Stewards Report
St Arnaud 09/11/2025
HARNESS RACING VICTORIA
STEWARDS REPORT FOR ST ARNAUD
9 NOVEMBER 2025
Daniel Borg (Chairman) |
Trainers with multiple horses engaged in any given race were questioned as to the intended driving tactics to be adopted.
RACE 1 – VICBRED VOUCHER MAIDEN PACE (1740 MS)
ONLY SON – Stewards queried driver Alex Ashwood regarding his decision at approx. the 800m to direct his drive downward, which then appeared to allow MILLWOOD MIKI (Leigh Sutton), who was improving three-wide at the time, to obtain a position on the back of MEZZANOTTI (Luke Dunne). Mr Ashwood explained that from approx. 1000m, he turned his whip forward and drove ONLY SON forward, however the gelding was not travelling well enough at the time to remain directly behind MEZZANOTTI which was then the catalyst for his decision to obtain the shortest possible run home and move down to the marker pegs, thus allowing MILLWOOD MIKI to shift inwards and obtain cover. Mr Ashwood added that ONLY SON was ultimately disappointing in the run home. Stewards noted Mr Ashwood’s explanation.
RACE 2 – CASEY' TRUCK & TRACTOR PACE (1740 MS)
The start time of this event was amended to 1.10pm.
MAYWYNS JEWEL – hung in during the score-up. Driver Ashley Manton plead guilty to a charge under AHRR170(4)(b) which reads “a driver shall not attempt or allow his foot or leg to be placed in the immediate vicinity of the hind legs of the horse he is driving”, with the Stewards particularizing that “when driving MAYWYNS JEWEL out over the final 200m, Mr Manton attempted or allowed his right foot to be placed in the immediate vicinity of his drive’s hind legs”. In determining penalty, in accordance with the HRV Minimum Penalty Guidelines, Stewards noted Mr Manton’s guilty plea, recent and overall record under this rule and issued a fine the sum of $250. Mr Manton was advised of his appeal rights. Further, Mr Manton was fined the sum of $200 under AHRR156(2)(a) for applying the whip to MAYWYNS JEWEL with more than a wrist-only flicking motion, in an action which engaged the elbow and shoulder and displayed an overt amount of force on several occasions inside the final 200m. Clear record noted.
YANKEE RAIN – held up for clear running rounding the final turn; utilized the sprint lane thereafter. Driver Leigh Sutton was fined the sum of $200 under AHRR156(2)(a) for applying the whip to YANKEE RAIN with more than a wrist-only flicking motion, in an action which engaged the elbow and shoulder and displayed an overt amount of force on several occasions inside the final 200m. Clear record noted.
LILSTREPO – driver Alex Ashwood was cautioned for extricating the mare away from the runner drawn ahead on the front row, prior to the start being effected. Clear record noted.
VILLAROCK – contacted own sulky and galloped at approx. 1000m; last chance to race tractably. Trailed the field thereafter.
RACE 3 – FRANK EVANS MEMORIAL TROTTERS HANDICAP (2120 SS)
TENSION SEEKER - pre and post-race veterinary examinations in accordance with the HRV Animal Welfare policy having attained 12 or more years of age. No obvious abnormalities either examination.
MAUDARCHY NZ – tired to be beaten 80m into ninth placing; last chance to race competitively.
KYVALLEY MISTY – Forced wider at approx. 1400m when POPPY POPSTAR (Nick Youngson) was racing in a half-cart position. Galloped on three separate occasions in running; last chance to race tractably.
ROBERT JOHN – galloped away; continued exclusion from future standing start draws. Contacted a marker peg and galloped at approx. 1000m.
POPPY POPSTAR – driver Nick Youngson was cautioned for allowing his drive to race in a half-cart position from approx. 1450m, which inconvenienced KYVALLEY MISTY (Tristan Larsen), who was aiming to improve to his outside at the time.
PLEASE LAYLA – stood flat-footed when the tapes were released; last chance in the standing start draw. Tired to be beaten 77.5m into eighth placing: warning issued.
MY HONEY DONT – galloped when yielding ground in the back straight on the final occasion.
DESIGNER VICI – galloped rounding the first turn and trailed the field thereafter.
RACE 4 – KEN & MAUREEN WARD MEMORIAL PACE FINAL (1740 MS)
MONSIEUR FLAMEL – began badly; exclusion from future mobile start events.
NORMANDY NUGGET – held up for clear running rounding the final turn.
ZU HOFFEN – driver Jason Hackett was was fined the sum of $200 under AHRR156(2)(a) for applying the whip to ZU HOFFEN with more than a wrist-only flicking motion, in an action which engaged the elbow and shoulder and displayed an overt amount of force on several occasions inside the final 200m. Clear record noted.
KEMPSEYS DELIGHT - pre and post-race veterinary examinations in accordance with the HRV Animal Welfare policy having attained 12 or more years of age, 200 or more lifetime starts and an active engagement at Ararat in the 24 hours after this event. No obvious abnormalities detected at any check.
RACE 5 – JARRYD EZARD CONSTRUCTION PACE FINAL (2150 MS)
HUXHAM CHUBB – hung and contacted marker pegs prior to the entrance of the sprint lane on the final occasion. Driver Lochie Cook was fined the sum of $100 under AHRR156(3) for unapproved whip use in that he used the whip on more occasions than are allowed inside the final 200m.
WATCH IT HAPPEN – inconvenienced at approx. 1500m when WOW YOU CAN DANCE and ROCKNROLL ROCKET locked wheels ahead.
WOW YOU CAN DANCE – locked wheels with ROCKNROLL ROCKET at approx. 1500m when the latter hung outwards. Driver Jackie Barker was queried as to her driving tactics during the middle stages where, after locking wheels with ROCKNROLL ROCKET, she then drove WOW YOU CAN DANCE forward and resisted the opportunity to obtain cover from GRINNING BEACH BOY (Michael Bellman) for a short distance, before then restraining from approx. 1300m and allowing the latter to progress forward, ultimately obtaining cover from that runner at approx. 1000m. Ms Barker explained that pre-race instructions from connections were to drive the gelding forward, however WOW YOU CAN DANCE did not begin with the required speed to allow for same. Ms Barker added that her intention was then to improve forward from approx. 1600m with the possibility of challenging HUXHAM CHUBB for the lead, however WOW YOU CAN DANCE was then inconvenienced and locked wheels with ROCKNROLL ROCKET when that runner hung outward at the 1500m. Mr Barker further added that once the wheels became unlocked she then drove WOW YOU CAN DANCE forward for a short distance from approx. 1450m to 1300m and when it became apparent that the position in the lead was not available, and that GRINNING BEACH BOY (Michael Bellman) were persisting with their improvement three-wide that she would restrain and take cover from the latter. Stewards noted Ms Barker’s explanation.
INSIDER TRADING – tired to be beaten 56.1m into tenth and last placing; warning issued.
ROCKNROLL ROCKET – hung out marginally at approx. 1500m and locked wheels with WOW YOU CAN DANCE.
SIR NIPPA – held up for clear running rounding the final turn; utilized sprint lane thereafter.
GRINNING BEACH BOY – inconvenienced at approx. 1500m when WOW YOU CAN DANCE and ROCKNROLL ROCKET locked wheels ahead.
REIGN EM IN – hung out and paced roughly shortly after the start.
FOREGONE CONCLUSION NZ – hung out during the score-up, out of position when start effected as a result; warning issued.
ASMILEANDAWINX – held up and unable to obtain clear running over the final 400m.
RACE 6 – BSL ST ARNAUD SPORTING CLUB TROTTERS CUP (2520 SS)
BLACK AND GOLD - pre and post-race veterinary examinations in accordance with the HRV Animal Welfare policy having attained 200 or more lifetime starts. No obvious abnormalities either examination.
NIGHT WHISPERER – inconvenienced shortly after the start when SHAQ THE ANVIL galloped. Tired to be beaten 54.4m into eighth placing, and a warning was issued.
SHAQ THE ANVIL – galloped shortly after the start; exclusion from standing start draws. Trailed the field thereafter.
MAESTRO – trainer Brent Lilley was cautioned for not advising dual-runner tactics by the prescribed time.
LINK IN BIO – galloped out; exclusion from future standing start draws.
DOUBLE HELIX – slowly away. Tired to be beaten 56.1m into ninth placing; warning issued.
AVANT GUARD – inconvenienced and contacted the sulky of HATCHBACK at approx. 200m when that runner hung inward.
FREMARKS PEGGY – galloped heading into the first turn. Trailed the field thereafter.
HATCHBACK – hung in under pressure rounding the final turn, inconveniencing AVANT GUARD; warning issued.
JOHNS BOY NZ – inconvenienced rounding the first turn when FREMARKS PEGGY galloped, having to navigate wider around that runner. Driver Tristan Larsen was queried regarding his driving tactics through the middle stages. Mr Larsen explained that when angling the gelding wider at approx. 1600m, his intention was to improve past AVANT GUARD (Ellen Tormey) who was approx. two lengths away from the leader and leading up the two-wide line, however JOHNS BOY NZ did not improve as quickly as anticipated with Mr Larsen then electing to restrain to a rearward position from approx. 800m. Stewards noted Mr Larsen’s explanation.
RACE 7 – WEIR'S IGA ST ARNAUD PACE (1740 MS)
OUTMAZING NZ – galloped at approx. 225m; last chance to race tractably.
ANIMADO – checked and galloped 225m when OUTMZING NZ broke gait.
RED SHORES - checked and galloped 225m when OUTMZING NZ broke gait.
EASTBRO KOZZY – post-race veterinary examination revealed that the gelding to be displaying signs of colic. Treatment administered by the on-course veterinarian and as such, the gelding will now be stood down for a period of six (6) days.
INTO THE HARKNESS – driver Luke Dunne was queried regarding the overall performance of the gelding who yielded ground to be beaten 81.3m into eleventh and last placing. Mr Dunne explained that he drove the mare forward from approx. 1100m in the three wide line, in the aim of putting the mare into the race however, INTO THE HARKNESS did not progress forward as anticipated. Mr Dunne added that from approx. 700m, the mare’s run then ended, giving ground rapidly thereafter. Post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any obvious abnormalities. Stewards intend to follow-up with connections in the coming days as to the mare’s recovery. INTO THE HARKNESS will now be placed on her last chance to race competitively owing to the beaten margin.
On 14 November 2025, trainer Shaun McNaulty reported that in the days following the engagement at St Arnaud on 9 November 2025, INTO THE HARKNESS had recovered well, and would continue on with her current preparation.
LOCHIEL LAD NZ – hung out in the score-up. Held up for clear running rounding the final turn. Checked and galloped when OUTMAZING NZ broke gait at approx. 225m.
IMAGINATION ORO – checked at approx. 200m as a result of OUTMAZING NZ breaking gait.
COTCHINELLIE – checked at approx. 200m as a result of OUTMAZING NZ breaking gait.
RACE 8 – MCNAULTY RACING ST ARNAUD PACING CUP (2150 MS)
SPIRIT OF ANARCHY NZ – trainer Brent Lilley was fined the sum of $50 under AHRR268A(1) for failing to lodge a gear form for the gelding by the prescribed time. In adopting this approach, Stewards noted that Mr Lilley had been cautioned under this rule in the preceding 28 days.
STRAPPING RED – no clear run over the final 200m.
PESCI – pulled hard through the early stages when being restrained rearward.
CURYO GENTLEMAN – yielded ground from approx. 300m. Connections hypothesized that what appeared to be a poor performance could be attributed to the gelding afflicted with the same malady or issue that other stable runners had been afflicted in the days leading into this event. Post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any obvious abnormalities. Stewards intend to follow-up with connections in the coming days as to the gelding’s recovery.
On 15 November 2025, trainer Rod Carberry reported that in the days following the engagement at St Arnaud on 9 November 2025, CURYO GENTLEMAN had been examined by a veterinarian, had shown signs of a respiratory infection and had been treated accordingly. Mr Carberry added that CURYO GENTLEMAN would remain in work, and should the gelding recovery satisfactorily would continue on with the current preparation.
HES ALL TORQUE – pulled hard in running.
DIAMOND ECLIPSE – galloped at the winning post with two laps to run; last chance to race tractably.
RACE 9 – WEIR'S IGA ST ARNAUD PACE (2150 MS)
IAMWINGATE - pre and post-race veterinary examinations in accordance with the HRV Animal Welfare policy having attained 12 or more years of age and 200 or more lifetime starts. No obvious abnormalities either examination.
TOPHUT JOHNY - pre and post-race veterinary examinations in accordance with the HRV Animal Welfare policy having attained 200 or more lifetime starts. No obvious abnormalities either examination. Pulled hard when racing outside the leader through the middle stages.
ONE OFF NZ - pre and post-race veterinary examinations in accordance with the HRV Animal Welfare policy having attained 200 or more lifetime starts. No obvious abnormalities either examination
Daniel Borg
Chairman
‘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.’
Swabs:
Pre-Race:
Race 4: Icanmotor
Race 5: Sir Nippa
Race 8: Curyo Gentleman
Race 9 : Bettorsweetvictory
Post-Race:
Race 5: Rocknroll Rocket
Race 6: Link in Bio
Race 8: Dhaulagiri NZ
Race 9: Zwick
| Suspensions: | NIL | ||
| Fines: | |||
| Race 2: | L. Sutton | 156(2)(a) | $200 |
| Race 2: | A. Manton | 156(2)(a) | $200 |
| Race 2: | A. Manton | 170(4)(b) | $250 |
| Race 4: | J. Hackett | 156(2)(a) | $200 |
| Race 5: | L. Cook | 156(3) | $100 |
| Race 8: | B. Lilley | 258A(1) | $50 |
| Cautions: | |||
| Race 2: | A. Ashwood | D/CSP | |
| Race 3: | N. Youngson | D/CHC | |
| Race 5: | M. Bellman | D/CSP | |
| Race 8: | B. Lilley | T/CG | |
| Horse Actions: | |||
| Race 3: | Robert John | CODS | |
| Race 4: | Monsieur Flamel | ODM | |
| Race 6: | Link in Bio | ODS | |
| Race 6: | Shaq The Anvil | ODS | |
| Race 7: | Eastbro Cozzy | SD6D (NTC) | |
| Late Scratchings: | NIL | ||
| Follow Ups: | NIL | ||
| Race 7: | Into The Harkness | ||
| Race 8: | Curyo Gentleman | ||
| Adjourned Inquiries: | NIL | ||
| Sulky Fund Claims: | NIL |
