Stewards Report

WAGGA AT RIVERINA PACEWAY

FRIDAY 15 MARCH 2024

STEWARDS REPORT

 

 

Stewards	B Day (Chairman), T Quick, M Jasprizza & K Lockwood
Starter	P Bandy
Veterinarian	Dr S Willis
Swab Official	J Howe
Track	Fine
Weather	Fast

 

 

RACE 1 – D & L EARTHMOVING PACE – 1740 metres

SURPRISE LANDING– Pre-race blood sample. Underwent pre and post-race veterinary examinations due to the gelding not having started in the preceding 12 months. The examinations did not reveal any significant findings. Post-race swab sample.

EPIC ERNIE– Shifted in under pressure shortly after straightening.

 

RACE 2 – HARNESS TRADING RING AUSTRALIA PACE – 2270 metres

FULLOFFIGHT NZ- Pre-race blood sample. Slow to begin. Hung in under pressure rounding the final turn and paced roughly.

LESSISMORE– Broke passing the 600 metres. In view of the recent record of LESSISMORE it has been stood down to trial to the satisfaction of Stewards on one occasion.

CENTOFELLIE– Post-race swab sample.

GOTTA LOCKHEED– Driver Blake Micallef was questioned regarding the tactics adopted on the gelding in particular the reasons for him failing to direct GOTTA LOCKHEED three wide approaching the 600 metres prior to FULLOFFIGHT NZ improving to his outside approaching the 600 metres.  Mr Micallef explained that he was instructed to drive GOTTA LOCKHEED conservatively as the gelding was second up and previously performed best when saved for one run as late as possible. Mr Micallef added for these reasons he did not feel it was in the best interests of GOTTA LOCKHEED to improve three wide without cover such a significant distance from the finish (600 metres) and he was further mindful the gelding strikes its knee and would not be suited to being positioned three wide rounding the final turn when the speed of the race would be at its fastest. Mr Micallef added that as a result of LESSISMORE breaking gait passing the 600 metres an opportunity presented to obtain the position following the leader CENTOFELLIE, however as he commenced to shift in THATS THE ATTITUDE improved quickly to his inside and consequently he was unable to obtain the position without causing interference to that runner. Mr Micallef further explained that passing the 250 metres he attempted to ease FULLOFFIGHT NZ wider, however due to that runner hanging in and pacing roughly he was unable to do so and passing the 200 metres FULLOFFIGHT NZ hung in further resulting in GOTTA LOCKHEED being inconvenienced and disappointed for the desired run. Mr Micallef advised that as a result he pursued inside runs where the gelding obtained clear running passing the 100 metres and in his opinion was fully tested thereafter.  Upon consideration of the available evidence Stewards were satisfied the tactics adopted were not entirely unreasonable in the circumstances and accordingly took the matter no further. A post-race veterinary examination of GOTTA LOCKHEED failed to reveal any significant findings.

JOHNNYS BLUE– Held up over the concluding stages.

MYBOYMYBOY– Driver Harry O’Neil was fined $50 under Rule 162(1)(j) for failing to maintain his position until the start was effected.

SCOTTIE MACH– Over raced during the middle stages of the event.

 

RACE 3 – CONQUEST POLLS PACE – 1740 metres

CHRISSY EVE- Pre-race blood sample.

THATS ART– Tightened inside the final 100 metres when WIPEOUT hung in under pressure.

FRESKOS ART– Dropped a bell boot soon after the start.

JILLIBY PANDA– Galloped out at the start. A warning was issued.

WIPEOUT– Inconvenienced after the start when JILLIBY PANDA broke after the start and shifted out. Hung in under pressure inside the final 100 metres when tightened by THATS ART. A warning was placed on the race record of WIPEOUT. Post-race swab sample.

JUST ROCK ME LOU NZ– Tightened approaching the finish line when THATS ART shifted in as a result of being tightened by WIPEOUT.

TIZZY LIZZIE- Pre-race blood sample.

 

RACE 4 – HILLIS MOTOR GROUP PACE – 2270 metres

I DIDNT KNOW THAT NZ – Shied passing the 1800 metres before shifting inside the line of marker pegs resulting in the colt breaking gait and losing ground. As a consequence, I DIDNT KNOW THAT NZ was placed on its last chance to race truly.

SHEZ THE REASON– Inconvenienced approaching the 1600 metres as a result of I DIDNT KNOW THAT NZ returning to the course proper.

JUST ROLLYOUROWN NZ – Post-race swab sample.

WILD IMAGINATION- Pre-race blood sample.

 

RACE 5 – FERELLA & SONS PLUMBING PACE – 1740 metres

BETTORS MOON - Driver David Druitt was questioned regarding the tactics adopted on the mare in particular the reasons for him allowing the mare to improve forward and challenge ROCK OF JOY ($1.85 Fav) for the lead passing the 1400 metres. Mr Druitt explained that he was mindful ROCK OF JOY was first up since December 2023 and felt for this reason it may surrender the lead if challenged. Mr Druitt further added BETTORS MOON previously has performed best when able to lead and only challenged for a short distance and once it was clear the lead was not available he desisted with his challenge. Mr Druitt was advised that in future he would be expected as an experienced to driver to better assess the form of all relevant runners as on the exposed form of ROCK OF JOY it was extremely unlikely it would surrender the lead to BETTORS MOON given 4 of its 5 previous wins had been when it had led and its market position relative to BETTORS MOON.

ROCK OF JOY- Pre-race blood sample. Post-race swab sample.

 

RACE 6 – H.FRANCIS & CO. PACE – 1740 metres

OUR REBEL YELL- Pre-race blood sample. Driver Ned Woodhouse was questioned in regards to the performance of the gelding which placed 9^th to be beaten 44 metres. Mr Woodhouse attributed the performance to the early use made of OUR REBEL YELL to lead in order to obtain the favourable position following ESCALERA NZ. Mr Woodhouse noted irrespective of the early use made of OUR REBEL YELL he was disappointed in its performance over the final 400 metres.  A post-race veterinary examination of OUR REBEL YELL failed to reveal any significant findings.

OZZIE JOY– Inconvenienced passing the 400 metres when held up behind OUR REBEL YELL which commenced to tire.

ESCALERA NZ– Post-race swab sample. Claimed.

 

RACE 7 – HARVEY’S MOWER & CHIANSAW PACE – 1740 metres

AMBIGUOUS – Post-race swab sample.

PAPPA LEO NZ– Held up inside the final 400 metres.

ROYAL EXIT- Pre-race blood sample.

HARPERVILLE- Pre-race blood sample. Driver Neil Day was advised to exercise more caution in that passing the 1500 metres he permitted HARPERVILLE to shift in momentarily resulting in THE TEXAS RANGER to pace roughly as a consequence.

THE TEXAS RANGER– Momentarily tightened passing the 1500 metres and paced roughly as a consequence.

 

RACE 8 – TAB VENUE MODE WARATAH HEAT – 1740 metres

NIFTY RONALD – Post-race swab sample.

SLIPPIN THE LIFE- Pre-race blood sample.

WILL I AM– Broke after the start. A warning was placed on the record of WILL I AM. It was noted the head check became detached shortly after the start.

 

 

SUMMARY
Reprimands
Fines	Race 2 – Harry O’Neill – Rule 162(1)(j) - $50 - MYBOYMYBOY
Suspensions
Barrier Information
Trials/Stand Down	Race 2 – LESSISMORE – Rule 63(2) – 1 trial
Late Scratchings
Adjourned Inquiries
Medical Clearance
Follow up’s