Stewards Report

HARNESS RACING VICTORIA

STEWARDS REPORT FOR STAWELL

WEDNESDAY 24 JULY 2024

	Nick Murray Wayne Smith Wayne Preston Jason Fino (Starter) Dr Greg Hargreaves (Vet)
	Track:    Good	Weather:	Overcast / Windy

 

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

 

RACE 1 –STAWELL GIFT HALL OF FAME TROTTERS HANDICAP (2180 SS)

General

The start was delayed due to Murray Bridge thoroughbreds being behind schedule.

POPPY POPSTAR – inconvenienced down the back straight on the final occasion as SHOW ME THE MOOLAH gave ground.

EFFICIENTLY– galloped out and will continue to be placed right outside the standing start draw.

SONARMI JOH– galloped out briefly and was placed on its last chance in the standing start draw.

SHOW ME THE MOOLAH– gave ground down the back straight on the final occasion.

VALERIE LANE– driver Jason Ainsworth was cautioned for loose-reining down the back straight on the final occasion.

 

RACE 2 – BOOK NOW FOR STAWELL BLUESFEST AUG 31 TO SEP 1 MAIDEN TROT (2180 MS)

OPRAH DOUBLE YOU – driver Nigel Milne’s left foot momentarily slipped from the sulky footrest near the 200m.

BILLYSWEARINEM– tired (55m) over the concluding stages and was placed on its last chance to race competitively.

LOOKAT SPUNKY TROT– galloped clear of interference near the 200m.

GAELICSON – shifted out slightly in the home straight.

SPRINGVALE QUEEN – due to the mare being 12 years of age, in accordance with HRV policy was examined by the veterinarian before and after the race which revealed no apparent abnormalities. Galloped during the score up, was out of position at the start by a considerable distance and trailed the field throughout. Will be placed outside the mobile barrier draw.

BALLYMONEY– trotted roughly near the 1700m. Tired (82m) over the concluding stages and was placed on its last chance to race competitively.

SALUTE TO SUNNY– began badly, trailed the field throughout and will continue to be placed outside the mobile barrier draw.

 

RACE 3 – THOMAS FOODS 0-4 LTW PACE (1785 MS)

GRINNING BEACH BOY – hung in and contacted marker pegs rounding the final turn.

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

JUDES DUDE– held up for a clear run for the greater majority of the home straight.

 

RACE 4 – ECYCLE SOLUTIONS PACE (2180 MS)

General

Stewards reviewed the footage of the start prior to all clear and were satisfied that NAI HARN BAY had galloped clear of interference during the score up.

CALEDONIAN TERRA– driver Michelle Phillips was cautioned for failing to have her drive in the required position at the candy pole prior to the start. Hung in slightly near the 300m and had its sulky contacted by NAI HARN BAY.

PRESIDENTIALCHANGE– hung out slightly near the 300m.

SPECULATOR NZ-  Trainer Brett Cole was cautioned for failing to notify the intended driving tactics with multiple horses engaged. Driver Liam Older was cautioned for failing to have his drive in the required position at the candy pole prior to the start.

MARKLEIGH CAZ – due to having competed in more than 200 lifetime starts, in accordance with HRV policy was examined by the veterinarian before and after the race which revealed no apparent abnormalities. Began badly, trailed the field throughout and will be placed outside the mobile barrier draw.

NAI HARN BAY– galloped during the score up, was out of position at the start and will be placed outside the mobile barrier draw. Inconvenienced after the start. Checked when tightened for room near the 300m when PRESIDENTIALCHANGE hung out slightly and CALEDONIAN TERRA hung in slightly.

 

RACE 5 – BLACK SORROWS & FRIENDS @ STAWELL BLUESFEST AUG 31 PACE (2180 MS)

General

Stewards considered a protest lodged by driver Lochie Cook (2nd place – JUST CALLME TORQUE) against EASTBRO CHRISSY (1st place – James Herbertson) alleging interference at the entrance to the home straight. On the available evidence it was established that rounding the final turn, the leader JILLIBY TIDALWAVE (J Leedham) shifted in and contacted a marker peg where shortly thereafter at the entrance to the home straight that runner then shifted out slightly, resulting in EASTBRO CHRISSY being taken wider and in turn JUST CALLME TORQUE also appearing to shift in, causing that filly to contact the sulky of EASTBRO CHRISSY and momentarily pace roughly. As Stewards were satisfied that EASTBRO CHRISSY had not been the cause of the interference, the protest was dismissed and all clear was declared on the Judges’ placings.

JILLIBY TIDALWAVE – contacted a marker peg near the 200m before shifting out at the entrance to the home straight.

JUST CALLME TORQUE– hung in and contacted the sulky of EASTBRO CHRISSY at the entrance to the home straight momentarily pacing roughly.

EASTBRO CHRISSY– sulky contacted at the entrance to the home straight.

CREATIVE LAD - due to having competed in more than 200 lifetime starts, in accordance with HRV policy was examined by the veterinarian before and after the race which revealed no apparent abnormalities. Gave ground (44m) over the concluding stages.

 

RACE 6 – WIMMERA MALLEE VET SERVICES PACE (2180 MS)

ALOOK TO LIKE – checked racing off the back straight on the final occasion. Tightened for room and broke gait rounding the final turn.

TERROROAN– inconvenienced as the pace eased racing into the first turn. Hung in passing the 400m and paced roughly shortly thereafter. A warning was issued against the gelding’s racing manners.

ONE OFF NZ– driver Ashley Ainsworth was cautioned for easing the pace at the head of the one wide line rounding the first turn which caused TERROROAN to be inconvenienced when trailing. Checked and paced roughly passing the 400m due to TERROROAN hanging in. Driver Ashley Ainsworth was reminded of his whip action requirements.

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

 

RACE 7 – WARREN EARTHWORKS 0-1 LTW PACE (2180 MS)

General

Due to the 48m margin between 3rd & 4th place, no action was taken for some horses being beaten in excess of 50m.

ORCH– driver Peter Wallis’ left foot momentarily slipped from the sulky footrest near the 200m.

UNIVERSAL BOSS– tired (100m) over the concluding stages and was placed on its last chance to race competitively.

RESURRECTS– over-raced whilst leading through the early stages before tiring to be beaten approximately 59m to finish towards the rear of the field. Post-race veterinary examination revealed no apparent abnormal findings. Driver Jason Lee considered that the gelding over-racing was the main contributing factor for the performance and it would be the intention to make gear alterations for the gelding in future starts. A warning was issued against the performance of RESURRECTS.

SEA HUNTER – underwent a pre-race veterinary examination and was cleared to compete. Inconvenienced rounding the final turn as BETTES BLUE VIOLET hung in.

BETTES BLUE VIOLET– hung in noticeably rounding the final turn and a warning was issued against the racing manners of the filly.

 

RACE 8 – WILBUR WILDE & FRIENDS @ STAWELL BLUESFEST SEP 1 PACE (2180 MS)

General

The revised start time of this event was 4:49pm.

GERRALE– inconvenienced after the start when being restrained.

BATTON ROUGE– began badly and will be placed outside the mobile barrier in future race starts. Galloped clear of interference near the 200m and was placed on its last chance to race truly. Hung in and paced roughly in the home straight.

IDEAL ASSASSIN– held up for a clear run before using the sprint lane to finish in 5th place.

 

 

 

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 5 – Carramar Olam; Race 7 – Bettes Blue Violet.
		Post-Race: Race 1 – All The Trix; Race 4 – Caledonian Terra; Race5 – Eastbro Chrissy; Race 6 – Princess Alexandra.
Suspensions
Nil
Fines
Nil
Cautions
Race 1	J Ainsworth		D/CLR
Race 4	B Cole		T/CT
Race 4	M Phillips		D/CCP
Race 4	L Older		D/CCP
Race 6	A Ainsworth		D/CEP
Horse Actions
Race 1	Efficiently		CRODS
Race 2	Springvale Queen		ODM
Race 2	Salute To Sunny		CODM
Race 4	Nai Harn Bay		ODM
Race 4	Markleigh Caz		ODM
Race 8	Batton Rouge		ODM
Late Scratchings
Nil

Follow Ups Nil

Adjourned Inquiries - Nil

Sulky Fund Claims - Nil