Stewards Report

HARNESS RACING VICTORIA

STEWARDS REPORT FOR CHARLTON

WEDNESDAY 10 APRIL 2024

	Nick Murray Wayne Smith Wayne Preston Emma Johnson (Starter) Dr Greg Hargreaves (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 – WIMMERA MALLEE TOURISM PACE (1609 MS)

General

The revised start time of this race was 12:39pm.

FIRE OFFICIAL– due to the mare having started in more than 200 races was examined by the veterinarian before and after the race in accordance with HRV policy which revealed no apparent abnormalities.

OUR PONTIAC NZ- due to the gelding being 13 years of age and having started in more than 200 races was examined by the veterinarian before and after the race in accordance with HRV policy which revealed no apparent abnormalities. Driver Derrick Krafft was questioned in relation to his driving tactics adopted and in particular his decision to improve forward three wide during the middle stages after being positioned one out and one back. Mr Krafft explained that the gelding which had not started in a race since May 2023 raced somewhat keenly during the early stages and is usually suited to being in a forward position, and for that reason he improved his position. Mr Krafft added that after making this move he realised that he had a flat tyre, due to no apparent cause which may have contributed to the gelding then giving ground over the concluding stages. Mr Krafft’s explanation was recorded in view of the circumstances.

STELLAR QUEEN– trainer and driver Glenn Bull explained that after initially crossing to obtain the lead, he was satisfied to obtain a trail behind GO GEORGE GO (S O’Sullivan) as STELLAR QUEEN had not finished its races off as expected when leading at its two prior starts. Mr Bull added that he considered that GO GEORGE GO would carry STELLAR QUEEN suitably into the race over the concluding stages and after obtaining clear running from the entrance to the home straight STELLAR QUEEN finished in 2nd place beaten 8.5m. Mr Bull’s explanation was recorded.  

KIMCHI – James Herbertson replaced Chris Alford (unavailable) as the driver. Inconvenienced and held up when unable to improve rounding the final turn.

IDEAL INVESTMENT- due to the gelding having started in more than 200 races was examined by the veterinarian before and after the race in accordance with HRV policy which revealed no apparent abnormalities. Inconvenienced and held up when unable to improve rounding the final turn.

 

RACE 2 – SWIFT FREIGHT TROTTERS HANDICAP (2100 SS)

General

The revised start time of this race was 1:17pm.

Shortly after the start, MACHO MAORI (B Murphy) galloped inwards and checked SONNY BROOKE (L Dunne) resulting in both runners locking sulky wheels and the respective drivers being dislodged. As MACHO MAORI proceeded driverless in amongst the main body of the field rounding the first turn, the fall siren was activated and the race was stopped. MACHO MAORI proceeded driverless for a considerable distance before being captured by the Clerk of Course. MACHO MAORI was a late scratching at 1:25pm by order of Stewards acting on veterinary advice. MACHO MAORI had no apparent adverse effects due to this incident. Drivers Brent Murphy (MACHO MAORI) and Luke Dunne (SONNY BROOKE) were examined by the medical officers and cleared to fulfil their remaining engagements. All remaining horses were examined by the veterinarian and cleared to start in the re-run of the event. The re-run commenced at approximately 1:34pm.

VELVETNLACE– galloped clear of interference near the 1300m and then trotted roughly over the latter stages.

MACHO MAORI– began badly and will continue to be placed outside the standing start draw. Proceeded driverless for a considerable distance before being captured by the Clerk of Course. MACHO MAORI was a late scratching at 1:25pm by order of Stewards acting on veterinary advice. A sulky fund claim was lodged due to this incident.

MAORI DUCHESS– trainer Brian Kiesey was cautioned for the late driver notification of Jason Ainsworth. Broke gait after the start and will continue to be placed outside the standing start draw. Galloped on at least two (2) separate occasions whilst trailing the field, however in view of the initial delay, the mare was continued on its last chance to race truly.

TICTOK– trotted roughly after the start. Galloped on at least two (2) separate occasions whilst trailing the field, however in view of the initial delay, the mare was continued on its last chance to race truly.

 

RACE 3 – GITJAWIL MATOM (CHOCOLATE LILY) PACE (1609 MS)

General

The start of this event was briefly delayed (approx. 2 minutes) due to the incident occurring in Race 2 (re-run).

NIGHT SAFARI– held up for a clear run rounding the final turn.

THE REGULATOR– driver Jason Ainsworth was reminded of his whip action requirements.

THEY CALL ME AL– paced roughly in the home straight.

CRAFTY OLD FOX - due to the gelding having started in more than 200 races was examined by the veterinarian before and after the race in accordance with HRV policy which revealed no apparent abnormalities. Held up for a clear run in the home straight.

 

RACE 4 – MURNA (YAM DAISY) PACE (1609 MS)

FLAMING LUCKY – hung out under pressure in the home straight and a warning was issued against the racing manners of the gelding.

FRIENDS - 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.

NOTHING SWEETER– tightened for racing room rounding the first turn. Held up for a clear run rounding the final turn.

GLENS OF TEKOA NZ- held up for a clear run rounding the final turn.

SALSBOY– competed in accordance with the HRV Elevated TC02 levels policy and was therefore required on course four (4) hours prior to its engagement.

OPEN THE VALVE– driver Ellen Tormey was cautioned for tightening NOTHING SWEETER rounding the first turn.

 

RACE 5 – GIRRKITJ (RUBY SALTBUSH) PACE (1609 MS)

IM MOLLY MALONE– tired (77.5m) over the concluding stages and has now been stood down from racing until the satisfactory completion of one (1) trial.

BEAU BRONSKI– sulky contacted near the 500m and sustained a flat offside tyre.

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

BETTOR SPORT– inconvenienced passing the 100m.

MIDNIGHT DANCER- inconvenienced passing the 100m.

REIGN EM IN– pulled hard during the middle stages. Held for a clear run rounding the final turn. Driver Derrick Krafft was found guilty of a charge under rule 162(1)(www)(a). The particulars of the charge being that Mr Krafft directed REIGN EM IN wider near the 100m when not sufficiently clear of MERCHANT STAR (L Dunne), resulting in that gelding being impeded and carried wider on the track causing MIDNIGHT DANCER (J Herbertson) and BETTOR SPORT (J Laugher) to also be impeded. In assessing penalty in accordance with the HRV Minimum Penalty Guidelines, Stewards considered Mr Krafft’s driving frequency, clear prior record and nature of the incident which affected several horses in the run to the finish. Mr Krafft’s licence to drive in races was suspended for 7 days to commence midnight 11 April 2024.

MERCHANT STAR– impeded and carried wider on the track passing the 100m.

FAIR CHANCE– driver Abby Sanderson was cautioned for allowing the mare to race in a half cart position down the back straight on the final occasion. Ms Sanderson was fined $100 under rule 168(1)(a) for careless driving in allowing FAIR CHANCE to be positioned to make contact to the outside sulky wheel of BEAU BRONSKI near the 500m resulting in that gelding sustaining a flat tyre.

 

RACE 6 – BUWATJ (KANGAROO GRASS) PACE (1609 MS)

MISTER JIMARINGLE– gave ground rapidly over the latter stages to finish at the rear of the field. Post-race veterinary examination revealed the gelding to have atrial fibrillation and therefore MISTER JIMARINGLE will be stood down from racing for 14 days, until a veterinary clearance inclusive of a satisfactory ECG report is provided and the gelding has trialled satisfactorily on one (1) occasion.

FEEL THE REIGN- due to the rig having started in more than 200 races was examined by the veterinarian before and after the race in accordance with HRV policy which revealed no apparent abnormalities. Driver Jack Laugher was cautioned for allowing his body to protrude back and beyond the sulky confines over the concluding stages.

BEST BACK BRUCE– pulled hard when positioned outside of the leader during the middle stages.

RAZS VEYRON- due to the gelding having not started in a race since September 2022 was examined by the veterinarian before and after the race in accordance with HRV policy which revealed no apparent abnormalities.

PLAINS IN HEAVEN– held up for a clear run in the home straight.

 

RACE 7 – DJAARA CUP PACE (1609 MS)

BUDD SIDEWINDER- Driver Jack Laugher was cautioned for allowing his body to protrude back and beyond the sulky confines over the concluding stages. In issuing a further caution for this offence, Stewards had not yet notified Mr Laugher of the offence in Race 6 prior to this event.

JILLIBY TYPHOON- held up for a clear run in the home straight.

ITTAKESLUV– trainer Julie Brimacombe was cautioned for failing to notify the intended driving tactics to be adopted with multiple horses engaged (JACKIERABBIT).

KARDESLER NZ– galloped clear of interference shortly after the start and will be placed outside the mobile barrier draw.

UNDERATTACK– held up for a clear run rounding the final turn until accessing the sprint lane.

 

RACE 8 – BALATJ (CHERRY BALLART) PACE (1609 MS)

DEUCE COUPE NZ– Rod Barker was approved as a late driver replacement for Neil McCallum (unavailable).

MUCKINBAR DIVA- held up for a clear run in the home straight and not fully tested.

BETTER EXCLUSIVE NZ- held up for a clear run in the home straight and not fully tested.

 

 

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 3 – Night Safari; Race 4 – Friends, Salsboy; Race 7 – Ittakesluv; Race 8 – Rockets Mate.
		Post-Race:Race 1 – Go George Go; Race 2 – Montana Muscle; Race 3 – Silver Domino; Race 4 – Flaming Lucky; Race 5 – Chogi; Race 6 – Feel The Reign; Race 7 – Budd Sidewinder; Race 8 – Rockets Mate.
Suspensions
Race 5	D Krafft		R162(1)(www)(a)		7 days
Fines
Race 5	A Sanderson		R168(1)(a)		$100
Cautions
Race 2	B Kiesey		T/CLDC
Race 4	E Tormey		D/CT
Race 5	A Sanderson		D/CHC
Race 6	J Laugher		D/CBOCS
Race 7	J Laugher		D/CBOCS
Race 7	J Brimacombe		T/CT
Horse Actions
Race 2	Maori Duchess		CODS
Race 2	Macho Maori		CODS
Race 5	Im Molly Malone		SD1T
Race 6	Mister Jimaringle		SD14D SDVC SDECG SD1T
Race 7	Kardesler		ODM
Late Scratchings
Race 2	Macho Maori		1:25pm	O.O.S acting on Vets

Follow Ups – Nil

Adjourned Inquiries – Nil

Sulky Fund Claims – Race 2 Brent Murphy