Stewards Report

HARNESS RACING VICTORIA

STEWARDS REPORT FOR MELTON

SATURDAY 23 NOVEMBER 2024

	Peter Chadwick Nick Murray Des Benger Emma Johnson (Starter) Dr Richard Cust, Dr Chris Heislers (Vet)
	Track:    Good	Weather:	Overcast

 

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

 

RACE 1 – RANVET PACE (2240 MS)

HES A MEISTER NZ– Held up making the turn into the home straight. Sulky contacted after shifting out and locking wheels in the home straight.

HEAVENLY GIPSY– Held up making the turn into the home straight.

ROARFORROSCOE– Raed three wide in the early stages. Hung out in the final lap.

RUBINS PLIGHT– Held up in the home straight.

DHAULAGIRI NZ– Inconvenienced after locking wheels and contacting a sulky in the home straight.

LETSROCKLETSROLL– Driver Liam Older was fined under AHRR 162(1)(h) $100 for being out of position in the score up.

TIGER BAND WAGON– Driver Luke caution for being out of position in the score up and for dropping his foot momentarily from the footrest. Held up making the turn into the home straight and over the concluding stages.

KOSIMO– Prior to the race the gelding was claimed for $25,000. Raced wide in the early stages.

 

 

 

RACE 2 – DYNAMIC PRINT GROUP PACE (1720 MS)

SKINNYDIP NZ– Driver Ryan Sanderson was cautioned for contacting marker pegs making the turn into the home straight. When questioned in regard to surrendering the lead in the early stages Driver Ryan Sanderson stated that initially he worked a little to keep out LOUIE LOU I and hold the lead as he expected THE BIGBOSS to pressed forward and he didn’t want to be placed three back on the peg line. When THE BIGBOSS pressed forward he elected to surrender the lead to get a breather and this had suited his horse. His explanations were noted.

LOUIE LOU I NZ– Held up making the turn into the home straight. Inconvenienced and contacted marker pegs in the concluding stages.

TALLARAS SHADOW– Raced wide in the early stages.

THE BIGBOSS– Shifted out making the turn into the home straight. When questioned Driver Nathan Jack stated he had continually had to drive the gelding as it had a tendency to be lazy in the run. He further stated that he would recommend a change to the horse headgear which would allow it some vision to see runners to its outside, which he believed would help it concentrate better in the run. Stewards also questioned Driver Jack in regard to shifting out making the turn into the home straight. Driver Jack stated that he felt he hadn’t shifted out much and that GIPSY PRINCESS which was racing to his outside had not been inconvenienced. Also, that SKINNYDIP NZ which was racing behind him attempted to take a run to his inside and had contacted marker pegs indicating that there was not a complete run to his inside. Whilst noting Mr Jack’s explanation he was also reminded of his obligations when his drives shift ground.

ANOTHER NEIN– Driver John Justice was fined $100 under AHRR 156(3) for unapproved whip use, for applying the whip to his drive on more occasions than are permitted over the final 200m.

RACE 3 – ALDEBARAN PARK TROT (1720 MS)

HANOVER DA MOON NZ– Out of position after racing roughly in the score up, raced roughly again after the start and was placed on its last chance in the draw.

WHOS THE MAN– Trainer Chris Svanosio was cautioned for failed to provide the tactics for his multiple runners in the race.

I DREAM OF MILLIE– Broke gait making the first turn.

KYVALLEYHONEYBUNNY– Broke gait under pressure in the home straight.

RACE 4 – NATIONAL GUARD SOLUTIONS PACE (2240 MS)

MARLO MAREAU– Trainer Peter Salathiel was cautioned for failing to provide the tactics of his multiple runners.

SASSYOLA- In accordance with HRV Animal Welfare Policy (200+ starts) it underwent pre and post-race veterinary examinations.  Both examinations revealed no significant abnormalities. Inconvenienced in the final lap.

DIRECT COMMAND NZ- Trainer Greg Norman was cautioned for failing to provide the tactics of his multiple runners. Inconvenienced in the final lap.

ANAKIN– Raced three wide in the early and middle stages.

HAVADASH JOH– Raced wide in the early stages. Broke gait on the first turn. Broke gait again entering the back straight on the final occasion, the gelding will now be stood down pending a satisfactory trial before being permitted to race again.

BONA KHAN– Tired, beaten 55m and a warning issued.

POPCORNFRIDAY– Held up in the concluding stages. When questioned Driver Paul Grech stated that on entering the home straight he elected to come out to obtaining clear running as the gelding tended to shift up the track and generally was difficult to steer down. Was anticipating a run to the outside this did not eventuate and as such he was unable to secure clear running. His explanations were noted.

BEE GEE CEE– Inconvenienced resulting in the horse breaking gait in the final lap.

SPORTS NARRATOR– Inconvenienced in the final lap.

 

RACE 5 – LOGICAL STAFFING SOLUTIONS 1MW PACE (2240 MS)

GENERAL – Following the running of this race Driver Nathan Jack protest (OOH AH LISTAH placed 2nd) requested to review the video footage and subsequently lodged a protest against QUIET STORM (placed 1st) for shifting into the sprint lane. After taking submissions and viewing the video footage Stewards were of the opinion that shortly after entering the home straight whilst activating gear QUIET STORM shifted marginally into the sprint lane. A few strides later OOH AH LISTAH improved to the outside of QUIRT STORM resulting in QUIET STORM not being able to steer out without possibly causing interference to OOH AH LISTAH. OOH AH LISTAH then had an unimpeded run to the finish. In considering the protest rule AHRR 176 (6) (b) and could not be comfortably satisfied that OOH AH LISTAH would have beaten QUIET STORM to the finish and the protest was dismissed. Stewards also considered AHRR 167 regarding horses entering the sprint lane and were of the opinion that the circumstances of this incident did not warrant taking action with regard to the placings of this race.

Prior to All Clear, Stewards also reviewed the video footage as a Kangaroo was on the track during the race, upon review it was determined that no runner had been materially affected and All Clear was subsequently declared.

QUIET STORM– Shifted in under pressure. Driver Jason Lee was fined $100 under AHRR 167(2) for fail to take immediate action to remove the gelding from the sprint lane.

CREDULOUS - Raced three wide in the early stages.

WE BETTOR BELIEVE IT NZ- Raced three wide in the early stages and held up making the turn into the home straight.

NORMS LADY– Held up over the concluding stages.

WATTLEBANK ARNIE NZ– Inconvenienced in the concluding stages.

EARL OF PEMBROKE NZ– Raced three wide in the middle stages.

 

RACE 6 – RENOWN SILVERWARE MARES FREE FOR ALL_ (1720 MS)

SEW WHAT– Hung in and contacted marker pegs making the turn into the home straight.

RACE 7 – APG MARES TROTTERS FREE FOR ALL (1720 MS)

ILLAWONG STARDUST– Broke gait after the start and will now be placed outside the draw at its future mobile starts.

ILLAWONG LARAJAY- Broke gait, after the bell, making the turn into the back straight.

ALDEBARAN VERA– Raced three wide in the middle stages.

RACE 8 – PRYDES EASIFEED PACE (2240 MS)

STAG PARTY NZ– Inconvenienced and held up making the turn into the straight.

TERROR EYES NZ– Tightened contacted marker pegs, checked and broke making the turn into the home straight. On inquiry Driver Craig Hoban pleaded guilty to a charge under AHRR of causing interference in that making the turn into the home straight he shifted inwards resulting in TERROR EYES NZ being tightened, checking and breaking gait. Driver Hoban was subsequently suspended for 10 days commencing midnight 23 November 2024.

GIVE DAVE A WAVE– Driver Craig Hoban was cautioned for dropping his foot whilst activating gear.

MIRAKURU– Raced three wide in the middle stages. Tightened and checked in the home straight.

DRESSED IN GOLD NZ– Hung in under pressure in the home straight.

RACE 9 – DOWNUNDER SULKY TROT (2240 MS)

AVANT GUARD– Checked in the back straight on the first occasion.

MORE WANTED– Inconvenienced in the back straight on the first occasion.

KEAYANG STUKA– Broke gait in the back straight on the first occasion.

HAROLD SMITH NZ– Driver Connor Clarke was cautioned regarding his starting position.

 

 

Peter Chadwick

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 2 – AnotherNein; Race 3 – I Dream Of Millie; Race 4 – Marlo Mareau; Race 5 – Wattlebank Arnie NZ; Race 6 – Sweet Bella; Race 7 – Rapid Return; Race 8 – Give Dave A Wave; Race 9 – Avant Guard.
	Post-Race: ALL WINNERS & Race 1 – Kosimo.
Suspensions
Race 8	Craig Hoban	AHRR 163(1)(a)(iii)				Suspended 10 Days		Commence midnight 23/11/24
Fines
Race 1	Liam Older	AHRR 162(1)(h)				$100
Race 2	John Justice	AHRR 156(3)				$100
Race 5	Jason Lee	AHRR 167(2)				$100
Cautions
Race 1	Luke Dunne	D/CSU D/CDF
Race 2	Ryan Sanderson	D/CCMP
Race 3	Chris Svanosio	T/CT
Race 4	Peter Salathiel	T/CT
Race 4	Greg Norman	T/CT
Race 8	Craig Hoban	D/CDF
Race 9	Connor Clarke	D/CSP
Horse Actions
Race 4	Havadash Joh		SD1T
Race 7	Illawong Starbust	ODM
Late Scratching’s	Nil
Follow Ups	Nil
Adjourned Inquiries	Nil
Sulky Fund Claims	Nil