Stewards Report

HARNESS RACING VICTORIA

STEWARDS REPORT FOR MELTON

SATURDAY 27 APRIL 2024

	Adrian Crowther Nick Murray Elliot Turner Jason Fino (Starter) Dr Richard Cust / Dr Michelle Papp (Vets)
	Track:    Good	Weather:	Overcast

 

Trainers with multiple horses engaged in a race were questioned as to their intended tactics.

 

RACE 1 – TAB WE’RE ON MAIDEN PACE(2240 MS)

BALTIC HALO- held up around the home turn then utilised the sprint lane.

QUICK DECISION- driver Abby Sanderson was fined $100 pursuant to AHRR 156(3) for using her whip on more than the permitted number of times over the final 200 metres.

DOT BALL- post race swab samples taken.

SHIKOBA- hung out in the score up and just after the start, momentarily pacing roughly- placed on his last chance in the mobile barrier draw.

MIKIS JOE-held up and unable to obtain clear running.

TRIROCKIN- held up nearing the finish.

REINDER- pre race swab samples taken.

ROCKNBMERRY- raced greenly and both  hung in and out at various stages of the race, placed on his last chance to race truly.

 

RACE 2 – BENSTUD STANDARDBREDS  PACE (2240 MS)

OZZIE PUNTA- pre race swab samples taken. Pulled hard whilst leading.

LOVE INA CHEVY NZ- pre and post race veterinary checks due to his age and number of lifetime starts- no abnormalities apparent.

AMERICAN LEGACY- refused to score up and was significantly out of position at the start, taking no competitive part in the race- stood down from racing pending the completion of a satisfactory trial and  placed out of the mobile barrier draw.

CAPTAIN WILSON- pulled hard in the early and middle stages.

 

 

RACE 3 – 2 CONSTRUCT  TROT (2240 MS)

APEX- pre and post race swab samples taken.

THE FIERY SUNSET- held up around the home turn before utilising the sprint lane.

MAJOR MAX- out of position at the start and will continue out of the mobile barrier draw.

THAT OTHER THING- broke after the start and will continue out of the mobile barrier draw.

SPIRITED LASS- Greg Sugars was approved as a late driver change on the mare as listed driver Craig Jamieson was indisposed and unable  to drive. Mr Jamieson will require a medical clearance before driving  again.  Out of position at the start and will continue out of the mobile barrier draw.

 

RACE 4 – SULKY APP FUTURE OF FORM  PACE (1720 MS)

FRIENDS- pre and post race veterinary checks due to his age- no abnormalities apparent. Pre race swab samples taken.

PETE MITCHELL- driver Stacy Carbone was reminded of her obligations when crossing NIFTY JOLT. In taking this approach Stewards were mindful of her limited driving experience  and that NIFTY JOLT had improved forward to her inside at the same time as she committed her drive to move  down the track.

BETTING ON COURAGE- driver Adrian Pace was cautioned for his lack of control for allowing his drive to shift in and inconvenience NIFTY JOLT near the 250 metres. In taking this approach Stewards took into consideration that NIFTY JOLT, which had been hanging in, had been corrected by driver Jeremy Quinlan and had then shifted out slightly contributing to the incident.

BLISSFULL LILLY- post race swab samples taken.

NIFTY JOLT- underwent pre and post race veterinary checks due to his  number of lifetime starts- no abnormalities evident. Tightened on the first turn when improving forward to the inside of PETE MITCHELL, then taken away from the pegs to race in the one out line. Hung in around the home turn and when corrected then shifted out slightly  towards BETTING ON COURAGE which shifted in, with NIFTY JOLT  then being tightened Driver Jeremy Quinlan was fined $200 pursuant to AHRR 156(2)(a) for using his whip with more than a wrist only flicking motion early in the home straight.

CONSPIRATOR- Stewards inquired into the actions of driver Steven Matson prior to the start  and from the 300 metres, after taking initial evidence Mr Matson was fined $100 for failing to have his drive in position at the start and Stewards  adjourned the Inquiry to review the previous racing performance of the gelding and to  examine betting data from the race. Pre race swab samples taken.

N was ujnavailRACE 5– CATANACH JEWELLERS 3YO PACE(2240 MS)

ANAKIN- Stewards refrained from taking action against driver Chris Shinn regarding the slow first quarter of the last mile which was recorded in 32.8 seconds. In taking this approach it was noted that Mr Shinn had activated removable earplugs near the 1700 metres and had then reined the gelding up around the second turn in an attempt to increase the tempo.

EIGHT POUND HAMMER- Greg Sugars was approved as a late driver replacement as listed driver Ash Warton was unavailable due to work commitments. Lost fourth placing on protest and relegated to fifth placing after shifting out after the start and contacting WHERE IS WOODY  resulting in that runner being checked and breaking. Placed out of the mobile barrier draw. A warning was placed on the gelding for hanging in at various stages of the race.

WHERE IS WOODY- checked and broke after the start, Stewards considered a protest lodged on behalf of the connections against EIGHT POUND HAMMER being declared the fourth placegetter, alleging interference after the start. In determining to uphold the protest Stewards took into consideration that EIGHT POUND HAMMER had shifted out abruptly after the start despite the efforts of driver Greg Sugars and had contacted WHERE IS WOODY causing the gelding to gallop and lose significant ground and  the margin at the finish of 1.3 metres.

HAY MIKI- utilised the sprint lane and  raced roughly under pressure. Post race swab samples taken.

SHAZZA LOVE- out of position at the start and will continue right out of the mobile  barrier draw. Raced greenly at various stages.    

 

RACE 6– HYGAIN CONCESSION DRIVERS PACE (2240 MS)

AUSSIEPRIDE- slightly inconvenienced near the 750 metres and broke a short distance after, a warning was issued for breaking.

YANKEE GAMBLER- checked and contacted marker pegs  in the back straight, Post race swab samples taken.

ROYAL SAXON- dropped the bit and lost momentum near the 600 metres with his nearside sulky wheel being contacted by the trailing BIG SLEDGE HAMMER resulting in a flat nearside tyre.

WICHITA KANSAS- inconvenienced and briefly raced wider near the 100 metres as BIG SLEDGE HAMMER shifted out.

BIG SLEDGE HAMMER- driver Riley Pace was cautioned for shifting out passing the 100o metres, inconveniencing WICHITA KANSAS which was then restrained to take a trail.  Inconvenienced and made contact with the sulky wheel of ROYAL SAXON near the 600 metres, then  raced roughly and sustained a flat tyre when its sulky  contacted  the sulky of YANKEE GAMBLER.

HOPES CHOICE- inconvenienced near the 700 metres as AUSSIEPRIDE broke.

EYECON NZ- pre race swab samples taken.

 

RACE 7 – WASTE SENSE PACE (2240 MS)

THEY CALL ME AL- driver Luke Dunne was not listed in the racebook.

GO GEORGE GO- trainer Glenn Bull was cautioned for failing to notify the intended tactics of his multiple runners.

MIYAGI BOY- driver Riley Pace was reminded of his obligations regarding whip use relating to his action near the 250 metres.

GIRLS VIEW- held up and unable to obtain clear running.

ROBERTS DELIGHT-  pre race swab samples taken. Held up and unable to obtain clear running.

NORTHERN TERROR- driver Corey Bell was cautioned for failing to have his drive in position at the start.

RACE 8– COGS SERVICES   PACE (2240 MS)

AUNTY BESSY- driver Charli Masotti was fined $100 pursuant to AHRR 156(3) for using her whip on more than the permitted number of occasions over the final 200 metres.

HOME AND DRY NZ- tired to be beaten 57 metres-warning issued.

WRITTEN IN SILK- post race swab samples taken.

SILKY SMOOTH EXCUSE- tired to be beaten 62 metres, underwent a post race veterinary examination with no apparent abnormalities. A warning was issued for tiring.

KEEPCRACKINGJOKES- driver Chris Alford was not listed in the racebook. Held up around the home turn.

PINNACLE HOPE- pre and post race veterinary checks due to his number of lifetime starts- no abnormalities evident.

SPECULATOR- driver James Herbertson was not listed in the racebook.

 

RACE 9-NEED FOR SPEED NOMS NOW OPEN 2YO TROT(1720  MS)

VYTIS- broke in the score up, out of position at the start and was placed out of the mobile barrier draw.

QUICK COMET- gave ground from the 500 metres.

RACE 10- CENTRE STATE PRINTING MAIDEN TROT(2240 MS)

MYSTERIOUS PRINCE- pulled hard in running, then hung in under pressure contacting marker pegs around the final turn.

EN SEVENTEEN- trainer Jason Ainsworth was cautioned for failing to notify the intended tactics of his multiple runners. Driver Ashley Ainsworth was not listed in the racebook. Broke free of interference approaching the first turn and trailed the field thereafter.  Placed RODM at the request of trainer.

CAN ADEL SUCCEED- held up around the home turn before utilising the sprint lane.

HILLWINSOME- inconvenienced near the 1800 metres by the galloping EN SEVENTEEN. Underwent a post race veterinary examination due to being engaged to race at Melton on 13/6- no abnormalities evident.

HEZA GUNSLINGER- driver Anthony Butt was not listed in the racebook. Began badly and was placed out of the mobile barrier draw.

PROMISE DREAM- inconvenienced on the first turn.

KYVALLEY MUGSY-- inconvenienced on the first turn. Trotted roughly near the 250 metres .Driver Tristan Larsen was cautioned fir his use of the whip when out of contention in the home straight.

NO REMORSE- inconvenienced on the first turn.

DALEY WATERS- pre race swab samples taken .Pulled hard after working forward to the lead.

ULTIMATE TESS-- inconvenienced on the first turn.

STARTLING- broke near the 600 metres- warning issued.

 

RACE 11- ALLIED EXPRESS TROT(2240 MS)

IM SHIPPING STEEL- began badly at the second start, placed on his last chance in the mobile barrier draw.

BEACH HEAVEN- Trainer David Murphy was cautioned for failing to notify the intended tactics of his multiple runners. Paced in the first score up resulting in second row runners being disadvantaged with a false start then called- placed out of the mobile barrier draw. Broke after the start on the second occasion, then reverted to a pace and proved difficult to get back into a trot- placed on her last chance to race truly. Trailed the field throughout.

SUGA DADDY- pulled hard whilst leading then tended to shift out under pressure in the home straight, Driver Connor Clarke was cautioned for failing to take sufficient action to correct his drive.

KOOGAN- tired to be beaten 93 metres and was placed on his last chance to race competitively.

TEN NO SPUR- post race swab samples taken.

XIAOBO- Driver David Murphy was not listed in the racebook. Mr Murphy was cautioned for his late driver change. Broke free of interfence in the latter stages of the second scoreup- will continue out of the mobile barrier draw.Broke free of interference near the 800 metres.

RIGHT OF REPLY- broke after the start and will continue out of the mobile barrier draw.

EMMA JOY NZ- tired to be beaten 165 metres and was stood down from racing pending the completion of a satisfactory trial.

Adrian Crowther

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 – Reinder; Race 2 – Ozzie Punta; Race 3 – Apex; Race 4 – Friends, Conspirator; Race 5 – Eight Pound Hammer; Race 6 – Wichita Kansas, Eyecon NZ; Race 7 – Roberts Delight; ; Race 10 – Daley Waters
		Post-Race: Race 1 –Dot Ball ; Race 3 –Apex ; Race 4 – Blissfull Lilly ; Race 5 – Hay Miki ; Race 6 –Yankee Gambler ; Race 8 –Written In Silk ; Race 8 – Written In Silk ; Race 11 – Ten No Spur.
Suspensions
Nil
Fines
Race 1 Race 4 Race 4 Race 8	A Sanderson J Quinlan S Matson C Masotti		R156(3) R156(2)(a) R162(1)(h) R156(3)	$100 $200 $100 $100
Cautions
Race 4	A Pace		D/CLC
Race 6	R Pace		D/CSG
Race 7	G Bull		T/CT
Race 7	C Bell		D/CSU
Race 10 Race 10 Race 11 Race 11	J Ainsworth T Larsen D Murphy C Clarke		T/CT D/COOC T/CT, T/CLDC D/CLC
Horse Actions
Race 2 Race 3 Race 3 Race 3 Race 5 Race 5 Race 9 Race 10 Race 10 Race 11 Race 11 Race 11 Race 11	American Legacy Major Max That Other Thing Spirited Lass Eight Pound Hammer Shazza Love Vytis En Seventeen Heza Gunslinger Beach Heaven Xiaobo Right of Reply Emma Joy		ODM, SD1T   CODM   CODM   CODM   ODM   CRODM   ODM   TRRODM   ODM   ODM CODM   CODM   SD1T
Late Scratchings
Race 1 Race 5	Miss Majik Hesa A Lister		8.55 a.m   8.55 a.m	Stewards permission. Stewards permission

Follow Ups

NIL

Adjourned Inquiries

Race 4- S Matson

Sulky Fund Claims