Stewards Report

HARNESS RACING VICTORIA

STEWARDS REPORT FOR SHEPPARTON          

TUESDAY 3 DECEMBER 2024

	Grant Adams Chris Simpson       John Packer    Jason Fino (R1,2,3,7) John Packer (R4,5,6) (Starter) Dr Nick Branson, Dr Max Hannan (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 – YOUR SOLD REAL ESTATE PACE (1690 MS)

CHEROKEE JAC – Pulled hard during the score up.

LILS NIGHTMARE NZ – Post-race swab sample obtained.

MICHEN ROY – Pre-race blood sample obtained.

INTERPRETATION – Shifted in and contacted the final marker peg prior to straightening.

NOMORELYING – Driver Ryan Sanderson was cautioned for failing to maintain his position on the 2nd line by the starting point.

SHAZZA LOVE – Driver Chris Alford was cautioned for failing to maintain his position on the 2nd line by the starting point. When questioned regarding the performance of the filly, which finished in 9th position, beaten 25.7m, driver Chris Alford explained that his filly travelled well in the run however, when the pace increased down the back straight and he elected to then improve, SHAZZA LOVE failed to respond to his driving and proved disappointing. A post-race veterinarian examination failed to find any abnormalities.

FOXYONTHERUN – Driver Stephen Boyington was cautioned for failing to maintain his position on the 2nd line by the starting point.

RACE 2 – COTTRELLS ELECTRICAL 3YO MAIDEN PACE (2190 MS)

ONE FOR MIKI – Lost both bell boots shortly after the start. Rounding the first turn, hung out and broke gait free of interference prior to coming into contact with VILLAGE SUSPECT. ONE FOR MIKI was placed on its last chance to race truly. After regaining its position at the rear of the field, the filly weakened from the 1000m to finish in 10th position, beaten 178.5m. A post-race veterinarian examination failed to find any abnormalities.

BROADWAY BRENDA – Pre-race blood sample obtained.

VILLAGE SUSPECT – Inconvenienced rounding the first turn when its sulky was contacted by ONE FOR MIKI which galloped to its inside.

LOMBOK – Weakened over the final stages to finish in 8th position, beaten 73.8m. No action was taken.

MAISIELOUISA – Weakened over the final stages to finish in 6th position, beaten 61.7m. No action was taken.

WAR HAMMER – Inconvenienced rounding the first trurn when shifting wider to avoid the galloping ONE FOR MIKI. Weakened from the 1000m to finish in 9th position, beaten 152.9m. A post-race veterinarian examination failed to find any abnormalities. Driver Nathan Jack was unable to offer any explanation as to the poor performance. WAR HAMMER was stood down from racing until it completes one requalifying trial.

JOHNNY TANG – Driver Rebecca Bartley was fined $100 under Rule 156(3) for applying her whip in excess of the amount permitted over the final 200m.

ROCKET ME – Weakened over the final stages to finish in 7th position, beaten 68.8m. No action was taken.

RACE 3 – SADDLEWORLD SHEPPARTON PACE (2190 MS)

WELL WELL – Gave ground from the 700m to finish in 9th position, beaten 47.4m.

SMILE WITH A GRIN – Tightened when positioned to the inside of KEEPCRACKINGJOKES on approach to the winning post shortly after the start.

KEEPCRACKINGJOKES – Hung in on approach to the winning post shortly after the start.

SHEZABLUECHIP – Post-race swab sample obtained.

JOEYS HANGOVER – Examined by the clubs veterinarian prior to and following the event due to the gelding having competed in excess of 200 race starts. No abnormalities were found on either examination.

PINNACLE HOPE – Examined by the clubs veterinarian prior to and following the event due to the gelding having competed in excess of 200 race starts. No abnormalities were found on either examination.

BLUE OCEAN – Out of position at the start for which a warning was issued.

OUR MYSTERY BET – Inconvenienced between the 700 and 500m when taken back by WELL WELL which gave ground.

RACE 4 – AVENEL EQUINE CLINIC PACE (2190 MS)

TWILIGHT BEACH – Tightened on the entry to the first turn when positioned to the inside of MUSSEL SHOALS.

PAYUP ORLEAVE – Held up for clear running for the entire length of the home straight and was not fully tested.

MUSSEL SHOALS – Driver Donna Castles was cautioned for tightening the room of TWILIGHT BEACH on the entry to the first turn. Held up for clear running for the entire length of the home straight and was not fully tested.

RACE 5 – JAM PACKED DONUTS PACE (2190 MS)

CEE CEE LOU – Began badly when galloping away and will now be excluded from the mobile barrier draw.

BIG SLEDGE HAMMER – Broke gait free of interference at the 220m and will now be stood down from racing for a period of 10 days and until it completes one requalifying trial.

GOOD TOBE LOCKSLEY – Paced roughly for a short distance after the start.

ON THE HUNT – Pre-race blood sample obtained. Raced keenly throughout the event whilst leading.

MOST TRIUMPHANT – Driver David Miles was placed on notice as to the manner he applied his whip inside the final 200m.  

NATIONAL NEWS NZ – Examined by the clubs veterinarian prior to and following the event due to the gelding having not competed in the prior 12 months. No abnormalities were found on either examination. Broke gait during the score up and was placed on its last chance in the mobile barrier draw.

RACE 6 – HUNTER RURAL 4YO & OLDER MAIDEN PACE (1690 MS)

General

The start of this event was delayed due to STILL PLAYIN NZ requiring ear plugs to be fitted.

LORINO – Hung out during the score up and shortly after the start. Held up for clear running in the early stages of the home straight.

BALLADORO – Pre-race blood sample obtained. Near the 400m, attempted a run to the inside of CANT EATOVERS, as that runner had shifted up the track on the turn prior to then being crowded and contacted marker pegs as it was then corrected.  

CANT EATOVERS – Hung out at various stages in the run and near the 400m, directed inwards as BALLADORO attempted to take a run to its inside resulting in that horse contacting a number of marker pegs. At a subsequent inquiry Stewards found that as BALLADORO attempted the run, Driver Zac Phillips had at the same time, corrected his drive inwards prior to BALLADORO establishing a run. In view of the circumstances and noting this incident was not contributed by any careless driving and had been initiated due to the tractability of CANT EATOVERS, a warning was issued against the gelding. Driver Zac Phillips was fined $200 under Rule 156(2)(a) for applying his whip in more than a wrist only flicking motion inside the final 200m. Post-race swab sample obtained.

RACE 7 – ELITE HORSE TRANSPORT TROTTERS HANDICAP (2190 SS)

IVAR – Broke gait shortly after the start and will now be excluded from the standing start barrier draw.

LIZZIES SON – Began badly when galloping away, trailed the field throughout and will now be excluded from the standing start barrier draw. Broke gait free of interference at the 900m

KEAYANG BRANDY – Broke gait shortly after the start and will now be excluded from the standing start barrier draw. Broke gait free of interference at the 700m.  

DHONI TROUBLE NZ – Broke gait free of interference at the 400m.

 

SUPPLEMENTARY REPORT – SHEPPARTON 26 NOVEMBER 2024

RACE 5 – HUNTER RURAL 4YO & OLDER MAIDEN PACE (2190 MS)

STILL PLAYIN NZ – Driver Steven Matson pleaded guilty to a charge under Rule 156(3) for applying his whip on more occasions than permitted over the final 200m. Mr Matson had his licence to drive in races suspended for a period of 7 days which was ordered to commence at midnight, Thursday 12 December 2024 and to expire on Friday 20 December 2024 on which day he may drive. When considering penalty Stewards considered Mr Matson’s guilty plea and driving record.

Mr Matson was found guilty to a further charge under Rule 238 in that following the said race, he failed to present to Stewards prior to leaving the racecourse when a direction was issued to him by Stewards. Mr Matson was fined $200.

Grant Adams

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 – Michen Roy; Race 2 – Broadway Brenda; Race 5 – On The Hunt; Race 6 – Balladoro.
		Post-Race: Race 1 – Lils Nightmare NZ; Race 3 – Shezabluechip;Race 6 – Cant Eatovers.
Suspensions
Supp	Steven Matson		156(3)	7 Days
Fines
Race 2	Rebecca Bartley		156(3)	$100
Race 6	Zac Phillips		156(2)(a)	$200
Supp	Steven Matson		238	$200
Cautions
Race 1	Ryan Sanderson		D/CSU
Race 1	Chris Alford		D/CSU
Race 1	Stephen Boyington		D/CSU
Race 4	Donna Castles		D/CT
Horse Actions
Race 2	War Hammer		SD1T
Race 5	Cee Cee Lou		ODM
Race 5	Big Sledge Hammer		SD1T / SD10D
Race 7	Ivar		ODS
Race 7	Lizzies Son		ODS
Race 7	Keayang Brandy		ODS
Late Scratchings
Nil

Follow Ups

Nil

Adjourned Inquiries

Nil

Sulky Fund Claims

Nil

Medical Stand Down

Nil