Stewards Report

HARNESS RACING VICTORIA

STEWARDS REPORT FOR MOOROOPNA @ SHEPPARTON

SUNDAY 12 JUNE 2022

	Nicholas Murray Kylie Harrison John Packer Peter Lamb (Starter) Dr Clare Williams-Patterson (Vet)
	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 – HYGAIN 3YO MAIDEN PACE (1690 MS)

The revised start time for this race was 5:04pm.

Ima Charma hung out and lost some ground rounding the first turn causing No Neigh Philtra to be inconvenienced when following.

Sharkattack occupied a one out and one back position for the greater majority before failing to run on significantly over the concluding stages when finishing in 6th place beaten 11.5m. Ellen Tormey, driver of Sharkattack explained that she was satisfied with the performance given the relatively quick mile rate of 1:56.5 in comparison to previous starts and the gelding’s ability. A veterinary examination of Sharkattack revealed no apparent abnormalities.

Josh Duggan, driver of Hereshecomessassy was fined $200 under rule 156(2)(a) for applying the whip in the home straight with more than a wrist only flicking action.

RACE 2 – HORSELAND PACE (2190 MS)

Heavensway which had not started in a race since February 2021 was examined by the veterinarian before and after the race in accordance with HRV policy which revealed no abnormal findings.

Lombo Eye Watch galloped briefly during the score up and was placed on its last chance in the mobile barrier draw.

When questioned regarding the driving tactics adopted on Lombo Eye Watch during the early stages, driver Sharon Hahne explained that during the early stages she was satisfied to maintain the lead given she was able to do so without placing Lombo Eye Watch under any significant driving. Ms Hahne added that she was mindful of the manner in which Didn’t I (G Sugars) was being driven aggressively in comparison, however felt that the initial challenge from that runner was minimal. Ms Hahne added that as Four Star Saint (D Douglas) then challenged racing down the back straight she was then satisfied to obtain cover given the early speed of the race. Ms Hahne’s explanation was noted. A veterinary examination of Lombo Eye Watch revealed no apparent abnormalities. Lombo Eye Watch tired to be beaten 87m to finish at the rear of the field and was placed on its last chance to race competitively.

Danny Ferris, driver of Heavensway was fined $200 under rule 159A (2) for failing to have his helmet correctly fastened during the event.

Kevin Weidenbach Jnr, driver of White Star Village was cautioned for failing to have the gelding in position at the candy pole prior to the start.

Heavensway hung in during the latter part of the score up, was out of position at the start and a warning was issued against the barrier manners of the gelding.

Didn’t I was inconvenienced and held up racing down the back straight on the final occasion when following Lombo Eye Watch which had commenced to yield ground.

Miss Social Media NZ tired to be beaten approximately 52m and the mare has now been placed on its last chance to race competitively.

Danny Ferris, driver of Heavensway 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 3 – NORTHERN HEALING CHIROPRACTIC PACE (1690 MS)

Cee Cee Norman pulled hard during the middle stages when being restrained to obtain cover.

Northern Terror (3rd place) was held up for a clear run rounding the final turn.

It was noted that driver Jordan Leedham’s (Cobber Mac – 5th place) whip became entangled at the entrance to the home straight and he was therefore unable to utilise the whip over the final stages.

Officially Shady was directed three wide without cover from near the 800m before failing to run on competitively over the concluding stages to finish in 8th position beaten approximately 27m. Nathan Jack, driver of Officially Shady explained that the gelding had obtained a relatively good run in transit prior to improving three wide and failed to travel strongly over the latter stages. Mr Jack added that in his opinion the performance was disappointing. A veterinary examination of Officially Shady revealed no apparent abnormalities.

RACE 4 – CLEAVES GARDEN SUPPLY PACE (1690 MS)

The Battle We Face galloped during the score up, was out of position at the start and will be placed outside the draw in future mobile start races. Lagom was inconvenienced during the score up as a consequence, however as that mare was placed 3rd, in accordance with rule 15(2) no further action was taken prior to all clear being declared.

Lagom (3rd place) was held up for a clear run rounding the final turn.

Corryong Cool tired over the latter stages to be beaten approximately 150m and the mare was stood down from racing until having completed one satisfactory trial.                                                                        

RACE 5 - LIFT 'N' SHIFT MOOROOPNA PACING CUP (2190 MS)

Ace Duigan which had not started in a race since January 2021 was examined by the veterinarian before and after the race in accordance with HRV policy which revealed no abnormal findings.

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

Bundy Wrangler pulled hard during the middle stages when positioned outside of the leader. Bundy Wrangler paced roughly approaching the 400m before giving ground to finish at the rear of the field.

Roslyn Gaye pulled hard during the middle stages when positioned behind the leader and was then inconvenienced racing down the back straight on the final occasion when following Ace Duigan which had commenced to yield some ground.

RACE 6 – CHAS CHOLE PACE (1ST HEAT) (1690 MS)

Hayjoshandco 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 abnormal findings.

Rolling Remona pulled hard during the early and middle stages.

Hayjoshandco (5th place) was held up for a clear run rounding the final turn.

Ferocious Son (2nd place) was held up for a clear run prior to utilising the sprint lane.

RACE 7 – CLEAVES GARDEN SUPPLY MOOROOPNA TROTTERS CUP (2190 SS)

Belltopperboy which had not started in a race since June 2020 was examined by the veterinarian before and after the race in accordance with HRV policy which revealed no abnormal findings.

The racebook failed to show Taylor Youl as the driver of Belltopperboy.

Zesta La Go Go was fractious and reared prior to the start before standing flat footed and being slow to begin. Zesta La Go Go will be placed outside the draw in future standing start races.

Zesta La Go Go trotted roughly near the 800m and shifted out at the entrance to the back straight on the final occasion resulting in Here Comes Kyvalley NZ being able to improve.

Hez Coolaz galloped clear of interference near the 500m causing Belltopperboy to be inconvenienced. Given the prior record, Hez Coolaz was stood down from racing for 10 days and until completing one satisfactory trial.

Aristotle was held up for a clear run rounding the final turn before utilising the sprint lane to finish in 2nd position.

After obtaining preliminary evidence from driver Laura Crossland (Starlight Red) in relation to Starlight Red shifting into the sprint lane after leading into the home straight resulting in Aristotle (2nd place) being able to obtain a clear run between Starlight Red and Downunder Barkers, Stewards adjourned the matter to consider the evidence.

Stewards intend to review the wagering data on this event.

RACE 8 – VOLUNTEERS PACE (2ND HEAT) (1690 MS)

James Herbertson was approved as a late driver replacement for Justin Campbell (unavailable) on Caruso Star.

Mel Thackeray, driver of Hancocks Hero pleaded guilty to a charge under rule 149(1), the particulars of the charge being that after being caught at least three wide during the early stages, it was both reasonable and permissible passing the 1200m to continue to restrain Hancocks Hero towards a rearward position closer to the marker pegline, rather than allowing Hancocks Hero to progress forward three wide without cover when there existed limited prospects of obtaining a more forward position closer to the marker pegline. This decision and the driving tactics adopted where in the Stewards opinion the main contributing factor in Hancocks Hero then giving ground over the concluding stages to finish in 7th position beaten approximately 37m. A veterinary examination of Hancocks Hero revealed no apparent abnormalities. Ms Thackeray’s licence to drive in races was suspended for 4 weeks to commence midnight 12 June 2022. In assessing penalty in accordance with the HRV Minimum Penalty Guidelines, Stewards took into account Ms Thackeray’s guilty plea, relative inexperience in race driving (approximately 35 drives), that this was a first offence under the applicable rule and the degree of culpability involved. Ms Thackeray is to be referred to the HRV Participant Skills Panel as part of the HRV Participant Mentoring Policy.

 

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 – Hereshecomesassy; Race 2 – Goodlookin Rooster NZ; Race 4 – Zaras All Good; Race 5 – Our Bella Lucia; Race 8 – Caruso Star;
		Post-Race: Race 2 – Four Star Saint; Race 3 – Hidden Figure; Race 4 – Another Sparky; Race 5 – Our Uncle Jim; Race 7 – Here Comes Kyvalley.
Suspensions
Race 8	M Thackeray		149(1)	4 weeks
Fines
Race 1	J Duggan		156(2)(a)	$200
Race 2	D Ferris		159A(2)	$200
Race 2	D Ferris		156(3)	$100
Cautions
Race 2	K Weidenbach		D/CCP
Horse Actions
Race 4	The Battle We Face		ODM
Race 4	Corryong Cool		SD1T
Race 7	Zesta La Go Go		ODS
Race 7	Hez Coolaz		SD10D SD1T
Late Scratchings
Nil