Stewards Report

HARNESS RACING VICTORIA

STEWARDS REPORT FOR ECHUCA

MONDAY 25 MARCH 2024

	Kylie Harrison Adrian Crowther Tom Bick Emma Johnson (Starter) Dr Greg Hargreave (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. 

GENERAL

Stewards conducted an inquiry into an incident at the Maryborough Trials,16 March 2024, involving trainer Mr John Douglas and Club Official Mr Colin Phillis. After considering all the evidence Mr Phillis was issued with a caution for his conduct in regard to comments made to Mr Douglas while performing his role. In taking this course of action, Stewards took into consideration Mr Phillis was proactive in reporting the matter, had expressed remorse and sought to apologise to Mr Douglas at the first opportunity and Mr Phillis’ excellent record over a long period in the industry.

 

RACE 1 – ALDEBARAN PARK 2YO TROT (1690MS)

The race start time of 12.14pm was incorrectly advertised in the racebook.

THE DARK SIDE – Galloped clear of interference approaching the 400m.

RACE 2 –AB PAINT TROT (1690 MS)

The race start time of 12.47pm was incorrectly advertised in the racebook.

LUNA – Hung in under pressure rounding the final turn then galloped under pressure on entering the home straight.

PETITE FOUR – Galloped clear of interference rounding the first turn and again at the 300m. Given the mares recent racing record, Petite Four was stood down for 10 days and until the completion of one trial.

SURBITON PRETENDER – Pre and post race veterinary examinations due to the gelding attaining the age of 13 years. Cleared of any obvious abnormalities. Sean O’Sullivan failed to appear in the racebook as the driver.

MAJOR MAX – Driver Jack Sullivan was fined $200 under Rule 159A (1)(a) for failing to have his helmet correctly fastened when driving during the pre race warm up. Pulled hard during the middle stages. Held up for a clear run rounding the final turn before utilising the sprint lane in the home straight.

ALWAYS SKYE HIGH – Hung in while attempting to improve three wide during the middle stages. Caught three wide for the remainder of the race.

BEAUTIFUL SUNRISE – Raced roughly during the middle stages. Galloped at the 400m.

 

RACE 3 – MCPHERSONS PRINTING GROUP PACE (2190 MS)

MONSIER FLAMEL – Pulled hard during the middle stages.

POLLY PEACHIUM – Driver Tasmyn Potter was fined $100 under Rule 162(1)(y) for failing to adhere to the minimum time standards for sectional times after completing the first half of the last mile in 65.7seconds while leading.

WICHITA KANSAS – Raced roughly during the score up and was out of position at the start and will be given one last chance in the mobile barrier draw. Shifted in and contacted a marker peg prior to entering the sprint lane in the home straight.

SWEET REVENGE NZ – Pulled hard during the middle stages. Driver George Chamouras was fined $200 under Rule 156(2)(a) for his unapproved whip use after he applied the whip with more than a wrist only flicking action rounding the home turn and during the early stages of the home straight.

RACE 4 – MUMSTHEWORD MHRC MEMBERS 2023 HORSE OF THE YEAR 3YO MAIDEN PACE (2190 MS)

SUNSET STRIDE – Abby Sanderson failed to appear in the racebook as the driver. Sulky contacted shortly after the start by Sammy Suffarell. Pulled hard during the middle stages.

SAMMY SUFFARELL – Driver Michael Azzopardi plead guilty to a charge under Rule 168(1)(a) for careless driving. The particulars of the charge being that shortly after the start Mr Azzopardi directed his drive inwards towards a position behind the leader Sunset Stride and in doing so contacted the sulky of that runner resulting in Sammy Suffarell galloping and checking trailing runner Lou Easyana which also galloped as a result. Merlins Illusion was also checked in this incident. Mr Azzopardi’s licence to drive in races was suspended of 3 weeks to commence midnight 25 March 2024. In assessing penalty stewards took into consideration the HRV minimum penalty guidelines, the high degree of carelessness which involved interference to two other runners and Mr Azzopardi’s forthright evidence, guilty plea, and limited experience.  

INTO THE HARKNESS – Began badly as the start was effected and was placed out of the mobile barrier draw.

MAJOR BLU – Out of position at the start and a warning was issued against the geldings barrier manners. Driver Craig Demmler was cautioned for failing to make sufficient effort to avoid making contact with the marker pegs just prior to entering the sprint lane over the concluding stages.

WE FAVOUR ROSIE – Galloped during the score up and was out of position at the start. Place out side the mobile barrier draw.

LOU EASYANA – Checked and galloped shortly after the start by Sammy Suffarell.

MERLINS ILLUSION – Out of position at the start and will be given one last chance in the mobile barrier draw. Checked after the start due to interference from Sammy Suffarell.  

RACE 5 – VITAL SIGNS TROT (1690 MS)

PRIMZ LUCK NZ – Pre and post race veterinary examination due to the gelding attaining the age of 12 years. Cleared of any obvious abnormalities.

MUMSTHEWORD – Late scratching at 10.14am. Vets advice.

ASTRO – Hung in under pressure when improving past Christmas Babe NZ resulting in that runner contacting marker pegs.

THAT OTHER THING –  Held up for a clear run rounding the final turn. Inconvenienced as Primz Luck NZ galloped at the 300m. Driver Mark Hayes cautioned for the manner in which he shifted ground outwards at the 300m which resulted in Jahella being inconvenienced and racing roughly.

CHAMPAGNES – Hung in a galloped after the start. Trail the field throughout. Placed out of the mobile barrier draw.

CHRISTMAS BABE NZ – Tightened by Astro rounding the final turn and contacted marker pegs as it commenced to give ground after leading.

DA PREZ- Galloped clear of interference rounding the first turn and trailed the field there after. Warning issued against the geldings racing manners.

JAHBELLA – Inconvenienced and raced roughly at the 300m by That Other Thing as it shifted out after being inconvenienced.

SHADOW JUSTICE – Inconvenienced by Da Prez which galloped at approximately the 1400m.

RACE 6 – JAMES HERBERTSON MHRC MEMBERS 2023 DRIVER OF THE YEAR PACE(2690 MS)

THE BEACH FANTASY – Hung in under pressure rounding the final turn and contacted marker pegs. Warning issued.

THE BORIS – Galloped during the score up and was out of position at the start before trailing the field there after. Placed out of the mobile barrier draw.

HUNGRY HOGARTH – Alex Ashwood failed to appear in the racebook as the driver. Drivers Alex Ashwood and Peter Wallis (ORCH) were questioned regarding Hungry Hogarth galloping approaching the 1400m. After taking evidence from both drivers and reviewing the replays it was established that Hungry Hogarth had established a position in the one out line to the inside of Orch. Hungry Hogarth then hung out slightly as Orch shifted inwards resulting in both runners locking wheels. Hungry Hogarth was inconvenienced and galloped as a result. Considering the interference was contributed to from both runners, the circumstances were noted.

ORCH – Shifted in and locked wheels with Hungry Hogarth at approximately the 1400m. Hung out under pressure and raced ungenerously from the 700m. Tired to be beaten approximately 86m and was placed on its last chance to race competitively.

RACE 7 – COLIN REDWOOD MEMORIAL VSTA TROTTERS HANDICAP (3RD HEAT) (2190 SS)

False start declared at the first attempt due to the front barrier tape prematurely releasing.

LUVSKI - Hung in significantly in the home straight over the concluding stages and entered the sprint lane despite the efforts of driver James Herbertson to maintain a straight course. As the occurrence had not affected any other runner, all clear was given on the judges numbers. A warning was issued against the geldings racing manners.

SONNY BOY – Gave ground to be beaten 47m.

KYVALLEY ANTHONY- Began badly and trailed the field thereafter. Will continue to be drawn wide in future standing start races.

IMPERIAL WHIZ NZ – Pre and post race veterinary examinations due to the gelding racing on more than 200 previous occasions. Cleared of any obvious abnormalities.

 

RACE 8 – RAY CROSS MHRC MEMBERS 2023 TRAINER OF THE YEAR PACE (2190 MS)

REIGN EM IN – Hung out approaching the winning post on the first occasion. Received interference from Always The Showman in the home straight on the final occasion resulting in the gelding contacting the sulky of that runner being checked and galloped.

MERCHANT STAR – Raced roughly and galloped approaching the winning post on the first occasion then shifted outwards rounding the first turn. Will be given one last chance to race truly.

JAMES GARNER NZ – Michael Bellman failed to appear in the racebook as the driver. Checked by Merchant Star as that runner galloped at the winning post on the first occasion and shifted outwards. Obliged to race three wide during the early stages before being restrained to a rearward position in the back straight on the first occasion.

ALWAYS THE SHOWMAN – Held up for a clear run rounding the final turn before utilising the sprint lane. Driver James Herbertson was found guilty of a charge under Rule 163(1)(a)(iii) for causing interference. The particulars of the charge being that Mr Herbertson failed to correct his drive adequately to avoid causing interference to Reign Em In as Always The Showman commenced to shift out under pressure in the home straight on the final occasion. This resulted in Reign Em In being contacted checked and gallop. Mr Herberton’s licence to drive in races was suspended for a period of 7 days with a start date to be advised. In assessing penalty stewards took into consideration the HRV minimum penalty guidelines, the incident which was considered mid range interference and Mr Herberton’s exemplary driving record in relation to rule 163(1)(a) having 2375 drives and 17 months since previously being charge under this rule.

SURBITON HARTBREAK – Galloped after the start was effected and was placed out of the draw for future mobile start races.

ITZ BULL SPEED AHEAD- Momentarily inconvenienced in the home straight as Reign Em In was checked and galloped to its inside.

RACE 9 – BENSTUD STANDARDBREDS PACE (1690 MS)

THUNDER BEACH – Driver Shane Taylor plead guilty to a charge under Rule 149(2) which states: A person shall not drive in a manner which in the opinion of the Stewards is unacceptable. The particulars of the charge being that after Thunder Beach was caught wide during the early stages, Mr Taylor drove the gelding forward and challenged the leader Pete Mitchell during the middle stages. When that challenge was unsuccessful, Mr Taylor continued to maintain pressure on the leader and failed to give his drive any respite. Thunder Beach commenced to give ground from the 500m ultimately finishing in last place beaten approximately 37m. The tactics adopted given the geldings exposed form and performance was in the opinion of the Stewards unacceptable. Mr Taylors license to drive in races was suspended for a period of 3 weeks to commence midnight 25 March 2024. In assessing penalty stewards considered the HRV minimum penalty guidelines, Mr Taylors guilty plea and forthright evidence, previous record and limited driving experience.

KEMPSEYS DELIGHT – Pre and post race veterinary examination due to the gelding racing on more than 200 previous occasions. Cleared of any obvious abnormalities.

SHOBEE GOTCHA – Rory Cloverdale failed to appear as the driver.

RIVER PATROL – Pre and post race veterinary examination due to the gelding attaining the age of 12 years and racing on more than 200 previous occasions. Cleared of any obvious abnormalities. Pre race blood samples taken due to being placed on the elevated TCO2 register.

 

 

RACE 10 – WORLDS BEST HOOF OIL TROT (1690 MS)

ROMANTIC NINA – Raced roughly under pressure over the concluding stages. Driver Liam Older fined $200 under Rule 156(4)(b)(v) for applying the whip to his drive after passing the winning post at the finish of the race.

SURPRISE TO ME – Inconvenienced behind Magic Law as that runner galloped rounding the home turn. Held up for a clear run during the early stages of the home straight.

SHIELD MAIDEN – Hung in shortly after the start.

TUBS NOW SLIM – Galloped during the score up and was out of position at the start. Trailed the field thereafter. Placed out of the draw for future mobile start races.

BULLAPARK BENO – Held up for clear running rounding the final turn.

TE AMO – Galloped under pressure when attempting to improve wider on the track on entering the home straight.

MAGIC LAW – Galloped under pressure clear of interference rounding the final turn.

Kylie Harrison

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 – Petite Four; Race 3 – Khans Creed; Race 6 – Sweetgamblingrose; Race 7 – Luvski; Race 8 –Ozzie Joybel; Race 9 –Pete Mitchell; River Patrol x2.
	Post-Race: Race 3 – Polly Peachum; Race 4 – Ultimate Joy; Race 5 – Luvski; Race 9 – Pete Mitchell;
Suspensions
Race 4	Michael Azzopardi	Sammy Suffarell	168(1)(a)	3wks
Race 8	James Herbertson	AlwaysThe Showman	163(1)(a)(iii)	7 days
Race 9	Shane Taylor	Thunder Beach	149(2)	3 wks
Fines
Race 2	Jack Sullivan	Major Max	159(A)(1)(a)	$200
Race 3	Tasmyn Potter	Polly Peachum	162(1)(y)	$100
Race 3	George Chamouras	Sweet Revenge	156(2)(a)	$200
Race 10	Liam Older	Romantic Nina	156(4)(b)(v)	$200
Cautions
Race 4	Craig Demmler	Major Blu	D/CCMP
Race 5	Mark Hayes	That Other Thing	D/CSG
Horse Actions
Race 2	Petite Four	SD1T/ SD10D
Race 2	Aldebaran Selena	TRCODM
Race 4	Into The Harkness	ODM
Race 4	We Favour Rosie	ODM
Race 5	Primz Luck	SD1T/SD10D
Race 5	Champagnes	ODM
Race 6	The Boris	ODM
Race 7	Kyvalley Anthony	CODS
Race 8	Surbiton Heartbreak	ODM
Race 10	Tubbs Now Slim	ODM
Late Scratching’s
Race 5	Mumstheword	Vets Advice	10.14am
Follow Ups	Nil
Adjourned Inquiries	Nil
Sulky Fund Claims	Nil