Stewards Report

HARNESS RACING VICTORIA

STEWARDS REPORT FOR SHEPPARTON

THURSDAY 16 JUNE 2022

	Michael Ross Nicholas Murray Desmond Benger Peter Lamb (Starter) Dr Clare Williams-Patterson (Vet)
	Track:    Good / Rain Affected	Weather:	Overcast / Intermitted Showers

 

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

 

RACE 1 – ALABAR PACE (2190 MS)

Occiano (Nathan Jack) broke gait during the early stages of the score up and was out of position when the start was effected. Occiano will now be excluded from the barrier draw in future mobile events.

Jay Gees Devil (James Herbertson) raced roughly during the score up and was out of the position despite the drivers’ efforts. Jay Gees Devil will now be placed on its last chance in the draw.

Arbee (Cameron Maggs) hung inwards after the start was effected and raced roughly momentarily.

Jay Gees Devil raced roughly throughout the event.

Stewards refrained taking action against Kevin Jnr Weidenbach, driver of White Star Village for allowing his foot to drop from the sulky footrest momentarily when activating gear.

James Herbertson, driver of Jay Gees Devil ($2.80 fav) which finished in 9th position beaten 20m was queried into the overall performance of the gelding. Mr Herbertson advised he was at a loss to explain the performance other than the gelding raced roughly throughout the event appearing to crossfire. A post-race veterinary examination was attempted however was aborted as the gelding had been removed from the course.  

Olivia Weidenbach, driver of Goodlookin Rooster NZ ($51.00) which finished in 7th position beaten 16m was queried into the tactics adopted upon the gelding in particular during the early stages of the event to withstand the challenge from Treacheroustimes (Glenn Bull) from the start till the 1900m prior to surrendering at the 1690m to White Star Village. Ms Weidenbach advised it was her intentions to hold the lead upon the gelding after initially withstanding the challenge she attempted to ease the pace. Ms Weidenbach explained she was mindful of a horse progressing forward three (3) wide but was somewhat surprised when that runner White Star Village progressed at speed as she was unable to quicken sufficiently enough to maintain the lead and as a result had to trail that gelding and thereafter White Star Village commenced to give ground passing the 600m resulting in Goodlookin Rooster NZ being inconvenienced and held up until obtaining clear running from the 200m.

Connections of Goodlookin Rooster NZ were advised the gelding would be detained on course for three (3) hours subsequently from this event for a post-race blood sample due to the gelding being on the HRV Elevated TC02 policy.

RACE 2 – NEATLINE HOMES TROT (2190 MS)

Due to a heavy deluge of rainfall prior to this event the mobile barrier was tested, and the racing surface was deemed acceptable and passed safe for racing to continue.

Sangreal (John Caldow) broke gait clear of interference approaching the 300m checking Sheza Pleasure (Josh Aiken)

Queen Invasion (Greg Sugars) hung inwards under pressure over the concluding stages.

Josh Aiken, driver of Sheza Pleasure ($1.85 fav) which finished in 5th position beaten 19.1m was queried into the tactics adopted upon the mare during the early stages of the event and if he gave consideration to remain in a running line position following Queen Invasion (Greg Sugars) prior to shifting to marker line position approaching the 2000m to follow the leader Christmas Babe (Shannon O’Sullivan) prior to  Christmas Babe commencing to give ground passing the 500m. Mr Aiken advised he did give consideration to remain following Queen Invasion however was mindful that Christmas Babe is horse that usually holds the lead and had be competing competitively and would take Sheza Pleasure to the sprint lane and avail him full opportunity. Mr Aiken added if he was to remain in the running position Queen Invasion would have possibly taken up the position behind Christmas Babe which would leave Sheza Pleasure exposed racing without cover which at this stage of its campaign would not be suited as the mare was having its first start for the stable and had not raced since 11th November 2021. Mr Aiken further advised once Christmas Babe commence to give ground, he was able to manoeuvre away from following that runner and was still confident of the mare’s chances until being checked approaching the 300m when Sangreal broke gait. Stewards noted the comments of Mr Aiken.

RACE 3 – MOOROOPNA CLUB PACE FINAL (1690 MS)

Heyjoshandco underwent pre and post-race veterinary examinations under the HRV horse welfare policy due to the gelding having started in excess of 200 races. Neither examination revealed any significant abnormalities.

No racing incidents.

RACE 4 – BARASTOC 3YO PACE (2190 MS)

Maas Betting Again (Chris Alford) & Symphony Stride (Jayden Barker) both broke gait shortly after the start was effected. Both runners will now be excluded from the barrier draw in future mobile events.

Shireen (Mark Pitt) pulled hard during middle stages of event.

Maas Betting Again broke gait clear of interference passing the 500m. Maas Betting Again will now be placed on its last chance to race truly.

RACE 5 - YOUR SOLD REAL ESTATE PACE (1690 MS)

Reign Maker underwent pre and post-race veterinary examinations under the HRV horse welfare policy due to the gelding having surgery after sustaining fracture in the offside hind pastern. Neither examination revealed any significant abnormalities.

Donna Castles (Upright) & Taylor Youl (Reign Maker) were both issued cautions for having their runners out of position when the start was effected.

Jacksboy (Rebecca Bartley) was held up during the early stages of the home straight.

Upright (Donna Castles) & Reign Maker (Taylor Youl) failed to gain clear running for the entire length of the home straight.

Shannon O’Sullivan, driver of Neanger Guy was fined the sum of $200 under AHR Rule 156(2)(a) for applying the whip to the gelding with more than a wrist flicking action.

RACE 6 – ALABAR VICBRED PLATINUM MARES SPRINT CHAMPIONSHIP (6TH HEAT) (1690 MS)

Changeover Girl (Rebecca Bartley) was held up during the early stages of the home straight.

Malava Miss (Jack Laugher) was held up over the latter stages of the event.

Ryan Sanderson, driver of Art Of Sheng Li was issued a caution for his lack of control for allowing the mare to shift outwards from the 200m onwards.

Nathan Jack, driver of Madam Reactor ($3.50) which finished in 7th position beaten 7.2m was queried into the overall performance of the mare. Mr Jack advised the mare to be disappointing and could offer no tangible explanation for the performance. A post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any abnormalities.

RACE 7 – HUNTER RURAL PACE (1690 MS)

No racing incidents.

RACE 8 – SADDLEWORLD SHEPPARTON PACE (2190 MS)

Just Ralph (Mark Pitt) was held up around the final turn prior to obtaining clear running along the sprint lane.

Brad Chisholm, driver of Little Demon ($3.50) which finished in 6th position beaten 9.5m after leading was queried into the overall performance of the gelding. Mr Chisholm advised the gelding to be slightly disappointing over the concluding stages however would derive benefit from the performance as the gelding had not started for four (4) weeks. A post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any abnormalities.

Jordan Leedham, driver of Piratesof Zanzibar ($9.50) which finished in 7th and last position beaten 17.5m was queried into the overall performance of the gelding. Mr Leedham advised the gelding to be disappointing and was flat footed when the speed of the event increased however would derive benefit from the performance as the gelding had not started since 31st May 2022. A post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any abnormalities.

RACE 9 – CENTRAL TYRE SERVICE TROT (2190 MS)

Neville Pangrazio, trainer/driver of Tequila Bree ($5.00) which finished in 6th position beaten 8.2m after leading was queried into the tactics adopted upon the mare and if he gave consideration to surrendering the lead when challenged significantly by Starlight Red after the start and again at the 1100m. Mr Pangrazio advised it was his intentions to hold the lead upon the mare as Tequila Bree races best when in that position and he felt Starlight Red was not a suitable horse to follow in the event and in particular to surrender at the 1100m as he was aware how fiercely the mare had been racing and would more than likely yield ground prior to getting him to the sprint lane. A post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any abnormalities.

Laura Crossland, driver of Starlight Red ($61.00) which finished in 8th and last position beaten 56.8m was queried in relation to the tactics adopted on that mare and in particular her reasons for racing on level terms with the leader Tequila Bree and challenging for the lead passing the 1100m. Ms Crossland explained that after initially unsuccessfully challenging for the lead she took restraint of her drive however, Starlight Red commenced to race fiercely and as a result raced on level terms with Tequila Bree for some distance despite her desires Ms Crossland explained she challenge for the lead at the 1100m as she was having difficulty trying to retained the mare as Starlight Red has a history of pulling in its races. Ms Crossland further advised that due to these reasons this was the main factor in the mare yielding ground from the 600m to be beaten 56.8m. As the replays supported the comments of Ms Crossland in relation to her reasons for racing on level & advance of Tequila Bree during the middle stage’s stewards took the matter no further other than to place Starlight Red on its last chance to race truly and competitively. A post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any abnormalities. 

 

Michael Ross

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 –Goodlookin Rooster NZ; Race 3 –Stormont Star; Race 5 –Made To Rock; Race 7 –Cheeki Philtra; Race 8 –Treacherous Rock; Race 9 –Tequila Bree
		Post-Race: Race 1 –Lola Montez; Race 3 –Dance With Sombody; Race 5 –Myzarmi; Race 6 –Art Of Sheng Li; Race 9 –Yankee Lover
Suspensions
Nil
Fines
Race 5	S O’Sullivan		156(2)(a)	$200
Cautions
Race 5	D Castles		D/CSU
Race 5	T Youl		D/CSU
Race 6	R Sanderson		D/CLC
Horse Actions
Race 1	Occiano		ODM
Race 4	Maas Betting Again		ODM
Race 4	Symphony Stride		ODM
Late Scratchings
Nil