Stewards Report

HARNESS RACING VICTORIA

STEWARDS REPORT FOR ST ARNAUD       

SUNDAY 10 NOVEMBER 2024

	Elliot Turner (Chairman) John Packer Wayne Smith Stephen Phelan (Starter) Dr Greg Hargreaves (Veterinarian)
	Track:    Good	Weather:	Fine

 

Trainers with multiple horses engaged in any given race were questioned as to the intended driving tactics to be adopted. 

 

RACE 1 – JARRYD EZARD CONSTRUCTIONS PACE (2150 MS)

MAJOR BERT – Pre-race blood sample.

BANKSOFTHEMURRAY – Declared a late withdrawal at 11:55am by Order of Stewards due to late arrival. In view of the circumstances surrounding the gelding being presented late on-course, no further action was taken.

TERROR EYES NZ – Hung in and broke gait rounding the final turn. TERROR EYES NZ was placed on its last chance to race truly.

CEE CEE IN AMERICA – Held up for clear running during the early stages of the run to the finish. When questioned regarding the driving tactics employed during the latter stages, driver L Dunne explained that when rounding the final turn his runner was travelling well when trailing CREDULOUS and upon entering the home straight he attempted to progress into the sprint lane, however given CREDULOUS had also taken a run inside the sprint lane at that point he believed had he continued to persist with an inside run his runner would have been held up and unable to improve its position when considering the limited racing room available in the sprint lane. He said that, he then elected to shift back up the track to afford the gelding clear running and avoid the possibility racing in restricted room, and whilst the gelding was unable to be placed under full pressure when manoeuvring up the track, once to the outside of MAJOR BERT his runner finished the race off strongly and believed the gelding had been given full opportunity to obtain its best possible finishing position. Upon review of the available patrol footage, Mr Dunne conceded that briefly during the early stages there was a full run available to the inside of CREDULOUS however had committed to shift his runner wider on the track at that point. After consideration, Stewards felt that Mr Dunne’s tactics were not entirely unreasonable in the circumstances and took the matter no further.

CREDULOUS – Held up for clear running during the early stages of the run to the finish prior to utilising the sprint lane.

 

RACE 2 – SPRAYER CENTRE TROT (1740 MS)

Stewards withheld the declaration of All clear for an opportunity to review the concluding stages in relation to DA PREZ (Fourth past the post) breaking gait over the concluding stages. After taking evidence from driver C Clarke on behalf of connections, it was established that DA PREZ had broken gait near the 100 metres and remained in a gallop when the gelding had reached the finish line and was covered by BROWN EYED KATE (Fifth past the post) and LINDY GRACE (Sixth past the post). As Stewards were satisfied that DA PREZ had reached the finish line in the incorrect gait, acting under the provisions of VLR 155A(1), DA PREZ was relegated to sixth placing and Stewards announced All clear on the new numbers 2-6-7-5.

ALDEBARAN MAVERICK – Begun badly when galloping away at the start which checked the running of LINDY GRACE. ALDEBARAN GRACE will now be excluded from the mobile barrier draw.

KARAS DREAM – Broke gait shortly after the start which caused DA PREZ to be hampered and trailed the field thereafter. KARAS DREAM will now be excluded from the mobile barrier draw.

DA PREZ – Hampered after the start when KARAS DREAM broke gait. Broke gait whilst under pressure near the 100 metres and consequently was relegated to sixth placing (see above).

BROWN EYED KATE – Promoted to fourth placing (see above).

CHRISTMAS BABE NZ – Shifted out whilst under pressure inside the final 150 metres.

LINDY GRACE – Checked after the start when ALDEBARAN MAVERICK galloped out. Broke gait clear of interference rounding the first turn causing MISS AVENGER to be checked and broke gait. Promoted to fifth placing (see above).

MISS AVENGER – Checked and broke gait rounding the first turn when LINDY GRACE broke gait. Broke gait clear of interference whilst tailed away from the field near the 600 metres.

 

RACE 3 – FRANK EVANS MEMORIAL TROTTERS HANDICAP (2120 SS)

TARA TUFF – Raced keenly throughout the early and middle stages. Hung in when rounding the final turn.

UNSPOKEN LOVE – Hampered shortly after the start when ALLWART BOB swung sideways.

TENSION SEEKER – Checked and broke gait shortly after the start when ALLAWART BOB swung sideways.

ALLAWART BOB – Swung sideways after the start was effected causing TENSION SEEKER to be checked and broke gait and further hampering UNSPOKEN LOVE and DANCES. ALLAWART BOB was placed on its last chance in the standing start barrier draw.

GUNSEN ROSIE – Begun badly when galloping away at the start. GUNSEN ROSIE will now be excluded from the standing start barrier draw.

ALFIE ALWAYS – Over-raced throughout the early and middle stages.

DANCES – Hampered after the start when ALLAWART BOB swung sideways.

POPPY POPSTAR – Broke gait clear of interference rounding the first turn.

 

RACE 4 – MCKENZIE TRANSPORT MAIDEN PACE (1740 MS)

IVE AN IDEA – Pre-race blood sample. Hung in whilst under pressure inside the final 150 metres.

ALTATUDE – Broke gait shortly after the start causing LIVERMERE to be hampered and trailed the field thereafter. ALTATUDE will now be excluded from the mobile barrier draw.

LIVERMERE – Pulled-hard throughout the score up. Hampered shortly after the start when ALTATUDE broke gait. Examined post-race by the veterinarian in accordance with HRV’s animal welfare policy due to the mare being engaged to compete at Ararat on 11/11/24. No abnormalities were detected.

WALTZING WITH NANA – Begun badly when galloping away at the start. WALTZING WITH NANA will now be excluded from the mobile barrier draw.

LOMBOK – Broke gait clear of interference rounding the first turn. LOMBOK was placed on its last chance to race truly.

 

RACE 5 – KEN & MAUREEN WARD MEMORIAL PACE (2150 MS)

REEKO REACTOR – Raced fiercely throughout the score up, then hung out after the start. REEKO REACTOR was placed on its last chance in the mobile barrier draw.

AMBER ALERT – Placed in restricted room momentarily upon entering the first turn when STRAIGHT UP shifted in.

BOLD ART – Examined pre and post-race by the veterinarian in accordance with HRV’s animal welfare policy due to the gelding having not competed in the preceding 12 months. No abnormalities were detected on either examination. Slow to begin. Weakened inside the final 600 metres to be beaten 63.8 metres. A warning was issued for its competitiveness.

STRAIGHT UP – Upon entering the first turn shifted in when not clear of AMBER ALERT which was placed in restricted room momentarily. Subsequently, driver M Bellman was issued a formal caution for tightening. Weakened inside the final 500 metres to be beaten 57.1 metres. A warning was issued for its competitiveness.

CREATIVE LAD – Examined pre and post by the veterinarian in accordance with HRV’s animal welfare policy due to the gelding having competed in excess of 200 starts. No abnormalities were detected on either examination.

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

 

RACE 6 – ST ARNAUD SPORTING CLUB TROTTERS CUP (2520 SS)

ROMANTIC NINA – Stood flat-footed and lost considerable ground at the start. ROMANTIC NINA was placed on its last chance in the standing start barrier draw. Broke gait clear of interference passing the 400 metres. ROMANTIC NINA was placed on its last chance to race truly.

KYVALLEY HEIST NZ – Post-race swab sample.

WISH UPONA DREAM – Hung in and raced inside several marker pegs rounding the final turn. A warning was issued.

LOVE YA BROTHER – Held up for clear running during the early stages of the run to the finish.

MISSUCCI NZ – Examined pre and post-race by the veterinarian in accordance with HRV’s animal welfare policy due to the mare having not competed in the preceding 12 months. No abnormalities were detected on either examination. Stood flat-footed and lost considerable ground at the start. MUSSUCCI NZ was placed on its last chance in the standing start barrier draw. Hung in at various stages of the event. Gave ground over the concluding stages to be beaten 47.4 metres.

EBONYS AVENGER – Trainer C Angove was issued a formal caution for failing to declare the intended driving tactics with the stable runners in the event. Broke gait clear of interference rounding the first turn which hampered the running of BERRIESANDCHERRIES.

BERRIESANDCHERRIES – Raced roughly after the start. BERRIERSANDCHERRIES was placed its last chance in the standing start barrier draw. Hampered rounding the first turn when EBONYS AVENGER broke gait. Had to be steadied passing the 1900 metres when SUNDONS COURAGE shifted out.

SUNDONS COURAGE – Passing the 1900 metres shifted out from the running line when not clear of BERRIESANDCHERRIES which had to be steadied. Subsequently, driver J Laugher was issued a formal caution for shifting ground.

 

RACE 7 – HENDY’S TYRE & BATTERY PACE (1740 MS)

VILLAGE VOICE – Raced roughly rounding the final turn causing the trailing SOAR to make contact with its sulky and consequently was checked and broke gait which in turn caused PERFECT PLAYGIRL and RONZEL SONNY to checked and broke. A warning was issued.

PERFECT PLAYGIRL – Pre-race blood sample. Tightened for racing room passing the 1200 metres when RIVIERA ROSE shifted in. Checked and broke gait rounding the final turn when VILLAGE VOICE raced roughly.

LORIMERMAJOR – Raced keenly throughout the early and middle stages.

RIVIERA ROSE – Passing the 1200 metres shifted in when not clear of PERFECT PLAYGIRL which was tightened for racing room. Subsequently, driver L Dunne was issued a formal caution for tightening.

COBALT BLUES – Broke gait clear of interference passing the 600 metres. COBALT BLUES was placed on its last chance to race truly.

SOAR – Contacted the sulky of VILLAGE VOICE rounding the final turn when that runner raced roughly causing SOAR to be checked and broke gait.

RONZEL SONNY – Checked and broke gait rounding the final turn when VILLAGE VOICE raced roughly.

 

RACE 8 – WEIR’S IGA & LIQUOR ST ARNAUD PACING CUP (2150 MS)

YOUNG BLUEY – Post-race swab sample.

CAPTAIN PINS NZ – Held up for clear running during the early stages of the run to the finish.

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

 

RACE 9 – ELDERS PACE (1740 MS)

SILVER MYSTIQUE – Held up for clear running during the early stages of the run to the finish prior to utilising the sprint lane.

BANDIT EYES – Broke gait during the early stages of the score up. A warning was issued.

ALFNALMA – Trainer J Ainsworth was issued a formal caution for failing to declare the intended driving tactics with the stable runners in the event.

SUPER CODE – Out of position at the start despite the efforts of its driver. A warning was issued.

 

 

Elliot Turner

Chair

 

‘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’.

 

 

Raceday Summary

Swabs	PRE-RACE: Race 1 –MAJOR BERT Race 4 – IVE AN IDEA Race 7 – PERFECT PLAYGIRL POST-RACE: Race 6 – KYVALLEY HEIST NZ Race 8 – YOUNG BLUEY
Suspensions	Nil
Fines	Nil
Cautions	Race 5 – M Bellman – D/CT Race 6 – J Laugher – D/CSG Race 6 – C Angove – T/CT Race 7 – L Dunne – D/CT Race 9 – J Ainsworth – T/CT
Horse actions	Race 2 – ALDEBARAN MAVERICK – ODM Race 2 – KARAS DREAM – ODM Race 3 – GUNSEN ROSIE – ODS Race 4 – ALTATUDE – ODM Race 4 – WALTZING WITH NANA – ODM
Follow ups	Nil
Adjourned inquires	Nil
Sulky fund claims	Nil
Medical stand downs	Nil