Stewards Report

NEWCASTLE HARNESS RACING CLUB

MONDAY 21 NOVEMBER 2022

STEWARDS REPORT

 

 

Stewards	E Turner (Chairman), D Westwood. S Cullen
Starter	M Parkes
Veterinarian	Dr M Thournin
Swab Official	M Sizer
Track	Fast
Weather	Fine

 

RACE 1 – SKY RACING ACTIVE PACE – 2030 metres

GENERAL: Prior to the declaration of All clear driver J Hughes on behalf of connections of EAGLE UNO (Third past the post), exercised his right to review the official film regarding the final turn. Then J Hughes on behalf of connections lodged an objection against FEAR THE BLUE (Second past the post) alleging interference near the 350 metres. After considering all the evidence provided from drivers J Hughes (EAGLE UNO) and J Gallagher (FEAR THE BLUE) and reviewing the available patrol footage. It was established that when leaving the back straight on the final occasion, when FEAR THE BLUE had improved to the outside of EAGLE UNO that runnerwas inclined to hang in at that stage, which placed EAGLE UNO in restricted room for a short distance and was unable to drive forward at that point. Notwithstanding the movement of FEAR THE BLUE and the minor interference to EAGLE UNO at the 350 metres. Stewards concluded that, given the proximity to the finish, the manner in which both runners finished the event and the degree of interference. Stewards could not be comfortably satisfied that had the interference not occurred that EAGLE UNO would have finished ahead of FEAR THE BLUE and as such, the objection was dismissed and the All clear was given on the judge’s numbers 6-3-2-7.

ALEX TEE – Commenced to weaken over the concluding stages to be beaten some distance.

EAGLE UNO – Passing the 350 metres was placed in restricted room momentarily when FEAR THE BLUE hung in.

FEAR THE BLUE – Passing the 350 metres was inclined to hang in which placed EAGLE UNO in restricted room momentarily. A warning was issued.

BADLUCKBAZ – Completed a pre-race warm up prior to competing. Worked forward to obtain the lead leaving the 1800 metres.

YANKEE MERRYWOOD – Caught racing three wide in three wide in the early stages of the event prior to, working forward to obtain the lead passing the 1450 metres. Stewards questioned driver W Rixon in regards to the below market performance of  the gelding ($2.25 fav) when finishing in ninth position beaten 65.4 metres . Mr Rixon stated that, leading into the event he was confident of a competitive showing from his runner and believed that the gelding’s recent form was superior to the rest of the field. Mr Rixon added that his runner did have to work harder than he expected in the early stages when the lead time was recorded in 29.7 seconds, however after obtaining the lead he was able to dictate the race to suit. Mr Rixon further added that, the gelding failed to quicken when placed under pressure over the final 500 metres and explained that his runner may not have appreciated the quick back up from racing at Penrith on the Thursday prior. A post-race veterinary exam failed to reveal any abnormalities. After considering the recent record of the gelding, YANKEE MERRYWOOD was stood down to one re-qualifying trial.

WARRAWEE FLYER – Pre-race blood sample.

MOONLIGHT CRUISER – Caught racing three wide in three wide in the early stages of the event prior to, restraining towards the rear of the field to obtain a position in the running line 1400 metres. Inclined to hang out noticeably between the 1400 metres and the 1200 metres. A warning was issued.

ALASKAN BOY – Commenced to weaken over the concluding stages to be beaten some distance.

JUST FEELNGOOD – Commenced to weaken over the concluding stages to be beaten some distance.

 

RACE 2 – PFD FOODS LADYSHIP PACE – 2030 metres

STUDLEIGH ROWSY – Became unbalanced and broke gait rounding the first turn as a result, HENWOOD and BONUS BET NZ were checked and broke, whilst TIGER TOMMY NZ and ROCKINDOWNUNDER were hampered at that stage. After considering the recent record of the mare, STUDLEIGH ROWSY was stood down to one re-qualifying trial.

MIDNIGHT QUEEN – Had a tendency to race roughly shortly after the start was effected.

HENWOOD – Checked and broke gait rounding the first turn as a result of, STUDLEIGH ROWSY breaking gait at that stage.

CARIBBEAN SPICE – Declared a late scratching at 11:57am on veterinary advice.

TIGER TOMMY NZ – Broke gait during the early stages of the score up. A warning was issued. Hampered rounding the first turn as a result of, STUDLEIGH ROWSY breaking gait at that stage. Inclined to hang in rounding the final turn and consequently raced inside a number of marker pegs.

YARRAMAN MARKLE – Pre-race blood sample. Post-race swab sample.

BONUS BET NZ – Checked and broke gait rounding the first turn as a result of, STUDLEIGH ROWSY breaking gait at that stage.

ROCKINDOWNUNDER – Broke gait during the early stages of the score up and consequently was out of position at the start. A warning was issued. Hampered rounding the first turn as a result of, STUDLEIGH ROWSY breaking gait at that stage.

 

RACE 3 – SLICK CHICKS PACE – 2030 metres

MERRYWOOD PAUL – Worked forward to obtain the lead passing the 1700 metres.

JOGALONG BLUE – Pre-race blood sample. Had a tendency to over-race throughout the early and middle stages of the event. Became unbalanced and broke gait passing the 600 metres. A warning was issued.

PAYTONS ROCK NZ – Caught racing three wide in three wide in the early stages of the event prior to, working forward to obtain the lead leaving the 1500 metres. Post-race swab sample.

 

RACE 4 – SOMERSET MEATS PACE – 1609 metres

BONDI PRINCE – Commenced to weaken over the final 600 metres to be beaten 66.8 metres. A warning was issued. A post-race veterinary exam failed to reveal any abnormalities.

ITSALLABOUTJACK – Driver B Lindsay was issued a reprimand under rule 163(1)(a)(iii) for causing interference in that, when approaching the 100 metres she had permitted her runner to shift wider on the track when insufficiently clear of SHAME TO FAME which was obliged to steady away from the wheel of ITSALLABOUTJACK and hampered momentarily.

BRIE – Held up for clear running during the early stages of the run to the finish.

SHAME TO FAME – Caught racing three wide in three wide in the early stages of the event prior to, working forward to obtain the position outside of the leader leaving the 1300 metres. Approaching the 100 metres was hampered momentarily when ITSALLABOUTJACK had shifted wider at that stage. Stewards questioned driver B Hughes in regards to the tactics employed in the event in particular from a point leaving the 1300 until the 800 metres when racing to the immediate outside of CASH EM IN SHANNON. Mr Hughes stated that, he was instructed by trainer B Flaherty to challenge for the lead in the early stages and if unsuccessful, allow the gelding to roll along outside the lead. Mr Hughes explained that, after finding the position outside of the leader at the 1300 metres he did challenge for the lead however Mr Elder indicated that the lead was not available and yielded his challenge at the 1100 metres. Mr Hughes further added that, the gelding is one paced and as such its best form is when allowed to build momentum throughout a race and therefore did not look to restrain in the middle stages of the event. Mr Hughes explained that, although the first half was recorded in 55.7 seconds he believed that he was not dictating the speed for a majority of that section. Stewards noted his comments.

THE THUG NZ – Inconvenienced behind the tiring BONDI PRINCE between the 600 metres and the 450 metres. Post-race swab sample.

GOODTIME HERO – Pre-race blood sample.

 

RACE 5 – GOOZDOLPHIN RACING MAIDEN MUSTER DECEMBER PACE– 1609 metres

GLEN INNES LAD – Inclined to hang out severely between the 600 metres and the 400 metres. After considering the recent record of the gelding, GLEN INNES LAD was place on its last chance to race truly.

THE MOVEMENT – Had a tendency to over-race throughout the early stages of the event.

TAKEME TO THE BEACH – Stewards delayed the declaration of All clear for an opportunity to review the start. After taking evidence from driver G Panella and reviewing the available patrol footage, it was established that prior to the start when TAKEME TO THE BEACH was scoring up fiercely the mare had managed to pull the half pole on the near side through the bridle. It was then ascertained that Ms Panella was unable to raise her hand to indicate to the starter of the gear issue due to the mare pulling however raised the reins as high as she could and consequently the mare galloped as the start was effected. As stewards were satisfied that TAKEME TO THE BEACH had encountered a gear malfunction prior to the start, TAKEME TOTHE BEACH was declared a non-runner in field due to being denied a fair start, and the All clear was given on the judge’s numbers 9-8-6-4.

WAT A FEEING NZ – Pre-race blood sample. Trainer K Morris was fined the sum of $50 under rule 268A(1) for failing to lodge a gear form for the colt.

LOVE LOU – Post-race swab sample.

 

RACE 6 – THE FEATURE SWEEPSTAKES PACE – 1609 metres

THE MIGHTY MONDO NZ – Pre-race blood sample. Became unbalanced and broke gait shortly after the start as a result, SILVER LADY NZ was checked. A warning was issued.

SILVER LADY NZ – Checked shortly after the start when THE MIGHTY MONDO NZ broke gait. Held up for clear running over the concluding stages and was not fully tested.

TE QUIRO – Caught racing three wide in three wide in the early stages of the event prior to, securing a position in the running line passing the 1350 metres.

GHOSTLY COURAGE – Worked forward to obtain the lead passing the 1350 metres. Post-race swab sample.

BREXITT – Broke gait during the first attempt to score up and checked the running of MYKINDOFFEELING,as such a false start was declared. In view of the gelding’s recent record connections were advised that, BREXITT would now be excluded from the mobile barrier draw. Furthermore, driver J Gallagher pleaded guilty to a charge under rule 162(1)(d) in that, when attempting to return BREXITT to its correct gait he failed to immediately steer wider on the track when permissible to do so and as a result, MYKINDOFFEELING was checked which delayed the start of the event gratuitously. When assessing penalty stewards considered, Mr Gallagher’s guilty plea, his overall driving record and the circumstances around the incident. J Gallagher was fined the sum of $200.

 

RACE 7 – DOWNLOAD THE TAB APP TODAY PACE – 2030 meters

QUE SERA – Post-race swab sample.

WHAT NOW SHANNON – Had a tendency to over-race throughout the middle stages of the event.

RUBY BABY NZ – Caught racing three wide in three wide in the early stages of the event prior to, working forward to the position outside of the leader passing the 1400 metres.

ROCKTAGONAL – Caught racing three wide in three wide in the early stages of the event prior to, restraining towards the rear of the field to obtain a position in the running line leaving the 1500 metres. Had a tendency to race roughly for a short distance passing the 600 metres.

ROSIE ROCKS – Caught racing three wide in three wide in the early stages of the event prior to, working forward to the position outside of the leader passing the 1200 metres. Leaving the 200 metres sustained contact to the off-side sulky wheel from AUDACE resulting in a puncture. Driver G Panella was reprimanded under rule 170(1)(a) in that, over the final 100 metres of the event she allowed her right foot to drop below the sulky rest.

MARIKA SPRINGFIELD – Had a tendency to over-race throughout the early stages of the event.

AUDACE – Over-raced and contacted the off-side wheel of ROSIE ROCKS leaving the 200 metres. Approval was given for AUDACE,to be re-included into the mobile barrier draw.

SELSEY BILL NZ – Pre-race blood sample.

MISTI GAYNOR NZ – Improved three wide from the 1200 metres until obtaining the lead passing the 1000 metres.

 

 

Supplementary Report Race 6 - Newcastle 11^th November 2022

Driver A Bourke pleaded guilty to a charge under Rule 231(2) in that following the running of Race 6 engaged inappropriately with trainer A Goadbsy from a point nearing the marshalling yard continuing into the race day stalls. A Bourke was fined the sum of $500 of which $250 was suspended for a period of 12 months. When assessing penalty stewards took into account his good record in relation to conduct and plea of guilt. A Bourke was advised of his rights of appeal.

Trainer A Goadsby pleaded not guilty to a charge under Rule 231(2) in that following the running of race 6 engaged with driver A Bourke in an inappropriate manner from a point near marshalling yard and continued into the race day stalls. The hearing was adjourned to a time and date to be fixed to allow Mr Goadbsy to present further evidence.

 

 

 

 

 

 

SUMMARY
Reprimands	Race 4 – B Lindsay – Rule 163(1)(a)(iii) – ITSALLABOUTJACK Race 7 – G Panella – Rule 170(1)(a) – ROSIE ROCKS
Fines	Race 5 – K Morris – Rule 268A(1) – $50 – WAT A FEELING NZ Race 6 – J Gallagher – Rule 162(1)(d) – $200 – BREXITT Newcastle 11/11/22 – Race 6 – A Bourke – Rule 231(2) – $500 ($250 suspended 12 months) – SUNDAY SESH
Suspensions	Nil
Barrier Information	Race 6 – BREXITT – ODM Race 7 – AUDACE – BMD
Trials/Stand Down	Race 1 – YANKEE MERRYWOOD – Rule 63(2) – 1 Trial Race 2 – STUDLEIGH ROWSY – Rule 63(2) – 1 Trial
Late Scratching	Race 2 – CARIBBEAN SPICE – 11:57am – Veterinary advice
Adjourned Inquiries	Nil
Medical Clearance	Nil
Follow up’s	Nil