Stewards Report

HARNESS RACING VICTORIA

STEWARDS REPORT FOR TABCORP PARK MELTON

FRIDAY 18 NOVEMBER 2022

	Grant Adams Barry Delaney John Packer Des Benger Nathan Moy (Starter) Dr Richard Cust, Nick Branson (Vet)
	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 – DNR LOGISTICS TROT (2240 MS)

Kyvalley Clichy (Barrier 2) pulled hard during the score up.

Chinesse Whisper NZ ( Barrier 6) was out of position at the start and will continue to be excluded from the mobile barrier draw.

Approaching the 200m Lotamuscle NZ shifted in and brushed a number of marker pegs.

RACE 2 – BENSTUD STANDARDBREDS PACE (1720 MS)

Fides was examined by the club’s veterinarian prior to and following the event as a result of the gelding not racing in the previous 12 months. No abnormalities were detected on either examination.

Wow You Can Dance was held up for clear running in the early stages of the home straight prior to utilising the sprint lane.

Allshookup was held up for clear running in the early stages of the home straight.

RACE 3 – ALABAR BREEDERS CROWN GRADUATE CUP (GROUP 3) (1720 MS)

Sanday was declared a late scratching at 4.05pm on veterinarian advice.

Imnopumpkin was held up for clear running in the early stages of the home straight prior to utilising the sprint lane.

Giveitatry ($4.80) gave ground over the concluding stages to finish in 8th position to be beaten 14.7m. When questioned regarding the performance trainer/ driver Chris Lang explained that in his opinion the gelding was disappointing but feels Giveitatry may be holding a little more condition. A post-race veterinarian examination revealed the gelding to be suffering a grade 4 EIPH. Acting under HRV policy, Giveitatry will now be stood down for a period of 28 days until a veterinarian certificate of fitness is submitted in addition to 1 requalifying trial.

James Herbertson the driver of Im Shadow Boxer was questioned as to his driving into the home straight on the first occasion when failing to drive with vigour to  maintain his position trailing Giveitatry which ultimately provided room for Cloud Nine NZ to improve forward of his drive. Mr Herbertson explained that after making use of his horse to follow through from the second line, he was reluctant to ask Im Shadow Boxer for another effort, noting the gelding is best suited when driven cold and the early work had therefore contributed into his runner failing to run on over the concluding stages. Given the circumstances Stewards noted his comments.

RACE 4 –HYLANDS BREEDERS CROWN CHAMPIONSHIP (4YO TROTTING MARES) (GROUP 2) (2240 MS)

Keayang Xena was examined by the club’s veterinarian prior to the event and was past fit to take its placed in the field.

Sheza Pleasure (Barrier 1) broke gait during the score up for which a warning was issued.

Visionary (Barrier 7) broke gait during the score up, was out of position at the start and will now be excluded from the mobile barrier draw.

Shortly after the start Firengrace (Barrier 3) broke gait free of interference and will now be excluded from the mobile barrier draw.

Anthony Butt the driver of Illawong Moonbeam pleaded guilty to a charge under rule 163(1)(a)(iii) for contributing to interference in that on the entry to the first turn he permitted his mare to shift down the track when not clear of Sheza Pleasure resulting in that mare being tightened, checked and breaking gait. Mr. Butt was fined $200 and had his licence to drive in race suspend by a period of 10 days which was ordered to commence at midnight on Sunday the 27th of November 2022 and to expire on Wednesday the 7th of December 2022 on which day he may drive. When considering penalty, the stewards were mindful off Mr. Butts guilty plea, driving history and record, the circumstances attached to this incident in addition noting this was a classified as a feature race under the HRV Penalty Guidelines.

Approaching the 300m Illawong moonbeam broke gait free on interference.

RACE 5 -DEL RE NATIONAL PACE (2240 MS)

Rick Reilly NZ was held up for clear running in the early stages of the home straight prior to utilising the sprint lane.

RACE 6 – VILLAWOOD PROPERTIES BREEDERS CROWN GRADUATE TROTTERS FREE FOR ALL (GROUP 2) (2240 MS)

Kyvalley Chief NZ pulled had during the middle stages.

Approaching the 400m All Cashed Up broke gait free of interference resulting in the trailing Anywhere Hugo being checked, Just Believe being checked and sustaining a flat tyre, Skyvalley Chief NZ checked and galloped in addition to Brandlo Prince being inconvenienced and taken wider. Given the recent history of All cashed Up the horse will be stood down until it completes 1 requalifying trial.

RACE 7 – HYLANDS BREEDERS CROWN CHAMPIONSHIP (4YO TROTTING ENTIRES & GELDINGS) (GROUP 2) (2240 MS)

Upon the request from connections Mielicki will continue to be excluded from the mobile barrier draw.

Aldebaran Dino (Barrier 6) broke gait during the score up, was out of position at the start, trailed the field throughout and will now be excluded form the mobile barrier draw.

Shortly after the start Astro (Barrier 2) broke gait free of interference, trailed the field throughout and will now be excluded from the mobile barrier draw.

Tayla French, the driver of Parisian Artiste ($5) was questioned as to the performance to the gelding which gave ground over the concluding stages to finish 7th position beaten 25m. Ms. French was at a loss to explain the performance, noted her disappointment and advised that connections would look to obtain blood samples in the coming days to ensure there is no underlying issue. A post-race veterinarian failed to reveal any abnormalities. Stewards will follow up with connections with regards to the horse’s post-race recovery and subsequent blood results.

SUPPLEMENTARY REPORT - 23 NOVEMBER 2022

Tayla French, stable representative of Parisian Artiste advised subsequent to the run at Tabcorp Park Melton on 18 November 2022, that the gelding had recovered well and blood tests had shown no abnormalities.  Ms.French stated Parisian Artiste would continue with the current preparation.

RACE 8 – ALABAR BREEDERS CROWN GRADUATE PACERS FREE FOR ALL (GROUP 2) (2240 MS)

Nearing the 300m Huli Nien paced roughly for a short distance when improving toward the inside wheel of Focus Stride. Huli Nien was held up for clear running over the concluding stages of the event.

RACE 9 – TAB BREEDERS CROWN GRADUATE TROT (GROUP 3) (2240 MS)

Golden Sunset (Barrier 8) broke gait shortly after the start, trailed the field throughout and will now be excluded from the mobile barrier draw.

Near the 200m Jazspur was inconvenienced when crowded between Gunning and Hammers Law which was taken slightly wider and away from Rogue Gentleman which shift up the track whilst weakening. As this incident was found to be as a result of careless driving, no further action was taken.

Whizzbang Dan was held up for clear running in the early stages of the home straight prior to utilising the sprint lane.

Quake Proof was held up for clear running in the early stages of the home straight prior to utilising the sprint lane.

Glen Craven the driver of Victree Hill was cautioned for trailing the wheel of Jazsper between the 600 and 500m.

Chris Lang, the driver of Rogue Gentleman ($3.50) was questioned as to the performance of the gelding, which gave ground over the concluding stages to finish in 11th position beaten 36.2m. Mr. lang explained that in his opinion Rogue Gentleman may have choked down resulting in the gelding losing rhythm and balance rounding the final turn. A post-race veterinarian examination failed to reveal any abnormalities. Stewards will follow up with connections as to the horse post-race recovery.

Anthony Butt, the driver of Hammers law ($4.60) was questioned as to the performance of his gelding which gave ground over the concluding stages to finish in 10th position beaten 34m. Mr. Butt was at a loss to explain the performance but noted his disappointment in the run. A post-race veterinarian examination including an endoscopic examination revealed the gelding to be suffering a grade 3 EIPH. Acting under HRV policy hammers Law was stood down from racing for a period of 28 days until a certificate of fitness is submitted in addition to 1 requalifying trial.

RACE 10 – WOODLANDS STUD PACE (2240 MS)

The start of this event was delayed slightly as a result of Gottahaveahobbie, requiring a lugging hole to be replaced.

Whiskey Cavalier NZ (Barrier 11) broke gait during the score up, was out of position at the start and will now be excluded from the mobile barrier draw.

Whiskey Cavalier NZ raced keenly during the early stages prior to improving 3 wide.

Orbie raced keenly during the middle stages.

Upon the entry to the home straight, Orbie shifted in and contacted a marker peg prior to utilising the sprint lane.

James Herbertson the driver of Foolish Pleasure was fined $100 under Rule156(7) for allowing his whip to project outside of the confines of his sulky near the 500m.

It was reported that the number 3 carrying strap had broken on Lets Go There during the event.

James Herberton the driver of Foolish Pleasure was questioned as to the performance of his gelding which gave ground over the concluding stages to finish in 9th position beaten 23.2m. Mr. Herbertson explained that after obtaining the lead he was unable to obtain any respite given the number of moves during the event and this had contributed into his gelding failing to run on over the concluding stages. A post-race veterinarian examination including an endoscopy examination revealed the gelding to be suffering a grade 2 EIPH.

Chris Alford, the driver of Urus NZ was reminded of his obligations regarding his whip use displayed on the home straight.

RACE 11 – TAB BREEDERS CROWN GRADUATE PACE (2240 MS)

Daryl Douglas replaced Lee Sutton as a late driving replacement on Four Lonely Nights.

Four Lonely Nights (barrier 11) broke gait during the score up and again broke gait shortly after the start to trail the field throughout and will continue to be excluded from the mobile barrier draw.

Lorimermajor was held up for clear running over the concluding stages of the event.

RACE 12 – ALLIED EXPRESS PACE (1720 MS)

Rickie Alchin, the trainer of Soho Rhapsody was cautioned for failing to ensure the gear form was accurately recorded for the filly.

Calypso Mistress (barrier 1) began badly when galloping away inconveniencing the trailing Twisted bliss. Calypso Mistress will now be excluded from the mobile barrier draw.

Yeah Charlie (Barrier 10) was out of position at the start for which a warning was issued.

Story To Tell was held up for clear running for the entire length of the home straight and was not fully tested.

Niki Nah Nah was held up for clear running over the concluding stages of the event.

Chris Alford the driver of Just As Well NZ and Daryl Douglas driver of Ozzie Joy, were both reminded of their obligations regarding there whip use displayed in the home straight.

Josh Aiken, the driver of Patsy Valentine was questioned as to his decision passing the 400m to leave the position trailing Just As Well NZ (leader) to then improve 3 wide on approach to the home straight. Mr. Aiken explained that leading up to this stage, having considered the favourite Soho Rhapsody which in his opinion was travelling superior to Just As Well Nz, he felt it would be a good opportunity to move wider but shortly after both runners maintained their positions and when shifting wide into a 3 wide position, his filly only found the line fairly.

Grant Adams

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 – Lotamuscle NZ; Race 2 –Allshookup8, Wow You Can Dance; Race 3 –Jilliby Dynamite, Villacci, Giveitatry; Race 4 – Visionary, Appearfromnowhere, Illawong Moonbeam; Race 5 – Kosimo, Shortys Mate NZ; Race 6 – Just Believe, Ultimate Stride NZ, All Cashed Up; Race 7 – Mufasa Metro NZ, Aldebaran Zeus, Parisian Artiste; Race 8 – Honolua Bay, Bettor Call Me NZ, Huli Nien, Tango Tara NZ; Race 9 – Victree Hill, Jazspur, Whizzbang Dan; Race 10 –Common Courtesy, Tupelo Beach; Race 11 –Wyattflynn, Im The Mightygramps; Race 12 – Story To Tell, Twisted Bliss.
		Post-Race: Race 1 – Chinese Whispers NZ; Race 2 – Fides; Race 3 – Idyllic; Race 4 – Queen Elida NZ; Race 5 – Like A Wildfire NZ; Race 6 – Sundons Courage; Race 7 – Mufasa Metro NZ; Race 8 – Mach Dan; Race 9 – Victree Hill; Race 10 – Whiskey Cavalier NZ; Race 11 – Rosarito Miss; Race 12 – Ozzie Joy.
Suspensions
Race 4	A Butt		R163(1)(a)(iii)	10 Days
Fines
Race 4	A Butt		R163(1)(a)(iii)	$200
Race 10	J Herbertson		R156(7)	$100
Cautions
Race 9	G Craven		D/CHC
Race 12	R Alchin		T/CG
Horse Actions
Race 1	Chinese Whispers NZ		CODM
Race 3	Giveitatry		SD28D, SDVETS, SD1T
Race 4	Visionary		ODM
Race 4	Firengrace		ODM
Race 6	All Cashed Up		SD1T
Race 7	Mielicki		TRCODM
Race 7	Astro		ODM
Race 7	Aldebaran Dino		ODM
Race 9	Hammers Law		SD28D, SDVETS, SD1T
Race 9	Golden Sunset		ODM
Race 10	Whiskey Cavalier NZ		ODM
Race 11	Four Lonely Nights		CODM
Race 12	Calypso Mistress		ODM
Late Scratchings
Race 3	Sanday		Vets Advice	4.05pm

Follow Ups

Race 7                  Parisian Artiste

Adjourned Inquiries

Nil

Sulky Fund Claims

Nil