Stewards Report

HARNESS RACING VICTORIA

STEWARDS REPORT FOR ST ARNAUDS

SATURDAY 20 NOVEMBER 2022

	Kylie Harrison John Packer Wayne Smith Michael Ross (Starter) Dr Richard Cust, Dr Greg Hargreaves (Vet)
	Track:    Good	Weather:	Overcast

 

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

 

RACE 1 – KEN WARD MEMORIAL 3YO PACE (2150 MS)

Allan McDonough failed to appear in the race book as the driver of Serengeti Sunrise.

Serengeti Sunrise galloped during the early stages of the score up and will continue out of the draw for future mobile start races.

Sounds Like Fun commenced to give ground from approximately the 800m, tiring to be beaten 123m. A post-race veterinary examination of Sounds Like Fun failed to reveal any obvious abnormalities. Trainer/ driver Jack MacKinnon stated that he was disappointed with the filly’s performance and was of the opinion Sounds Like Fun had not handed the smaller track. Given the poor performance, Sounds Like Fun was stood down until the completion of one satisfactory trial.

Alfnalma which tired to be beaten 71m was issued with a warning for a poor performance.

Driver Allan McDonough (Serengeti Sunrise) was cautioned for an unapproved activation of gear after he allowed his left foot to momentarily drop from the sulky footrest when activating the ear plugs rounding the final turn.

RACE 2 – HENDY TRANSPORT PACE (1740 MS)

Paddy Mach was a late scratching at 11.59am due to a float breakdown.

Darby McGuigan failed to appear in the race book as the driver of Eezee Street.

Riverina Flash was fractious during the score up and required assistance from the Clerk of the Course. A warning was issued against the barrier manners of this gelding.

Driver Derrick Krafft (Blissful Penny) was issued with a caution for failing to maintain his barrier position prior to the start.

Loven Laughter pulled hard while trailing the leader during the middle stages.

Derrick Krafft (Blissful Penny) was cautioned for careless driving after he failed to adequately restrain his drive as the pace eased slightly approaching the winning post with one lap to travel resulting in Blissful Penny contacting the sulky wheel of Illawong Kellie.

Mach The Knife commenced to give ground from approximately the 800m and tired over the latter stages to be beaten 94m. Mach the Knife will be given one last chance to race competitively.

Riverina Flash galloped while clearly leading at approximately the 300m resulting in trailing runner Loven Laughter being inconvenienced. Riverina Flash will be given one last chance to race truly

RACE 3 – JACK HOARE MEMORIAL PACE (1740 MS)

Ryan Sanderson failed to appear in the race book as the driver of Hand Writer.

Didn’t I was a late scratching at 11.59am due to a float break down.

Major Comment was fractious during the early stages of the score up and galloped as the start was affected. The All Clear was delayed at the request of driver Josh Duggan, to ensure the gelding had received a fair start. Upon review stewards where satisfied that Major Comment had not suffered any inconvenience to result in the gelding galloping. All-Clear was then given on the judges numbers. Given the geldings barrier manners, Major Comment was placed outside the draw for future mobile start races.

It was noted that Glens Of Tekoa hung out during the score up.

Hand Writer was examined by the club veterinarian post-race due to the mare being engaged to race the following day. No abnormalities were detected

RACE 4 –BOYD FAMILY TROTTERS HANDICAP (2120 SS)

Monique Burnett failed to appear in the race book as the driver of Ero Carpe Diem.

Coconut Sunrise underwent pre and post race veterinary examinations under the HRV horse welfare policy due to the mare not racing since November 2021. Coconut Sunrise was cleared of any obvious abnormalities.

The All Clear for this race was delayed to ensure all horses received a fair start. Upon review it was noted that Ero Carpe Diem became fractious and contacted the barrier tape prior to the start however the barrier tape cleared all other runners. Stewards were satisfied that no runner was disadvantaged by this occurrence and All Clear was then given on the judge’s numbers.

Ero Carpe Diem was slow to begin.

Coconut Sunrise galloped shortly after the start and was placed outside the draw for future standing start races.

Half Moon Rising began badly and was placed outside the draw for future standing start races.

Jessicas Story and Could Dowiththerain began badly and will continue outside the draw for future standing start races. Could Dowiththerain trailed the field throughout.

Midnight Avenger began badly and was placed outside the draw in future standing start races. Claudy An Gus was checked after the start behind the galloping Midnight Avenger.

Coconut Sunrise galloped clear of interference rounding the first turn and trailed the field thereafter. Coconut Sunrise galloped again while trailing the field at approximately the 600m and as a consequence will be given one last chance to race truly.

Half Moon Rising galloped rounding the turn out of the front straight on the first occasion before being retired from the race by its driver shortly after. Considering the poor performance, Half Moon Rising was stood down until the completion of one satisfactory trial.

Moreflingthanbling galloped entering the front straight on the first occasion and trailed the field there after.

Jessicas Story galloped turning into the front straight on the first occasion and trailed the field for the remainder of the race.

Midnight Avenger galloped clear of interference approaching the winning post on the first occasion and trailed the field for the remainder of the race.

Claudy An Gus galloped clear of interference at approximately the 1300m. Given the geldings recent racing record, Claudy An Gus will be given one last chance to race truly.

RACE 5 -SPRAYER CENTRE PACE (1740 MS)

Coveffe Hustler and Janjuc were declared late scratchings at 12.28pm due to a float breakdown.

Josh Duggan failed to appear in the race book as the driver of Popcornfriday.

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

Blue Coman NZ was held up for clear racing room rounding the final turn before utilising the sprint lane in the home straight.

RACE 7 – CASEY'S TRUCK & TRACTOR PACE (2150 MS)

Rocckkntommy Rulz NZ was a late scratching at 12.28pm due to a float breakdown.

Crompton Bay showed gate speed to lead shortly after the start then commenced to give ground in the back straight on the final occasion ultimately finishing in 5th placing beaten 46m. Driver Allan McDonough stated that connections were disappointed with the performance and were of the opinion Crompton Bay maybe better driven more conservatively in future. A post-race veterinarian examination of the gelding failed to reveal any obvious abnormalities.

Driver Ryan Sanderson (Valour Stride) was issued with a caution for the manner which he shifted ground outwards in the back straight on the final occasion which momentarily inconvenienced Morrisons Dream as it commenced to improve three wide.

Rounding the final turn Valour Stride hung in under pressure momentarily tightened the racing room of Over The Odds NZ.

Over The Odds NZ commenced to race roughly under pressure and galloped clear of interference just prior to entering the home straight. Over The Odds NZ shifted outwards while in a gallop checking Valour Stride resulting in that runner shifting out and contacting Tossup which was improving to its outside. As a result of the contact, driver Adda Massa (Tossup) became unbalanced and momentarily dropped her left foot from the sulky footrest. Over The Odds NZ will be given one last chance to race truly.

RACE 8 – WEIRS IGA ST ARNAUD PACING CUP (2150 MS)

Serg Blanco NZ galloped clear of interference at approximately the 1200m and driver Ryan Duffy retired the gelding from the race. Upon review of the available footage, it was apparent that the second hopple carrying strap had broken leaving the back straight on the first occasion after Serg Blanco NZ had commenced quickly from the start. The gear was inspected and found to be in satisfactory condition. No further action was taken other than to record the circumstances.

Modern Bliss commenced to race under pressure from the 1400m and gave ground ultimately being retired from the race. A post-race veterinary examination revealed that Modern Bliss had suffered from Atrial Fibrillation. Modern Bliss was subsequently stood down for a period of 14 days, until a satisfactory EGC report is received, and the gelding has trailed to the satisfaction of Stewards on one occasion.

RACE 9 – ST ARNAUD HRC COMMITTEE PACE (2150 MS)

Declared no race.

Shortly after the start was effected, My Justice (Darby McGuigan) galloped then stumbled and fell resulting in severe interference to Markleigh Caz (Denbeigh Wade) and trailing runner Caesarion (Michael Bellman).  Drivers Darby McGuigan, Denbeigh Wade and Michael Bellman were all dislodged from their sulkies resulting in the race being aborted. Ms Wade required ambulance assistance prior to being transported to the Bendigo Base Hospital for treatment and observations. Mr Bellman and Mr McGuigan were cleared of any major injuries by the oncourse ambulance attendants. Markleigh Caz, My Justice and Caesarion were all examined by the attending veterinarians.  Both Markleigh Caz and My Justice were treated for minor cuts and abrasions. Both horses were stood down for a period of 7 days on veterinary advise. Caesarion was found to have suffered a full skin thickness laceration to the chest and was stood down to a veterinary certificate and for a period of 7 days.

A subsequent inquiry revealed that My Justice had galloped and fell without interference. My Justice was placed out of the draw for future mobile start races and was also stood down until the completion of one satisfactory trial.

 

Kylie Harrison

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 2 – Illawong Kellie, Ezzee Street; Race 6 – Travel Bug, Blue Coman NZ, Well Defined NZ; Race 8 – Byalla Boy(x2), Yianni, Serg Blanco NZ; Race 9 – Markleigh Caz.
		Post-Race: Race 1 – Serengeti Sunrise; Race 2 –Illawong Kellie; Race 3 – Glens Of Tekoa NZ; Race 4 – Aldebaran Rocky; Race 5 – Onehandonebounce; Race 6 – Travel Bug; Race 7 – Captain Pins NZ; Race 8 – Byalla Boy.
Suspensions
Nil
Fines
Nil
Cautions
Race 1	A McDonough		D/CUA
Race 2	D Krafft		D/CSU, D/CCD
Race 7	R Sanderson		D/CSG
Horse Actions
Race 1	Serengeti Sunrise		CODM
Race 1	Sounds Like Fun		SD1T
Race 3	Major Comment		ODM
Race 4	Could Dowitharain		CODS
Race 4	Midnight Avenger		ODS
Race 4	Coconut Sunrise		ODS
Race 4	Jessicas Story		CODS
Race 4	Half Moon Rising		ODS, SD1T
Race 8	Modern Bliss		SD1T, SDECG, SD14D
Race 9	My Justice		ODM, SD1T, SD7D
Race 9	Markleigh Caz		SD7D
Race 9	Caesarion		SD7D, SDVETS
Late Scratchings
Race 2	Paddy Mach		Float Breakdown	11.59am
Race 3	Didn’t I		Float Breakdown	11.59am
Race 5	Coveffe Hustler		Float Breakdown	12.28pm
Race 5	Janjuc		Float Breakdown	12.28pm
Race 7	Rockntommy Rulz NZ		Float Breakdown	12.28pm
Race 9	Ideal Investment		Float Breakdown	12.28pm

Sulky Fund Claims – Race 9 -Markleigh Caz/ My Justice.