Stewards Report

HARNESS RACING VICTORIA

STEWARDS REPORT FOR MELTON

FRIDAY 14 NOVEMBER 2025

	Scott Gillespie Carl Coady Grant Adams Jason Fino (Starter) Dr Richard Cust & Dr Nick Branson (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 – APG YEARLING SALES VICBRED SUPER SERIES (2YO TROTTING FILLIES) (1ST HEAT) (2240 MS)

General – A false start was declared after Northern Truscott broke in the score up, inconveniencing Klymene.  A second false start was declared after Aldebaran Ada broke in the score up, checking Truscotts Elegance.

ALDEBARAN ADA – Broke in the second score up and caused a false start, no action taken.  Utilised sprint lane in the home straight.

ROSEOFTHEWINDS – Checked by Northern Truscott approaching the first turn, broke gait and trailed the field.

NORTHERN TRUSCOTT – Broke in the score up and caused a false start.  The filly will now be placed outside of the draw in future mobile start events.  Broke gait approaching the first turn and trailed the field.  Driver Daryl Douglas was found guilty of a charge under AHR Rule 163(1)(a)(iii) for causing interference.  The particulars of the charge being that approaching the first turn he shifted in when not sufficiently clear of Roseofthewinds resulting in that filly being checked and breaking gait.  After considering HRV Minimum Penalty Guidelines, Mr.Douglas had his licence to drive in races suspended for 3 weeks.

KLYMENE– Broke in the second score up, no action taken.  Tired to be beaten 77m into last placing, no action taken.

TRUSCOTTS ELEGANCE– Broke in the first score up and will now be placed outside of the draw in future mobile start events.

ZOOLU– Checked approaching the first turn.  Hung in and contacted marker pegs on the final turn.

JILLIBY AURA–

HEAVENLY GLOW– Broke in the first score up and will continue to be placed outside of the draw in future mobile start events.

RACE 2 – APG YEARLING SALES VICBRED SUPER SERIES (2YO TROTTING FILLIES) (2ND HEAT) (2240 MS)

General – A false start was declared after Cee Cee In Paris and Goodtime Kenzi were unable to be in their rightful position at the start.

HALLEBESOFINE – Inconvenienced on the final turn and held up for clear running in the home straight.

CEE CEE IN PARIS– Hung out in the second score up.  Broke after the start and trailed the field, no action taken.

MEVIA– Driver Peter Lane was fined $100 under AHR Rule 162(1)(e) for scoring up in the incorrect barrier during the first score up, resulting in Cee Cee In Paris and Goodtime Kenzi being unable to begin from their rightful positions.  Contacted marker pegs on the final turn prior to utilising sprint lane.

ALDEBARAN JAZMINE– Driver Tristen Larsen replaced Chris Alford (dual engaged).

ARGYLE MUSE– Offside sulky wheel contacted by Gootime Kenzi approaching the 700m.

GOODTIME KENZI– Began badly, no action taken.  Pulled hard middle stages contributing to the filly breaking gait after contacting the offside sulky wheel of Argyle Muse approaching the 700m.

RACE 3 – APG YEARLING SALES VICBRED SUPER SERIES (3YO TROTTING COLTS & GELDINGS) (1ST HEAT) (2240 MS)

SAM NIEN – Driver Darren Pace was queried regarding the performance of the gelding which gave ground after leading to be beaten 26m into 9th position.  Mr.Pace stated that the gelding pulled hard and wasn’t suited leading.  Mr.Pace added that his preference was initially to obtain cover in the early stages from Mecarno however that wasn’t possible.  A post-race veterinary examination revealed the gelding to have a slow recovery.

MECARNO– Broke after the start and will now be placed outside of the draw in future mobile start events.

ALRIGHTY– Broke gait on the first turn.  Pulled hard middle stages.  Held up for clear running on the final turn.  Checked entering the home straight.

I AM HELLBOUND– Checked on the first turn.  Held up for clear running on the final turn prior to utilising sprint lane.

MYSTERY FRED– Checked on the first turn. 

VYTIS– Driver Emmett Brosnan pleaded guilty to a charge under AHR Rule 168(1)(a) for careless driving.  The particulars of the charge being that when attempting to shift wider on the track entering the home straight, he placed his gelding in restricted racing room resulting in contact to the offside sulky wheel of Sam Nien.  Vytis was checked and broke gait as a result.  After considering HRV Minimum Penalty Guidelines, Mr.Brosnan had his licence to drive in races suspended for 7 days.  Mr.Brosnan was queried regarding his decision to shift wider on the track entering the home straight instead of waiting a short distance to access the sprint lane.  Mr.Brosnan stated that he felt Sam Nien was giving ground quickly and believed that attempting to obtain clear running to its outside was a better option than holding his position behind the tiring leader until the sprint lane.  Stewards noted his explanation.

PARLEZVOUS PATTY– Out of position at the start, warning issued.

MUSKEE– Inconvenienced on the first turn.  Inconvenienced and locked wheels with Aldebaran Abel in the home straight.

LOW LIE THE FIELDS– Inconvenienced on the first turn.  Gave ground to be beaten 40m into 10th position.

ALDEBARAN ABEL– Inconvenienced on the first turn.  Inconvenienced and locked wheels with Aldebaran Abel in the home straight.

RACE 4 – APG YEARLING SALES VICBRED SUPER SERIES (3YO TROTTING COLTS & GELDINGS) (2ND HEAT) (2240 MS)

IJUSTCALLEDTOSAY – Broke after the start and will now be placed outside of the draw in future mobile start events.

TENASEA WHISKY– Broke gait when clear of interference at the 250m.

KARBINE– Pulled hard middle stages.

THE DARK THUNDER– Broke gait when clear of interference at the 300m, warning issued.

RACE 5 – APG YEARLING SALES VICBRED SUPER SERIES (3YO TROTTING FILLIES) (1ST HEAT) (2240 MS)

KEAYANG KUKRI – Driver Glen Craven failed to appear in the racebook.

CHAMPAGNE GEMMA– Broke in the score up and out of position at the start.  The filly will now be placed outside of the draw in future mobile start events.

SKYBELLA– Driver Brent Thomson failed to appear in the racebook.

ALDEBARAN SUE– Broke after the start and trailed the field.  The filly will now be placed outside of the draw in future mobile start events.

TIARA GAIL– Tired to be beaten 102m into last placing.  Underwent a post-race veterinary examination which revealed Grade 3 EIPH.  The filly has been stood down from racing for 28 days and until the completion of one satisfactory trial.  In addition, the filly must undergo an endoscopic examination and obtain a veterinary clearance prior to returning to racing.

MYHEARTBEATSTRUE – Hung in and contacted marker pegs on the final turn.

RACE 6 – APG YEARLING SALES VICBRED SUPER SERIES (2YO TROTTING COLTS & GELDINGS) (1ST HEAT) (2240 MS)

THE PREACHER – Utilised sprint lane in the home straight.

JAYS ALL THAT – Held up for clear running on the final turn prior to utilising sprint lane.  Broke under pressure in the home straight.

RACE 7 – APG YEARLING SALES VICBRED SUPER SERIES (3YO TROTTING COLTS & GELDINGS) (2ND HEAT) (2240 MS)

LEO GALLEON– Broke after the start and trailed the field.  The gelding will now be placed outside of the draw in future mobile start events.

TIMMY WHIZ– Held up for clear running on the final turn prior to utilising sprint lane.

I CHOOSE YOU– Broke under pressure over the concluding stages.

RACE 8 – APG YEARLING SALES VICBRED SUPER SERIES (3YO TROTTING FILLIES) (2ND HEAT) (2240 MS)

General – Race start time amended to 10.00pm.

DANCE FIGHTER – Utilised sprint lane in home straight.

VINO AMOR – Broke after the start and trailed the field.  The filly will now be placed outside of the draw in future mobile start events.

PLEASE LAYLA– Broke after the start and the filly will now be placed outside of the draw in future mobile start events.

JILLIBY DREAMLOVER– Held up for clear running on the final turn prior to utilising sprint lane.  Hung in and contacted marker pegs over the concluding stages.

WIND CHASER– Driver Brent Thomson failed to appear in the racebook.

PIQUE– Broke in the score up and out of position at the start.  The filly will now be placed outside of the draw in future mobile start events.  Broke gait when clear of interference at the 800m and has now been stood down from racing for 14 days and until the completion of two satisfactory trials.

ILLUMINANCE– Out of position at the start and broke soon after.  The filly will continue to be placed outside of the draw in future mobile start events.

RACE 9 – APG YEARLING SALES VICBRED SUPER SERIES (3YO TROTTING FILLIES) (3RD HEAT) (2240 MS)

General – Race start time amended to 10.30pm.

LADY MANCHE – Out of position at the start after becoming fractious and breaking gait during the score up.  The filly trailed the field and will now be placed outside of the draw in future mobile start events.

GIGGLE WATER– Inconvenienced on the first turn by Buckles For Berry.  Hung in under pressure on the final turn, tightening Modern Hope.

MODERN HOPE– Inconvenienced in the score up.  Tightened and contacted marker pegs on the final turn.

BUCKLES FOR BERRY – Broke gait when clear of interference on the first turn and galloped for a considerable distance. Stewards considered the filly’s 5th place finish in light of the excessive gallop and, additionally, what assistance was provided by the Clerk of the Course while the filly was attempting to regain its correct gait. After hearing submissions from Driver David Murphy, Clerk of the Course Ms Casey Parker, and after reviewing Stewards’ own observations and the race vision, it was established that once Buckles For Berry broke gait, Mr Murphy immediately and appropriately restrained the filly before directing his drive toward the outside before regarding its correct gait some distance later. In accordance with the considerations under AHRR 154(1) and 155(1), Stewards were satisfied the filly continued to lose ground from the field and gained no advantage. Stewards also assessed any potential assistance provided and were satisfied that Ms Parker did not give any direct assistance to the filly. Consequently, Stewards determined that no action was required regarding Buckles For Berry 5th place finishing position. Given the filly’s recent offence record and this latest incident, Buckles For Berry was stood down from racing until the completion of one satisfactory trial.

PERPETUAL– Held up for clear running on the final turn prior to utilising sprint lane.  Broke under pressure in the home straight and has been stood down from racing until the completion of one satisfactory trial.

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 – Elle Perfecto; Race  2 – Mevia; Race  6 – Keayang Bazlenka; Race  8 – Prohibited Grace;
	Post- Race: Race 1 – Gladiatrix; Race 5  – Skybella; Race 7  – Howdy Mate; Race 8 – I Am Wilma;
Suspensions
Race 1	Daryl Douglas	Northern Truscott	163(1)(a)(iii)	3 weeks
Race 3	Emmett Brosnan	Vytis	168(1)(a)	7 days
Fines
Race 2	Peter Lane	Mevia	162(1)(e)	$100
Cautions	Nil
Horse Actions
Race 1	Northern Truscott	ODM
Race 1	Truscotts Elegance	ODM
Race 1	Heavenly Glow	CODM
Race 3	Mecarno	ODM
Race 4	Ijustcalledtosay	ODM
Race 5	Champagne Gemma	ODM
Race 5	Aldebaran Sue	ODM
Race 5	Tiara Girl	SD28D / SD1T / SDVC / SD1T
Race 7	Leo Galleon	ODM
Race 8	Vino Amor	ODM
Race 8	Please Layla	ODM
Race 8	Pique	SD14D / SD2T
Race 8	Illuminance	CODM
Race 9	Lady Manche	ODM
Race 9	Buckles For Berry	SD1T
Race 9	Perpetual	SD1T
Late Scratchings	Nil
Follow Ups	Nil
Adjourned Inquiries	Nil
Sulky Fund Claims	Nil