Stewards Report

TAMWORTH HARNESS RACING CLUB

THURSDAY 28 MARCH 2024

STEWARDS REPORT

 

 

Stewards	E Turner (Chairman), D Westwood, S Cullen
Starter	A Yates
vi	Dr S Webster
Swab Official	B Vincent
Track	Fast
Weather	Fine

 

 

RACE 1 – TAB VENUE MODE PACE – 1609 metres

CASSINO MAN – Hung out noticeably after the start resulting in ART OF TERROR racing to its outside being carried wider onto SONOFABET which was hampered. In view of the gelding’s recent record connections were advised, CASSINO MAN will now be excluded from the mobile barrier draw. Raced roughly rounding the final turn.

ART OF TERROR – Carried wider on the track after the start when CASSINO MAN hung out causing SONOFABET to be hampered.  Post-race swab sample.

ASCOT HEIR – Pre-race blood sample. Driver T Ison reported post-race that his runner was inclined to contact its own knee throughout and as a result raced ungenerously at various stages. He said that, whilst he was slightly disappointed with the gelding’s inability to finish the race off, he believed that his runner which was having its first career start would improve from race experience. A post-race veterinary exam failed to reveal any abnormalities.

SAN SABA – Fractious during the early stages of the score up and reared. In view of the filly having its first career start, SAN SABA was placed on its last chance in the mobile barrier draw.

 

RACE 2 – VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR 23 – SPUD VERNING PACE – 1980 metres

ROCK AROUND – Pulled hard throughout the score-up. Hung out noticeably after entering the first turn. A warning was issued. Hung in and raced inside a number of marker pegs whilst racing down the back straight on the final occasion.

BUDDY PERFECT – Post-race swab sample.

FREDDIES DELIGHT – Trainer/Driver M Grima was cautioned for the manner in which he applied the whip over the concluding stages.

SPARKLING SUE – Pre-race blood sample.

SPLIT EAR – When questioned regarding the performance, Trainer/Driver T Ison could not provide any tangible explanation for the performance other than the gelding was disappointing in today’s event. A post-race veterinary exam failed to reveal any abnormalities.

MY LATIN LADY – Driver A Varga was cautioned for the manner in which he applied the whip over the concluding stages.

ENABLE ME NZ – Over-raced throughout the early and middle stages.

MIDAS SHANNON – Raced roughly leaving the 1600 metres for a short distance. Approval was given for the gelding to be re-included into the mobile barrier draw.

 

RACE 3 – NORTHWEST CONTRIBUTION 23 – ARTHUR YATES PACE – 1980 metres

All wagering on this event will be subject to post-race analysis.

WINAMOTZA – Hung in at various stages of the event.

BULLDOG BRAWLER – Pre-race blood sample.

IAM THE JOKER – Weakened over the concluding stages to be beaten some distance. When questioned regarding the performance, driver P McMullen stated that connections were confident of a competitive showing from the gelding in today’s event and as such he was instructed to ideally lead throughout. He said that after obtaining the lead shortly after the start the gelding travelled well throughout the early and middle stages however when placed under pressure near the 500 metres his runner failed to respond and yielded ground from that point. Mr McMullen stated that, given the manner in which the gelding travelled he was disappointed with the gelding’s inability to finish the race off and felt that there may have been something amiss with the gelding. Subsequently, trainer R Durrant expressed disappointment with the performance however stated that given the gelding had performed poorly at its two most recent starts when racing without cover, connections will look to drive the gelding more conservatively in its future starts. Mr Durrant stated that, should the gelding recover satisfactorily the stable would endeavour to start IAM THE JOKER at the Narrabri meeting on the 01/04/24. A post-race veterinary failed to reveal any abnormalities.

REDS GOOD TO GO – Broke gait clear of interference passing the 1400 metres. A warning was issued. Stewards queried driver L Whittaker in regards to the seemingly changed driving tactics that were adopted in today’s event when restraining to obtain cover after the start. Mr Whittaker explained that, he received pre-race instructions from the trainer to drive the gelding conservatively and endeavour to obtain a position with cover given the gelding was competing over the longer distance today and believed that the runners drawn to its inside possessed superior gate speed to REDS GOOD TO GO and as such would be unable to cross those runners after the start. He said that, at the gelding’s most recent start at Tamworth on the 21/03/24 whilst it had led throughout on that occasion and was successful, his runner benefitted from a more favourable barrier on that occasion, and furthermore that the gelding had not displayed any noteworthy form over the 1980 metre distance of today’s event. Mr Whittaker added that, it would be the intention of connections to drive the gelding in a similar manner in future when competing over the 1980 metres. Subsequently, Trainer T Ison confirmed the instructions provided and further stated that should the gelding draw similarly in future when competing over the 1980 metres, the gelding would be driven in a similar manner to today. Stewards noted their comments.

DEVILSTIX – Broke gait clear of interference rounding the first turn. A warning was issued.

TABRA – Post-race swab sample.

 

RACE 4 – CLUB PERSON OF THE YEAR 23 – MARK LOWE PACE – 1980 metres

DARK SIDE NZ – Examined pre and post-race by the veterinarian in accordance with HRNSW’s animal welfare policy. No abnormalities were reported.

VAN NIEKERK NZ – Post-race swab sample. Additionally, a delayed post-race blood sample was collected for analysis.

ITS INEVITABLE NZ – Examined pre and post-race by the veterinarian in accordance with HRNSW’s animal welfare policy. No abnormalities were reported. Hampered and forced wider on the track leaving the 600 metres when GLENN FORD NZ shifted out.

OUR BUSHWACKER – Examined pre and post-race by the veterinarian in accordance with HRNSW’s animal welfare policy. No abnormalities were reported. Over-raced throughout the early and middle stages.

GLENN FORD NZ – Driver K Elliott was issued a reprimand under rule 163(1)(b)(i) in that, when leaving the 600 metres she permitted her runner to shift away from a marker peg position into the running line when not clear of ITS INEVITABLE NZ which was forced wider on the track and obliged to cover more ground than necessary. In not taking more severe action, Stewards were mindful of the close proximity that both runners were to the candy pole when GLENN FORD NZ commenced to shift ground.

SAFE JEWELS – Pre-race blood sample.

 

RACE 5 – THE PUB DRIVE OF THE YEAR 23 – EMMA ISON PACE – 1609 metres

CARMALITE NZ – Driver J Coney was issued a reprimand under rule 163(1)(a)(iii) for causing interference in that, when approaching the 150 metres he permitted his runner to shift wider on the track when not clear of BRAVE BONDI which was hampered. Post-race swab sample.

BRAVE BONDI – Pre-race blood sample. Hampered approaching the 150 metres when CARMALITE NZ shifted out.

SAINT KARAMARA – Broke gait during the middle stages of the score-up and consequently was out of position at the start. A warning was issued.

BARRYS BROTHER – Leaving the 600 metres broke gait clear of interference. After considering the recent record of the gelding, BARRYS BROTHER was stood down to one re-qualifying trial. Approval was given for the gelding to be reverted to ODM from RODM following recent satisfactory performance.

 

RACE 6 – BILLY GRIMA MEMORIAL – 1980 metres

RACING PAULA – Post-race swab sample.

MADAME WEST – Pre-race blood sample. Weakened noticeably inside the final 600 metres to be beaten 103.6 metres. When questioned regarding the performance, driver P McMullen explained that after obtaining a favourable position with cover during the early and middle stages he elected to improve three wide passing the 800 metres however the mare failed to quicken as he expected and shortly thereafter commenced to yield ground and was disappointing in his opinion. A post-race veterinary exam failed to reveal any abnormalities. After consideration, MADAME WEST was stood down to one re-qualifying trial.

 

RACE 7 – BELL PARTNERS TAMWORTH – AUTUMN PACE – 1609 metres

RAINBOW JET – Held up for clear running during the early stages of the run to the finish. Driver M Grima was issued a reprimand under rule 168(1)(a) for careless driving in that, between the 100 metres and the 50 metres he allowed his runner to improve to the inside of LADY PEBBLES when in the opinion of the Stewards there was insufficient room to do so resulting in, RAINBOW JET racing inside the line of one marker and shortly thereafter locking wheels with LADY PEBBLES leaving the 50 metres.

LADY PEBBLES – Locked wheels with RAINBOW JET leaving the 50 metres when that runner improved to its inside causing LADY PEBBLES to be hampered.

MISTER ARTIKULATE – Pre-race blood sample. Post-race swab sample.

 

RACE 8 – WELCOME MINI TROTTERS – STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS WARATAH HEAT – 1609 metres

GENERAL:Prior to the declaration of All clear driver A Varga on behalf of connections of ROCK FISHERMAN (Second past the post) exercised his right to review the official film regarding the final 150 metres. A Varga then lodged a protest against ROGUE BLING (First past the post) alleging interference over the final 150 metres. After considering all evidence provided by Driver A Varga and Trainer J Hetherington (ROCK FISHERMAN) and Driver J Coney and Trainer D Brown (ROGUE BLING) and reviewing the available patrol footage. It was established that, upon straightening for the run to the finish ROGUE BLING had a tendency to shift up the track to which a run was eventuating to its inside. It was further ascertained that, ROGUE BLING was then corrected by its driver and shifted back down the track at which point ROCK FISHERMAN attempted to improve its inside however had not established rightful running to the inside of ROGUE BLING at that stage. Both runners then raced in restricted room for the remainder of the run to the finish with the official margin between ROGUE BLING and ROCK FISHERMAN being declared 2.4 metres. Stewards concluded that whilst ROGUE BLING had shifted up the track initially, that runner had then been corrected back down the track at which point Stewards could not be comfortably satisfied that there was sufficient racing room when ROCK FISHERMAN had progressed to its inside. With such a view the protest was dismissed and the All clear was given on the Judge’s numbers 3-7-9-1.

ROGUE BLING – Driver J Coney was issued a reprimand under rule 168(1)(a) for careless driving in that, during the final 100 metres of the event she failed to make sufficient effort to prevent her runner from shifting down the track resulting in ROCK FISHERMAN being taken inside the line of two marker pegs and having to be steadied. Withstood protest. Post-race swab sample.

CLASSICMAJOR – Passing the 100 metres made contact with DAGGY LAMB NZ when being taken slightly wider by NIGHT TO REMEMBER which shifted out.

ROCK FISHERMAN – Raced in restricted room to the inside of ROGUE BLING during the final 100 metres and raced inside of two marker pegs.

DAGGY LAMB NZ – Passing the 100 metres sustained contact from CLASSICMAJOR which was taken up the track slightly when NIGHT TO REMEMBER shifted out.

NIGHT TO REMEMBER – Passing the 100 metres shifted out when not quite clear of CLASSICMAJOR which was taken out onto DAGGY LAMB NZ resulting in that runner sustaining contact. Subsequently, driver C McElhinney was notified to exercise greater care in similar circumstances.

 

 

SUMMARY
Reprimands	Race 4 – K Elliott – Rule 163(1)(b)(i) – GLENN FORD NZ Race 5 – J Coney – Rule 163(1)(a)(iii) – CARMALITE NZ Race 7 – M Grima – Rule 168(1)(a) – RAINBOW JET Race 8 – J Coney – Rule 168(1)(a) – ROGUE BLING
Fines	Nil
Suspensions	Nil
Barrier Information	Race 1 – CASSINO MAN Race 2 – MIDAS SHANNON Race 5 – BARRYS BROTHER – Reverted to ODM from RODM
Trials/Stand Down	Race 5 – BARRYS BROTHER – Rule 63(2) – 1 trial Race 6 – MADAME WEST – Rule 63(2) – 1 trial
Late Scratching	Nil
Adjourned Inquiries	Nil
Medical Clearance	Nil
Follow up’s	Nil