advice.

GRUMPEE – Began badly and will continue to be drawn wide in future mobile start races. It was noted that the anti-choking device dislodged while in a gallop in the back straight on the first occasion.

 

Kylie Harrison

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 – Khans Creed; Race 3 – Sahara Tiger; Race 4 – Picket Wire; Race 5 – Call Me Jack; Race 7 – Therockgod; Race 7 – Rockallovertheworld; Race 8 – Classic Angelina; Race 9 – Mufasa Metro NZ; Race 10 – Kyvalley Amanda.
		Post-Race: Race 1 – Tallaras Shadow; Race 2 –Rocknroll Walla; Race 2 –Spirit Of Arion NZ; Race 3 –Bulletproof Boy; Race 4 – Aldebaran Acrux USA; Race 5 – Lovemeto NZ; Race 6 – The Big Boss; Race 7 – Wattlebank Arnie NZ; Race 8 –Jilliby Willow; Race 9 –Mufasa Metro NZ.
Suspensions
Nil
Fines
Race 1	Jason Ainsworth		R156(3)	$200
Race5	Ian McMahon		R168(1)(a)	$100
Cautions
Race 3	Kerryn Manning		D/CSU
Race 7	Jackie Barker		D/CHC
Horse Actions
Race 1	Blazing Shadow		ODM
Race 3	Act Now		SD14D/SDVets/SDECG/SD1T
Race 4	Hes A Hammer		CODM
Race 5	Fouroutoffive		CODM
Race 10	Grumpee		CODM
Late Scratchings
Race 10	Hadtobeharry		4.00pm Vets Advice

Follow Ups – Nil

Adjourned Inquiries – Nil

Sulky Fund Claims – Nil