Stewards Report

HARNESS RACING VICTORIA

STEWARDS REPORT FOR YARRA VALLEY

FRIDAY 15 MARCH 2024

	Scott Gillespie Nicholas Murray Desmond Benger Barry Delaney (Starter) Dr. Chris Heislers (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 – YARRA VALLEY TOYOTA PACE (1650 MS)

NOOSA BOY– Driver Mark Lee was questioned regarding the driving tactics adopted in the early stages after the stablemate She Haunts Em found the position behind the leader.  Mr.Lee stated that Noosa Boy has limited gate speed and was content to have the gelding begin safely as he had only recently got back into the draw.  After viewing all films, Stewards were satisfied with the explanation of Mr.Lee.

ALAMO – Driver Christopher Shinn was fined $100 under AHR Rule 156(3) for applying the whip on more occasions than permitted over the final 200m.

SHE HAUNTS EM– Hung out after the start.

AMYS BABY ANGEL– Hung in entering the home straight.

RACE 2 – DE BORTOLI PACE (2650 MS)

LOTAKEVI – (12+yrs) Underwent pre and post-race veterinary examinations in accordance with HRV Animal Welfare Policy.  Neither check revealed any abnormality.

ILLAWONG DANNY– Checked and broke approaching the 400m.

VICTORTHEINFLICTOR– Out of position at the start, warning issued.  Raced roughly at the 1300m.

ICANMOTOR– Pulled hard middle stages.

DIAMONDSNBLUE– Driver Austin Mifsud was found guilty of a charge under AHR Rule 163(1)(a)(iii) for causing interference.  The particulars of the charge being that approaching the 400m, he allowed his drive to shift wider on the track when insufficiently clear of Illawong Danny, resulting in contact being made to the near hind leg of that gelding which was checked and broke gait.  Mr.Mifsud had his licence to drive in races suspended for a period of 10 days to commence at midnight 24 March 2024.

RACE 3 – REVIVE2SURVIVE TROT(2150 MS)

DOUBLE DOT – Gave ground from the 400m to be beaten 45m into 8th placing.

SUNDAYS SHADOW– Driver Glenn Hunter cautioned for allowing his right foot to momentarily drop from the sulky footrest entering the home straight.

THE SARGENT– ($8) Driver Leilani Justice was questioned regarding the performance of the gelding which tired from the 500m to be beaten 94m into last placing.  Ms.Justice stated the gelding may have been in need of the run having not started since mid January.  A post-race veterinary examination revealed no abnormality and The Sargent has been placed on its last chance to race competitively.

NUCLEAR ATTITUDE– Tired to be beaten 79m into 9th placing and now placed on last chance to race competitively.

MAJOR MAX– Pulled hard middle stages.

KYVALLEY PAINT NZ– Inconvenienced by The Sargent at the 400m.

VOLTAIN– Inconvenienced by Double Dot on the final turn.

RACE 4 – IGA LIQUOR TROTTERS HANDICAP (2150 SS)

General – Stewards delayed the all clear to review footage of the home turn where Sangreal (4th) raced inside the final marker peg prior to the sprint lane.  Stewards spoke with John Caldow, driver of Sangreal and reviewed all available footage.  Given the final margin of a nose to Inmydreams (5th), and in accordance with AHR Rule 66(e), Sangreal was placed behind Inmydreams and the all clear was then given on the numbers 1-4-6-3.

HERE COMES KYVALLEY NZ - Driver Tristan Larsen cautioned for allowing his right foot to momentarily drop from the sulky footrest soon after the start.  Mr.Larsen was queried regarding the driving tactics adopted in the early stages and the overall performance of the gelding which tired to be beaten 63m into 8th placing.  Mr.Larsen stated that after being unable to find the lead, the gelding wasn’t suited to racing away from the marker pegs.  Stewards noted the comments.

SANGREAL– Warning issued after hanging in under pressure on the final turn, contacting marker pegs.

SOVEREIGN TIGER– Broke gait when clear of interference at the 600m, warning issued.

RACE 5 – KEN SMITH & ASSOCIATES CONCESSION DRIVERS PACE (2150 MS)

ILLAWONG PHOENIX – Held up for clear running on the final turn.

ALTA BEDFORD– Trainer Paul Tonkin cautioned for failing to advise Stewards of the intended driving tactics of the stable runners.

BRAEBEACH NZ– Broke in the early stages of the score up, warning issued.

RACE 6 – YARRA GLEN BAKEHOUSE PACE (1st HEAT) (2150 MS)

OUR ARABELLA – Broke in the early stages of the score up, warning issued.

WATTLEBANK FLYER NZ – (12+yrs, 200+starts) Underwent pre and post-race veterinary examinations in accordance with HRV Animal Welfare Policy.  Neither check revealed any abnormality.  Checked and broke gait at the 1600m.  Inconvenienced on the final turn by Florenceofkintail. 

FEEL THE BUZZ – (12+yrs, 200+starts) Underwent pre and post-race veterinary examinations in accordance with HRV Animal Welfare Policy.  Neither check revealed any abnormality.  Hung in under pressure in the home straight.

FLORENCEOFKINTAIL– Checked and broke at the 1600m.  Broke gait when clear of interference on the final turn and has now been stood down from racing until the completion of one satisfactory trial.

JILLIBY RIPPA– Checked by Florenceofkintail at the 1600m.

RACE 7 – AIR FUSION PACE (2ND HEAT) (1650 MS)

IM THE MIGHTYGRAMPS – Held up for clear running on the final turn.

DIEGOS DIAMOND– Held up for clear running on the final turn prior to utilising the sprint lane.

 

Scott Gillespie

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 – Standandeliver; Race 4 – Aldebaran Boyd; Race 5 – Angus Indiana; Race 6 – Florenceofkintail; Race 7 – Shoobees Spirit;
		Post-Race: Race 1 – She Haunts Em; Race 3 – Ero Carpe Diem; Race 5 – Angus Indiana; Race 7 – Shoobees Spirit;
Suspensions
Race 2	Austin Mifsud		Diamondsnblue	163(1)(a)(iii)	10 days
Fines
Race 1	Christopher Shinn		Alamo	156(3)	$100
Cautions
Race 3	Glenn Hunter		Sundays Shadow	D/CDF
Race 4	Tristan Larsen		Here Comes Kyvalley NZ	D/CDF
Race 5	Paul Tonkin		Alta Beford	T/CT
Horse Actions
Race 6	Florenceofkintail		SD1T
Late Scratchings
Nil

Follow Ups - Nil

Adjourned Inquiries - Nil

Sulky Fund Claims – Nil