Stewards Report

HARNESS RACING VICTORIA

STEWARDS REPORT FOR SHEPPARTON

TUESDAY 5 JULY 2022

	Nicholas Murray Michael Ross Des Benger Peter Lamb (Starter) Dr Clare Williams-Patterson (Vet)
	Track:    Good	Weather:	Fine

 

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

 

GENERAL

Due to the abandonment of interstate venues, at the direction of Sky Channel the race start times were amended as follows:

Race 1 – 5:22pm;

Race 4 – 6:56pm;

Race 5 – 7:31pm;

Race 6 – 7:57pm;

Race 9 – 9:33pm.

RACE 1 – LINDSAY HUTCHINS MAIDEN PACE (1690 MS)

Cash Boost which had not started in a race since July 2021 was examined by the veterinarian before and after the race in accordance with HRV policy which revealed no apparent abnormalities.

Cash Boost was out of position at the start and will continue to be placed outside the mobile barrier draw.

Cabo Cruz was out of position at the start and a warning was issued against the barrier manners of the gelding.

Gary Pekin, driver of My Lucky Rock was cautioned for the manner in which he shifted ground passing the 400m which caused Cabo Cruz to be inconvenienced.

Country Major was directed three wide approaching the 600m before failing to run on over the concluding stages to finish in 7th position beaten approximately 28m. A subsequent veterinary examination of Country Major revealed no abnormal findings. Josh Aiken, driver of Country Major explained that the gelding travelled well enough until failing to respond from near the 400m and proved to be disappointing.  

Binno Major and Milly Patone tired to be beaten 52m and 55m respectively. Considering the prior records, a warning was issued against the performance of Binno Major and Milly Patone was placed on its last chance to race competitively.

Kevin Weidenbach Jnr, driver of Stylish In Black was fined $100 under rule 156(3) for using his whip in an unapproved manner in that he applied the whip on more occasions than permitted inside the 200m.

Noel Tyndall, driver of Milly Patone was cautioned for using the whip when out of contention over the concluding stages.

RACE 2 – JIM WONG PACE (2190 MS)

Cheeki Philtra was a late scratching on veterinary advice at 10:17am.

Rocks Can Roll pulled hard racing towards the back straight on the final occasion.

RACE 3 – EDDIE WALSH VICBRED PACE (1690 MS)

Renway Reactor pulled hard during the middle stages.

Brad Chisholm, driver of Junior Warfare pleaded guilty to a charge under rule 170(4)(b) which states: A driver shall not attempt to or allow his foot or leg to be placed in the immediate vicinity of the hind legs of the horse he is driving. The particulars of the charge being that inside the 100m Mr Chisholm turned his right heel inwards and a short distance later allowed his right foot to come away from the sulky footrest and be placed in the immediate vicinity of the off-hind leg of the gelding. In assessing penalty Stewards took into account Mr Chisholm’s guilty plea, clear recent record and the advertised HRV Minimum Penalty Guidelines. Mr Chisholm was fined $250.

RACE 4 – ERIC WILSON TROT (2190 MS)

John Newberry was approved as a late driver replacement for Laura Crossland (delayed arrival) on Starlight Storm.

Starlight Storm galloped during the score up, was out of position at the start and will be placed outside the draw in future mobile start events.

Dances over-raced considerably in the position outside of the leader during the middle stages and a warning was issued against the racing manners of the mare.

Dances hung out under pressure in the home straight and a warning was issued.                                                                        

RACE 5 - PAM WILSON PACE (2190 MS)

Hard Rock Shannon (barrier 5) was fractious prior to the start and required assistance from the Clerk of Course. A false start was subsequently declared when Nathan Jack, driver of Occiano (barrier 4 second row) alerted the start to an issue that affected his opportunity to a fair start. Upon review of the replay, it was established that as a result of Hard Rock Shannon having to proceed to the inside of Occiano (N Jack) to improve onto the front row, Occiano was required to be steadied outwards, was impeded and thus contributed to that gelding breaking gait. Hard Rock Shannon was placed on its last chance in the mobile barrier draw.

Arebee worked forward three wide during the early and middle stages before tiring to be beaten approximately 98m. A subsequent veterinary examination of Arebee revealed no apparent abnormalities. Arebee was placed on its last chance to race competitively. Cameron Maggs, driver of Arebee reported that the gelding got keen after the false start and that combined with working three wide during the early and middle stages was the main contributing factor for the performance.

Occiano progressed forward three wide during the early and middle stages to obtain the position outside of the leader. Occiano then over-raced during the middle stages prior to finishing in 6th position beaten 12.4m. Nathan Jack, driver of Occiano considered the work required of the gelding to obtain a forward position and Occiano over-racing, were the main contributing factors for the performance. A veterinary examination of Occiano revealed no apparent abnormalities.

Major Comment and Okinawa Beach jostled for a position rounding the final turn.

Ashford Secret (3rd place) was held up for a clear run rounding the final turn and in the early part of the home straight.

RACE 6 – ANNE O'DONOGHUE TROT (1690 MS)

Berriesandcherries was out of position at the start and will continue to be placed outside the mobile barrier draw.

Lindy Grace galloped shortly after the start and will be placed outside the draw in future mobile start events.

Tequila Bree galloped passing the 1400m when steadied behind Starlight Red as that runner was being restrained. Tequila Bree trailed the field thereafter.

Cmon Carl Lee pulled hard whilst leading through the middle stages.

Lindy Grace galloped clear of interference approaching the 400m and considering the recent record of the mare, Lindy Grace was stood down from racing until having trialled satisfactorily on one occasion.

Cmon Carl Lee galloped clear of interference near the 300m causing Lindy Grace to be checked and break gait in consequence. A warning was issued against the racing manners of Cmon Carl Lee.

Carmel Belot, driver of Yoee was fined $100 under rule 156(3) for using her whip in an unapproved manner in that the whip was applied on more occasions than permitted inside the 200m.

RACE 7 – LAURIE CORMICAN 3YO PACE (2190 MS)

David Aiken, trainer of Shireen was cautioned for the late notification of Josh Aiken as driver of the filly.

Maxy Wants To Play galloped clear of interference shortly after the start and will be placed outside the draw in future mobile start events.

It was reported that the near side hopple shortener on Dallas Miki failed to release despite the efforts of its driver.

RACE 8 – PETER KEARNEY PACE (2190 MS)

Talent Agent NZ failed to circle prior to the start, was fractious requiring assistance from the Clerk of Course before galloping during the score up. Talent Agent NZ will be placed outside the draw in future mobile start events.

Talent Agent NZ improved to race without cover from near the 1400m before finishing in 6th position beaten approximately 9.3m. Alex Ashwood, trainer and driver of Talent Agent NZ was disappointed with the performance, and it was his intention to give the gelding a spell from racing. Mr Ashwood added that Talent Agent NZ had seemingly recovered satisfactorily immediately after the event.

RACE 9 – BOB STEEN PACE (2190 MS)

Josie Ella began badly and shortly after the start shifted in contacting the sulky of Covered Kylie. Josie Ella will be placed outside the draw in future mobile start events.

Tino Tere Maori galloped clear of interference near the 1800m and was placed on its last chance to race truly. Tino Tere Maori gave ground over the concluding stages and a veterinary examination of the gelding revealed no apparent abnormalities.

 

Nicholas Murray

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 – Stylish In Black; Race 3 – Rueslan; Race 5 – Okinawa Beach; Race 6 –Cmon Carl Lee; Race 9 – Josie Ella.
		Post-Race: Race 1 – Stylish In Black; Race 2 – Joeys Hangover; Race 5 – Lilnova; Race 6 – Prettylilangus; Race 8 – Little Demon.
Suspensions
Nil
Fines
Race 1	K Weidenbach Jnr		156 (3)	$100
Race 3	B Chisholm		170 (4)(b)	$250
Race 6	C Belot		156 (3)	$100
Cautions
Race 1	G Pekin		D/CSG
Race 1	N Tyndall		D/COOC
Race 7	D Aiken		T/CLDC
Horse Actions
Race 1	Cash Boost		CODM
Race 4	Starlight Storm		ODM
Race 6	Lindy Grace		ODM / SD1T
Race 6	Berriesandcherries		CODM
Race 7	Maxy Wants To Play		ODM
Race 8	Talent Agent NZ		ODM
Race 9	Josie Ella		ODM
Late Scratchings
Race 2	Cheeki Philtra		Vets	10:17am