Stewards Report

HARNESS RACING VICTORIA

STEWARDS REPORT FOR CHARLTON         

MONDAY 1st APRIL 2024

	Wayne Smith Grant Adams Wayne Preston Emma Johnson (Starter) Dr Greg Hargreaves
	Track: Good	Weather:	Overcast

 

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

 

GENERAL

Due to the power outage experienced during the running of Race 4, Stewards ordered an indefinite delay.

Following power being restored, Stewards made the following amendments to the race times.

Race 5 – 5:02pm

Race 6 – 5:22pm

Race 7 – 5:42pm

Race 8 – 6:05pm

RACE 1 – WIMMERA MALLEE TOURISM 2YO PACE (1609M MS)

OZZIE CORKA – Broke gait shortly after the start and will now be excluded from the mobile barrier draw. Hung in when entering the home straight on the final occasion.

INSIDER TRADING – Near the 100m, inconvenienced and paced roughly when taken wider and away from WICKED MITZI which shifted wider.  

DESTINY KEPT – Hung out after the start.  

WICKED MITZI – Near the 100m, shifted out when being corrected away from the sprint lane inconveniencing INSIDER TRADING.

RACE 2 –  BETAVET MAIDEN PACE (2100M MS)

TOORAM MAGIC – Trainer Alex Ashwood was cautioned for failing to have the gear form accurately recorded for the gelding. Post-race swab sample obtained.

FULLOFFIGHT NZ – Pre-race blood sample obtained. Near the 250m, hung in and contacted KYRGIOS causing interference. A warning was issued.

KYRGIOS – Raced keenly during the early stages prior to improving forward to take over the lead near the 1500m. Checked and paced roughly near the 250m when contacting the sulky of FULLOFFIGHT NZ as it hung in to its outside. A post-race veterinarian examination revealed a small laceration to its R/Hind limb which required no standdown.

NOTYOURAVERAGEJOE – Declared a late scratching at 1:06pm due to a float breakdown.  

REEKO REACTOR – No action was taken against the gelding for weakening over the final stages to finish in 6th position, beaten 54.6m.

ALLORNOTHINGLEVI – Commence to weaken badly with 1100m to travel before being retired from the event a short distance later. A post-race veterinarian examination revealed the colt to be suffering from Atrial Fibrillation. In accordance with Rule 101(2)(a), ALLORNOTHINGLEVI will now be stood down from racing for a period of 14 days, until a certificate of fitness is submitted including a clear ECG and one requalifying trial.

RACE 3 – NORTH WEST AG SERVICES TROTTERS HANDICAP (2100M SS)

TENSION SEEKER – Pre-race blood sample obtained.  

MAJESTIC GA GA – Weakened over the final 1000m to finish in 7th position, beaten 63.8m for which a warning was issued.   

B D YASOTHON NZ – Broke gait free of interference near the 1900m for which a warning was issued. A short distance later had its inside lugging pole detached from the back saddle. Whilst trailing the field the gelding galloped on two further occasions (1750m and 1300m). As the lugging pole was making contact with the geldings’ front legs, no further action was taken regarding these errors.

ALFIE ALWAYS – Held up for clear running behind TENSION SEEKER before obtaining a run in the sprint lane.

CROOKWELL EYES – Broke gait shortly after the start, trailed the field throughout and will now be excluded from the standing start barrier draw.   

RASTAMON – Near the 1200m, improved with momentum to the outside of NIGHT WHISPERER as that runner was taken out into a running line position. As Stewards were satisfied that the initial movement was done with clearance, no further inquiry was advanced. Weakened over the final stages to finish in 6th position, beaten 63.3m for which a warning was issued. A post-race veterinarian examination failed to find any abnormalities. When questioned regarding the seemingly disappointing performance, driver/trainer Tina Ridis explained that her gelding failed to begin well and was required to work hard to gain her position at the rear of the field and when being 2nd up today, this additional work had likely told on her gelding late in the event.

RACE 4 – VALE MADDI FITZPATRICK MAIDEN PACE (2100M MS)

General

As the runners entered the home straight with a lap remaining, the racecourse experienced a power outage with all race vision and a photo finish being unavailable. As a result of this outage, the judge had made a recording of the finish on his mobile device. Following review of the obtained image in addition to the main camera angle that was later obtained by the oncourse vision providers, the judge was satisfied to issue a result as 9-7-6-3 having considered his own observations and the additional evidence. Prior to the all-clear and given the small margin between the 3rd placed DOT BALL and 4th placed MIDNITE DESIRE, Stewards interviewed all relevant connections prior to the all-clear and as there was no objection to the judges’ placings, and Stewards found no errors in the determination of the result, the all-clear was subsequently announced.

MIDNITE DESIRE – Checked and paced roughly after the start when contacting the sulky of ERNIELOVENBOY which shifted in.

ERNIELOVENBOY – Hung in after the start causing interference to MIDNITE DESIRE. The gelding was placed on its last chance in the mobile barrier draw.

IM THE WILD ONE – Began badly when galloping away and will now be excluded from the mobile barrier draw.  

DOT BALL – Pre-race blood sample obtained.  

BETTER BLUE BOYS – Post-race swab sample obtained.

RACE 5 THANK YOU & FAREWELL SANDERSON FAMILY PACE (1609M MS)

OUR ULTIMATE BONNY – Pre-race blood sample obtained. Post-race swab sample obtained.

SPRINGFIELD SHADOW – Shortly after the start had its sulky contacted by the trailing PLAYNICE resulting in a flat offside tyre. The gelding was pulled up and retired from the event near the 1000m.  

GLENS OF TEKOA NZ – Held up for clear running in the early stages of the home straight prior to utilising the sprit lane.

MARKLEIGH CAZ – Examined by the clubs veterinarian prior to and following the event due to the mare having competed in excess of 200 race starts. No abnormalities were found on either examination.  

ASHARAH – Shortly after the start was checked and galloped when coming together with PLAYNICE which galloped.

PLAYNICE – Shortly after the start improved onto the back and contacted the sulky of SPRINGFIELD SHADOW and broke gait before coming together with ASHARAH. The gelding will continue to be excluded from the mobile barrier draw.  

RACE 6 – HAPPY EASTER CHARLTON MEMBERS PACE (2100M MS)

LITTLEBLABBAMOUTH – Had difficulty obtaining clear running in the home straight and was not fully tested. When questioned regarding the tactics adopted, in particular her decision to remain in the running line prior to being covered by SETTEBELLO nearing the 500m, Driver Jackie Barker explained that after making use of her horse in the early stages to work forward and then racing outside the leader until gaining cover near the 1100m, she was mindful of the work done and considering LITTLEBLABBAMOUTH is more suited driving as a sit sprint type, she maintained her position as runners improved. Ms Barker stated that during this time she was further of the view that BETTER KISS ME, the runner she was trailing, was likely going to take her into the race and driving for luck was her best option at this stage. Ms Barker added that on the entrance to the home straight, she had come wider with no runs available and was disappointed to the line. On review Stewards considered her tactics reasonable in the circumstances and reported her explanation. 

MISS MORAINE – Out of position at the start and will now be placed on its last chance in the mobile barrier draw.  

TOPHUT JOHNY – Held up for clear running in the early stages of the home straight prior to utilising the sprint lane.  

BETTER KISS ME – Driver Alex Ashwood was placed on notice as to the manner he applied his whip in the home straight.

FAIR CHANCE – Post-race swab sample obtained.

RACE 7 GMG FINANCIAL GROUP MARES PACE (2100M MS)

SURFIN AT MIDNIGHT – Examined by the clubs veterinarian prior to the event and was passed fit after racing the night prior at Echuca. Pre-race blood sample obtained.

EMJAYBEE – Inconvenienced inside the final 50m when positioned in restricted room between OZZIE JOY and NOSWEETSFORYOU.

OZZIE JOY – Inside the final 50m, hung in when placed under pressure despite the efforts from its driver. A warning was issued.

DONE WELL – Declared a late scratching at 10:27am by Stewards permission (Horse Sold)

NOSWEETSFORYOU – Shifted ground when placed under pressure over the final stages. Driver Michelle Wight was cautioned for lack of control.

RUBY WINGATE – Raced keenly throughout. Weakened over the final stages to finish in 9th position, beaten 68.0m for which a warning was issued. A post-race veterinarian examination failed to find any abnormalities. Driver Ben Xiriha reported that his mare failed to settle in the run when positioned outside the lead which proved detrimental. 

HANOVER STARZZZ – Raced keenly throughout.

RACE 8 COMMUNITY BANK CHARLTON & DISTRICT PACE (2100M MS)

General

As runners were completing their pre-race preliminary, a storm built over the Charlton area which contained lightning activity. Stewards ordered all horses and drivers to be removed from the track. Following a review of the weather maps and liaising with the Bureau of Meteorology, Race 8 was officially abandoned at 6:04pm as there had been no obvious signs that the storm activity would pass within a reasonable period. 

VAN SHARD NZ – Pre-race blood sample obtained.  

MISTER JIMARINGLE – Ben Xiriha replaced Aaron Dunn as the late driving replacement.

Wayne Smith

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 2 – Fulloffight NZ; Race 3 – Tension Seeker; Race 4 – Dot Ball; Race 5 – Our Ultimate Bonny; Race 7 – Surfin At Midnight; Race 8 – Van Shard NZ.
		Post-Race: Race 2 – Tooram Magic;Race 4 – Better Blue Boys; Race 5 – Our Ultimate Bonny; Race 6 – Fair Chance.
Suspensions
Nil
Fines
Nil
Cautions
Race 2	Alex Ashwood		T/CG
Race 7	Michelle Write		D/CLOC
Horse Actions
Race 1	Ozzie Corka		ODM
Race 2	Allornothinglevi		SD14Days, SDVC, SDECG, SD1T (Rule 101(2)(a))
Race 3	Crookwell Eyes		ODS
Race 4	Im The Wild One		ODM
Race 5	Playnice		CRODM
Late Scratchings
Race 2	Notyouraveragejoe		Float Breakdown @ 1:06pm
Race 7	Done Well		Stewards Permission @ 10:27am (Horse Sold)

Follow Ups

Nil

Adjourned Inquiries

Nil

Sulky Fund Claims

Nil

Medical Stand Down

Nil