Stewards Report

HARNESS RACING VICTORIA

STEWARDS REPORT FOR TABCORP PARK MELTON

SATURDAY 12 NOVEMBER 2022

	Nick Murray Adrian Crowther Barry Delaney Des Benger Nathan Moy (Starter) Jason Fino (Asst Starter) Drs Richard Cust, Greg Hargreaves, Ray Hutchinson (Vets)
	Track:    Good	Weather:	Overcast (Races 1-7) / Rain (Races 8-11)

 

Trainers with multiple horses engaged in any given race were questioned as to the intended driving tactics to be adopted. 

 

RACE 1 – IRT AUSTRALIA BREEDERS CROWN SERIES 25 (2YO COLTS & GELDINGS) (1ST SEMI-FINAL) (2240 MS)

The racebook failed to show Kerryn Manning as the driver of Perfect Class.

John Justice, driver of Another Nien was cautioned for tightening the ground of Perfect Class (K Manning) when crossing to the lead into the first turn causing Perfect Class to momentarily pace roughly before shifting out slightly.

Another Nien hung in and contacted marker pegs near the 1200m.

Perfect Class momentarily paced roughly passing the 400m.

Major Celebrity which led before relinquishing the lead during the early stages, then over-raced when positioned three back on the marker pegline during the middle stages before finishing in 9th position beaten approximately 16m. David Moran, driver of Major Celebrity confirmed the quick early speed of the race and the colt over-racing where the main contributing factors for the performance. A veterinary and endoscopic examination of Major Celebrity revealed no apparent abnormalities. Stewards intend to follow up this performance with connections in the ensuing period.

SUPPLEMENTARY REPORT - 17 NOVEMBER 2022

Emma Stewart, trainer of Major Celebrity advised subsequent to the poor performance at Tabcorp Park Melton on 12 November 2022, that the colt had recovered well but had come to the end of his preparation and would now be spelled.

RACE 2 – IRT AUSTRALIA BREEDERS CROWN SERIES 25 (2YO COLTS & GELDINGS) (2ND SEMI-FINAL) (2240 MS)

Alex Ashwood, trainer of Cheeky Eagle was fined $50 under rule 273(6)(b) for presenting this gelding in gear which was not correctly declared. Stewards took into account Mr Ashwood’s recent record.

Andy Gath, trainer of Cool Night was cautioned for presenting this gelding in gear which was not correctly declared.

Glenferrieman galloped shortly after the start and will be placed outside the draw in future mobile starts.

Hugo Maguire NZ was fractious during the early part of the score up and a warning was issued. Hugo Maguire NZ raced ungenerously during the middle stages.

Buddy was out of position at the start despite the drivers attempts and a warning was issued. Buddy tired over the concluding stages to be beaten in excess of 190m. A veterinary and endoscopic examination of Buddy revealed grade 1 EIPH and mucous. Given the beaten margin, Buddy was stood down from racing until having completed one satisfactory trial.

Cool Night gave ground rounding the final turn.

Louie Lou I NZ shifted in slightly rounding the final turn and brushed marker pegs.

RACE 3 – ALABAR BREEDERS CROWN SERIES 25 (2YO FILLIES) (1ST SEMI-FINAL) (2240 MS)

Julie Douglas, trainer of Ozzie Sweet Pea was cautioned for presenting this filly in gear which was not correctly declared.

David Miles, trainer of Matriart and Tin Tin Jo was fined $50 under rule 238 for failing to comply with a requirement to notify of the intended driving tactics. Stewards took into account that Mr Miles had recently been cautioned.

The start was delayed due to Geraldton thoroughbreds being behind schedule.

Nathan Jack, driver of Ludacrous was cautioned for failing to have the filly in position at the start.

Paradise Valley (barrier 3) was relatively slow to begin.

Ozzie Sweet Pea hung out during the score up and shortly after the start. Ozzie Sweet Pea has now been placed on its last chance in the mobile barrier draw.

Matriart hung in and contacted a marker peg rounding the final turn, when held up for a clear run prior to utilising the sprint lane to finish in 2nd place.

Clives Girl (4th place) was held up for a clear run prior to utilising the sprint lane in the home straight.

Ivana Bytheseaside tired to be beaten (51m) however in view of the circumstances no action was taken.

RACE 4 –ALABAR BREEDERS CROWN SERIES 25 (2YO FILLIES) (2ND SEMI-FINAL) (2240 MS)

Jackie Barker, driver of Godsgift was cautioned for failing to have her drive in position at the start.

Our Princess Di pulled hard during the middle stages and then gave ground over the concluding stages to be beaten approximately 44m.           

RACE 5 -MELTON CITY COUNCIL SPRINT (1720 MS)

Bernie Winkle NZ underwent a pre and post-race veterinary examination as the gelding has competed in more than 200 lifetime starts. These examinations revealed no apparent abnormalities.

The start was momentarily delayed due to the dust sheet on the sulky of Boncel Benjamin requiring attention.

Jilliby Sylvester (3rd place) and Jilliby Nitro (2nd place) were held up for a clear run until utilising the sprint lane.

Petes Said So NZ (unplaced) had difficulty in obtaining a clear run in the home straight.

RACE 6 – A ROCKNROLL DANCE BREEDERS CROWN SERIES 24 (3YO FILLIES) (1ST SEMI-FINAL) (2240 MS)

The start of this race was delayed due to Ascot thoroughbreds being behind schedule.

Talk Time hung in whilst progressing forward three wide near the 500m.

Rich Beauty and Miss Chantilly NZ momentarily locked sulky wheels at the entrance to the home straight.

Nathan Jack, driver of Sergios Rocket (unplaced) was cautioned for contacting the final marker peg at the entrance to the home straight.

Miss Ex (4th place) was held up for a clear run in the early part of the home straight and again inside the 50m.

Sergios Rocket was inconvenienced and raced inside the line of the marker pegline in the early part of the home straight as Heavenly Sign shifted in forward of that runner.

Sergios Rocket (unplaced) was held up for a clear run approaching the winning post.

RACE 7 – A ROCKNROLL DANCE BREEDERS CROWN SERIES 24 (3YO FILLIES) (2ND SEMI-FINAL) (2240 MS)

The racebook failed to show Nathan Jack as the driver of Jo An Jo and Kerryn Manning as the driver of Interject.

The start of this race was delayed due to Ascot thoroughbreds being behind schedule.

Beach Memories galloped during the early part of the score up, was out of position at the start and will continue to be placed outside the mobile barrier draw.

Petillante pulled hard during the middle stages after having progressed three wide to obtain the position outside of the leader.

Diamond Shooz (4th place) was held up for a clear run rounding the final turn.

Steno was restrained shortly after the start and then failed to run on over the final stages when finishing in 11th position beaten approximately 34m. Anthony Butt, driver of Steno explained that the filly was unable to make ground over the final stages, particularly due to the quick final half of 53.1 seconds. A veterinary and endoscopic examination of Steno revealed grade 1 EIPH however no significant findings.

RACE 8– WOODLANDS STUD AUSTRALIA BREEDERS CROWN SERIES 24 (3YO COLTS & GELDINGS) (1ST SEMI-FINAL) (2240 MS)

David Moran, driver of Khafaji was fined $200 under rule 162(1)(h) for failing to have the colt in position at the start. Stewards took into account Mr Moran’s recent record.

Ryan Duffy, driver of Brutally Handsome was fined $100 under rule 162(1)(h) for failing to have the colt in position at the start. Stewards took into account Mr Duffy’s recent record.

Major Major was out of position at the start despite the drivers efforts and has now been placed on its last chance in the mobile barrier draw.

When questioned regarding the tactics adopted on Offyarocka Crocker, driver Mark Pitt explained he remained in a position in the running line as Khafaji improved three wide to his outside at the entrance to the back straight on the final occasion as he considered he was trailing two suitable horses to take him into the race over the final stages in Interest Free and Roarforroscoe. Mr Pitt added that Offyarocka Crocker had most recently raced in a pegline position and he was reluctant to progress three wide without cover that far from the finish. Mr Pitt further added that as Roarforroscoe shifted out forward of his drive in the home straight he was disappointed for a clear run, where Offyarocka Crocker momentarily paced roughly. Offyarocka Crocker then finished in 7th position beaten approximately 10m. Stewards recorded Mr Pitt’s explanation.

Glenn Hunter, driver of Commander Buzz was cautioned for contacting and dislodging marker pegs rounding the final turn. In not taking further action Stewards took into account Mr Hunter’s exceptional record and that Commander Buzz was also inclined to lay in.

Roarforroscoe (3rd place) was held up for a clear run in the early part of the home straight.

RACE 9– WOODLANDS STUD AUSTRALIA BREEDERS CROWN SERIES 24 (3YO COLTS & GELDINGS) (2ND SEMI-FINAL) (2240 MS)

Ripp pulled hard during the middle stages.

Jet Rock (60m) and Denny Rocks (56m), tired over the concluding stages, however considering the 22m winning margin and final half of 53 seconds, no action was taken.

Always Locksley gave some ground over the concluding stages.

Beach Villa was positioned behind the leader for the greater majority, however failed to run on when finishing in 7th position beaten approximately 39m. Kate Gath, driver of Beach Villa reported that the gelding travelled strongly, however was at a loss to explain the performance. A veterinary and endoscopic examination of Beach Villa revealed no apparent abnormalities.

Beach Villa contacted marker pegs when yielding ground rounding the final turn.

RACE 10– ALDEBARAN PARK R C FREESTONE TROTTERS FREE FOR ALL (GROUP 3) (2240 MS)

Powderkeg began badly and will continue to be placed outside the mobile barrier draw.

Rules Don’t Apply was held up for a clear run rounding the final turn and then galloped clear of interference in the early part of the home straight.

Kate Gath, driver of Majestuoso NZ was fined $100 under rule 168(1)(a) for careless driving in allowing that gelding to contact the outside sulky wheel of Phoebe Onyx NZ rounding the final turn resulting in a flat tyre being sustained.  

RACE 11– TAB BREEDERS CROWN GRADUATE MARES FREE FOR ALL (GROUP 3) (1720 MS)

No action was taken in relation to the sectional time requirements where the 2nd quarter was recorded in 32.3 seconds after Stewards took into account the quick first quarter (27.4 seconds) and the adverse weather conditions prevailing.

Tough Tilly hung in rounding the final turn.

 

 

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 – Perfect Class, Another Nien, A Real Gentleman; Race 2 – Louie Lou I NZ, Heathbern Bruce, Buddy; Race 3 – Soho Seraphine, Matriart; Race 4 – Aureus, Yareckon Im Sweet; Race 5 – Max Delight, Jilliby Nitro; Race 6 – Miss Chantilly NZ, Soho Historia, Azellias Fame; Race 7 – Amore Vita NZ, Steno, Beach Memories; Race 8 – Offyarocker Crocker, Khafaji, Repelling; Race 9 – Jet Rock, Red Hot Assassin, Flash Jimmy; Race 10 – Sundons Courage, Rules Don’t Apply; Race 11 – Rockingwithsierra, Its Ebonynivory, Tay Tay.
		Post-Race: Race 1 – The Last Storm; Race 2 –Techys Watching; Race 3 – Tempting Tigress NZ, Matriart; Race 4 – Major Delight; Race 5 – Bulletproof Boy; Race 6 – Soho Historia; Race 7 – Encipher; Race 8 – Major Perry; Race 9 – Captain Ravishing; Race 10 – Aldebaran Zeus; Race 11 – Tough Tilly.
Suspensions
Nil
Fines
Race 2	A Ashwood		273(6)(b)	$50
Race 3	D Miles		238	$50
Race 8	D Moran		162(1)(h)	$200
Race 8	R Duffy		162(1)(h)	$100
Race 10	K Gath		168(1)(a)	$100
Cautions
Race 1	J Justice		D/CT
Race 2	A Gath		T/CG
Race 3	J Douglas		T/CG
Race 3	D Miles		T/CG
Race 3	N Jack		D/CSU
Race 4	J Barker		D/CSU
Race 6	N Jack		D/CCMP
Race 8	G Hunter		D/CCMP
Horse Actions
Race 2	Glenferrieman		ODM
Race 2	Buddy		SD1T
Race 7	Beach Memories		CODM
Race 10	Powderkeg		CODM
Late Scratchings
Nil

Follow Ups

Race 1 Major Celebrity

Adjourned Inquiries

Nil

Sulky Fund Claims

Nil