Stewards Report

PENRITH HARNESS RACING CLUB

THURSDAY 24 NOVEMBER 2022

STEWARDS REPORT

 

 

Stewards	C Paul (Chairman), C Jasprizza, S Snudden
Starter	T Clarke
Veterinarian	Dr A Argyle, Dr M Wainscott
Swab Official	J Quon
Track	Fast
Weather	Fine

 

GENERAL

HRNSW Stewards conducted compliance inspections. Subsequently the following penalties were imposed:

Seaton Grima pleaded guilty to a charge under Rule 159A (8) in that he was in possession of an unapproved body protector, specifically a Viper 1. Adopting the HRNSW penalty guidelines, S Grima was fined the sum of $250. S Grima was provided with a direction under Rule 238 in that a person shall comply with an order or direction given by the Stewards. Specifically, the Viper 1 is not to be used, nor is he to have in his possession a Viper 1 body protector when conducting harness race activities on private or public Harness racing facilities.

Driver J McCarthy pleaded guilty to a charge under Rule 159A (8) in that he was in possession of a modified Viper 2 body protector. In assessing penalty, consideration was given to the fact it was the first offence for J McCarthy under this rule. Adopting the HRNSW penalty guidelines, J McCarthy was fined the sum of $400 and his body protector was confiscated.

 

RACE 1 – DOWNLOAD THE TAB APP TODAY PACE– 1720 metres

ALLIYAHS HOPE– Caught wide during the early stages before being restrained to the rear of the field.

FASHION TREND– Pre-race blood sample. Hung in after the start.

JAKCAM FLYER– Post-race swab sample.

AGIFTFROMTHEANGELS – Approaching the 200 metres was inclined to hang in and race roughly. Driver B Portelli pleaded guilty to a charge under Rule 156(2)(a) in that he applied his whip to AGIFTFROMTHEANGELS in more than a wrist only flicking motion from the 250 metres to the 50 metres. In assessing penalty consideration was given to B Portelli’s previous offence record under this rule. As per the HRNSW whip penalty guidelines, B Portelli had his licence to drive in races suspended for a period of 7 days and additionally B Portelli was fined the sum of $400.

DEEBO– Proved to be difficult to drive over the concluding stages and was held up for clear running in the early stages of the home straight. Post-race, Driver R Alchin explained that the bit had pulled through the mouth of DEEBO making steering difficult.

 

RACE 2 – LIFESTYLE AND LEISURE ROADSOW @ PENRITH SHOWGROUND NOV 25-27 PACE – 2125 metres

REASONFORAGRANGE– Pre-race blood sample.

CAPTAIN OF SPEED– Commenced to weaken leaving the 450 metres and tired over the concluding stages to be beaten 44 metres. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no obvious abnormalities. When questioned regarding the performance of CAPTAIN OF SPEED Driver J Callaghan explained that the filly felt flat throughout the event and failed to finish the race off as well as he expected. Trainer K Pizzuto stated that he was disappointed with the performance but he added the filly was racing up in grade which may have had some slight contribution to her failure to run on. In considering the previous performance of CAPTAIN OF SPEED, market expectations ($1.90 fav) and her overall performance, Trainer K Pizzuto was advised that CAPTAIN OF SPEED will be stood down from racing until it can complete 1 satisfactory official trial for what is deemed to be an unsatisfactory and inconsistent performance.

R ELEVEN ART NZ– Passing the 700 metres was inclined to lay in and contacted marker pegs. Post-race swab sample.

ART OF GRANGE– Raced in the position outside the leader and commenced to weaken leaving the 600 metres.

FLYING PEGASUS– Underwent pre and post-race veterinary examinations as per HRNSW animal welfare guidelines. No abnormalities were detected.

CLEMENTSORRELL- Underwent pre and post-race veterinary examinations as per HRNSW animal welfare guidelines. No abnormalities were detected. Had difficulty securing clear running in the home straight and was not fully tested.

 

RACE 3 – CHRISTMAS HAM & TOY RAFFLE @ CLUB PACEWAY DEC 3 PACE – 1720 metres

IM PRESI BELLE– Post-race swab sample.

MISS DAYTONA NZ– Pre-race blood sample. Caught wide in the early stages before being restrained to the rear of the field.

LANI KAI BEACH- Underwent pre and post-race veterinary examinations as per HRNSW animal welfare guidelines. No abnormalities were detected.

MEGS MONARO– Passing the 200 metres hung in under pressure and contacted several marker pegs which caused MEGS MONARO to race roughly. A warning was placed on MEGS MONARO.

 

RACE 4 – BLACK DRAGON LIVE @ CLUB PACEWAY DEC 3 PACE – 2125 metres

SNEAK A PEEK NZ– Post-race swab sample.

AD MAIORA– Passing the 200 metres hung in under pressure and contacted marker pegs. Failed to run on over the concluding stages. When questioned regarding the performance of AD MAIORA Driver J Gallagher explained that it was his intention to lead however the gelding did not relax and over raced during the middle stages. He added that this is uncharacteristic for AD MAIORA and he added that he would consult with Trainer K Morris about a potential gear change involving the gelding’s bit. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no obvious abnormalities. J Gallagher’s explanation was noted.

PALATINO NZ– Shortly after the start had to be steadied away from GREY CADILLAC when that runner shifted in.

THE TIGER ARMY– Pre-race blood sample.

THE MALDIVES- Underwent pre and post-race veterinary examinations as per HRNSW animal welfare guidelines. No abnormalities were detected.

 

RACE 5 – CHRISTMAS RACE NIGHT @ PENRITH PACEWAY DEC 15 PACE – 1720 metres

SHADOW ECLIPSE– Near the 200 metres, was tightened and contacted marker pegs when TRUE CONFESSIONS was taken in by UNCLE CHAN NZ.

OH DADDY– Post-race swab sample.

UNCLE CHAN NZ– Driver L. Green pleaded guilty to a charge under Rule 163(1)(a)(iii) for causing interference in that approaching and rounding the home turn on the final occasion, he failed to make sufficient effort from preventing his runner shifting in and as a result tightened the racing room of TRUE CONFESSIONS (L. Rando). As a result, that runner was taken down the track into the running of SHADOW ECLIPSE (R. Morris) which was tightened or racing room and raced inside marker pegs and lost its rightful running. L. Green’s licence to drive in races was suspended for a period of 7 days to commence at midnight 3^rd December 2022. In assessing penalty Stewards took into L. Green’s guilty plea, his good driving record and the overall circumstances of the incident.

TRUE CONFESSIONS– Leaving the 200 metres was placed in restricted racing room by UNCLE CHAN NZ resulting in TRUE CONFESSIONS being taken in towards SHADOW ECLIPSE.

VINCENT VAN GONE NZ– Leaving the 1500 metres commenced to shift in from a three wide position to the running line in order to occupy the position behind POPS BOY. In doing so tightened the racing room of YOHA NZ which was racing to its inside. Driver S Grima was issued with a reprimand under Rule 163(1)(a)(iii). Driver S Grima pleaded guilty to a charge under 156(2)(a) in that he applied his whip to VINCENT VAN GONE NZ in more than a wrist only flicking motion racing between the 300 metres and the 100 metres. In assessing penalty consideration was given to S Grima’s previous whip offence record. Adopting the HRNSW whip guidelines, S Grima was fined the sum of $1000.

YOHA NZ– Racing between the 1500 metres and the 1400 metres was tightened by VINCENT VAN GONE NZ which shifted in.

POPS BOY– Pre-race blood sample.

ROCK OF DELIGHT– Pre-race blood sample.

 

RACE 6 – NSWBC REGIONAL 3YO FILLIES HEAT – 1720 metres

MAJOR MELODY– Pre-race blood sample.

LA VISTA– An inquiry was adjourned into the circumstances surrounding LA VISTA racing in restricted room leaving the 1400 metres. In addition, a further inquiry was adjourned into the tactics employed by Driver B Fitzpatrick. B Fitzpatrick will be interviewed at a date and time to be fixed as he vacated the racecourse.

TWILIGHT HEAVEN– An inquiry into the circumstances surrounding TWIGLIGHT HEAVEN racing inside the line of marker pegs near the 1400 metres was adjourned to a date and time to be fixed. Post-race swab sample.

BEAUTY PLAY– Leaving the 200 metres when held up for clear running. BEAUTY PLAY then shifted out and improved quickly into a run between HALSEY NICOLE which was shifting in and LA VISTA which shifted out marginally. Subsequently BEAUTY PLAY struck the near side wheel of HALSEY NICOLE, became unbalanced, was checked and broke gait. At a subsequent inquiry Driver W Rixon was found to have sufficient room to angle for the run however, by the time he was in a position to improve into the run, there was insufficient room due to both HALSEY NICOLE moving down the track and LA VISTA shifting out marginally. As no horse or driver could be found to be blameworthy to the requisite standard, the incident was noted and Driver W Rixon was advised to always drive with care. When questioned regarding the tactics employed on BEAUTY PLAY in particular during the early stages, W Rixon explained that pre-race he believed he did not have sufficient speed to cross LA VISTA however when that runner did not leave the barrier as well as expected he elected to drive BEAUTY PLAY with vigour in an attempt to cross LA VISTA in the early stages. He added that entering the first turn he thought he had almost enough clearance on LA VISTA to cross that runner but LA VISTA was driven with vigour and was able to maintain a position to the inside of his wheel. This forced him to continue to drive his runner hard into the back straight before crossing down approaching the 1300 metres. W Rixon added that as soon as he was able to cross to the marker pegs, he immediately steadied his filly as he knew by this stage, that he had made more use of her than he intended. W Rixon said that connections were confident BEAUTY PLAY would perform well and had he been able to obtain clear running from the 200 metres, he believed that BEAUTY PLAY would have been in the finish. W Rixon’s explanation was noted.

PAINTMEAREASON– Had difficulty securing clear running in the latter stages of the home straight and was not fully tested.

HALSEY NICOLE– Leaving the 200 metres shifted in from its 3 wide position and received contact o its near side sulky wheel from BEAUTY PLAY. Placed back in the mobile draw.

 

RACE 7 – NSWBC REGIONAL 3YO COLTS AND GELDINGS HEAT – 1720 metres

DANCE AND DELIVER– Unable to secure clear running in the home straight and was not fully tested.

BLACK ONYX– Laid in and contacted marker pegs passing the 400 metres. Post-race swab sample.

JALANEEL– Pre-race blood sample.

FOXY DADA– Caught wide in the early stages before being restrained to the rear of the field.

BARA RILEY– Near the 200 metres had to be steadied away from JALANEEL when that runner improved to its inside.

 

RACE 8 – NSWBC REGIONAL 3YO FILLIES HEAT – 1720 metres

SUGAR FOR MY HONEY– Pre-race blood sample. Post-race swab sample.

SOLAR EXPRESS– Unable to secure clear running until passing the 100 metres.

SALERO- Underwent a pre-race veterinary examination at the request of Trainer J Wheeler. No abnormalities were detected and SALERO was passed fit to take its place in the field.

LADY DELIGHT– Unable to secure clear running until passing the 100 metres when the filly shifted out.

 

RACE 9 – SO FRESH PARTY @ CLUB PACEWAY DEC 17 PACE – 1720 metres

ROSARITO ROCK– The all clear was delayed by Stewards in order to afford them an opportunity to review the final 100 metres. It was established that leaving the 100 metres ROSARITO ROCK shifted out under pressure marginally and bumped with MONEY HONEY NZ which was racing to its outside. However both runners continued unimpeded to the finish. Stewards were satisfied that the shift of ROSARITO ROCK was minor and did not materially affect the outcome of the event and subsequently the all clear was given on the judges numbers of 2-4-5-1. Post-race swab sample.

SIR JUJON– Pre-race blood sample.

 

RACE 10 – SKY RACING ACTIVE PACE – 1720 metres

GLEN INNES LAD– Broke gait in the score up and was out of position at the start. A warning was issued.

WAR CLUB– Post-race swab sample.

LAYLALOU– Tired over the concluding stages. Trainer J Mitchell was advised that a warning would be placed on the mare as it was deemed to be an unsatisfactory performance.

SPORTING TRISTAR– Shortly after the start became unbalanced and broke gait. A warning was issued. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no obvious abnormalities.

LOUISIANA FREEDOM– Pre-race blood sample.

TOOSHAY– Raced three wide during the early stages before crossing to the position outside of the leader near the 1200 metres. 

 

 

SUMMARY
Reprimands	Race 5 – Seaton Grima – Rule 163(1)(a)(iii) – VINCENT VAN GONE NZ
Fines	Race 1 – Brian Portelli – Rule 156(2)(a) - $400 – AGIFTFROMTHEANGELS Race 5 – Seaton Grima – Rule 159A(8) - $250 – VINCENT VAN GONE NZ Race 5 – Seaton Grima – Rule 156(2)(A) - $1000 – VINCENT VAN GONE NZ Race 8 – John McCarthy – Rule 159A(8) - $400 – LADY DELIGHT
Suspensions	Race 1 – Brian Portelli – Rule 156(2)(a) – 7 days – AGIFTFROMTHEANGELS – Midnight 01/12/2022 Race 5 – Lleyton Green – Rule 163(1)(a)(iii) – UNCLE CHAN NZ – 7 days – Midnight 03/12/2022
Barrier Information	Race 6 – HALSEY NICOLE - BMD
Trials/Stand Down	Race 2 – CAPTAIN OF SPEED NZ – Rue 63(2) – 1 trial
Late Scratching	Nil
Adjourned Inquiries	Race 6 – Interference – W Rixon/B Fitzpatrick/L Green – 29/11/2022
Medical Clearance	Nil
Follow up’s	Nil