Stewards Report

HARNESS RACING VICTORIA

STEWARDS REPORT FOR BALLARAT

THURSDAY 28 MARCH 2024

	Nick Murray Scott Gillespie Tom Bick David Young (Starter) Dr Wei Yeh Lee (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 – HEWITT & WHITTY PACE (1710 MS)

ROCKIN CHARMER – hung out after the start and was restrained to a rearward position.

CARRAMAR HAZEL– held up for a clear run rounding the final turn and in the early part of the home straight.

THE ROAN RANGER– held up and unable to obtain a clear run in the home straight.

TIME AFTER TIME– hung out racing down the back straight on the final occasion.

 

RACE 2 – BALLARAT ISUZU TROT (2200 MS)

General

Prior to the extended all clear, David Magri, trainer and driver of MYSTERIOUS PRINCE (6th place) requested to view the race footage of a matter near the 400m. After doing so, Mr Magri declined to proceed any further with a protest and all clear was declared.

SALUTE TO SUNNY– hung in racing off the back straight on the final occasion and commenced to give ground. Inconvenienced passing the 300m. Tired (74m) over the concluding stages and a warning was issued against the performance of the mare. Placed on its last chance to race truly for hanging.

IN REDWHITEANDBLUE– galloped clear of interference at the entrance to the home straight.

LENNON GRAE– galloped clear of interference near the 300m.

MYAMCO– inconvenienced and shifted wider near the 400m, locking sulky wheels with MYSTERIOUS PRINCE.

LOVENUS– held up for a clear run rounding the final turn and in the early part of the home straight.

MYSTERIOUS PRINCE– inconvenienced and locked sulky wheels near the 400m.

NO REMORSE– driver Anthony Butt was not listed in the racebook.

VELVETNLACE– sulky contacted by MASSIF CENTRAL in the latter part of the score up. Inconvenienced approaching the 400m.

MASSIF CENTRAL– hung in and contacted the sulky of VELVETNLACE in the latter part of the score up, galloped in consequence and was out of position at the start. Will continue to be placed outside the mobile barrier draw. Pulled hard before improving three wide during the middle stages.

FAITH FULL– galloped shortly after the start and will continue to be placed right outside the mobile barrier draw. Galloped excessively whilst trailing the field passing the 1100m, for which a warning was issued.

 

RACE 3 – NEVETT FORD PACE (2200 MS)

THEY CALL ME AL – held up for a clear run until near the 100m when finishing in 3rd place. Driver Ewa Justice explained that connections had advised to drive the gelding forward and as SPACEWRITER improved to her outside during the early stages she was satisfied to take a sit as she considered THEY CALL ME AL is best suited to being driven in that manner. Ms Justice added that she was then held up for a clear run until passing the 100m.

PRINCESS ALEXANDRA– galloped clear of interference near the 200m and was placed on its last chance to race truly.

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

LADY LAGERTHA NZ- held up for a clear run rounding the final turn.

 

RACE 4 – BRANDT EQUIPMENT 2YO PACE (1710 MS)

MOONIE RIVER – paced roughly after the start and again approaching the first turn. A warning was issued against the barrier and racing manners of the filly.

YANKEE RAIN– hung out rounding the first turn and again entering the front straight on the first occasion.

 

RACE 5 – REGENT ENTERTAINMENT PACE (2200 MS)

FLYING SPARKS– improved forward three wide during the early stages to progress to the position outside of the leader before obtaining cover during the middle stages. Commenced to give ground racing down the back straight on the final occasion to ultimately tire into last position beaten 98m. Post-race veterinary examination revealed no apparent abnormalities. Driver Greg Sugars explained that the gelding failed to travel when the pace quickened down the back straight on the final occasion and proved to be disappointing. Connections indicated that they may spell the gelding for a period.

LOVE INA CHEVY NZ– due to the gelding being older than 12 years of age and having competed in more than 200 career races, in accordance with HRV policy, was examined by the veterinarian before and after the race which revealed no abnormalities.

 

RACE 6 – HYDRAUTECH BALLARAT PACE (2200 MS)

STEEL RULER– inconvenienced and held up for a clear run over the concluding stages when unable to improve.

LORIMERMAJOR– pulled hard during the middle stages.

AMORE ROCK– showed gate speed to lead from barrier 7 and withstood two challenges for the lead before giving ground to be beaten approximately 49m into 12th position. Driver Liam Older, when questioned in relation to the tactics adopted explained that he was able to obtain the lead relatively comfortably however despite that the lead time recorded was reasonably fast. Mr Older added that he was somewhat surprised as LORIMERMAJOR (A Scott) challenged briefly for the lead down the back straight on the first occasion and as that runner commenced to over-race he was unable to obtain the respite he desired. Mr Older further added that as NAKULA NZ improved quickly to his outside passing the 1000m he was then content to maintain the lead as AMORE ROCK continued to travel well and noting it was then inside the final lap. Mr Older considered that the pressure received in the lead and the longer distance in this event then may have contributed to the gelding giving ground over the latter stages. Mr Older’s explanation was noted.

STRAPPING RED– held up and unable to obtain a clear run in the home straight.

NAKULA NZ– hung out during the score up, was out of position at the start and a warning was issued. Pulled hard before improving forward three wide during the middle stages.

VILLAGE VOICE– hung in during the score up, was out of position at the start and a warning was issued. Held up for a clear run rounding the final turn and in the early part of the home straight.

 

RACE 7 – ballarattrottingclub.com.au TROT (1710 MS)

RILEYS PEGASUS– held up for a clear run in the early part of the home straight.

ROMANTIC NINA– galloped clear of interference in the home straight and remained in a gallop at the finish. In accordance with VLR 155A(1) was relegated to 8th position. A warning was issued against the racing manners of the mare.

FOUROUTOFFIVE– began badly and will be placed outside the mobile barrier draw.

CHEERMEONIMDANCIN– due to the gelding not having started in a race since January 2023 was examined by the veterinarian before and after the race in accordance with HRV policy which revealed no abnormalities.

LADY VICI– broke gait during the score up, was out of position at the start and will be placed outside the mobile barrier draw.

SORELLA– promoted to 7th position.

MAORI DUCHESS– galloped shortly after the start, trailed the field throughout and will continue to be placed outside the mobile barrier draw.

 

RACE 8 – RADIO BALLARAT PACE (1710 MS)

FLAMING LUCKY– driver Jason Ainsworth was reminded of his whip action obligations.

NICOLESCRUISER– worked forward three wide to obtain a forward position and then gave ground over the concluding stages. Post-race veterinary examination revealed no apparent abnormalities.

SHADY DANCER– due to the mare having competed in more than 200 careers races was examined by the veterinarian before and after the race in accordance with HRV policy which revealed no abnormalities.

MIDNIGHT DANCER– driver James Herbertson was issued a caution for tightening approaching the first turn. Stewards acknowledged the easing of the pace through this section.

INEXORABLE- driver Emmett Brosnan was reminded of his whip action obligations.

AREUOHKAY – momentarily inconvenienced approaching the first turn.

 

RACE 9 – FLYING HORSE ENTERTAINMENT VENUE 3YO TROT (2200 MS)

MAJESTIC MONARCH– Greg Sugars replaced Mark Pitt (unavailable) as the driver.

VOLTAIN– Began badly and will be placed outside the mobile barrier draw. Driver John Justice was found guilty of a charge of improper driving under rule 168(1)(e). The particulars of the charge being that after the filly had broken gait shortly after the start, Mr Justice severely applied pressure to the outside rein in a forceful action in an attempt to return the horse to its correct gait, which in the opinion of Stewards was improper. After considering penalty in accordance with the HRV Minimum Penalty Guidelines, Stewards took into account Mr Justice’s prior good and longstanding record, penalty precedents and animal welfare considerations. Mr Justice was fined $500 with $250 of the penalty wholly suspended for 2 years provided there is no applicable offence within that period. Post-race veterinary examination of the filly revealed no apparent abnormalities.  

KEAYANG GYPSY– driver Glen Craven was not listed in the racebook. Trainer Margaret Lee was cautioned for the late driver notification. Began badly, trailed the field throughout and will be placed outside the mobile barrier draw.

ROCKY VALLEY– hung in under pressure in the home straight.

MISTER BLINDSIDE– out of position at the start and a warning was issued. Shifted out slightly in the run to the finish.

DORA LEE– out of position at the start and will continue to be placed outside the mobile barrier draw.

BET BET HOTSHOT– tired (130m) over the concluding stages and was stood down from racing until having satisfactorily completed one (1) trial.

KEAYANG TWEETYBIRD– checked and broke gait shortly after the start. Trailed the field throughout.

ATM ACCOUNT- checked and broke gait shortly after the start. Trailed the field throughout.

 

 

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 – Time After Time; Race 2 – No Remorse; Race 4 – Yankee Rain; Race 5 – Love Ina Chevy NZ; Race 6 – Nakula NZ; Race 7 – Rileys Pegasus; Race 8 – Betting On Courage; Race 9 – Majestic Monarch.
		Post-Race:Race 1 – Tyabb Wonder; Race 2 – Mista Walker; Race 3 – Spacewriter; Race 4 – Storms Collide; Race 5 – Rocknallovertheworld; Race 6 – Triple Vinnies; Race 7 – Lady Vici; Race 8 – Chogi.
Suspensions
Nil
Fines
Race 9	J Justice		R168(1)(e)	$500 ($250 susp 2 years)
Cautions
Race 8	J Herbertson		D/CT
Race 9	M Lee		T/CLDC
Horse Actions
Race 2	Massif Central		CODM
Race 2	Faith Full		CRODM
Race 7	Maori Duchess		CODM
Race 7	Fouroutoffive		ODM
Race 7	Lady Vici		ODM
Race 9	Voltain		ODM
Race 9	Keayang Gypsy		ODM
Race 9	Bet Bet Hotshot		SD1T
Race 9	Dora Lee		CODM
Late Scratchings
Nil

Follow Ups – Nil

Adjourned Inquiries – Nil

Sulky Fund Claims – Nil