Stewards Report

HARNESS RACING VICTORIA

STEWARDS REPORT FOR MELTON

FRIDAY 29 NOVEMBER 2024

	Christopher Simpson Elliot Turner Daniel Borg Emma Johnson (Starter) Dr Richard Cust (Vet) Dr 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 – CENTRE STATE PRINTING PACE (1720 MS)

SHADY DANCER – Due to having competed in more than 200 lifetime races and in accordance with HRV policy was examined by the veterinarian before and after the race which revealed no apparent abnormalities.

SASSYOLA – Due to having competed in more than 200 lifetime races and in accordance with HRV policy was examined by the veterinarian before and after the race which revealed no apparent abnormalities.

POPCORNFRIDAY – Stewards questioned trainer Kevin Sandiford regarding the improved performance of POPCORNFRIDAY compared to its previous races. Mr. Sandiford explained that the gelding’s race fitness had significantly improved following three runs after a short let-up. He further added that the gelding had been working well throughout the week leading up to this event, particularly since its run at Melton on 23rd November. Stewards noted the explanation provided.

HEY GOYOUGOODTHING NZ – Broke gait when free of interference in the later stages of the score up. Out of position when the start was initiated and trailed the field, as a result, HEY GOYOUGOODTHING NZ will be excluded from the barrier draw in future mobile races.

AZOR AHAI NZ – Broke gait when free of interference after the start and hung out inconveniencing KATHYS FREE and ALOT LIKE LOUIE. As a result, AZOR AHAI will be excluded from the barrier draw in future mobile start races. AZOR AHAI broke gear as result of galloping from the start and was subsequently pulled up from the race.

KATHYS FREE – Inconvenienced after the start when AZOR AHAI NZ broke gait when free of interference and shifted out. Raced three wide without cover from the 1200m mark before racing outside the leader from the 1000m mark.

A LOT LIKE LOUIE – Inconvenienced after the start when AZOR AHAI NZ broke gait when free of interference and shifted out.

RACE 2 – NUTRIEN EQUINE PACE (1720 MS)

ALTIUS – Upon arrival on track, trainer Alexandra Hurley informed stewards that the gelding had become fractious on multiple occasions during transportation to the race. The gelding was examined by the veterinarian before the race which revealed no apparent abnormalities. Was inclined to hang in and hang out at various stages of the race. Started to tire leaving the 600m mark to be beaten 93.6m. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no apparent abnormalities. The stable will monitor the gelding’s recovery and report to the stewards if any issues arise within the next 48 hours.

NICE ONE CENTURION – Contacted the barrier arm in the middle stages of the score-up, broke gait, and was subsequently out of position when the start was initiated. As a result, a last chance in the draw was placed against the colt for future mobile starts. Raced three wide after the start, advancing to be outside the leader approaching the 1250m mark.

SHE REALLY MATTERS – Started to tire leaving the 500m mark to be beaten 80.4m. A post-race veterinary examination revealed the mare to be suffering from the thumps. The stable will monitor the mare’s recovery and report to the stewards if any other issues arise within the next 48 hours.

ASHANTE PRINCE – Out of position when the start was initiated, as a result, ASHANTE PRINCE will continue to be excluded from the barrier draw in future mobile races. Broke gait when free of interference approaching the 1600m mark then trailed the field. As a result, the gelding has been stood down from racing and must complete one (1) satisfactory steward’s trial before resuming.

RACE 3 – CITY OF MELTON PACE (1720 MS)

BLAZING SHANNON – Due to the gelding competing at Kilmore Thursday 28 November 2024, was examined by the veterinarian before the race which revealed no apparent abnormalities.

OZZIE BATTLER – Was inclined to hang in through the early and later stages of the score up, Pulled hard in the early and middle stages of the race.

TECHYS WATCHING – Broke in the later stages of the score up, a warning was placed against the entire. Raced roughly when being restrained when OZZIE PUNTA shifted down approaching the 1100m mark.

CAPTAIN MAASTRICHT – Surrendered the lead to OZZIE PUNTA approaching the 1100m mark.

OZZIE PUNTA – Hung in through the early stages of the score up, then pulled hard through the early and middle stages of the race.

MAGIC MIKE NZ – Broke in the early stages of the score up, a warning was placed against the gelding.

RACE 4 – HYGAIN 2YO MAIDEN PACE (1720 MS)

COOKIE DOUGH – Surrendered the lead to OLLIES THE BOSS approaching the 1100m mark, started to give ground leaving the 500m to be beaten 36.3m.

LOUROCKLOUROLL – Started to tire leaving the 500m mark to be beaten 73.7m. Driver Ryan Duffy could offer no explanation to the performance of LOUROCKLOUROLL. A post-race veterinary examination and scope revealed no apparent abnormalities. The stable will monitor the gelding’s recovery and report to the stewards if any issues arise within the next 48 hours.

OLLIES THE BOSS – Worked forward to obtain the lead approaching 1100m mark.

HURRICANE HOOLY – Hung out throughout the score up, out of position when the start was initiated, a warning was placed against the filly. Started to tire leaving the 450m mark to be beaten 59.3m. Driver Leilani Justice could offer no explanation to the performance of HURRICANE HOOLY and advised stewards that the filly would now be spelled.

SEGUILE STELLA – Started to tire leaving the 750m mark to be beaten 98.1m. A last chance to race competitively was placed against the filly.

CAPTAIN PERFECT – Raced greenly throughout the score-up, resulting in being out of position when the start was initiated. A warning was subsequently placed against the colt. Raced four and three wide during the early stages before progressing forward to race outside the leader approaching the 1000m mark.

RACE 5 – BACCHUS MARSH FARM SUPPLIES PACING CUP FINAL (2240 MS)

AUCKLAND RED – Held up for clear running entering the home straight before using the sprint lane.

MR TEDDY NZ – Surrendered the lead to PICTURE US ROLLIN approaching the 1800m mark. Was held up for clear running upon entering the home straight, making contact with the sulky of PICTURE US ROLLIN before using the sprint lane.

BUS STOP – Raced roughly numerous times throughout the race, a warning was placed against the gelding. Raced three wide without cover from the 800m mark, started to give ground leaving the 300m to be beaten 22.4m.

ROCKNROLL GRONK – Had to be steadied approaching the 1800m mark when BUS STOP raced roughly. Raced three wide without cover from the 1750m mark before racing outside the leader from the 1500m mark.

PICTURE US ROLLIN – Worked forward to obtain the lead approaching 1800m mark. Sustained a flat tyre when MR TEDDY NZ contacted the sulky upon entering the home straight.

RACE 6 – BACCHUS MARSH HARNESS RACING CLUB COMMITTEE TROTTERS CUP FINAL (2240 MS)

SCAR – The gelding broke gait without interference approaching the 1100m mark before trailing the field. Consequently, a last chance to race truly was issued against the gelding.

ROMANTIC NINA – Shifted out when placed under pressure over the concluding stages.

NOBLE COUNT NZ – Raced three wide after the start before progressing forward to race outside the leader approaching the 1900m mark. Continued to improve from the 1250m mark, obtaining the lead approaching the 1100m mark.

DELS DESTINY NZ – Checked and broke gait when PARIS JAMILLA broke gait when free of interference approaching the 400m mark.

AI SEDHAI – Checked when PARIS JAMILLA broke gait when free of interference approaching the 400m mark.

KYVALLEY PICASSO NZ – Out of position when the start was initiated, a last chance draw was placed against the gelding.

PARIS JAMILLA – The mare broke gait without interference approaching the 400m mark. A warning was subsequently placed against the mare.

RACE 7 – HARAS DES TROTTEURS TROT (1720 MS)

DICKO DIXON – Held up for clear running entering the home straight before using the sprint lane.

DA PREZ – Had to be steadied approaching the 600m mark when KYVALLEY PAINT NZ shifted out.

KYVALLEY PAINT NZ – Shifted out approaching the 600m mark.

ALLWATFUNJINGLES – Out of position when the start was initiated, as a result, ALLWATFUNJINGLES will be excluded from the barrier draw in future mobile races.

RACE 8 – ALABAR PACE (1200 MS)

CRAFTY OLD FOX – Due to having competed in more than 200 lifetime races and in accordance with HRV policy was examined by the veterinarian before and after the race which revealed no apparent abnormalities.

SPUN SILVER – Surrendered the lead to ISLAND CAESAR approaching the 800m mark.

BREATHE EASY – Raced three-wide with cover from the 1100m mark.

ISLAND CAESAR – Worked forward to the lead approaching the 800m mark.

SOUTHPAW SLUGGER – Raced three wide throughout the race without cover.

Christopher Simpson

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 3 – BLAZING SHANNON; Race 4 – OLLIES THE BOSS; Race 5 – SOMEJOYFUL NZ; Race 6 – NOBLE COUNT NZ;
	Post- Race: Race 1 – POPCORNFRIDAY; Race 5 – LIKEABLE ROGUE; Race 6 – THE SKY IS THE LIMIT; Race 8 – ISLAND CAESAR;
Suspensions	NIL
Fines
Race 5	Gary Murnane	210	$50.00
Cautions
Race 3	Tasmyn Potter	D/CT
Race 4	Emma Stewart	T/CT
Race 5	Alex Ashwood	T/CT
Race 5	Amy Day	D/CCD
Race 7	Tristan Larsen	D/CSG
Horse Actions
Race 1	HEY GOYOUGOODTHING NZ	ODM
Race 1	AZOR AHAI NZ	ODM
Race 2	ASHANTE PRINCE	CODM
Race 7	ALLWATFUNJINGLES	ODM
Late Scratching’s	NIL
Follow Ups	NIL
Adjourned Inquiries	NIL
Sulky Fund Claims	NIL