Stewards Report

HARNESS RACING VICTORIA

STEWARDS REPORT FOR YARRA VALLEY

MONDAY 24 JUNE 2024

	Nick Murray Scott Gillespie Tom Bick Emma Johnson (Starter) Dr Nick Branson (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. 

RACE 1 – IGA LIQUOR 3YO PACE (1650 MS)

ALTA BAYAMO – paced roughly during the score up, was out of position at the start and then broke gait shortly thereafter. Trailed the field throughout and will continue to be placed outside the mobile barrier draw.

 

RACE 2 – BLONDE & CO. PACE (2150 MS)

SWEET FACE – galloped clear of interference passing the 600m and was placed on its last chance to race truly.

KEEPCRACKINGJOKES– driver Steven Matson was fined $100 under rule 156(3) for using the whip in an unapproved manner, in that the whip was applied on more occasions than permitted inside the 200m.

ACE DUIGAN – due to the gelding being 12 years of age, was examined by the veterinarian before and after the race in accordance with HRV policy, which revealed no apparent abnormalities. Gave ground (36m) over the latter stages after being positioned outside of the leader.

MIYAGI BOY– checked and broke gait passing the 600m.

 

RACE 3 – AIR FUSION VICBRED GRADUATE TROT (1650 MS)

MAGIC CADABRA – broke gait shortly after the start, trailed the field thereafter and will be placed outside the mobile barrier draw.

MISSYS INTEREST– galloped clear of interference entering the first turn, trailed the field thereafter and a warning was issued against the racing manners of the filly.

PROMISE DREAM– checked and broke gait entering the first turn and trailed the field thereafter.

JOEY BEE– tired (76m) over the latter stages and has now been placed on its last chance to race competitively.

IMASOCIALBUTTERFLY– tired (100m) over the latter stages and has now been placed on its last chance to race competitively. Post-race veterinary examination of the mare revealed some minor lacerations to the off hindleg however no further action was required.

 

RACE 4 – REVIVE2SURVIVE VICBRED GRADUATE PACE (1650 MS)

HELLO SWEETHEART – galloped during the score up and was placed on its last chance in the barrier draw.

FRANKIE FIREFLY– paced roughly shortly after the start. Galloped clear of interference approaching the first turn, trailed the field thereafter and was placed on its last chance to race truly.

DEFYING THE ODDS– inconvenienced approaching the first turn.

RIDDLEMETHIS– galloped clear of interference shortly after the start, shifted in and trailed the field thereafter. Will be placed outside the mobile barrier draw.

NOOSA BOY– galloped clear of interference in the score up, was out of position at the start and will continue out of the mobile barrier draw. Held up for a clear run rounding the final turn.

OH NO NEVER AGAIN– was out of position at the start and will continue out of the mobile barrier draw. Hung in rounding the final turn and again in the home straight.

 

RACE 5 – DE BORTOLI PACE (1650 MS)

JAY BEE – held up for a clear run in the home straight.

PERSHING– pulled hard during the early stages when being restrained to the rear of the field. Held up for a clear run in the early part of the home straight.

BRONSKI MOMENT- held up for a clear run in the home straight.

LAVADA GOLD- held up for a clear run in the home straight.

COUNTRY ROCKSTAR– held up for a clear run until the sprint lane became available.

BENBULLAN– driver James Herbertson was cautioned for failing to have his drive in position at the start.

 

RACE 6 – ASHMORE SMASH REPAIRS TROT (2150 MS)

KAMARAN – trotted roughly for a short distance entering the back straight on the first occasion. Inconvenienced slightly passing the 1400m when attempting to improve three wide. Trotted roughly before galloping clear of interference near the 1200m and has now been placed on its last chance to race truly.

SERTORIUS NZ– held up and unable to obtain a clear run over the concluding stages.

ESS KAY HOLLYWOOD– driver Cameron Maggs was cautioned for the manner in which he shifted wider into a three wide position passing the 1400m which caused some inconvenience to KAMARAN. After progressing forward during the middle stages to position outside of the leader, then gave ground to finish in 7th position beaten approximately 35m. Trainer and driver Cameron Maggs explained the gelding which was first up in a race since November 2023, didn’t initially settle in the run and for that reason he improved mid-race however was at a loss to explain the disappointing performance thereafter. Mr Maggs added that ESS KAY HOLLYWOOD had prepared well for this event however would likely derive benefit from this performance. Post-race veterinary examination revealed no apparent abnormalities.

ADJURE– trotted roughly entering the first turn.

 

RACE 7 – YARRA VALLEY TOYOTA PACE (2150 MS)

LEAVEMEOUT – tired over the concluding stages to finish at the rear of the field beaten approximately 114m. Post-race veterinary examination revealed the gelding to be displaying signs of a slow recovery. Stood down from racing until a veterinary clearance has been provided for the gelding.

EL BOSTON– pulled hard during the middle stages. Inconvenienced and held up for a clear run rounding the final turn when unable to improve.

CHEETAH LODGE– improved three wide approaching the 1400m and remained three wide thereafter before tiring to finish in 7th position beaten approximately 58m. Driver Adrian Pace explained that due to the quick early tempo and the speed of the race then decreasing, approaching the 1400m he elected to improve three wide as SCHEMING was also positioned some distance back away from the leader RUDY GEE. Mr Pace added that after improving up to the outside SCHEMING, despite his attempts to drive the gelding forward, CHEETAH LODGE failed to have the necessary speed to cross to the position outside of the leader and was obliged to race three wide without cover thereafter. As Mr Pace’s explanation was verified on the footage and his tactics were not considered unreasonable, no further action was pursued.

 

RACE 8 – UNITED PETROLEUM PACE (2150 MS)

General

The field was momentarily turned away from the mobile barrier to commence the score up due to driver Alex Ashwood (BUS STOP) accidentally dropping his whip.

MACH MAJOR NZ– withstood an early challenge for the lead from SOHO THE REAL DEAL. Gave ground over the final stages to finish in 10th position beaten 29m. Driver Greg Sugars explained that he had driven the mare with a sit in trials and also the first up run at Melton (13 June 2024) and advised that driving MACH MAJOR NZ forward to maintain the lead from barrier 1 may have contributed to the mare then not finishing the race off as expected over the concluding stages of this event. Trainer Dean Braun notified that the mare had recovered satisfactorily following the event and concurred with the assessment of Mr Sugars to explain the performance.

ILLAWONG DANNY– driver Michael Bellman was cautioned for causing tightening to BUS STOP entering the first turn. 

PARK LANE NZ– held up for a clear run rounding the final turn.

SKY CITY NZ- held up for a clear run rounding the final turn before using the sprint to finish in 4th place. Driver Ross Payne advised that due to being held up rounding the final turn he did not activate the removable ear plugs on the gelding.

BUS STOP– tightened for room and contacted marker pegs entering the first turn.

 

 

 

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 1 – Majors Creek; Race 2 – Beryls Grin; Race 3 – Missys Interest; Race 4 – Hello Sweetheart; Race 5 – Treacheroustimes; Race 6 – Gatesys Mate; Race 7 – Leavemeout; Race 8 – Khans Creed.
		Post-Race: Race 2  – Ohhemmjay Cresco; Race 3 – Sabihalil; Race6 – Prettyboy Harry; Race 7 – Rudy Gee; Race 8 – Khans Creed.
Suspensions
Nil
Fines
Race 2	S Matson		R156 (3)	$100
Cautions
Race 5	J Herbertson		D/CSU
Race 6	C Maggs		D/CSG
Race 8	M Bellman		D/CT
Horse Actions
Race 1	Alta Bayamo		CODM
Race 3	Magic Cadabra		ODM
Race 4	Riddlemethis		ODM
Race 4	Noosa Boy		CODM
Race 4	Oh No Never Again		CODM
Race 7	Leavemeout		SDVC
Late Scratchings
Nil

Follow Ups - Nil

Adjourned Inquiries - Nil

Sulky Fund Claims – Race 3 – Magic Cadabra (A Mifsud)