Stewards Report

HARNESS RACING VICTORIA

STEWARDS REPORT FOR MELTON         

SATURDAY 23 MARCH 2024  

	Grant Adams Adrian Crowther Thomas Bick   Desmond Benger   Emma Johnson (Starter) Dr J Hummel, Dr G Hargreaves (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 – ALLIED EXPRESS PACE (2240 MS)

LITTLE LOUIE – No action was taken against Driver Aaron Dunn for failing to adhere to the sectional time requirements whilst leading given the error of 0.2 seconds. Post-race swab sample obtained.

JACCKA CONNOR NZ – Approaching the 200m, checked and broke gait when shifting wider to avoid SLY TERROR NZ.

NEW YORKER – Held up for clear running in the early stages of the home straight.

DANCE AWAY – Driver Amy Day pleaded guilty to a charge (Charge 1) under Rule 165(1)(b) for permitting her gelding to shift in racing into the first turn when not 1m clear of MAGNETIC TERROR NZ resulting in that runner being tightened, checked and lost its rightful running. Ms Day pleaded guilty to a further charge (Charge 2) under Rule 163(1)(b)(i) in that racing towards the 1800m, she has permitted her gelding to shift wider when not clear of MAGNETIC TERROR NZ, forcing that runner wider and to cover more ground. In determination of penalty, Stewards took into consideration Ms Day’s guilty pleas, driving and offence record and the circumstances attached to both incidents. With regards to Charge 1, Stewards issued a suspension of licence for a period of 10 days and as to Charge 2, Stewards issued a suspension of licence for a period of 7 days. In accordance with AHRR 257, Stewards ordered that both suspensions are to be served cumulatively. Stewards ordered that the 17 day suspension is to commence at midnight, Monday 1 April 2024 and to expire on Friday 19 April 2024 on which day she may drive.

SLY TERROR NZ – Driver Alex Ashwood pleaded guilty to a charge under Rule 163(1)(a)(iii) for causing interference in that racing towards the 200m, he has permitted his gelding to shift out when not clear of JACCKA CONNOR NZ resulting in that horse being checked wider and breaking gait. Mr Ashwood had his licence to drive in races suspended for a period of 10 days which was ordered to commence at midnight, Monday 1 April 2024 and to expire on Friday 12 April 2024 on which day he may drive. When considering penalty Stewards took into account Mr Ashwood’s guilty plea, driving and offence record in addition to the circumstances attached to this incident.

ALBY TWO CHAINS – Pre-race blood sample obtained.  

RAKERO SLAMMER NZ – Pre-race blood sample obtained. Trainer Julie Douglas was cautioned for failing to have the gear form accurately recorded for the gelding. Held up for clear running in the early stages of the home straight prior to utilising the sprint lane.

MAGNETIC TERROR NZ – Entering the first turn was tightened to the inside of DANCE AWAY before being checked and lost its rightful running. Nearing the 1800m taken wider when improved to the outside of DANCE AWAY which shifted wider.

DAYLIGHT AT DAWN – Driver Corey Bell was cautioned for failing to maintain his position on the 2nd line by the starting point.   

WHISKEY CAVALIER NZ – Declared a late scratching at 5:17pm on veterinarian advice.  

RACE 2 – SULKY. APP – THE FUTURE OF FORM TROT (2240 MS)

HADTOBEHARRY – Gave ground over the final stages to finish in 10th position, beaten 38.0m.

ROYAL CHARLOTTE – Trainer Paul Males was cautioned for failing to have the gear form accurately recorded for the gelding.

EL RESAMO – Broke gait free of interference on the entry to the first turn, trailed the field throughout for which a warning was issued.

BALTICA NZ – Pre-race blood sample obtained.  

IRON LOVE – Trainer Anton Golino was cautioned for failing to have the gear form accurately recorded for the horse. Trotted roughly when placed under pressure over the final 50m.

GRUMPEE – Fractious prior to the start for which a warning was issued. Nearing the 200m was tightened to the inside of HADTOBEHARRY which gave ground and contacted marker pegs.  

SER PATRICK – Inconvenienced when taken back by the weakening HADTOBEHARRY between the 400 and 200m.

HATCHBACK – Pre-race blood sample obtained.  

SEBASTIANS BOY – Out of position at the start and will continue to be excluded from the mobile barrier draw.

ALDEBARAN DINO – Post-race swab sample obtained.

RACE 3 – TAB CAPTAIN SANDY FREE FOR ALL (2240 MS)

SERG BLANCO NZ – Pre-race blood sample obtained.  

TRIPLE EIGHT NZ – Post-race swab sample obtained.

TANGO TARA NZ – Trainer Andy Gath was cautioned for failing to have the gear form accurately recorded for the gelding.

IDEAL ESCAPE – Pre-race blood sample obtained.  

RACE 4 – IRT SHAKAMAKER 2YO CLASSIC (1720 MS)

THE HIGHLIGHT REEL – Post-race swab sample obtained.

IN AN IDEAL WORLD – Pre-race blood sample obtained.  

APOLLOSTORM – Pre-race blood sample obtained. Broke gait shortly after the start and will now be excluded from the mobile barrier draw.

RACE 5 – ALDEBARAN PARK SUMTHINGABOUTMAORI MARES FREE FOR ALL (2760 MS)

IM READY JET – Pre-race blood sample obtained. Post-race swab sample obtained.

LADY ADELIA – Pre-race blood sample obtained. Post-race swab sample obtained.

ALDEBARAN KEEPA NZ – Inconvenienced when taken back by the weakening SLEEPEE from the 500m until the 200m.

ILLAWONG STARDUST – Pre-race blood sample obtained. Weakened over the final stages to finish in 11th position, beaten 56.4m.

COURMAYEUR – Inconvenienced when taken back by the weakening ILLAWONG STARDUST from the 400m until the 200m.

SLEEPEE – Pre-race blood sample obtained. Weakened over the final stages to finish in 10th position, beaten 53.6m.

EBONYS AVENGER – Pre-race blood sample obtained.    

TIPSY TURVY – Held up for clear running in the early stages of the home straight.

VISIONARY – Weakened over the final stages to finish in 12th position, beaten 61.8m.

QUEEN ELIDA NZ – Pre-race blood sample obtained.   

RACE 6 – MIMOSA HOMES MARES FREE FOR ALL (1720 MS)

ILLAWONG AWESOME – Pre-race blood sample obtained. Gave ground over the final stages to finish in 10th position, beaten 26.8m. Whilst giving ground, shifted in and contacted marker pegs. A post-race veterinarian examination, including an endoscopic examination failed to find any significant findings. Driver Ryan Duffy reported that his mare hung badly from the 900m and connections would now look to make gear adjustments.

MAJOR FIRE NZ – Raced keenly during the event.

NIKI NAH NAH – Held up for clear running in the early stages of the home straight.

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

RAKERO REBEL NZ – Pre-race blood sample obtained. Post-race swab sample obtained.

MONA MIA – On the request from connections, the mare will continue to be excluded from the mobile barrier draw.

RACE 7 – HYGAIN PACE (2240 MS)

DIAMOND ECLIPSE – John Newberry replaced Matt Newberry as the late driving replacement due to Matt Newberry’s unavailability.

NONPARREIL – Held up for clear running over the final stages.

COURAGEOUS SAINT – Raced keenly during the middle stages. Held up for clear running in the early stages of the home straight and was then reluctant to shift inwards and take a narrow run between DIAMOND ECLIPSE and OUR VINCENT CAN GOGH NZ.

FINAL COLLECT NZ – Pre-race blood sample obtained. Trainer Leilani Justice was fined $50 under Rule 273(6)(b) for failing to have the gear form accurately recorded for the gelding.

OUR VINCENT CAN GOGH NZ – Pre-race blood sample obtained.

BACH NZ – Trainer Kyle Marshall was fined $50 under Rule 273(6)(b) for failing to have the gear form accurately recorded for the gelding. Post-race swab sample obtained.

RACE 8 – AUSTRALIAN PACING GOLD PACE (1720 MS)

BLASTER RANGER – Race keenly during the middle stages.

CLASSIC MISSION NZ – Post-race swab sample obtained.

LE BELLE BIJOUX – Pre-race blood sample obtained.   

DALVEY ROBYN NZ – Pre-race blood sample obtained. Raced keenly during the middle stages. A post-race veterinarian examination revealed the gelding to be displaying lameness in its L/Hind limb. In accordance with veterinarian recommendations, DALVEY ROBYN NZ was stood down until a certificate of fitness is submitted.

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

Grant Adams

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 – Alby Two Chains, Rakero Slammer NZ; Race 2 – Baltica NZ, Hatchback; Race 3 – Serg Blanco NZ, Ideal Escape; Race 4 – In An Ideal World, Apollostorm; Race 5 – Im Ready Jet, Lady Adelia, Illawong Stardust, Sleepee, Ebonys Avenger, Queen Elida NZ; Race 6 – Illawong Awesome, Rakero Rebel NZ; Race 7 – Final Collect NZ, Our Vincent Can Gogh NZ; Race 8 – Le Belle Bijoux, Dalvey Robyn NZ.
		Post-Race: Race 1 – Little louie; Race 2 – Aldebaran Dino;Race 3 – Triple Eight NZ; Race 4 – The Highlight Reel; Race 5 – Im Ready Jet, Lady Adelia; Race 6 – Rakero Rebel NZ; Race 7 – Bach NZ; Race 8 – Classic Mission NZ.
Suspensions
Race 1	Amy Day		165(1)(b)	10 Days
Race 1	Amy Day		163(1)(b)(i)	7 Days
Race 1	Alex Ashwood		163(1)(a)(iii)	10 Days
Fines
Race 7	Leilani Justice		273(6)(b)	$50
Race 7	Kyle Marshall		273(6)(b)	$50
Cautions
Race 1	Julie Douglas		T/CG
Race 1	Corey Bell		D/CSU
Race 2	Paul Males		T/CG
Race 2	Anton Golino		T/CG
Race 3	Andy Gath		T/CG
Horse Actions
Race 2	Sebastians Boy		CODM
Race 4	Apollostorm		ODM
Race 6	Mona Mia		TRCODM
Race 8	Dalvey Robyn		SDVC
Late Scratchings
Race 1	Whiskey Cavalier NZ		5:17pm	Vets

Follow Ups

Nil

Adjourned Inquiries

Nil

Sulky Fund Claims

Nil

Medical Stand Down

Nil