Stewards Report

NEWCASTLE HARNESS RACING CLUB

FRIDAY, 1^ST NOVEMBER 2024

STEWARDS REPORT

 

 

Stewards	D Westwood (Chairman), S Cullen, S Snudden
Starter	D Beevers
Veterinarian	Dr J Gallagher
Swab Official	M Sizer
Track	Fast
Weather	Fine

 

 

RACE 1 – WARNERS BAY HOTEL PACE – 1609 metres

YESNOMAYBESO– Examined pre and post-race by the veterinarian with no abnormalities reported.  Held up for clear running in the early stages of the run to the finish.

MICKEYS BRIDE– Pre-race sample was taken.  Post-race sample was taken.

ETERNAL DREAM NZ– Had a tendency to over race during the middle and latter stages of the score up and continued to over race after the start was affected as the field entered the first turn broke stride and continued to gallop for some distance losing all chance in the event.  It was reported post-race that the elastic hopple shortener on the near side had broken.  Connections were advised a warning would be issued. 

VINETTE – Held up for clear running in the early stages of the run to the finish.

HALSEY NICOLE– Held up for clear running in the early stages of the run to the finish.

 

RACE 2 – FOTEFF PROPERTY GROUP PACE – 1609 metres

COOL NIGHT– Held up for clear running in the early stages of the run to the finish.

BOBBY WATERHOUSE NZ– Held up for clear running in the early stages of the run to the finish.

THEARTOFINFUSION– Examined pre and post-race by the veterinarian with no abnormalities reported. 

PETER FORSBERG NZ– Fractious in the early stages of the score up and out of position as the start was affected.  A warning was issued.  Gave ground as the field negotiated the final turn.

PAYTONS ROCK NZ– Upon request from connections was re-included into the mobile barrier draw. 

MERRYWOOD PAUL– Pre-race sample was taken.  Out of position as the start was affected due to hanging in throughout the score up.  Connections were advised it will continue to be excluded from the mobile barrier draw.  Raced wide for the duration of the event and had a tendency to race roughly and hang in on all turns.  A warning was issued.  Also had a tendency to hang in whilst under pressure over the concluding stages.  When questioned regarding the tactics adopted driver S Grima advised that it was his intention to be forward in the event however each time when looking to go forward had a tendency to hang in on the turns and race roughly haltering his momentum.  He added that during the middle stages was happy to sit three wide and when racing down the back straight on the final occasion got as far forward as possible in an attempt to navigate the final turn before finishing off the event well to be successful.  Stewards noted his comments.  Post-race sample was taken.

LIGHTNING BOB– Examined pre and post-race by the veterinarian with no abnormalities reported. 

 

RACE 3 – P.R.I.D.E BUSINESS COACHING PACE – 2030 metres

SPIRIT KING– Checked as the field raced down the back straight on the final occasion when trailing weakening runners.

DUGGEE SLOY– Weakened over the concluding stages to be beaten a considerable distance.  Driver L Rando explained to Stewards that after being caught wide in the early stages of the event had to do too much work in his opinion to find the position outside of the leader and as a result was disappointing over the concluding stages.  Connections were advised it will now be stood down until it can requalify on one occasion.

ROCLEA IMAGE– Post-race sample was taken.

CYA ART NZ– Pre-race sample was taken.

 

RACE 4 – DOWLING PROPERTY GROUP / WANDIYALI HAWKESBURY TO HUNTER HEAT ONE – 2030 metres

YOGI– Driver J Taaffe was fined the sum of $200 under rule 156(7) in that when driving out over the concluding stages struck the inside sulky disc with the whip on several occasions.

SYLVIA KAY NZ– Momentarily locked wheels with HY FILANTE as the field raced down the back on the final occasion.

HEY MISTER TAYLOR– Gave ground over the concluding stages to be beaten some distance.  When questioned regarding the tactics and the overall performance driver K Elliott explained to Stewards that it was her intentions to be forward in the event and hold the position outside of the leader if possible.  She further added that when presented with a challenge from SECRET WISH in the early stages of the event and was happy to take cover given the pressure in the event however when that runner moved forward it obtained the lead leaving her runner without cover again during the running.  She further added that LOUIGI (D Spencer) that presented with another challenge in the middle stages of the event to which she was happy to take cover however that runner was slow to muster speed to obtain the position outside of the leader racing down the back straight commenced to weaken and was beaten some distance.  Stewards noted her comments.

HY FILANTE– Momentarily locked wheels with SYLVIA KAY NZ as the field raced down the back straight on the final occasion.

LOUIGI– Had a tendency to hang in when racing three wide passing the 900 metres when attempting to move forward to the position outside of the leader.

DOLLARSIGN– Had a tendency to shift ground up the track whilst under pressure over the concluding stages.  Post-race sample was taken.

IMLIKA– Held up for clear running in the early stages of the run to the finish.

LACHIES IDEAL– Pre-race sample was taken. 

 

RACE 5 – DARREN GREEN GOLF CENTRE / WANDIYALI HAWKESBURY TO HUNTER HEAT TWO – 2030 metres

ROCKNROLL TONY– Pre-race sample was taken.

SILVER LADY NZ– Held up for clear running over the concluding stages and not fully tested.

SWEETLY SPOKEN– Post-race sample was taken.

 

RACE 6 – MICHAEL EVERS & CO / WANDIYALI HAWKESBURY TO HUNTER HEAT THREE – 2030 metres

AVAIDEN– Post-race sample was taken.

BE GOOD BENNY– Weakened over the concluding stages to be beaten some distance.  Driver B Hughes could not offer any suitable explanation for the performance.  A post-race veterinary examination revealed no abnormalities.  Connections were advised will now be stood down until it can requalify on one occasion.

GOOD WORD THAT– Examined pre and post-race by the veterinarian with no abnormalities reported.

ROBUST EASTON NZ– Pre-race sample was taken.

DE LA RENTA NZ– When questioned regarding the performance driver J Gallagher explained that when racing passing the 900 metres elected to make a move three wide which was further out from the finish than first expected however given the early tempo believed this was necessary.  He further added that shortly thereafter was able to gain cover however when asked for an effort over the concluding stages failed to respond and was somewhat disappointing.  Stewards noted his comments.

NIFTY STUDLEIGH– Examined pre and post-race by the veterinarian with no abnormalities reported.  Had a tendency to hang in as the field negotiated the final turn.

 

RACE 7 – NORTHERN NSW FOOTBALL / WANDIYALI HAWKESBURY TO HUNTER HEAT FOUR – 2030 metres

SHADOW ECLIPSE– Examined pre and post-race by the veterinarian with no abnormalities reported.

GROSESTAR– Post-race sample was taken.

REPARTEE NZ– Pre-race sample was taken. 

GIGI I GOT THIS– Had a tendency to race roughly as the field negotiated the final turn.

 

RACE 8 – NEWCASTLE OLYMPIC FOOTBALL CLUB PACE – 2030 metres

GENERAL– Prior to the declaration of all clear Stewards gave consideration to a protest lodged by driver A Bourke (TOUGH NUT TEEJAY) fourth past the post against the runner first past the post SHEZA REBEL (T Callaghan) alleging interference at the 50 metre mark.  Upon review of the evidence and at the patrol footage Stewards determined that TOUGH NUT TEEJAY when shifting back towards the marker pegs never established nor was there ever clear running for horse and sulky to progress to the inside of SHEZA REBEL which did shift down the track marginally when corrected by its driver T Callaghan.  As Stewards could not be satisfied that a run was available the protest was dismissed and all clear given on judge’s numbers.

At a subsequent inquiry Stewards advised drivers T Callaghan (SHEZA REBEL) and A Bourke (TOUGH NUT TEEJAY) to show greater care in similar circumstances when driving.

SHEZA REBEL– Pre-race sample was taken.  Shifted in when corrected down the track approaching the 50 metres and sustained a contact to the near side wheel.  Post-race sample was taken.

UPSTREAM– Had a tendency to race roughly as the field negotiated the final turn and was checked and broke stride prior entering the home straight for the run to the finish

BARBARADAWNSHANNON– Broke stride during the score up and was out of position as the start was affected.  Connections were advised it will now be excluded from the mobile barrier draw.

VALIANT CHARGER– Had a tendency to hang in as the field negotiated the first turn and weakened over the concluding stages to be beaten some distance.  A warning was issued. 

TOUGH NUT TEEJAY– Checked and broke stride as the field approached the 50 metres when contacting the sulky of SHEZA REBEL. 

WATSLUVGOTTADO– Weakened over the concluding stages to be beaten some distance.  A warning was issued.

BRING YOUR BEST– Driver B Elder pleaded guilty to a charge under rule 163(1)(a)(iii) in that when negotiating the final turn failed to make the sufficient effort to prevent his runner from shifting up the track whereas a result checked the running of UPSTREAM which broke stride.  Driver B Elder’s licence to drive in races was suspended for a period of seven days.  When considering penalty Stewards took into account his record in relation to interference and guilty plea and other mitigating factors which included UPSTREAM which had a tendency to race roughly as the field negotiated the final turn in addition to BRING YOUR BEST having a tendency to hang out.

 

 

 

 

SUMMARY
Reprimands	Nil
Fines	Race 4 – J Taaffe – Rule 156(7) - $200 – YOGI
Suspensions	Race 8 – B Elder – Rule 163(1)(a)(iii) – 7 days – BRING YOUR BEST
Barrier Information	Race 2 – PAYTONS ROCK – BMD Race 8 – BARBARADAWNSHANNON – ODM
Trials/Stand Down	Race 3 – DUGGEE SLOY – 1 trial Race 6 – BE GOOD BENNY – 1 trial
Late Scratchings	Nil
Adjourned Inquiries	Nil
Medical Clearance	Nil
Follow up’s	Nil