Stewards Report

HARNESS RACING VICTORIA

STEWARDS REPORT FOR STAWELL

THURSDAY 17 NOVEMBER 2022

	Nick Murray Des Benger Wayne Smith Nathan Moy (Starter) Dr Tony James (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. 

GENERAL

The racebook failed to show the following revised start times:

Race 7 – 3:44pm

Race 8 – 4:24pm

Race 9 – 5:05pm

RACE 1 – RENOWN SILVERWARE TROT (2180 MS)

Allawart Bob and Jimmy Bintang galloped at the start, trailed the field thereafter and will be placed outside the mobile barrier draw.

Leroy O’Brien, trainer and driver of Lady Madge Lewis was questioned regarding his tactics adopted during the middle stages when improving three wide to briefly challenge for the lead and then appearing to again apply some pressure to the leader Black And Gold down the back straight on the final occasion. Mr O’Brien explained that previously Lady Madge Lewis had been driven in a forward position and for that reason he progressed three wide during the middle stages as he considered the mare is best suited when driven in that manner. Mr O’Brien added that after a brief challenge for the lead he then remained in the position outside of the leader and endeavoured to quicken down the back straight as the leader Black And Gold was inclined to shift out. Mr O’Brien further added that given the circumstances he was disappointed in the performance of Lady Madge Lewis thereafter when finishing in 5th position beaten approximately 17m. Mr O’Brien reported it may be his intention to give Lady Madge Lewis a brief let-up from racing. Mr O’Brien’s explanation was noted.

Black And Gold hung out whilst leading down the back straight on each occasion.

Cheermeonimdancin galloped clear of interference in the home straight.

RACE 2 – RUSS STUDIO JEWELLERS PACE (1785 MS)

Best Back Bruce underwent a pre-race veterinary examination and was cleared to start.

Eastbro Adele galloped shortly after the start and will continue to be placed outside the mobile barrier draw.

Shardonant was out of position at the start despite the drivers’ efforts and a warning was issued.

James Herbertson, driver of Best Back Bruce was cautioned for using the whip outside of the sulky confines rounding the final turn.

Eastbro Adele (3rd place) was held up for a clear run until utilising the sprint lane.

RACE 3 – CHOICES FLOORING STAWELL MAIDEN PACE (1785 MS)

Cantseeme was examined by the veterinarian before the race and cleared to start. Cantseeme (3rd place) was again examined by the veterinarian after the event and no significant abnormalities or welfare concerns were identified.

Fullofit was relatively slow to begin from barrier 2 and then paced roughly rounding the first turn.

When questioned regarding the apparent improved performance of the winner McArdom, connections explained that they had recently had a virus affect some of the stable horses, and felt that this may have been a factor in the previous disappointing performances of McArdom. Furthermore, that McArdom had trialled relatively well at Maryborough (13/11/22) in preparation, that the gelding was also aided by receiving a favourable run in transit against slightly inferior opposition than most recent starts. Swab samples were obtained from McArdom.

Lebowski pulled hard during the middle stages.

Lets Go Cresco pulled hard before galloping clear of interference inside the 600m. The gelding was placed on its last chance to race truly.

RACE 4 –STAWELL NEWSAGENCY 2YO MAIDEN PACE (1785 MS)

A false start was declared at the first attempt due to Layden galloping during the score up and causing interference to Hez Our Playboy. Layden will be placed outside the draw in future mobile start events.

Hez Our Playboy was out of position at the restart, galloped shortly after the start and trailed the field throughout. Due to the initial delay, no action was taken for the manners displayed by Hez Our Playboy.

Tizzy Lizzie paced roughly rounding the first turn.

Shikoba momentarily paced roughly racing into the first turn.

Layden and Goodtime Libby pulled hard during the middle stages.

Curyo Gentleman paced roughly and shifted out passing the 800m and a warning was issued.

RACE 5 -GRAMPIANS GATE CARAVAN PARK 3YO PACE (2180 MS)

A false start was declared at the first attempt when Betonbetty had broken a one legged spreader. Given the circumstances, no action was taken. Due to the replacement of gear, a further delay ensued.

Peppermint galloped during the score up, was out of position at the start and trailed the field thereafter. Given the initial delay, Peppermint was placed on its last chance in the mobile barrier draw.

Lavender Dolly galloped during the score up and will continue to be placed outside the mobile barrier draw. Lavender Dolly galloped clear of interference near the 1500m and trailed the field thereafter. Lavender Dolly was placed on its last chance to race truly.

Listowel galloped clear of interference at the entrance to the home straight and was placed on its last chance to race truly.

Lochie Cook, driver of Catch The Shark was fined $100 under rule 162 (1)(y) for failing to adhere to the sectional time requirements whilst leading.

RACE 6 – BOOK NOW FOR THE CUP - SUNDAY 11 DECEMBER PACE (2180 MS)

The off side rein burr on Your A Shocker came adrift in the home straight.

RACE 7 – NORTON FORD PACE (2180 MS)

Brent Murphy, driver of The Big End Oftown was cautioned for easing the pace at the head of the one wide line rounding the first turn which caused some inconvenience to Jilliby Jive, Wingate Guy and Wendys Watching resulting in the mare galloping in consequence. In the circumstances no action was taken against the racing manners of Wendys Watching.

Elli Joh and Springfield Affair pulled hard during the middle stages.

RACE 8 – FOSTER'S MENSLAND PACE (2180 MS)

Jackierabbit pulled hard during the middle stages.

Teddy Runkle led before relinquishing the lead during the middle stages, however, then gave ground over the concluding stages to finish at the rear of the field beaten approximately 49m. Connections of Teddy Runkle reported that the gelding was up in grade and the relatively quick mile rate (1:57.3) may have been contributing factors for the performance. Connections indicated that Teddy Runkle appeared to recovery satisfactorily immediately after the event. Courtney Slater, trainer of Teddy Runkle was subsequently fined $100 under rule 43A(1) for failing to gain permission to leave the course within the 30 minute period after the race. Stewards intend to follow up the performance of Teddy Runkle with connections in the ensuing period.

Sea Lover (unplaced) was inconvenienced and held up racing off the back straight on the final occasion as Teddy Runkle commenced to give ground.

SUPPLEMENTARY REPORT - 23 NOVEMBER 2022

Courtney Slater, trainer of Teddy Runkle reported subsequent to the meeting, that the gelding had recovered well.  Ms.Slater stated Teddy Runkle has had a light week of training and would continue with the current preparation.

RACE 9 – DAVID O JONES MITRE 10 PACE (1785 MS)

The racebook failed to show Codi Rauchenberger as the driver of Fire Official.

Irishmurphy which has attained the age of 12 years was examined by the veterinarian before and after the race in accordance with HRV policy which revealed no apparent abnormalities.

Realy Under Fire which has attained the age of 12 years and 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.

A pre-race blood sample collection from Josie Ella was aborted due to the mare being fractious and the vet having difficulty in safely obtaining the sample.

Brent Murphy, driver of Thelongroadnowhere was cautioned for failing to have his drive in position at the start.

Josie Ella occupied a position one out and one back for the greater majority prior to yielding ground over the concluding stages to finish in 7th position beaten 27m. Corey Bell, driver of Josie Ella explained that the mare had prepared well for this event and he was confident of a competitive performance. Mr Bell added that Josie Ella appeared to travel well during the event, however failed to run on over the concluding stages and proved to be disappointing. A subsequent veterinary examination of Josie Ella revealed no apparent abnormalities.

Corey Bell, driver of Josie Ella was fined $200 under rule 156(2)(a) for applying the whip over the concluding stages with more than a wrist only flicking action.

 

Nick 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 2 – Best Back Bruce; Race 3 – Fullofit; Race 5 – Betonbetty; Race 6 – Your A Shocker; Race 9 – Josie Ella.
		Post-Race: Race 1 – Down Under Earl; Race 3 – McArdom; Race 5 – Catch The Shark; Race 6 – True Blue Rose; Race 8 – Sugar For My Honey.
Suspensions
Nil
Fines
Race 5	L Cook		162(1)(y)	$100
Race 8	C Slater		43A(1)	$100
Race 9	C Bell		156(2)(a)	$200
Cautions
Race 2	J Herbertson		D/CWOC
Race 7	B Murphy		D/CEP
Race 9	B Murphy		D/CSU
Horse Actions
Race 1	Jimmy Bintang		ODM
Race 1	Allawart Bob		ODM
Race 2	Eastbro Adele		CODM
Race 4	Layden		ODM
Race 5	Lavender Dolly		CODM
Late Scratchings
Nil

Follow Ups

Race 8 Teddy Runkle

Adjourned Inquiries

Nil

Sulky Fund Claims

Nil