Stewards Report

RIVERINA PACEWAY 28/11/2023

 

Stewards	T Quick (Chief Steward), M Ross, K Lockwood
Starter	B Delaney, M Jasprizza
Veterinarian	Dr S Willis
Swab Official	J Howe
Track	Fast
Weather	Overcast

 

RACE 1 – THE TAB APP PACE – 1740 metres

 

PRINCE PARKER – Galloped out at the start for which a warning was issued.

SHIRLEY HALL – Out of position at the start, for which a warning was issued. Caught racing three wide from the start before being restrained to take up a position on the marker pegs at the rear of the field approaching the 1200 metres. Held up for clear running until near the 100 metres.

GOT THE GOODS – Examined by the Club Veterinarian prior to the race, as it has had over 200 race starts, and cleared to start. Post-race swab sampled.

AKUMA – Pre-race swab sampled.

 

RACE 2 – BENSTUD PACE – 1740 metres

 

NICOLESCRUISER – Pre-race swab sampled.

BACCARAT – Examined by the Club Veterinarian prior to the race, as it is 14 years old and it has had over 200 race starts, and cleared to start. Trainer B Yole was fined $50 under Rule 210 for not declaring a Driver for the gelding by the required time. Worked forward to take over the lead from NO MORE PROMISES near the 1200 metres. Driver J Painting was given the opportunity to comment on the below market expectations performance of the gelding, he stated that he had to work a little harder than he would have liked to obtain the lead. He added that then MOVIN ON UP, which was racing to his outside, ran along at a genuine pace resulting in him being unable to give his runner a breather mid-race. He further added given those circumstances and the time the gelding ran, which he felt was similar to its last start, he was not disappointed with it.

SOKYS FALCON – Held up for clear running until near the 100 metres, prior to obtaining a run in the sprint lane.

ANYONEWILLDO – Post-race swab sampled.

 

RACE 3 – CLEANAWAY PACE – 2270 metres

 

MIAMI SURFER – Post-race swab sampled.

MILLYS PRINCE – Tightened for room approaching the 400 metres, when racing to the inside of LIFE GETS BETTER. Near the 400 metres checked when LIFE GETS BETTER broke gait.

LIFE GETS BETTER – Pre-race swab sampled. Broke gait near the 400 metres. At a subsequent inquiry Driver M Harrington pleaded guilty to a charge under Rule 168(1)(a) for careless driving, in that approaching the 400 metres he attempted a run where there was insufficient room between MILLYS PRINCE and DUST TO DIAMONDS, as a result MILLYS PRINCE was placed in restricted room and a short distance later his runner contacted the sulky wheel of DUST TO DIAMONDS and broken gait. In assessing penalty, Stewards took into account M Harrington’s guilty plea, his good driving record with regards to this rule, and the particular circumstances of the incident. Driver M Harrington had his license to drive in races suspended for a period of 7 days.

DUST TO DIAMONDS – Examined by the Club Veterinarian prior to the race, as it is 12 years old and it has had over 200 race starts, and cleared to start. Sulky wheel contacted by LIFE GETS BETTER near the 400 metres and was checked a short distance later when that runner broke gait as a result.

BIDGEE BABE – Out of position at the start, given the circumstances, connections were advised it would be placed on its last chance in the draw. Checked leaving the 400 metres when LIFE GETS BETTER broke gait.

REDBANK HARRY – Examined by the Club Veterinarian prior to the race, as it has had over 200 race starts, and cleared to start.

 

RACE 4 – CONQUEST POOLS PACE – 2270 metres

 

General – The all-clear of this event was delayed to allow Stewards the opportunity to review the patrol footage of the start, and take evidence from a number of Driver’s, as it was apparent that the mobile had difficulty accelerating away from the field as the start was effected. Stewards were satisfied that ISLAND BOUHINIA, STYX KIWI NZ, JEKAMIAS NZ and LIGTNING BABY NZ all suffered interference as a result of the mobile not being able to obtain sufficient traction to accelerate away from the field following rain. Stewards were of the view that this had adversely affected their settling positions and the settling positions of the remaining runners and materially affected the outcome of the race. Stewards ordered the race be declared a no-race with all bets to be refunded.

ROCKEN IN A STORM – Examined by the Club Veterinarian prior to the race, as it was having its first race start in over 12 months, and cleared to start. Tired over the concluding stages.

ISLAND BOUHINIA – Pre-race swab sampled. Checked after the start due to the mobile being unable to accelerate away from the field on the wet surface. Over-raced during the middle stages of the event.

STYX KIWI NZ – Checked after the start due to the mobile being unable to accelerate away from the field on the wet surface. Tired over the concluding stages.

JEKAMIAS NZ – Checked after the start due to the mobile being unable to accelerate away from the field on the wet surface. Held up for clear running over the concluding stages of the race.

LIGTNING BABY NZ – Checked after the start due to the mobile being unable to accelerate away from the field on the wet surface.

MOSSMAN NZ – Pre-race swab sampled. Post-race swab sampled.

 

RACE 5 – D & L EARTHMOVING PACE – 1740 metres

 

General – Prior to the running of this race the mobile was tested at the 1740 metre starting point, following the test, Stewards in consultation with the Starter deemed the mobile was unable to obtain sufficient traction on the rain effected track to safely start the remaining races and those races were abandoned.

SOHO MATISSE – Pre-race swab sampled.

 

RACE 6 – FERELLA & SONS PLUMBING PACE – 1740 metres

 

SCOTTIE MACH – Pre-race swab sampled.

 

SUPPLEMENTARY REPORT – WAGGA 21^ST NOVEMBER 2023, RACE 4

 

OUR REBEL YELL – Stewards this evening questioned Driver N Woodhouse regarding his tactics in the above race, in particular whether there was an opportunity to shift wider approaching the 400 metres to obtain clear running, or if he could ease wider rounding the home turn, or upon entering the home straight. Trainer B Woodhouse was also present in the inquiry and gave evidence regarding the intended tactics and how the gelding had been driven previously. N Woodhouse stated that the gelding only has a relatively short sprint and performs best in his view when saved for a final sprint when it settles in a position with cover. He added that he was mindful of its most recent start at Albury on the 14^th of November, when he shifted wider at the 400 metres and the gelding was not competitive at the finish, so was reluctant to commence a run at that stage in front of SMASH IT, and he was happy following GUYS BETTOR BET, as he was of the view that it had superior form and felt it would take him into the race. He further added that he did not attempt to shift SMASH IT wider rounding the turn as he still felt comfortable following GUYS BETTOR BET at that point and did not want to cause unnecessary interference. N Woodhouse added that upon entering the home straight he considered making a run to the inside of GUYS BETTOR BET however felt that would not afford him a clear run so a short distance later shifted out around SMASH IT to obtain clear running. He further added that he felt the gelding had peaked on its run nearing the finish line and shifting out earlier would not have altered its finishing position. Stewards noted his comments, and advised N Woodhouse as he gained more experience they would expect him to attempt to ease wider near the 200 metres in similar circumstances.

 

SUMMARY
Reprimands	Nil
Fines	Race 2 – B Yole – $50 – BACCARAT – Rule 210
Suspensions	Race 3 – M Harrington – 7 Days – LIFE GETS BETTER – Rule 168(1)(a)
Barrier Information	Nil
Trials/Stand Down	Nil
Late Scratchings	Nil
Adjourned Inquiries	Nil