Stewards Report

ALBURY 1/10/2024

 

Stewards	M Ross (Chairman), M Jasprizza & K Lockwood
Starter	P Bandy
Veterinarian	Dr R Bennett
Swab Official	L Franks
Track	Good
Weather	Fine

 

RACE 1 – TAB VENUE MODE PACE – 1770 metres

VILLAGE AREA – Post-race swab.

MAHINDI NZ – ($9.00) Driver Josh Duggan was queried into the overall performance of the mare which finished in 6^th position beaten 14m after racing outside the leader from passing the 1400m. Mr Duggan advised the mare to be slightly disappointing & attributed the performance to the mare enduring more work than expected during the early stages of the event. 

WOODLEA DIEGO NZ – Pre-race swab. 

SLIPPIN THE LIFE – ($3.20) Driver Rodney Coelli was queried into the overall performance of the gelding which finished in 5^th position beaten 11.8m after racing in a favorable one-one position throughout the event. Mr Coelli advised the gelding to disappointing and SLIPPIN THE LIFE failed to travel sufficiently throughout the event and felt the gelding may not have backed up from its most recent start on 24^th September 2024. A post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any abnormalities.

FOXYONTHERUN – Pre-race swab. Broke during the latter stages of the score up and was out of position when the start was effected. A warning was issued against the barrier manners of FOXYONTHERUN.

KING KULAFU – Broke gait during the latter stages of the score up and was out of position when the start was effected. KING KULAFU will continue to be drawn wide in future mobile events.

RACE 2– MURRAY CUP 14^TH FEBRUARY 2025 PACE – 1770 metres 

General: Stewards delayed the All Clear to allow Trainer Barry Healey of 2^nd past the post BARWEN STORM to view the photo finish imagine between first (1^st) & second (2^nd) placings. After viewing the photo finish imagine Mr Healey was satisfied there was a margin between first & second and stewards declared All Clear on the judge’s numbers.

A ROCKNROLL STAR NZ – Pre-race swab

CRESCO THREEPEAT – Post-race swab.

UPRIGHT – Shifted outwards under pressure inside the final 100m. A warning was issued against the racing manners of UPRIGHT.

ALL SO SASSY – Tightened momentarily entering the first turn when OUR ROCKY shifted up the track. 

OUR ROCKY – Pre-race swab.

DUST TO DIAMONDS – Underwent pre and post-race veterinary examinations due to the gelding attaining the age of 12 years or older & having started in excess of 200 starts. Neither examination revealed any significant abnormalities. Pulled hard during the middle stages of the event.

RACE 3 – COROWA CHAFF MILL PACE – 1770 metres

CONSPIRATOR NZ – Post-race swab. 

SPEEDY SPIDA – Pre-race swab. 

BLUES TERROR – Held up and failed to gain clear running for the entire length of the home straight. 

MELATI BOY – Driver Bryce Campbell was reminded of his obligations when applying the whip over the final 200m.

RACE 4– HARD AS CONCRETERS PACE – 1770 metres

CALL ME DRAGON – Pre-race swab & Post-race swab.

JACKS LAST HOO RAA – Held up and failed to gain clear running.

RACE 5 – DTD ENGINEERING PACE – 1770 metres

General: Stewards intend to review all wagering on this event.

MOREARTSTHANCLASS – Post-race swab.

TASSIE SAFARI – Inconvenienced & forced wider on the track leaving the back straight on the first occasion. 

KEEPCRACKINGJOKES – ($6.00) Pre-race swab. Driver Steven Matson was queried into the seemingly improved performance of the mare to recent starts. Mr Matson advised the connections were confident of a forward performance as the mare performed well at its most recent start in a final half recorded in (57.9) over the longer distance at Yarra Valley. Mr Matson explained KEEPCRACKINGJOKES was dropping significantly in grade combined with its prior rating grade events being up to 50 with this event being for runners up to 34 rating, and only recording a final half of 59.9 seconds combined with an overall mile rate of 2.1.2 for the 1770m event. Driver Steven Matson pleaded guilty to a charge under AHR Rule 156(3) the particulars of the charge being he applied the whip in an unapproved manner by applying the whip to the mare on more occasions than permitted inside the final 400m. In assessing penalty Stewards considered the relevant factors as outlined within the HRNSW Penalty Guidelines placing weight on Mr Matson’s guilty plea, his prior record under this rule, which indicated this was his third offence inside the required sixty (60) day or drive period. Stewards accordingly imposed a fine of $400 & a seven (7) day suspension of his license to drive in races which was ordered to commence at midnight on 2^nd October 2024.

HILLY – Underwent pre and post-race veterinary examinations due to the gelding having started in excess of 200 starts. Neither examination revealed any significant abnormalities. Driver Roger Strong pleaded guilty to a charge under AHR Rule 163(1)(b)(ii) The particulars of the charge being leaving the back straight on the first occasion whilst racing in a half carting position he permitted HILLY to shift out when insufficiently clear of  TASSIE SAFARI which had progressed to his outside wheel and forced that runner wider than necessarily and lose its rightful position in the running line prior to the designated ease out area. In assessing penalty Stewards considered the relevant factors as outlined within the HRNSW Penalty Guidelines placing weight on Mr Strong’s guilty plea, his forthright evidence his prior record under this rule (January 2024, 228 drives) since last offence and the racing manners of HILLY which contributed to the incident. Stewards accordingly imposed a suspension of his licence to drive in raced for a period of seven (7) days which was ordered to commence at midnight on 1st October 2024.

YOO TRISH – Will now be placed outside the draw in future mobile start event.

RACE 6 – NEWMARKET HOTEL PACE – 1770 metres

WINSUM BELLA – Post-race swab.

ABRAHAM – Shifted outwards under pressure inside the final 150m. A warning was issued against the racing manners of ABRAHAM.

UNIT FORTY ONE – Pre-race swab & Post-race swab.

RACE 7 – PLAYERS PLAYER LAUREN MILLAR PACE – 1770 metres

BE GOOD MIKI – Raced roughly after the start was effected. A warning was issued against the barrier manners of BE GOOD MIKI.

NIFTY AMBITION – Broke its near side hopple connecting strap & broke gait soon after start was effected. NIFTY AMBITION was subsequently retired from the event. The gear was inspected by stewards and found to be of sound quality. No action was taken against the barrier or racing manners of NIFTY AMBITION.

ASHFORD SHARK – Post-race swab.

LITTLE SHOWGIRL – Pre-race swab.

OLE CHESTER – Out of position when the start was effected. Stewards refined taking any action against the driver or the horse due to the speed of the mobile increasing. Connections were advised OLE CHESTER would be required to complete one further out of the draw start. Raced roughly shortly after the start was effected.

 

SUMMARY
Reprimands	Nil
Fines	Race 5 – S Matson – Rule 156(3) – $400
Suspensions	Race 5 – S Matson – Rule 156(3) – 7 Days Race 5 – R Strong – Rule 163(1)(b)(ii) – 7 Days
Barrier Information	Race 1 – KING KULAFU – CODM Race 5 – YOO TRISH – ODM
Trials/Stand Down	Nil
Late Scratching	Nil
Adjourned Inquiries	Nil
Medical Clearance	Nil
Follow up’s	Nil