Stewards Report
Shepparton 25/11/2025
HARNESS RACING VICTORIA
STEWARDS REPORT FOR SHEPPARTON
25 NOVEMBER 2025
Daniel Borg (Chairman) |
Trainers with multiple horses engaged in any given race were questioned as to the intended driving tactics to be adopted.
RACE 1 – HYGAIN PACE (1690 MS)
SPIRIT OF SAHARA – led and tired to be beaten 75.3m into twelfth and last placing. Driver Ryan Sanderson was queried regarding the overall performance of the colt. Mr Sanderson explained that despite SPIRIT OF SAHARA being first-up in tonight’s event, he was nonetheless disappointed in the overall effort. SPIRIT OF SAHARA underwent a post-race veterinary examination which failed to reveal any obvious abnormalities. Stewards intend to follow-up with connections in the coming days as to the colt’s recovery.
On 28 November 2025, trainer Shane Sanderson reported that SPIRIT OF SAHARA had recovered well from the engagement at Shepparton on 25 November 2025 and provided the colt continued to display positive signs would continue on with the current preparation. Mr Sanderson added that a virus had afflicted other runners in his stable in the preceding weeks and could be an explanation for the below-par performance.
THE POSTMASTER – driver Mark Pitt was queried regarding the overall performance of the colt who worked forward to the lead in a first quarter of 27.5 seconds, before yielding ground from approx. the 300m to be beaten 24m into ninth placing. Mr Pitt could offer no tangible explanation for the performance and conveyed his disappointment in the overall effort. Mr Pitt added that THE POSTMASTER would now likely be exiting the stable. Post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any obvious abnormalities.
MAD PUNTA – hung out during the score-up.
SHARP INTEREST – inconvenienced rounding the final turn by OLLIES MEDAL.
OLLIES MEDAL – trainer and driver David Miles Was queried regarding the overall performance of the gelding who hung in badly at various stages and then gave ground to be beaten 39.2m into eleventh placing. Mr Miles explained that OLLIES MEDAL contacted the right wheel with his hind leg approaching the 1200m, which was the reason that he directed the gelding wider to improve into a three-wide position. Mr Miles added that OLLIES MEDIAL then hung out for the remainder of the event. Post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any obvious abnormalities and as such a warning will be issued for the gelding’s tractability. Post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any obvious abnormalities.
RACE 2 – ALDEBARAN PARK MILE RATE TROT (1690 MS)
MASSIF CENTRAL – galloped approx. 600m.
TAKEN BY WINE – inconvenienced from approx. 600m when MASSIF CENTRAL galloped. Tired to be beaten 58.2m into ninth placing thereafter. Leniency displayed by Stewards in not taking action for the beaten margin given the inconvenience prior.
LITTLE TEDEY - inconvenienced from approx. 600m when MASSIF CENTRAL galloped.
STARLIGHT RED - pre and post-race veterinary examinations in accordance with the HRV Animal Welfare policy having attained 200 or more starts. No obvious abnormalities either examination.
CMON CARL LEE – galloped in the early part of the score-up and was out of position as a consequence. Tailed off and took no part in the event. Post-race veterinary examinations in accordance with the HRV Animal Welfare policy due to have an engagement at Bendigo in the 24 hours following this event. No obvious abnormalities detected.
KALARNEY PRINCE - post-race veterinary examinations in accordance with the HRV Animal Welfare policy due to have an engagement at Bendigo in the 24 hours following this event. No obvious abnormalities detected.
MANDA KYVALLEY – galloped shortly after the start was effected; continued exclusion from future mobile start events. Trailed the field and took no part in the event.
RACE 3 – NEATLINE PACE (2190 MS)
FAKE CULLECTION – tired to be beaten 61.4m into eleventh placing after pulling hard when leading; warning issued for beaten margin.
ALLHEARTNOHEIGHT – pulled hard in running.
TASTE IT – galloped score-up, out of position when start effected; exclusion from future mobile start events. Trailed the field and took no part in the event thereafter.
MYNAMEISRUBY – pulled hard in the score-up.
TEX GOES BANG – pulled hard after working forward and obtaining the position outside the leader.
RACE 4 – CHRISTMAS FAMILY KIDS NIGHT TUES 23RD DEC PACE (2190 MS)
MY MACHETE – began badly; exclusion from future mobile start events.
CAESAR NERO – inconvenienced and held up from approx. 600m by MIDNIGHT CRIMES who was yielding ground.
HEZAFLASHONE – pulled hard when racing on the marker pegs through the middle stages. Inconvenienced and held up from approx. 600m by MIDNIGHT CRIMES who was yielding ground.
MIDNIGHT CRIMES – driver Josh Duggan was queried regarding the overall performance of the filly who led before yielding ground to be beaten 36.3m into ninth placing. Mr Duggan explained that MIDNIGHT CRIMES had trialed well leading into tonight’s event and could offer no tangible explanation for the performance other than being of the view that the filly may be better suited being allowed to stride along in the lead. Post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any obvious abnormalities.
FEEL THE REIGN - pre and post-race veterinary examinations in accordance with the HRV Animal Welfare policy having attained 200 or more starts. No obvious abnormalities either examination.
SHAQ - pre and post-race veterinary examinations in accordance with the HRV Animal Welfare policy having attained 200 or more starts. No obvious abnormalities either examination.
RACE 5 – $5000 PRIZE PACKAGE FOR 'DRESS TO IMPRESS' ON CUP NIGHT PACE (1690 MS)
SPUN SILVER – shifted out under pressure over the final 200m.
FEEL THE KNIGHT – hung out rounding the final turn. No clear run from approx. 250m to finish. Disappointed for clear running over the concluding stages when SPUN SILVER hung out marginally; subsequently checked and locked wheels with WICKED WIZARD (Ryan Sanderson).
TOPHUT JOHNY - pre and post-race veterinary examinations in accordance with the HRV Animal Welfare policy having attained 200 or more starts. No obvious abnormalities either examination.
BETTORSWEETVICTORY – held up for clear running rounding the final turn; utilized the sprint lane thereafter.
BYRNSIDE BOOM – connections requested that the gelding be given permission to warm-up before the event, which was granted. Galloped approx. 500m; stood down pending the completion of one (1) trial and for a period of ten (10) days owing to recent tractability record.
WICKED WIZARD – held up for clear running from approx. 250m to finish and disappointed for a run over the concluding stages when FEEL THE KNIGHT (Nathan Jack) was shifted wider, with SPUN SILVER (Tristan Larsen) and TOPHUT JOHNY (Chris Alford) shifting up the track marginally. Subsequently galloped and locked wheels with FEEL THE KNIGHT (Nathan Jack) for a short distance.
PRINCESS ARNA – driver Jack Laugher was queried regarding his driving tactics through the early stages, where it appeared an opportunity presented to remain in the running line trailing FINAL BOW (James Herbertson). Mr Laugher explained that given PRINCESS ARNA was up in class in tonight’s event, he was of the view that obtaining a run on the marker pegs would be beneficial for the mare in obtaining the best possible placing. Mr Laugher expanded on that point and added that whilst PRINCESS ARNA had won at Bendigo from a similar draw in the preceding week and had progressed forward wide on the track to improve to a lead position, the mile rate was relatively slow against what appeared to be inferior opposition. Mr Laugher added that on that occasion, the leaders ran through the first half of the last mile in 64.1 seconds, which allowed him to progress forward to the lead without having to place undue pressure on the mare. Mr Laugher’s explanation was noted. PRINCESS ARNA was checked over the concluding stages when WICKED WIZARD (Ryan Sanderson) galloped.
RACE 6 – ABBEY & ABBY WAGER WEDNESDAY SHRC FACEBOOK PACE(2190 MS)
VICTORTHEINFLICTOR – slowly away.
WIND SOCK – hung out at approx. 400m despite the efforts of driver Cameron Maggs; warning issued.
TRIPLE ROCK SAINT NZ – inconvenienced from approx. 400m when WIND SOCK hung outward.
RACE 7 – MUNRO & ASSOCIATES CONVETANCING TROT(2190 MS)
PARIS KAY – hung in racing into the first turn and contacted several marker pegs. Pulled hard in running thereafter prior to yielding ground to be beaten 45.9m.
NORDIC REIGN – pulled hard through early to middle stages.
ANTONOV NZ – driver Rebecca Bartley was queried regarding the overall performance of the gelding who was beaten 36.9m into sixth placing. Ms Bartley was of the view that ANTONOV NZ had flipped his palate owing to the respiratory sounds that were evident in running. Ms Bartley added that despite already wearing a tongue-tie, the issue again presented and would continue to implement gear changes to remedy the affliction in coming starts. Post-race veterinary examinations failed to reveal any obvious abnormalities.
RACE 8 – BENSTUD VICBRED VOUCHER 2YO MAIDEN PACE(2190 MS)
SIARGAO ISLAND – paced roughly in the score-up.
VINNIES HOPE – pulled hard through the early and middle stages.
RACE 9 – SADDLEWORLD SHEPPARTON 2YO MAIDEN TROT(2190 MS)
GOODTIME KENZI – galloped in the score-up, out of position when start effected; exclusion from future mobile barrier draws. Galloped in running on more than three occasions and was retired from the event by driver Josh Duggan. Stood down pending the completion of one (1) satisfactory requalifying trial.
MY MATE LENNY – hung out after the start. Hung out in during the early and middle stages; warning issued.
MOONSHINE LOUIE – pulled hard in running.
COOPER KAI – pulled hard in running.
OUR ARNOLD – out of position when the start was effected; last chance in the mobile barrier draw.
Daniel Borg
Chairman
‘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.’
Swabs:
Pre-Race:
Race 6: Wind Sock
Race 6: Triple Rock Saint NZ
Race 7: Vici Bloom
Post-Race:
Race 3: Tex Goes Bang
Race 4: With In Reason
| Suspensions: | NIL | |
| Fines: | NIL | |
| Cautions: | ||
| Race 1: | C. Slater | T/CG |
| Horse Actions: | ||
| Race 2: | Cmon Carl Lee | CODM |
| Race 2: | Manda Kyvalley | CODM |
| Race 3: | Taste It | ODM |
| Race 4: | My Machete | ODM |
| Race 5: | Byrneside Boom | SD10D & SD1T |
| Race 9: | Goodtime Kenzi | SD1T |
| Race 9: | Goodtime Kenzi | ODM |
| Late Scratchings: | NIL | |
| Follow Ups: | ||
| Race 1: | Spirit of Sahara | |
| Race 4: | Midnight Crimes | |
| Race 7: | Antonov NZ | |
| Adjourned Inquiries: | NIL | |
| Sulky Fund Claims: | NIL |
