Stewards Report

HARNESS RACING VICTORIA

STEWARDS REPORT FOR SHEPPARTON       

TUESDAY 05 NOVEMBER 2024

	Elliot Turner (Chairman) Adrian Crowther John Packer Emma Johnson (Starter) Dr Nick Branson & Dr Kari Waring (Veterinarians)
	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 – AVENEL EQUINE HOSPITAL PACE (1690 MS)

VINCE LOMBARDI NZ – Hung in and contacted marker pegs rounding the final turn.

DANGER PLAY – Held up for clear running over the concluding stages and was not fully tested. When questioned in relation to the driving tactics employed during the early stages, driver D Wilson explained that in the opinion of connections the filly is unsuited to making a sustained run wider on the track, as his runner is inclined to make contact with its own knee and as such when the opportunity presented to shift towards the marker pegs rounding the first turn he believed that it was beneficial to the filly at that point, given the recent form of the runners racing along the marker pegs which he believed were more favourable runners to trail. He said that, after obtaining the position along the marker pegs as the field entered the back straight on the final occasion VINCE LOMBARDI NZ which his runner was trailing failed to accelerate as he was anticipating when the tempo increased during the third quarter and as such halted the filly’s momentum. He added that, over the concluding stages his runner had difficulty securing clear running and as such the filly was unable to be placed under full pressure however travelled to the finish strongly and he stated that in the circumstances he was pleased with the filly’s performance. After consideration, Stewards did not feel Mr Wilson’s tactics were entirely unreasonable in the circumstances, however he was advised to always drive in a manner that does not leave himself open to query.

BIG SLEDGE HAMMER – Hung in whilst under pressure during the final 100 metres. Post-race swab sample.

 

RACE 2 – ALABAR TROT (1690 MS)

ABBIE – Placed in restricted room momentarily upon entering the first turn when MAGIC LAW shifted in.

HURRICANE JANE – Broke gait during the early stages of the score up causing HARD ROCK ANGEL to be hampered, then consequently was out of position at the start. HURRICANE JANE will now be excluded from the mobile barrier draw.

MAGIC LAW – Pre-race blood sample. Upon entering the first turn shifted in when not clear of ABBIE which was placed in restricted room momentarily. Subsequently, driver D Wilson was issued a formal caution for tightening.

SILVER SPOON – Held up for clear running during the early stages of the run to the finish. Leaving the 200 metres shifted out when not clear of STARLIGHT RED which was inconvenienced. Subsequently, driver R Sanderson was issued a formal caution for shifting ground.

WINNIES DREAM – Trainer L Miles was issued a formal caution for failing to declare the intended driving tactics with the stable runners in the event.

HARD ROCK ANGEL – Hampered during the early stages of the score up when HURRICANE JANE broke gait.

STARLIGHT RED – Inconvenienced leaving the 200 metres when SILVER SPOON shifted out.

 

RACE 3 – NEATLINE HOMES 0-2 LTW PACE (1690 MS)

STREETS OF MADRID – Raced roughly during the early stages of the score up. Driver D Wilson was found guilty of a charge under AHRR 163(1)(a)(iii) for causing interference in that, upon straightening for the run to the finish he directed his runner to shift wider on the track when insufficiently clear of TALKNPLAY which was placed in restricted room and taken wider on the track into the running of MIKI MARK causing those runners to lock wheels and be checked which in turn caused the trailing JAPANESE MIKI to be hampered and contact the off-side sulky wheel of ELYSIAN PALACE which sustained a flat tyre as a result. When assessing penalty consideration was given to, Mr Wilson’s plea, driving record in relation to the rule and the degree of interference. Accordingly, D Wilson had his license to drive in races suspended for a period of 10 days to commence midnight 14/11/24.

JAPANESE MIKI – Hampered upon straightening for the run to the finish when MIKI MARK and TALKNPLAY locked wheels as a result of STREETS OF MADRID shifting out, causing JAPANESE MIKI to contact the off-side sulky wheel of ELYSIAN PALACE and sustained a flat tyre.

MIKI MARK – Pre-race blood sample. Checked upon straightening for the run to the finish when locking wheels with TALKNPLAY which was taken wider by STREETS OF MADRID which shifted out.

POPS JOY – Broke gait during the early stages of the score up. A warning was issued. Post-race swab sample.

TALKNPLAY – Checked upon straightening for the run to the finish when locking wheels with MIKI MARK as a result of being taken wider by STREETS OF MADRID which shifted out.

ELYSIAN PALACE – Sustained contact to its off-side sulky wheel shortly after entering the front straight on the final occasion by JAPANES MIKI which was hampered by MIKI MARK and TALKNPLAY when those runners locked wheels, resulting in ELSYIAN PALACE sustaining a flat tyre.

OZZIE JOYBELL – Raced fiercely shortly after the start. Held up for clear running during the early stages of the run to the finish prior to utilising the sprint lane.

 

RACE 4 – YOUR SOLD REAL ESTATE 4YO & OLDER MAIDEN TROT (2190 MS)

AETHON – Monique Burnett was approved a late driving replacement for Josh Duggan (Indisposed). Hung in and broke gait clear rounding the final turn.

JILLIBY TOPGUN – Broke gait shortly after the start. JILLIBY TOPGUN will now be excluded from the mobile barrier draw.

GUNNY TEE – Broke gait shortly after the start. GUNNY TEE will now be excluded from the mobile barrier draw. Weakened inside the final 300 metres to be beaten 58.3 metres. In view of the winning margin (17.2 metres) and the overall performance, no action was taken.

MIDNITE MUSCLE – Raced keenly throughout the middle stages.

BACARDI LOVER – Hung in and broke gait rounding the final turn. In view of the gelding’s recent record, BACARDI LOVER was placed on its last chance to race truly.

OPRAH DOUBLE YOU – Out of position at the start despite the efforts of its driver, then broke gait shortly after the start. OPRAH DOUBLE YOU will continue to be excluded from the mobile barrier draw. Broke gait clear of interference near the 1500 metres whilst tailed away from the field. A warning was issued.

 

RACE 5 – SADDLEWORLD SHEPPARTON PACE (2190 MS)

WELL THATS ALRIGHT – Raced keenly throughout the early and middle stages. Held up for clear running over the concluding stages and was not fully tested.

ROYAL CADENCE – Placed in restricted room and contacted marker pegs passing the 300 metres when SCRITTORE shifted in.

FAVOURITEHIGHLIGHT – Hampered passing the 700 metres when trailing ARCHAA which was checked and raced roughly.

MARAKO SHARK – Driver P Railton pleaded guilty to a charge under AHRR 163(1)(a)(iii) for causing interference in that, when passing the 700 metres he permitted his runner to shift wider on the track when insufficiently clear of ARCHAA which sustained contact, had to be checked and raced roughly which in turn caused FAVOURITEHIGHLIGHT to be hampered. When assessing penalty consideration was given to, Mr Railton’s guilty plea, exemplary record in relation to the rule, driving frequency and the degree of interference. Accordingly, P Railton had his license to drive in races suspended for a period of 7 days to commence midnight 05/11/24.

COUNTRY ROCKSTAR – Pre-race blood sample.

THE MAJORS GIRL – Held up for clear running during the early stages of the run to the finish.

ARCHAA – Passing the 700 metres sustained contact, had to be checked and raced roughly when MARAKO SHARK shifted out.

SCRITTORE – Passing the 300 metres shifted in when not clear of ROYAL CADENCE which was placed in restricted room and contacted marker pegs. Subsequently, driver C Bell was issued a formal caution for tightening.

 

Stewards opened an inquiry into an incident that occurred immediately following the completion of Race 5, concerning the conduct of Corey Bell when runners were being pulled up. After taking evidence from drivers Corey Bell (SCRITTORE), Tasmyn Potter (THE MAJORS GIRL) and Ryan Sanderson (PAYUP ORLEAVE). Corey Bell pleaded guilty to a charge under AHRR 231(2) in that, he misconducted himself following the completion of Race 5 when he instigated a heated verbal exchange with Tasmyn Potter, which included the use of profanity directed towards Ms Potter and was audible to onlooking patrons and race day officials. When assessing penalty consideration was given to, Mr Bell’s guilty plea, forthright evidence, his overall offence recording pertaining to misconduct related matters which displayed four prior breaches in his 14 years as a licensed person and the nature of the his conduct towards Ms Potter. Accordingly, Corey Bell was fined the sum of $500 with $250 to be wholly suspended for a period of 2 years on the condition that there are no further breachers in relation to conduct related matters. Mr Bell was advised of his right to appeal.

 

RACE 6 – CENTRAL TYRE SERVICE PACE (2190 MS)

DIAMONDSNBLUE – Slow to begin. Hampered behind the tiring ROYAL EDARD between the 650 metres and the 450 metres. Stewards intend on interviewing driver I McMahon in relation to his whip use inside the final 200 metres.

MISTER REBEL – Examined pre and post-race 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. Hampered behind the tiring ROYAL EDARD between the 650 metres and the 450 metres.

ROYAL EDARD – Weakened inside the final 700 metres to be beaten 97.5 metres. When questioned regarding the performance, driver D Zahra explained that connections were confident of a competitive showing from the gelding given its recent form since returning from a spell, however was racing over further distance tonight. He said, that after making some use of his runner in the early stages to find a forward position, the gelding failed to race genuinely through the middle stages and ultimately weakened inside the final 700 metres and he was very disappointed with the overall performance. He said that, connections would look to drive the gelding more conservatively in future in order to afford the gelding a more economical run and allow the gelding to utilise its acceleration over the concluding stages. Mr Zahra notified Stewards that should the gelding recover satisfactorily in the days subsequent the stable would endeavour to continue with its immediate preparation and nominate the gelding for the Kilmore meeting on 14/11/24. A post-race veterinary exam failed to reveal any abnormalities. In view of the overall performance, ROYAL EDARD was placed on its last chance to race competitively.

NORTHERN TERROR – Hampered behind the tiring ROYAL EDARD between the 650 metres and the 450 metres.

NOBLE JULIA – Post-race swab sample.

 

RACE 7 – COTTRELLS ELECTRICAL NMW PACE (1690 MS)

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

EYE SEE PHILTRA – Post-race swab sample.

 

RACE 8 – ELITE HORSE TRANSPORT PACE (2190 MS)

YA BOTTOM DOLLAR – Hung in when rounding the first turn.

 

 

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 2 –MAGIC LAW Race 3 –MIKI MARK Race 5 – COUNTRY ROCKSTAR POST-RACE: Race 1 – BIG SLEDGE HAMMER Race 3 – POPS JOY Race 6 – NOBLE JULIA Race 7 – EYE SEE PHILTRA
Suspensions	Race 3 – D Wilson – Rule 163(1)(a)(iii) – 10 Days Race 5 – P Railton – Rule 163(1)(a)(iii) – 7 Days
Fines	Race 5 – C Bell – Rule 231(2) – $500 ($250 Suspended for 2 years)
Cautions	Race 2 – L Miles – T/CT Race 2 – D Wilson – D/CT Race 2 – R Sanderson – D/CSG Race 5 – C Bell – D/CSG
Horse actions	Race 2 – HURRICANE JANE – ODM Race 4 – JILLIBY TOPGUN – ODM Race 4 – GUNNY TEE – ODM Race 4 – OPRAH DOUBLE YOU – CODM
Follow ups	Nil
Adjourned inquires	Nil
Sulky fund claims	Nil
Medical stand downs	Nil