Stewards Report
Melton 22/11/2025
HARNESS RACING VICTORIA
STEWARDS REPORT FOR MELTON
SATURDAY 22 NOVEMBER 2025
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Grant Adams Elliot Turner John Packer Tom Bick Jason Fino (Starter – R1,3,5,7,9), David Young (Starter – R2,4,6,8,10) Dr Richard Cust, Dr Nick Branson, Dr Simon Bray (Vet) |
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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 (3YO COLTS & GELDINGS) FINAL (GROUP 2) (2240 MS)
GOLDEN TRIBE – Pre-race blood sample obtained.
ITS CONFIDENTIAL – Post-race swab sample obtained.
FIRE MARSHALL – Driver Kyle Marshall pleaded guilty to a charge under Rule 163(1)(a)(iii) for causing interference when rounding the first turn, he permitted FIRE MARSHALL to shift in when not clear of CAPTAIN PERFECT, resulting in contact to that runner’s offside foreleg. Further, approaching the 1850m, he again permitted his drive to shift in, restricting the room of CAPTAIN PERFECT, causing that runner to be checked, pace roughly and lose its rightful running. Mr Marshall’s licence to drive in races was suspended for 21 days, commencing midnight Saturday 29 November 2025 and expiring Sunday 21 December 2025, on which day he may drive. In determining penalty, Stewards considered his guilty plea, driving record, the degree of interference, level of carelessness, and the feature race status.
NEW SHUFFLE – Pre-race blood sample obtained. Checked and lost ground when caught behind the weakening STORMS COLLIDE between the 500 and 350m.
FORTY LOVE – Driver Aaron Dunn was cautioned for shifting ground near the 600m resulting in the improving COASTAL DRIVE being hampered and taken wider to avoid its wheel.
CALEXICO – Stewards approved Jason Lee to replace Damian Wilson as the late driving replacement.
SAO PAULO SIMBA – Held up for clear running in the early stages of the home straight prior to utilising the sprint lane.
CAPTAIN PERFECT – Hampered rounding the first turn when contacting the wheel of FIRE MARSHALL, which shifted in. Again, checked near the 1850m and paced roughly when FIRE MARSHALL shifted in. A post-race veterinary examination, including an endoscopic assessment, revealed no abnormalities. Driver Mark Pitt reported that after a strong early lead time and maintaining a solid tempo when improving three wide, the colt did not travel as strongly as in previous starts and last week’s run may have taken some edge off the horse.
STORMS COLLIDE – Gave ground from the 500m to finish in 12th position, beaten 41.6m. A post-race veterinary examination, including an endoscopic assessment, revealed no abnormalities. Driver Cameron Hart stated that the genuine tempo throughout and the work required to improve during the early and middle stages left his colt wanting late and it did not feel as sharp as usual. He also reported sustaining a flat tyre when contacted by a trailing runner as his colt gave ground.
COASTAL DRIVE – Inconvenienced near the 600m when taken away from FORTY LOVE which shifted ground.
VINEY – Checked and lost ground when caught behind the weakening STORMS COLLIDE between the 500 and 400m.
RACE 2 – APG YEARLING SALES VICBRED SUPER SERIES (2YO COLTS & GELDINGS) FINAL (GROUP 2) (2240 MS)
OUT TO STAY – Raced keenly during the middle stages.
SOHO TRUMP – Pre-race blood sample obtained. Post-race swab sample obtained.
SOHO CHARMER – A post-race veterinary examination revealed a superficial laceration to the near hind limb requiring no stand down.
MOONLIGHT MOTH – Pre-race blood sample obtained. Out of position at the start and will continue to be excluded from the mobile barrier draw.
RACE 3 – APG YEARLING SALES VICBRED SUPER SERIES (2YO TROTTING COLTS & GELDINGS) FINAL (GROUP 1) (2240 MS)
THE PREACHER – On entry to the home straight, improved to the inside of NOTANOTHA NAUGHTY and, as that runner shifted in following the disengagement of sulky wheels with HOWDY MATE, made contact with its sulky and galloped.
Stewards determined that no driver was culpable for careless driving however, Driver John Caldow was reminded that although a run may have appeared to present, improving into doubtful gaps at that stage of the race carries an elevated level of risk and he must avoid placing his runners in positions that may contribute to interference.
TIMMY WHIZ – Pre-race blood sample obtained. Broke gait free of interference at the 350m.
KEAYANG BAZLENKA – Post-race swab sample obtained.
KYVALLEY RAMBLER – Broke gait shortly after the start, galloped excessively and took no competitive part in the event. The gelding will now be excluded from the mobile barrier draw. Broke gait on a second occasion when trailing the field near the 150m.
HOWDY MATE – Approaching the home straight, momentarily locked wheels with NOTANOTHA NAUGHTY, which shifted out. When placed under pressure over the final stages, hung in noticeably, contacted marker pegs approaching the winning post and broke gait. A warning was placed on the gelding for its tractability. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no abnormalities.
NOTANOTHA NAUGHTY – Pre-race blood sample obtained. Hung out at various stages. Approaching the home straight, locked wheels with HOWDY MATE and, when disengaging, shifted in and made contact with THE PREACHER, which had improved to its inside. A warning was issued.
I CHOOSE YOU – Checked and galloped near the 300m when positioned behind the galloping TIMMY WHIZ.
RACE 4 – APG YEARLING SALES VICBRED SUPER SERIES (3YO TROTTING COLTS & GELDINGS) FINAL (GROUP 1) (2240 MS)
General
The start of the event was delayed to allow track staff the opportunity to remove manure from the track surface near the 500m.
EZRA KAI – Raced keenly during the middle stages.
BETTOR MAN – Weakened over the final stages to finish in 12th position, beaten 50.6m. No action was taken.
TENASEA WHISKEY – Pre-race blood sample obtained. Passing the 100m, Driver Mark Pitt momentarily had his right foot leave the sulky rest. Broke gait inside the final 25m and galloped over the finish line. Prior to the declaration of all clear and after considering submissions from Driver Mark Pitt, Stewards, acting under VLR 155A(1) and (2), relegated TENASEA WHISKEY from 2nd placing to 4th placing, when being covered by ENCHAUFFOUR and COMMODUS. The all clear was subsequently announced. Mr Pitt was placed on notice regarding his conduct and the manner in which he addressed the Stewards during the proceedings.
ENCHAUFFOUR – Promoted into 2nd placing following the relegation of TENASEA WHISKY.
COMMODUS – Pre-race blood sample obtained. Promoted into 3rd placing following the relegation of TENASEA WHISKY.
MECARNO – Shifted ground when placed under pressure over the final stages. Driver Michael Bellman was cautioned for failing to take sufficient effort to straighten his drive. Post-race swab sample obtained.
RACE 5 – APG YEARLING SALES VICBRED SUPER SERIES (2YO FILLIES) FINAL (GROUP 2) (2240 MS)
PRE EMINANT – Pre-race blood sample obtained.
SWEET IRISH LOCH – Held up for clear running rounding the final turn before shifting in on straightening and utilising the sprint lane.
ARRHYTHMIA – Driver Cameron Hart was fined $100 under Rule 162(1)(h) for failing to come up into position by the starting point. Post-race swab sample obtained.
STAR TO FALL – Pre-race blood sample obtained.
CAPTAIN MOLLY –Raced keenly during the middle stages. Driver Abby Sanderson was reminded of her obligations when trailing the wheel of CONCILIATE in the back straight on the final occasion.
TOUCH OF REALITY – Driver Stephen Boyington was fined $100 under Rule 162(1)(h) for failing to come up into position by the starting point. Weakened over the final stages to finish in 12th position, beaten 65.6m. No action was taken.
FICTION FILE – Inconvenienced near the 1800m when steadying as it commenced to improve to the outside of ARRHYTHMIA, as that runner was taken into a three wide position. As Stewards were satisfied that ARRHYTHMIA commenced its shift with appropriate clearance, no action was taken.
RACE 6 – APG YEARLING SALES VICBRED SUPER SERIES (3YO FILLIES) FINAL (GROUP 2) (2240 MS)
LETS GO LORNA – Driver James Herbertson was cautioned for shifting ground inside the final 100m when not clear of ALIFETIMEFORLIVING, placing that runner in restricted room to the inside of BRIGHTON.
SOHO AMERICANO – Pre-race blood sample obtained.
JOYRIDE – Presented in accordance with the conditions of the elevated TCO2 policy. Pre-race blood sample obtained.
DELIGHTFUL MIKI – Held up for clear running in the early stages of the home straight prior to utilising the sprint lane.
BEACH DIAMOND – Post-race swab sample obtained.
ALIFETIMEFORLIVING – Inside the final 100m, taken wider by LETS GO LORNA before being placed in restricted room to the inside of BRIGHTON.
SURFE LA MER – Paced roughly on the entry to the home straight and was unable to obtain clear running.
RACE 7 – APG – A HORSE FOR EVERYONE VICBRED SUPER SERIES (4YO TROTTING MARES) FINAL (GROUP 1) (2240 MS)
PINNIE – Hung in and contacted marker pegs racing towards the 200m.
WITH APLOMB – Approval was granted for the mare to race with spreaders as a late gear change.
KARAKAJACK TOOTH – Gave ground rounding the final turn and nearing the 200m, hung in, contacted a marker peg and galloped for which a warning was issued.
KEAYANG LAVITA – Broke gait when placed under pressure passing the 150m.
MAORIS MAC – Driver Josh Aiken was fined $100 under Rule 156(7) for applying his whip outside the confines of his sulky rounding the final turn and into the home straight.
KEAYANG ZAHARA – Pre-race blood sample obtained. Post-race swab sample obtained.
ALDEBARAN SUSANNE – Checked and lost ground when caught behind the weakening KARAKAJACK TOOTH between the 500 and 250m.
WITH APLOMB – Checked and lost ground when caught behind the weakening KARAKAJACK TOOTH between the 500 and 300m.
RACE 8 – APG YEARLING SALES VICBRED SUPER SERIES (3YO TROTTING FILLIES) FINAL (GROUP 1) (2240 MS)
SKYBELLA – Pre-race blood sample obtained. Near the 250m and when being held up on the back of PROHIBITED GRACE, broke gait. No action was taken.
MYHEARTBEATSTRUE – Weakened over the final stages to finish in 12th position, beaten 75.6m. No action was taken.
BERTINELLI – Pre-race blood sample obtained.
I AM WILMA – Post-race swab sample obtained.
WIND CHASER – A post-race veterinary examination, including an endoscopic assessment, revealed the filly to have blood present from its right nostril and a grade 2 EIPH. In accordance with AHRR 101B(2), WIND CHASER was stood down from racing until the completion of one requalifying trial.
SKY FLAIR – Raced greenly when placed under pressure rounding the final turn and into the home straight when weakening to finish in 11th position, beaten 54.4m. No action was taken.
RACE 9 – APG – A HORSE FOR EVERYONE VICBRED SUPER SERIES (4YO TROTTING ENTIRES & GELDINGS) FINAL (GROUP 1) (2240 MS)
HILLTOP HUGH – Pre-race blood sample obtained. Raced keenly during the middle stages whilst leading. Post-race swab sample obtained.
MAXIMEZ – Held up for clear running until passing the 100m.
MISTER BLINDSIDE – Pre-race blood sample obtained.
JACK SPRAT – Held up for clear running in the early stages of the home straight prior to utilising the sprint lane.
TIMMY TURTLE NZ – Approval was granted for the gelding to be fitted with an anti-choking device as a late gear change.
VALTINO – Held up for clear running until passing the 50m.
RACE 10 – APG YEARLING SALES VICBRED SUPER SERIES (2YO TROTTING FILLIES) FINAL (GROUP 1) (2240 MS)
FRENCH MISSILE – Broke gait shortly after the start at the second attempt following the false start. No action was taken.
JILLIBY AURA – Driver Glen Craven pleaded guilty to a charge under Rule 163(1)(b)(ii) for impeding the forward progress of another horse in that racing to the 1800m, after GLADIATRIX commenced to improve three wide to his outside, Mr Craven permitted his filly to shift out when not clear, resulting in GLADIATRIX being taken wider and its forward progress impeded. Mr Craven’s licence to drive in races was suspended for 7 days, commencing midnight Monday 1 December 2025 and expiring Tuesday 9 December 2025, on which day he may drive. In determining penalty, Stewards considered his guilty plea, his clear driving record (first offence in over 5,100 drives), the degree of interference, and the feature race status.
Change to suspension date – Tuesday 25 November 2025.
On the request from Driver Glen Craven, approval has been granted for the suspension to commence at midnight Saturday 22 November 2025 and to expire on Sunday 30 November 2025, on which day he may drive.
HARPERSEVEN – Post-race swab sample obtained.
GLADIATRIX – Pre-race blood sample was obtained. The filly was examined by the Clubs veterinarian after an alert was received indicating an elevated temperature during the ID scan. GLADIATRIX was subsequently passed fit to race. A false start was declared at the first attempt following the filly galloping, and Driver Lleyton Green raising his hand to alert the starter of a gear issue. At the second attempt, broke gait and was out of position at the start. Near the 1800m, after commencing to improve three wide, hampered when taken wider by JILLIBY AURA, which shifted ground. Raced three wide for the remainder of the event prior to weakening with 700m to travel to finish in 11th position, 91.4m. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no abnormalities. Stewards opened an inquiry regarding the false start and the tactics of Mr Green during the event. The inquiry was adjourned to allow consideration of the evidence, with a resumption date yet to be set. Regarding the starting offence on the second score up, Stewards elected not to take action against the horse, taking into account the first false start and the reported gear issue. This however will be also determined following further consideration.
Supplementary Report – Wednesday 17 December 2025
GLADIATRIX– Stewards today finalised their inquiry into the abovementioned race, including the circumstances surrounding the false start and the driving tactics adopted by Driver Mr Lleyton Green. Stewards heard final submissions from Mr Green, in addition to Co-Trainer Mr Dean McDowell.
In evidence, Mr Green explained that during the first score up his filly Gladiatrix commenced to throw her head and broke gait in an unusual manner. Upon looking down, he observed that the nearside rein had become twisted and caught around the spoon of the snaffle bit, which he believed contributed to the filly galloping. Mr Green advised that he raised his hand to alert the starter and eased the filly to a stop, at which point he gave the rein slack and the rein released itself without assistance. He confirmed that he immediately informed the Clerk of the Course of the issue, and no adjustment to the gear was required prior to the second score up. Clerk of the Course Mr Anthony O’Brien confirmed the comments made by Mr Green and advised that the gear issue had rectified itself by the time he arrived at the horse. Raceday vision failed to provide any evidence either supporting or contradicting Mr Green’s account and, accordingly, Stewards afforded Mr Green the benefit of the doubt and accepted that the false start occurred as a result of a gear issue. No action was taken.
In relation to the tactics adopted during the race, Mr Green advised that his pre-race intention was to drive Gladiatrix positively and place her in a forward position, consistent with her established racing pattern and recent performances. He stated that after the filly broke gait during the second score up and lost ground, she regained her position without being placed under undue pressure and that the tempo of the race thereafter allowed him to improve three wide in an attempt to obtain a forward running position. Mr Green explained that when electing to improve three wide near the 1800m, in an attempt to take an advantage over Jilliby Aura, he suffered interference when that runner shifted out when not clear, resulting in him being carried wider. Despite losing that advantage, Mr Green elected to continue forward as he reasonably expected that the position outside the leader would become available, given Elle Perfecto’s recent racing pattern where it had taken cover. He stated that when this did not eventuate and no suitable position became available near the 1100m, he remained three wide as he did not consider restraining and conceding significant ground to be a viable option, given the work already performed and his assessment of the filly’s strength. Mr Green further advised that despite his confidence in the filly’s ability, the sustained tempo and work undertaken resulted in Gladiatrix weakening from the 700m, at which point he eased her from the race when he considered his filly no longer competitive.
Co-Trainer Mr Dean McDowell advised that he and the connections held a strong opinion of the filly, noting that prior to the race in question she had competed in seven races for six wins, predominantly from either the lead or outside the leader, with the exception of one race where the filly broke gait early. Mr McDowell stated that in all winning performances the filly had won comfortably without being fully tested, and as a result, instructions were to drive the filly positively and forward. He further stated that notwithstanding the early error at the start and the interference suffered near the 1800m, he remained confident that the filly was capable of winning the race despite racing three wide without cover.
In assessing the drive, Stewards considered the decisions made by Mr Green at all stages of the event. While Stewards acknowledged that Mr Green’s decision to commence improving three wide near the 1800m, and his subsequent decision to remain three wide from the 1100m when the position outside the leader was not available, carried a level of risk as to whether such tactics would assist the filly, Stewards were satisfied that, for the reasons advanced, the tactics adopted were not unreasonable and were not blameworthy to the extent that would warrant further action being taken. Notwithstanding this finding, Mr Green was advised that he must remain mindful of the work expected of his drives and ensure that his driving tactics do not leave him open to questioning in future.
HEAVENLY GLOW – Checked and galloped shortly after the start when improving towards the back of the galloping FRENCH MISSILE. A post-race veterinary examination revealed lameness to the right hind limb. In accordance with veterinary recommendations, the filly was stood down from racing until the completion of one requalifying trial.
IJUSTCANTSEEIT – Broke gait shortly after the start on the second attempt. The filly will continue to be excluded from the mobile barrier draw. Checked between the 600 and 500m when taken back by the weakening GLADIATRIX.
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 – Golden Tribe, New Shuffle; Race 2 – Soho Trump, Moonlight Moth; Race 3 – Timmy Whiz, Notanotha Naughty; Race 4 – Tenasea Whiskey, Commodus; Race 5 – Pre Eminant, Star To Fall; Race 6 – Soho Americano, Joyride; Race 7 – Keayang Zahara; Race 8 – Skybella, Bertinelli; Race 9 – Hilltop Hugh, Mister Blindside; Race 10 – Gladiatrix. |
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Post-Race: Race 1 – Its Confidential; Race 2 – Soho Trump;Race 3 – Keayang Bazlanka; Race 4 – Mecarno; Race 5 – Arrhythmia; Race 6 – Beach Diamond; Race 7 – Keayang Zahara; Race 8 – I Am Wilma; Race 9 – Hilltop Hugh; Race 10 – Harperseven. |
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Suspensions |
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Race 1 |
Kyle Marshall |
163(1)(a)(iii) |
21 Days |
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Race 10 |
Glen Craven |
163(1)(b)(ii) |
7 Days |
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Fines |
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Race 5 |
Cameron Hart |
162(1)(h) |
$100 |
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Race 5 |
Stephen Boyington |
162(1)(h) |
$100 |
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Race 7 |
Josh Aiken |
156(7) |
$100 |
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Cautions |
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Race 1 |
Aaron Dunn |
D/CSG |
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Race 4 |
Michael Bellman |
D/CLC |
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Race 6 |
James Herbertson |
D/CSG |
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Horse Actions |
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Race 2 |
Moonlight Moth |
CODM |
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Race 3 |
Kyvalley Rambler |
ODM |
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Race 8 |
Wind Chaser |
SD1T |
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Race 10 |
Heavenly Glow |
SDVC |
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Race 10 |
Ijustcantseeit |
CODM |
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Late Scratchings |
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Nil |
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Follow Ups |
Nil |
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Adjourned Inquiries |
Race 10 – Lleyton Green (Gladiatrix, False Start and Driving tactics) |
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Sulky Fund Claims |
Nil
Medical Stand Down
Nil
