Stewards Report

HARNESS RACING VICTORIA

STEWARDS REPORT FOR SHEPPARTON

FRIDAY 5 APRIL 2024

	Adrian Crowther Kylie Harrison Tom Bick Emma Johnson (Starter) Dr Zarah Vermeulen (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 – NUTRIEN YEARLINGS @ GALTHORN PARK MAIDEN PACE (1690 MS)

IM DUSTEE – Hung out during the score up and a warning was issued against the geldings barrier manners.

ALAMO – Shifted outwards  from the 300 metres despite the efforts of driver Chris Shinn, to the extent that an inside run became available to ILLTELLYOUSOMETHING prior to the sprint lane. ALAMO then locked wheels with MAJORS CREEK upon entering the home straight.  ALAMO was placed on his last chance to  race truly for shifting out.

HELLO SWEETHEART- slightly inconvenienced near the 200 metres as ALAMO shifted , sulky was then contacted by MARLO MAREAU.

MAJORS CREEK- locked wheels and checked as ALAMO shifted out early in the home straight.

PRINCESS ARNA- caught wide early the restrained to a rearward trailing position. Paced roughly near the 1400 metres and again near the 1200 metres when being restrained. Checked and raced roughly near the 500 metres.

SUNSET STRIDE- checked and raced roughly near the 200 metres.

WILHELMINA RITA- driver Neil Day was cautioned for allowing his left foot to drop free of the sulky footrest when activating removable gear near the 200 metres.

MARLO MAREAU-  failed to participate in the pre start circle and will continue out of the mobile barrier draw. Raced greenly when restrained on the first turn, and proved difficult to restrain off the back  of  HELLO SWEETHEART near the 250 metres, resulting in the filly contacting the sulky of HELLO SWEETHEART and shifting out, checking SUNSET STRIDE. A warning was placed on the racing manners of MARLO MAREAU.

CALIFORNIA SHAKE- caused a false start when he refused to score up and would not move off the racing line near the winning post as the field scored up,  despite assistance from the Clerks of the course. Will continue out of the mobile barrier draw and was stood down from racing pending the completion of a satisfactory trial. Paced roughly on two occasions in the run.

 

RACE 2 –NUTRIEN YEARLINGS @ GRENADA PARK MAIDEN PACE (1690 MS)

FULLOFFIGHT NZ- hung out immediately after the start, touching stays with AMYS BAY ANGEL which hung in at the same time. FULLOFFIGHT then became unbalanced and paced roughly. Shortly after was  inconvenienced as AMYS BAY ANGEL paced roughly and shifted in  with FULLOFFIGHT then breaking as a result.

AMYS BAY ANGEL- hung in immediately after the start and touched stays with FULLOFFIGHT NZ, the mare was then driven forward and paced roughly shortly after, then shifted in and broke- placed  out of the mobile barrier draw. After working forward in the middle stages was then restrained from the 1100 metres and her sulky was contacted by ROLLING BONUS which was inconvenienced.

DOT BALL- checked after the start.

FENG SHUI STAR- inconvenienced after the start.

NOOSA STAR- inconvenienced towards the first turn.

ROLLING BONUS – Ryan Duffy failed to appear in the racebook as the driver. Mr Duffy was cautioned for failing to have his drive in position at the start. Improved three wide onto the back of AMYS BABY ANGEL from the 1200 metres and   was inconvenienced  as AMYS BABY ANGEL was restrained.

STREETS OF MADRID- inconvenienced after the start.

 

RACE 3 – NUTRIEN YEARLINGS @ ALABAR PACE (2190 MS)

AKERMANIS- inconvenienced on the first turn. Tired to be beaten 53 metres and was placed on his last chance to race competitively.

 

 

VILLAGE SMIRKER – Pre and post race veterinary examinations due to the gelding attaining the age of 12 years. Cleared of any obvious abnormalities. Checked and broke racing into the first turn. Tired to be beaten 95 metres and was placed on his last chance to race competitively.

ALL GOOD- Stewards inquired into the reasons for VILLAGE SMIRKER being checked and breaking racing into the first turn. After hearing evidence from drivers Bradley Forge and Jeremy Quinlan and viewing the race vision Mr Quinlan pleaded guilty to a charge pursuant to AHRR 163(1)(a)(iii) for causing interference, the particulars being that racing into the first turn he allowed his drive to shift in when not clear of the extended front legs of VILLAGE SMIRKER, causing that runner to be checked and break, with  AKERMANIS and EAGLES AND INDIANS  both inconvenienced. Mr Quinlan was suspended for three weeks, to commence at midnight 5/4/2024. In determining penalty Stewards took into consideration Mr Quinlans’ guilty plea, his driving record with one recent offence under the same rule, HRV Minimum penalty guidelines, the degree of carelessness and extent of the interference.

EAGLES AND INDIANS- inconvenienced towards the first turn, then tired to be beaten 68 metres- warning issued.

THE BANKER NZ – Late scratching at 10.39am due to a float break down.

KARUMA KEV- Stewards inquired into the driving tactics of driver Casey Leijen, in particular her decision to remain on the marker pegs near the 450 metres when racing behind AKERMANIS. Ms Leijen was assisted through the Inquiry by senior driver Nathan Jack. Ms Leijen explained that immediately after the start she had angled to the pegline, however was unable to muster sufficient speed to maintain the back of OUR STRATEGIC MISS, with AKERMANIS then angling to the pegs into the first turn to avoid the galloping VILLAGE SMIRKER, which then placed her four back on the pegs. Ms Leijen added that she had consistently driven the gelding conservatively at  his three starts  since taking over his training. Stewards deemed that Ms Leijen had made an error of judgement in not angling away from the marker pegs as both MISTER REBEL and BLUE OCEAN were put into the race on the home turn, which would have afforded her drive the opportunity to be taken wider to gain clear running, whereas by remaining behind AKERMANIS she lost further ground as that runner  and EAGLES AND INDIANS gave ground between the 400 and 200 metres. In determining to place a caution for a lack of judgement on Ms Leijen’s record Stewards took into consideration her owner/trainer/ concession claiming driver status,  that this was  her 4th  race drive today,  and  her forthright evidence during the Inquiry.

VILLAGE GENTLEMAN – Late scratching at 10.39am due to a float break down.

RACE 4 – NUTRIEN YEARLING @ DUNROAMIN STARNDARDBREDS PACE (2190 MS)

MIAMI SURF – Late scratching at 10.39am due to a float break down.

MARIANNA BROMAC NZ- held up around the home turn.

 

RACE 5 – NUTRIEN YEALINGS @ BOHBRON PARK PACE (1690 MS)

TESTIFIED  – Hung in and raced roughly early stages. Hung in latter stages. Post race veterinary examination failed to reveal any obvious abnormalities. Trainer Ross Graham reported that he would have further post race veterinary checks done in the days after the race and will report any findings to Stewards.

SHES POPPY – Driver Damien Wilson was cautioned for failing to fulfil his barrier position at the candy pole prior to the start.

OZZIE JOYBELL – Hung out during the middle stages of the score up and raced roughly. Placed on her  last chance in the mobile barrier draw.

GENERAL LINCOLN- late scratching at 12.29 with Stewards permission.

ALBALOU – Tired over the latter stages to be beaten 50m. No action taken

RACE 6 – NUTRIEN YEARLINGS @ RHIANNON PARK PACE (2190 MS)

BYRNESIDE BOOM- slowly out from the start.

ALABAMA LIONESS- raced roughly under pressure in the home straight.

MICHEN ROY- driver Glenn Bull pleaded guilty to a charge pursuant to AHRR 165(1)(b) for shifting down the track on the first turn when not the required one metre clear of the extended front legs of ROYAL STARZZZ- resulting in that runner losing her position in the one out line, and causing DIRECT COMMAND NZ to briefly race inside marker pegs. Mr Bull’s licence was suspended for ten days, to commence at midnight on 14/4/24. In determining penalty Stewards took into consideration Mr Bulls guilty plea, good record under interference related matters, HRV Minimum penalty guidelines and the circumstances of the incident.

ON THE HUNT- out position at the start, driver David Moran was fined $100 pursuant to AHRR 162(1)(h).

ROYAL STARZZZ- tightened, checked and lost her position in the one out line around the first turn.

DIRECT COMMAND- checked and contacted marker pegs around the first turn.

 

RACE 7 – CHECK OUT LOT 207 MAJESTIC SON COLT PACE (1690 MS)

 

The start of this race was delayed by Gawler greyhounds Race 5 running late.

ROCKNROLL TALLARA- broke in the score up, out of position at the start and was placed out of the mobile barrier draw.

ONLY ONE DON- raced three wide throughout before giving ground to be beaten 38 metres. Stewards inquired into the driving tactics adopted by driver Bradley Forge. Mr Forge explained that his drive has proven difficult to restrain in the past and for this reason when caught wide he elected to go forward and attempt to gain the position outside the leader, however when OUR BELLA LUCIA did not show any inclination to relinquish that position he then elected to remain three wide. Stewards issued a caution to Mr Forge for his lack of judgement, in taking this approach Stewards were mindful of the sectional times recorded throughout, the racing manners and previous performance history  of ONLY ONE DON, and Mr Forges’ driving record and frequency.  

GOTTAHAVEHOBBIE- driver George Schembri was cautioned for failing to have his drive in position at the start. The gelding contacted marker pegs and paced roughly around the home turn.

 

RACE 8 – CHECK OUT LOT 347 ALWAYS B MIKI FILLY PACE (1690 MS)

ROSLYN GAYE- underwent pre and post race veterinary checks due to her number of lifetime starts- no abnormalities apparent.

GIGI I GOT THIS- paced roughly when restrained near the 1400 metres.

I OF THE HURRICANE-  Ellen Tormey did not appear in the racebook as the driver. Trainer Michael Laugher  was cautioned for the late driver change. Stewards queried driver Ellen Tormey as to her driving in the home straight. Ms Tormey explained that her drive had been held up around the home turn, then began to improve early in the home straight when tested however had then  hung out from the 150 metres until the finish. Stewards noted Ms Tormey’s explanation which was verified from viewing the race vision.

 

RACE 9 – NUTRIEN YEALINGS @ ALDEBARAN PARK TROT (1690 MS)

DANCES- inconvenienced in the score up as ERO CARPE DIEM hung in.

ERO CARPE DIEM- driver Monique Burnett was cautioned for presenting the gelding late onto the track. Hung in  during the score up and was out of position at the start – warning issued.

RILEYS PEGASUS- trotted roughly in the score-up. Was out of position at the start and was placed on his last chance in the  mobile barrier draw.

ALDEBARAN TANISHA- broke free of interference near the 400 metres.

 

RACE 10 – NUTRIEN YEARLINGS @ LLOWALONG FARMS PACE (2190 MS)

 

MURIEL- held up around the home turn before utilising the sprint lane.

WHERES WOOD WOOD- driver Ellen Tormey was not listed in the racebook.

SPEEDY SPIDA- held up and unable to obtain clear running.

DEEWHY- hung in under pressure in the home straight.

 

 

 

Adrian Crowther

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 –Fullofflight ; Race 3 – Our Stategic Miss; Race 4 –Don’t Waste Time ; Race 5 – Katunga Express; Race 6 –Byrneside Boom ; Race 7 – High Flux . Race 8 – Azor Ahai NZ Race 10 –Bus Stop.
	Post-Race: Race 1 –Wilemena Rita ; Race 3 – Our Strategic Miss; Race 5 – Katunga Express ; Race 8 – Interpretation; Race 9 – Starlight Red.
Suspensions
Race 3	Jeremy Quinlan	All Good	3Weeks	163(1)(a)(iii)
Race 6	Glenn Bull	Michen Roy	10Days	165(1)(b)
Fines
Race 6	David Moran	On The Hunt	$100	162(1)(h)
Cautions
Race 1	Neil Day	Whilemena Rita	D/CDF
Race 2	Ryan Duffy	Rolling Bonus	D/CSU
Race 3	Casey Leijen	Karuma Kev	D/CLJ
Race 5	Damien Wilson	Shes Poppy	D/CCP
Race 7	Bradley Forge	Only One Don	D/CLJ
Race 7	George Schembri	Gottahaveahobbie	D/CSU
Race 8	Michael Laugher	I Of The Hurrikane	T/CLDC
Race 9	Monique Burnett	Ero Carpe Diem	D/CPR
Horse Actions
Race 1	Marlo Mareau	CODM
Race 1	California Shake	CODM/SD1T
Race 2	Amys Baby Angel	ODM
Race 7	Rocknroll Tallara	ODM
Late Scratching’s
Race 3	The Banker	10.39am	Float B’Down
Race 3	Village Gentleman	10.39am	Float B’Down
Race 4	Miami Surf	10.39am	Float B’Down
Race 5	General Lincoln	12.29pm	Stewards Permission
Follow Ups	Nil
Adjourned Inquiries	Nil
Sulky Fund Claims	Nil