Stewards Report

HARNESS RACING VICTORIA

STEWARDS REPORT FOR WARRAGUL

MONDAY 21 NOVEMBER 2022

	Scott Gillespie Grant Adams Barry Delaney Jason Fino (Starter) Dr Ray Hutchinson (Vet)
	Track:    Good	Weather:	Showery

 

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

 

RACE 1 – LINC SCAFFOLDING PACE (2210 MS)

Sparkling Sue pulled hard during the middle stages.

Denstown NZ utilised the sprint lane in the home straight.

No action was taken against Blissfull Mind which broke gait in the home straight due to the gelding breaking a front hopple carrying strap passing the 400m.

Blissfull Mind (5th place) broke gait when free of interference in the home straight and continued over the line in the incorrect gait.  Blissfull Mind was being covered by Princess Chilla (6th place) and as such, in accordance with VLR 155A(2), Blissfull Mind was then placed behind Princess Chilla.

RACE 2 – TOTAL SPAN PACE (2210 MS)

Southern GNP NZ underwent pre and post-race veterinary examinations under the HRV horse welfare policy due to the geldings having started in excess of 200 races. Neither examination revealed any significant abnormalities.

Baccarat underwent pre and post-race veterinary examinations under the HRV horse welfare policy due to the gelding having started in excess of 200 races & attaining the age of 12 years or older. Neither examination revealed any significant abnormalities.

Tuakana NZ sustained a flat tyre at the 800m.

A warning was issued against the performance of Southern GNP NZ which pulled hard during the middle stages and tired from the 600m to be beaten 54m.

Groom pulled hard outside the lead.

RACE 3 – MEMBERS DAY PACE (1790 MS)

Mach Charm underwent pre and post-race veterinary examinations under the HRV horse welfare policy due to the gelding having started in excess of 200 races. Neither examination revealed any significant abnormalities.

Hand Writer underwent pre and post-race veterinary examinations under the HRV horse welfare policy due to the mare having raced yesterday at St.Arnaud.  Neither examination revealed any significant abnormalities.

Robert Walters, stable representative of Mach Charm was fined $100 for presenting the mare in the incorrect saddlecloth number.

Priddy Easy pulled hard outside the lead.

A post-race veterinary examination of Safe Jewels failed to reveal any abnormality.

Corey Bell the driver of Safe Jewels was found guilty of a charge under Rule 149(1) in that on the final turn, he directed his mare wider into a position where there was no clear run when it was both reasonable and permissible to remain trailing Mach Charm for a short distance and utilise the sprint lane and this would have provided Safe Jewels with a clear and uninterrupted run to the finish. Stewards determined that the decision of Mr.Bell to shift wider has resulted in his mare being held up and therefore not given the full opportunity to win or obtain the best possible placing in the event. Mr.Bell had his licence to drive in races suspended for a period of 4 weeks which was ordered to commence at midnight on Wednesday 30 November 2022. When considering penalty Stewards took into account Mr.Bell’s driving and offence record in addition to the circumstances attached to this matter.

RACE 4 –3GG 2YO MAIDEN PACE (1790 MS)

Michael Bellman failed to appear in the racebook as the driver of Starzzz Destiny.

Starzzz Destiny broke furing the score up and was out of position at the start.  The gelding will now be placed outside of the draw in future mobile start events.

Starzzz Destiny was held up for clear running on the final turn.

Goodtime Sailor utilised the sprint lane in the home straight. 

RACE 5 –LIBERTY FINANCIAL PACE (2210 MS)

Duffy Hollow NZ pulled hard before to progressing to the lead during the middle stages.

A warning was issued against the performance of Dun It Bad which tired to be beaten 75m into last placing.

Craig Demmler, trainer/driver of Andrew was queried regarding the poor performance of the gelding which tired to be beaten 50m into 5th placing.  Mr.Demmler stated he believed Andrew may have choked down and would make some gear alterations prior to the gelding racing again.   Mr.Demmler’s comments were noted and a warning was issued against the performance. 

RACE 6 – FULL STEAM TROTTERS HANDICAP (2210 SS)

Kevin Jnr Weidenbach replaced Greg Sugars as the driver of Benji Hall.

Love Gun began badly and will now be placed outside of the draw in future stand start events.

A warning was issued against Chrisken Kiosk which paced on the first turn and trailed the field thereafter.

A warning was issued against the racing manners of Beratini which broke twice in running (1900m/1000m).

A warning was issued against the racing manners of Benji Hall which broke at the 1000m.

RACE 7 – DOWNTOWNER PACE (1790 MS)

Anthony Butt replaced Michael Bellman (dual engaged) as the driver of Count The Pennies.

George Schembri, driver of Miss Twinkle was fined the sum of $100 under AHR Rule 162(1)(www)(a) for allowing the mare to shift out at the 600m while activating gear (which failed to release) which impeded The Falcon Prince and allowed Feel The Buzz to obtain an inside run.

Scott Gillespie

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 – Machavelli; Race 3 – Priddy Easy; Race 5 – Mister Macedon; Race 6 – The Girls Gotflair; Race 7 – Well Well;
		Post-Race: Race 1 – Bettor Sport; Race 3 – Hand Writer; Race 4 – Vee Em Gee Macray; Race 5 – Duffy Hollow NZ; Race 7 – Illawong Jovial;
Suspensions
Race 3	Corey Bell		Safe Jewels	149(1)	4 weeks
Fines
Race 3	Robert Walters		Mach Charm	273(6)(a)	$100
Race 7	George Schembri		Miss Twinkle	162(1)(www)©	$100
Cautions
Nil
Horse Actions
Race 4	Starzzz Destiny		ODM
Race 6	Love Gun		ODS
Late Scratchings
Nil

Follow Ups

Nil

Adjourned Inquiries

Nil

Sulky Fund Claims - Nil