Stewards Report

Redcliffe Harness

Date: Wednesday, 30th November 2022

Track: Rain affected

Weather: Showery

Stewards Panel:D. Farquharson (Chairman), R. McCrae, S. Shinn, M. Greentree

Officials: Dr K. Sharman (Veterinarian), J. Suli (Judge), A. Rayward (Assistant Judge), G. Torpey & J. Petersen (Starters), K. Williams (Swab Official)

Supplementary Report:

Stewards concluded an inquiry opened into the driving tactics adopted by Leonard Cain on No Doubt NZ from race 4 at Redcliffe on 2 November 2022. Previous performances were viewed by Stewards and betting information from the race was analysed which revealed no discrepancy. After considering the evidence tendered, Stewards were satisfied Leonard Cain had placed No Doubt NZ under pressure from the 600 metres by way of driving the horse forward in an attempt to stay in touch with the leader The Grogfather. The sectionals for the final 800 metres of the race were recorded in 27.3 and 28.7 seconds respectively. Mr Cain advised Stewards he tapped the gelding up from the back straight and had released the deafeners after leaving the 300 metres, continuing to drive No Doubt NZ forward by flicking it with the whip. He said the gelding could do no better than the winner The Grogfather noting the deafeners on that horse had not been activated and was safely holding No Doubt NZ in the concluding stages. In deciding to take no further action, Stewards informed Leonard Cain that his driving of the gelding in the concluding stages could have shown more vigour and not to leave his driving in question, particularly failing to drive a horse out.

Trainer John McMullen advised Stewards he had incurred a float breakdown en route to the track and would be scratching all horses trained by him engaged to race in tonight’s meeting.

Race 1 – TAB VENUE MODE PACE  1780M

Roses Are Sweet (Pete McMullen)caught wide in the early stages and was restrained to a rearward trailing position. Failed to gain clear running in the concluding stages of the event.           

Shadow Minister NZ (Nathan Dawson)broke free of interference on entrance to the sprint lane and will be placed on its last chance to race truly.

General

Stewards approved a late driving change on Shadow Minister NZ from Taleah McMullen to Nathan Dawson after Taleah McMullen was involved in a float breakdown en route to course. 

Race 2 - KNUDSEN'S BETTA HOME LIVING PACE  1780M

Due to deterioration of the track, Stewards directed mudguards and splashsheets to be affixed to all sulkies.

Race 3 - PELICAN WATERS RESORT PACE  2040M

Courageous Sam (Lachie Manzelmann)when questioned by Stewards regarding his decision to challenge for the lead after being trapped wide on the first turn after the start, driver Lachie Manzelmann stated that the leader Rockslide had to be exerted early to repel the challenge of Allambie, and therefore he elected to test Rockslide briefly after obtaining the position outside the leader. Mr Manzelmann further advised Courageous Sam was not suited on the rain affected track and failed to pick up the bit at any time. He said the gelding had a normal heart rate on completion of the race and pulled up well after the race. Stewards noted the explanation.

Race 4 - NORTHGATE COMFORT INN PACE  1780M

Dig Deep (Zac Chappenden)having first start since December 2021 and tired in the concluding stages to finish a distant last beaten 105 metres. Connections were advised the mares performance was below the standard required for licenced meetings and Dig Deep was subsequently barred from racing until a satisfactory trial is performed.         

High On Montana (Ricky Gordon)galloped during the score up and was out of position at the start. Stewards advised connections the gelding will be excluded from the barrier draw in future mobile starts.

Race 5 - ELDERS WOODFORD PACE  1780M

Calvert Hot Shot (Zac Chappenden)hung in and contacted a marker peg on entrance to the back straight on the final occasion.

Bettor Rocknroll (Pete McMullen)hung in when moving forward three wide passing the 500 metres.

Mullum Doc (Angus Garrard)back in the mobile draw after two successful consecutive starts.

Race 6 - MEMBERS DRAW WINNER IAN COULSEN PACE  1780M

Mystical Jazz (Brendan Barnes)raced keenly in the back straight on the first occasion when the pace eased and contacted the off side sulky wheel of Lady Blaze when being shifted away from marker pegs resulting in the filly galloping and losing some ground. Due to the adverse conditions and some mitigating circumstances, no action was taken.

Race 7 - GARRARDS HERE ON TRACK PACE  1780M

Elpine Sally (Jordan Topping)broke at the start and will be excluded from the barrier draw in future mobile starts.           

Living Free (Nathan Dawson)shifted in when leading and contacted a marker peg on entrance to the back straight on the final occasion.        

Three Machs (Leonard Cain)checked at the start when Elpine Sally galloped.  

Handsome Harry NZ (Lachie Manzelmann)checked at the start when Elpine Sally galloped.    

Race 8 - DRIVER OF THE NIGHT LUKE WHITTAKER PACE  1780M

Datsinahurri (Keith Durston)broke after the start was affected and will be excluded from the draw in future mobile starts.  

Chasin Dreamz (Angus Garrard)checked at the start when Datsinahurri galloped.        

Race 9 - HYGAIN FEEDS 4YO & OLDER 1 WIN PACE  1780M

Iron Annie (Darren McCall)hung in and contacted a marker peg on entrance to the back straight on the final occasion.           

Village Smirker (Leonard Cain)hung out badly when leading at the 400 metres and caused interference to Hurricane Dream which was racing to its outside. Connections were advised the gelding will be placed on its last chance to race truly.    

Downtown Manhattan (Lachie Manzelmann)tired in the concluding stages to finish in last position beaten 96 metres. Connections were advised the gelding will be placed on its last chance to race competitively.

Blue Title (Ricky Gordon)scratched by Stewards at 8.15pm  after a pre race veterinary examination revealed the gelding was incubating a respiratory ailment. The Stewards adopted the Vets recommendation that Blue Title not be permitted to race for 7 days.     

Hurricane Dream (Nathan Dawson)      severely checked at the 400 metres when the leader Village Smirker hung out.

Race 10 - BURWOOD STUD MAIDEN PACE  1780M

Shesfeelinspecial (Nathan Dawson)inconvenienced in the early stages of the score up when Agent Starling contacted the barrier arm.

Agent Starling (Pete McMullen) galloped in the early stages of the score up and made heavy contact with the barrier arm but was in position when the start was effected. Connections were advised a warning would be placed on the filly’s barrier behaviour.

Swabs samples taken for analysis

Pre-race

            R3        Allambie

            R5        Gulmarg

            R7        Eagles Response

Post-race

            All winners

Race Day Summary

Scratchings

            R2        Baileys With Legs – Float Breakdown

            R5        After Darn – Float Breakdown

            R8        Caught Out, Duke NZ – Float Breakdown

            R9        Blue Title - Vets

            R10      Ollie One Shot – Float Breakdown

Licensee Actions

            Nil

Animal Actions

            R4        High On Montana – BSU OPS ODM

             R5        Mullum Doc - BMD

            R7        Elpine Sally – BAS ODM

            R8        Datsinahurri - BAS ODM

            R9        Blue Title – VXBR CR L/SCR SD7D

The matters contained within this Stewards report may be subject to an internal or external review.  The outcome of any internal review is published on the Commission’s website immediately after the release of the internal review decision to the Applicant.  External reviews are managed by QCAT and are not published on the Commission’s website.

This report and the Stewards Comments for this meeting may be amended at any time, at the sole discretion of the Queensland Racing Integrity Commission (QRIC) Stewards as races are reviewed.