Stewards Report

HARNESS RACING VICTORIA                                               

STEWARDS REPORT FOR STAWELL

THURSDAY 06 JUNE 2024        

	Wayne Smith Nick Murray Daniel Borg David Young (starter) Dr Tony James & Michelle Pap (Vets)
	Track: Good	Weather:Overcast

 

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

 

RACE 1 – GIFT HOTEL 2YO & 3YO MAIDEN TROT (2180MS)

General

All clear was withheld to enable Stewards and Michelle Wight, trainer and driver of MAXIMEZ (5th past the post) to view the footage in the home straight in relation to that gelding galloping. After viewing the footage and establishing that MAXIMEZ had galloped clear of interference for approximately the final 150m, in accordance with AHRR 155 (1) as the gelding had at least maintained its ground in a gallop to the detriment of DOOR SLAMMER (6th past the post), MAXIMEZ was relegated to 6th place. All clear was then declared on the amended placings: 4,6,1,8,2 & 3.

DOOR SLAMMER– promoted to 5th place.

MAXIMEZ– galloped clear of interference in the home straight and a warning was issued. Relegated to 6th place – see General.

ZIPTIE– inconvenienced near the 1500m.

MYSTERY FRED– galloped clear of interference near the 1500m and a warning was issued.

ALPHA TORI– (last place) galloped shortly after the start and remained in a gallop for a considerable distance before receiving some assistance from the Clerk of Course. As driver James Herbertson was then able to extricate the gelding to the outside of the track, the gelding was then able to regain its correct gait. Wil remain outside the mobile barrier draw and was placed on its last chance to race truly.

 

RACE 2 – STAWELL SHOW OCT 26 2024 PACE (2180MS)  

SMOKIN STREPO – the racebook failed to show Abby Sanderson as the driver. Pulled hard during the middle stages. Momentarily locked sulky wheels with COBALT BLUES passing the 400m.

SUNFINE– hung in and momentarily locked sulky wheels with GOODTIME MIKI near the 700m.

COBALT BLUES– momentarily locked sulky wheels with SMOKIN STREPO passing the 400m.

GOODTIME MIKI– locked wheels with SUNFINE near the 700m. Inconvenienced near the 300m and galloped in consequence. In view of the circumstances, no action was taken against the gelding’s racing manners.     

 

RACE 3 – HALLS GAP HOTEL MAIDEN TROT  (2180 MS)

BLITZER I HOPE – momentarily held up for a clear run at the entrance to the home straight.

WESTERN BOY– galloped clear of interference near the 200m and remained in a gallop thereafter. A warning was issued against the gelding’s racing manners.

 

RACE 4 – STAWELL STATIONERS TROT (2180MS)

UNSPOKEN LOVE – hung in leaving the 400m.

SURBITON PRETENDER – due to the gelding being 13 years of age, was examined by the veterinarian before and after the race in accordance with HRV policy which revealed no apparent abnormalities. Began badly and will be excluded from the mobile barrier draw. Trailed the field throughout.

CHAMPAGNES– inconvenienced after the start as SURBITON PRETENDER galloped outwards. Galloped in consequence and no action was taken.

TINEY– driver Ben Xiriha was reminded of his whip action requirements.

THAT OTHER THING– galloped clear of interference after the start and will be placed outside the mobile barrier draw.

AZALEA MAE– inconvenienced shortly after the start.

OFF YOUR FACESKI– galloped during the score up and has now been placed outside the mobile barrier draw.

FAITH FULL– checked and broke gait shortly after the start. Hung in and contacted marker pegs passing the 400m.

 

RACE 5 NORTON MOTOR  GROUP PACE  (2180 MS)

YOU BEAUTY – held up for a clear run until using the sprint lane.

BART BENTLEY – pulled hard when being restrained to obtain cover during the early stages.

JAMES GARNER NZ – began badly and will be placed outside the mobile barrier draw. Held up for a clear run inside the 50m.

WELL SAID NUGGET – out of position at the start despite the drivers’ efforts. A warning was issued against the barrier manners of the gelding.

A ROCKNROLL JET – held up for a clear run rounding the final turn. 

 

RACE 6 – RAYNES SUPERMARKET TROT  (2180 MS)

CHINSKI NZ – Stewards refrained from pursuing action against driver Leilani Justice in relation to the sectional time requirements after taking into account the quicker than average lead time recorded.

MITCHELL WRAP – began badly and will be placed outside the mobile barrier draw.

SEBASTIANS SECRET– hung in during the score up and galloped shortly after the start. Will be placed outside the mobile barrier draw.

EL RESAMO – the racebook failed to show Neil McCallum as the driver. Galloped clear of interference near the 1500m, trailed the field thereafter.

SONARMI JOH– held up for a clear run rounding the final turn.

 

RACE 7 E-CYCLE SOLUTIONS 3YO PACE (2180 MS)

GOODTIME OSCAR– tired (57m) over the concluding stages however in view of the winning margin (15m) no action was taken for the performance.

MY BUCKS NIGHT– galloped shortly after the start and will be placed outside the mobile barrier draw. Tired (200m +) over the latter stages and was stood down from racing until the satisfactory completion of one (1) trial.

JOANIES A PEARLER– near side lugging pole came adrift during the event. Tired (54m) over the concluding stages however in view of the winning margin (15m) no action was taken for the performance. Post-race veterinary examination revealed no apparent abnormalities.

EASTBRO CHRISSY– inconvenienced after the start.

TIME TO TORQUE– Hung in and momentarily paced roughly passing the 1600m. Driver Michelle Wight was found guilty of a charge of an unacceptable drive under rule 149 (2). The particulars of the charge being that after shifting three wide approaching the 1800m and then continuing to attempt to advance forward three wide without cover, in the opinion of Stewards it was then unacceptable to continue to drive forward three wide passing the 1200m when it was unlikely a more forward position closer to the marker pegline was attainable. In electing to remain three wide without cover Ms Wight continued to drive TIME TO TORQUE forward to the outside of the leading division passing the 1200m until the 800m, failing to provide the filly sufficient respite. Driving tactics which in the opinion of Stewards were the main contributing factor for the filly finishing in 6th place beaten 45.6m. Ms Wight’s licence to drive in races was suspended for 3 weeks to commence midnight 15 June 2024. In assessing penalty in accordance with the HRV Minimum Penalty Guidelines, Stewards considered Ms Wights’ relatively good record, driving frequency and the circumstances of the offence. Ms Wight was cautioned for her conduct during this inquiry. Post-race veterinary examination revealed no apparent abnormalities.

SHES A TINY DANCER– held up for a clear run rounding the final turn before finishing in 3rd place beaten 16.2m. Driver Annalise Scott explained that during the middle stages she elected to remain in a position closer to the marker pegline as she had been instructed to drive the filly for one late run. Ms Scott added that due to this the filly was held up and unable to improve for some distance approaching and passing the 400m. Ms Scott’s explanation was recorded.

 

RACE 8 STAWELL GIFT MUSEUM PACE  (2180 MS)

LITTLEBLABBAMOUTH– held up for a clear run until using the sprint lane to finish in 4th place.

TOP GUN TED- the racebook failed to show Luke Dunne as the driver.

KEAYANG KEVIN – galloped during the score up, out of position at the start and trailed the field thereafter. Will be placed outside the mobile barrier draw.

 

RACE 9 THOMAS FOODS INTERNATIONAL PACE  (2180 MS)

NORTHERN TERROR– sulky contacted and sustained a flat tyre to the offside sulky wheel shortly after the start. Retired from the event in consequence.

FAIR CHANCE– driver Abby Sanderson was fined $100 under rule 168(1)(a) for careless driving, for permitting her drive to contact the sulky of NORTHERN TERROR shortly after the start.

SHE WILL WANTANO– inconvenienced when improving three wide near the 900m.

REDBANK MOLLY– held up for a clear run in the home straight.

FEELINGOODFREDDIE– held up for a clear run rounding the final turn.

SURBITON HARTBREAK– a caution was issued against driver Sean O’Sullivan for the manner in which he shifted ground three wide near the 900m.

 

Wayne Smith

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 – Starzinhereyes; Race 3 – Blitzer I Hope; Race 7 – My Bucks Night; Race 9 – Micton Mouse.
		Post-Race: Race 1 – Cascata;  Race 2 – Cobalt Blues;Race 5 – Senna Storm; Race 6 – Mitchell Wrap; Race 7 – Rockin Gemma;  Race 8 – Chansu.
Suspensions
Race 7	M Wight		R149(2)	3 weeks
Fines
Race 9	A Sanderson		R168(1)(a)	$100
Cautions
Race 7	M Wight		D/CCON
Race 9	S O’Sullivan		D/CSG
Horse Actions
Race 1	Alpha Tori		CODM
Race 4	Surbiton Pretender		ODM
Race 4	That Other Thing		ODM
Race 4	Off Your Faceski		ODM
Race 5	James Garner NZ		ODM
Race 6	Mitchell Wrap		ODM
Race 6	Sebastians Secret		ODM
Race 7	My Bucks Night		ODM / SD1T
Race 8	Keayang Kevin		ODM
Late Scratchings
Nil

Follow Ups

Nil

Adjourned Inquiries

Nil

Sulky Fund Claims

Nil

Medical Stand Down

Nil