Stewards Report

HARNESS RACING VICTORIA

STEWARDS REPORT FOR SHEPPARTON

SUNDAY 17 JULY 2022

	Nicholas Murray John Packer Des Benger Nathan Moy (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. 

 

RACE 1 – YOUR SOLD REAL ESTATE 3YO PACE (2190 MS)

Abbey Turnbull replaced Tayla French (unavailable) as the driver of Interpretation.

Itz Bull Speed Ahead NZ was fractious prior to the start and a warning was issued. Itz Bull Speed Ahead NZ then pulled hard during the event.

A false start was declared at the first attempt due to Cherokee Jac (N Tyndall) scoring up in the incorrect barrier position, resulting in Sharkattack and Serengeti Sunrise being hampered. At a subsequent inquiry, Noel Tyndall, driver of Cherokee Jac was fined $100 under rule 162(1)(e) for coming to the barrier in the incorrect barrier position. In assessing penalty, Stewards took into account Mr Tyndall’s good prior record and the consequential affects of his actions.

Dallas Miki pulled hard during the score up.

Serengeti Sunrise galloped shortly after the restart and will continue to be placed outside the mobile barrier draw. Serengeti Sunrise then commenced to contact its own sulky and galloped approaching the 1800m. Serengeti Sunrise was placed on its last chance to race truly. Serengeti Sunrise continued to over-race passing the 1400m and was then directed three wide during the middle and latter stages prior to tiring to finish in 7th place beaten approximately 56m. Stacey Towers, driver of Serengeti Sunrise explained that due to the gelding over-racing considerably, she allowed Serengeti Sunrise to progress three wide during the middle stages, however, was obliged to race wide thereafter. Given the winning margin (18m), no action was taken for the performance of Serengeti Sunrise. A veterinary examination of Serengeti Sunrise revealed no apparent abnormalities.

Dallas Miki galloped clear of interference near the 700m and was placed on its last chance to race truly.

After progressing forward three wide during the early and middle stages, Very Tempting then tired to be beaten approximately 59m, however in view of the winning margin (18m), no action was taken for this performance.

Cherokee Jac tired to be beaten approximately 76m and a warning was issued for the performance.

Treacherous Lass (4th place) was held up for a clear run rounding the final turn.

RACE 2 – VALE VAL HILL PACE (2190 MS)

Occiano hung out after the start causing Kendys Butterfly to be inconvenienced. Occiano was placed on its last chance in the mobile barrier draw.

Nathan Jack, driver of Occiano was cautioned for tightening the ground of Scottie Mach rounding the first turn when easing into a running line position.

Scottie Mach pulled hard during the middle stages.

Near the 700m, Kendys Butterfly was directed wider from a position on the marker pegline, resulting in Miss Hermes being slightly inconvenienced, and as Miss Hermes then shifted out and away, the mare momentarily paced roughly as Occiano then shifted in slightly to maintain a three wide position. Miss Hermes again paced roughly near the 400m when continuing to race in restricted room. Miss Hermes galloped clear of interference approaching the 200m and was placed on its last chance to race truly.  

Reddy Major hung out and was placed under pressure when leading down the back straight on the final occasion whilst leading, resulting in Kellys Ideal and Glens Of Tekoa NZ being hampered when following.

Occiano was restrained during the early stages before then being directed three wide without cover over the latter stages and after meeting with some interference approaching the 200m, finished in 8th position beaten approximately 14.7m. Nathan Jack, driver of Occiano considered that interference suffered to the gelding was the main contributing factor for the performance. A veterinary examination of Occiano revealed no apparent abnormalities.

Ellen Rixon, driver of Kendys Butterfly pleaded guilty to a charge of careless driving under rule 168(1)(a), the carelessness being that rounding the home turn approaching the 200m when activating the removable deafeners by hand, Ms Rixon permitted Kendys Butterfly to shift out when insufficiently clear of Flame Lady NZ (J Duggan), which resulted in that mare being tightened for room, having to be checked and pace roughly when positioned to the inside of Occiano (N Jack) which was also checked. Ms Rixon’s licence to drive in races was suspended for 7 days to commence midnight 17 July 2022. In assessing penalty in accordance with the HRV Minimum Penalty Guidelines, Stewards took into account Ms Rixon’s guilty plea, good record under the applicable rule, personal circumstances, low to medium level of carelessness, and the consequential affects of the incident in that interference had occurred.  

Kellys Ideal was held up for a clear run over the concluding stages.

Glens Of Tekoa NZ (3rd place) was held up prior to utilising the sprint lane in the home straight.

The Clock Winder (2nd place) hung in during the early part of the home straight.

Cody Crossland, driver of Scottie Mach was fined $200 under rule 156(2)(a) for applying the whip over the concluding stages with more than a wrist only flicking action.

RACE 3 – CENTRAL TYRE SERVICE TROTTERS HANDICAP (2190 SS)

A false start was declared at the first attempt due to the 10m barrier failing to release.

Whatwillbeewillbee NZ will continue to be placed outside the standing start at the request of connections.

Downunder Barkers was slow to begin.

Starlight Red (unplaced) was held up for a clear run rounding the final turn.

RACE 4 – VALE EDDIE WALSH PACE (1690 MS)

Drivers Paul Weidenbach (Reckon Im Smart NZ) and Taylor Youl (Ringer Russ) were cautioned for failing to have their drives in position at the start.           

RACE 5 - RAY O'BRIEN PACE (2190 MS)

Murano which has competed in more than 200 races was examined by the veterinarian before and after the race in accordance with HRV policy which revealed no apparent abnormalities.

The start of this race was momentarily delayed owing to Renway Reactor having a tongue tie replaced.

Hard Rock Shannon was fractious prior to the start and a warning was issued.

Waiting For Love galloped early in the score up and will continue to be placed outside the mobile barrier draw.

Redfox Raider (2nd place) was held up for a clear run until near the 200m. Conor Crook, driver of Redfox Raider explained that he elected to progress wider from a position three back on the marker pegline rounding the final turn as opposed to waiting for the sprint lane as he considered at the time he would be able to improve his position. Mr Crook added that when doing so, the eventual winner (What A Pleasure) was able to gain an advantage on his drive when having first access to the sprint lane and he was still in the process of extricating Redfox Raider wider and into clear running.

Harry O’Neill, driver of What A Pleasure 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.

RACE 6 – PETER JACKSON PACE (1690 MS)

Totally Shattered galloped and paced roughly during the score up and was a considerable distance out of position at the start. Totally Shattered will be placed outside the draw in future mobile start events. Totally Shattered then paced roughly throughout whilst trailing the field. A subsequent veterinary examination of Totally Shattered revealed no apparent abnormalities. Totally Shattered was stood down from racing until having trialled satisfactorily on one occasion.

Shady Jess was inconvenienced and momentarily paced roughly shortly after the start when being directed in towards a position in the running line. As Stewards were satisfied Grinforawin had already established a position in the running line to the inside of Shady Jess prior to this occurrence, no further action was required.

Silky Smooth Excuse NZ raced in the position outside of the leader for the greater majority prior to giving ground over the final stages to finish in 8TH position beaten 40m. Steven Matson, driver of Silky Smooth Excuse NZ considered that being positioned outside of the leader and the mare not having raced since 30 June 2022 may have contributed to the performance. A veterinary examination of Silky Smooth Excuse NZ revealed no apparent abnormalities.

RACE 7 – NEATLINE HOMES PACE (1ST HEAT) (2190 MS)

Miradero paced roughly after the start and was placed on its last chance in the mobile barrier draw. Miradero then paced roughly and tired over the concluding stages when finishing at the rear of the field beaten approximately 99m. Brad Chisholm, trainer and driver of Miradero explained that the mare was striking a knee, and this contributed to the mare pacing roughly. A veterinary examination of Miradero revealed no apparent abnormalities. Miradero was placed on its last chance to race competitively.

Just Ralph pulled hard during the middle stages.

Smash It tired over the concluding stages to be beaten approximately 52m and a warning was issued.

RACE 8 – NEATLINE HOMES PACE (2ND HEAT) (2190 MS)

The start of this race was delayed due to Gosford greyhounds being behind schedule.

Better Day momentarily paced roughly approaching the winning post on the first occasion whilst being restrained during the early stages and then after progressing three wide during the middle stages to obtain the lead, the gelding then failed to run on competitively to finish in 6th place beaten approximately 22m. When queried in relation to the seemingly poor performance of Better Day, driver Jordan Leedham could only offer that the gelding over-raced slightly after obtaining the lead. A veterinary examination of Better Day revealed no apparent abnormalities. Stewards intend to follow up this performance with connections in the ensuing period.

Havana pulled hard during the middle stages.

Milloo Gunslinger (1st place) was held up for a clear run rounding the final turn and in the early part of the home straight.

Junior Warfare (5th place) was held up for clear run at the entrance to the home straight.

SUPPLEMENTARY REPORT - JULY 21 2022

Wayne Potter, trainer of Better Day advised subsequent to the poor performance at Shepparton on July 17 2022, that the gelding had recovered well.  Mr.Potter stated Better Day would now be spelled.

RACE 9 – SADDLEWORLD SHEPPARTON 2YO MAIDEN PACE (1690 MS)

The revised start time of this race was 9:43pm.

Captain Hammerhead raced greenly whilst in the lead during the middle stages.

 

 

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 – No Neigh Philtra; Race 4 –Sheldon Rock; Race 5 – Redfox Raider; Race 6 – Betterthanflyhigh; Race 8 – Milloo Gunslinger;
		Post-Race: Race 1 – No Neigh Philtra; Race 3 – Whatwillbeewillbee NZ; Race 5 – What A Pleasure; Race 6 – Elenna; Race 7 – Just Ralph.
Suspensions
Race 2	E Rixon		168(1)(a)	7 days
Fines
Race 1	N Tyndall		162(1)(e)	$100
Race 2	C Crossland		156(2)(a)	$200
Race 5	H O’Neill		156(3)	$100
Cautions
Race 2	N Jack		D/CT
Race 4	P Weidenbach		D/CSU
Race 4	T Youl		D/CSU
Horse Actions
Race 1	Serengeti Sunrise		CODM
Race 3	Whatwillbeewillbee NZ		TRCODS
Race 5	Waiting For Love		CODM
Race 6	Totally Shattered		ODM / SD1T
Late Scratchings
Nil