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STIPENDIARY STEWARDS REPORT


Invercargill Harness Racing Club Inc at Ascot Park RacewaySaturday, 24 January 2015  
Meeting
Club: Invercargill Harness Racing Club Inc at Ascot Park Raceway
Weather: Fine
Track: Fast
Rail: Not applicable
Stewards: C Allison (Chairman), C Boyd, N McIntyre
Typist: B Gutsell
 
General
Pre-race blood testing was conducted.
Supplementary:
Central Otago TC - Friday, 2nd January 2015
Race 8 - ALEXANDRA SUPER LIQUOR/MACCA LODGE MOBILE PACE
The Stewards lodged informations with the Judicial Control Authority in relation to the drives by horsemen J Cox (CERATO) and M Williamson (THE SHAKEY MISTRESS) pursuant to Rule 869(3)(g) - alleging both horsemen drove in a manner capable of diminishing the chances of their respective horses winning. Both horsemen have not admitted the alleged breach and a date for an upcoming hearing is to be set by the Judicial Control Authority.
Northern Southland TC - Thursday, 15th January 2015
Race 7 - YALDHURST HOTEL NORTHERN SOUTHLAND CUP (HANDICAP PACE)
Trainer D McLachlan contacted to Stewards to advise he had a scan taken from BETTOR'S BRIGADIER following its disappointing performance. Mr McLachlan advised the scan showed BETTOR'S BRIGADIER had a small hole in the tendon and it was his intention to give BETTOR'S BRIGADIER a lengthy spell prior to resuming racing.
Summary
Swabbing:   SPLASH COLA, A DAMN GOOD EXCUSE, ALTA LAS VEGAS, TAS MAN BROMAC, ALLEY WAY, DELIGHTFUL DASH, NUREYEV, JOHNNY FOX, BELKMYSTER, PULP FICTION, POPPYMALDA
Protests:   Nil
Suspensions:   Nil
Fines:   Nil
Warnings:   Nil
Bleeders:   Nil
Horse Actions: Race 1 SNOOP DOG - Warned Stands
  Race 4 SHARDS PHOENIX - Warned Stands
  Race 6 RIVER PATROL - Warned Mobiles - Caused False Start
  Race 9 THE WRATH OF ROBYN - Warned Stands
Medical Certificates:   Nil
Driver Changes:   Nil
Late Scratchings: Race 8 TACT CHARLOTTE - Late scratching at 8.46am on veterinary advice
  Race 10 SMART CAESAR - Late scratching at 8.40am on veterinary advice
  Race 11 SCARLETT LANE - Late Scratching at 2.15pm on veterinary advice
Scratching Penalties: Ineligible from 25/01/2015 until 28/01/2015 inclusive (4 days):
MR MAYFLY, TACT CHARLOTTE, SMART CAESAR
  Ineligible from 25/01/2015 until 03/02/2015 inclusive (10 days):
BONE OF CONTENTION, SPACE ACE, I TRY, COSTA DEL MAGNIFICO
  Exceptional Circumstances:
ISAIAH
 
Race Comments
Race 1 SBS BANK HANDICAP TROT Video  Video 
As the tapes were released SNOOP DOG backed away with ONE TWO KENNY, SPLASH COLA, CHIOLA BELLE and MASS INVASION all having to take evasive action with MASS INVASION being the worst affected runner. The connections of SNOOP DOG were issued with a warning to improve the standing start manners of their gelding.
GEE UP NEDDY broke at the start and again with approximately 450 metres to run when racing in the parked position.
Shortly after the start SCARLETT LANE broke losing all chance and was pulled up from the running.
ANOTHER CRUSHER hung rounding the first bend and again for the majority of the race.
HOPE AND PRAY hung on the bend by the 1900 metres and trotted roughly and broke passing the 1800 metres with the top clip on the near side number breaking. HOPE AND PRAY was subsequently retired from the event by driver J Dunn.
ANOTHER CRUSHER struck pylons rounding the final bend when hanging inwards.
The Stewards withheld authorisation of all placings until they had reviewed replays of the start and spoken to horseman C Barron (MASS INVASION). After viewing the replays the Stewards were satisfied SNOOP DOG had backed away after the tapes were released and all placings were duly authorised.
Following this event dual acceptor SCARLETT LANE underwent a veterinary examination and was found to have tied up with the mare being late scratched from Race 11.
 
Race 2 PGG WRIGHTSON MOBILE PACE Video  Video 
A knee boot had to be replaced on TACT TATE prior to the start after it came off during the preliminary.
NOTHINGFORTHEMEDIA broke for a few strides shortly after the start.
Racing into the first bend NOTHINGFORTHEMEDIA (T Williams) which was hanging inwards broke when racing to the outside of BALAGIO (A Beck) which shifted ground outwards. NOTHINGFORTHEMEDIA failed to settle and lost all chance.
LEOLAS DELIGHT hung while racing in the parked position in the middle stages.
ZAC MAC hung outwards near the bend with 900 metres to run.
Stewards questioned horseman T Williams regarding the breaking of NOTHINGFORTHEMEDIA racing into the first bend. Mr Williams advised that NOTHINGFORTHEMEDIA had been pacing roughly and he had taken hold of the gelding at this point. He further added NOTHINGFORTHEMEDIA was not progressing forward on BALAGIO which had shifted ground outwards. Stewards also spoke with driver A Beck who advised he felt he was entitled to shift outwards however was taken wider on the track when DISSOLUTION had improved in front of him. After hearing from the respective horsemen and viewing the replays no further action was required.
 
Race 3 CRUICKSHANK PRYDE 2YO MOBILE PACE Video  Video 
TACT ROUSEY broke late in the score up however recovered to take up its rightful position on the mobile at the dispatch point.
Just after the start BITE THE BULLET raced greenly and shifted ground outwards resulting in TAKITIMU EXPRESS and SKYFALL having to be steadied.
ARDEN'S LEGACY and BITE THE BULLET both over raced through the middle stages after BITE THE BULLET had challenged ARDEN'S LEGACY for the lead approaching the 1700 metres.
With approximately 120 metres to run SNAKES N LADDERS (T Williams) briefly locked wheels with BITE THE BULLET (D Dunn) when SNAKES N LADDERS was attempting to improve into a marginal gap.
The Stewards questioned T Williams as to why he elected to shift ground inwards near the 700 metres after initially improving three wide. Mr Williams advised that SNAKES N LADDERS had raced greenly at this stage of the race and as the pace increased SNAKES N LADDERS was not travelling as well as he thought. He also believed the parked horse BITE THE BULLET was travelling well and he was happy to follow that runner. Mr Williams added that SNAKES N LADDERS had run on fairly in the home straight and had raced greenly when he attempted to improve into a gap over the concluding stages. Mr Williams also advised that SNAKES N LADDERS would be gelded and sent for a spell after today's race.
 
Race 4 FORKLIFTS NZ HANDICAP PACE Video  Video 
There was a delay to the start after SHARDS PHOENIX which was fractious was sent to the outside by the Starter pursuant to Rule 860(8). The connections of SHARDS PHOENIX were issued with a warning to improve the standing start manners of their mare.
DOUBLE RAINBOW and EVEN FLO both broke at the start.
I'M FULL OF EXCUSES paced roughly then rolled into a gallop with 2200 metres to run.
With 750 metres to run SHARDS PHOENIX commenced to over race and sky its head when being restrained by driver M Williamson.
 
Race 5 BRENDAN FRANKS FARRIER HANDICAP TROT Video  Video 
JACCKA JACK broke badly at the start losing considerable ground.
MOMENT OF SUN raced keenly through the early stages.
FATHER CHRISTMAS broke with 1500 metres to run with driver B Williamson advising the Stewards that FATHER CHRISTMAS had stumbled causing it to break.After viewing the replays Mr. Williamson was of the opinion FATHER CHRISTMAS had struck itself on a shin.
EXPERIMENT was held up round the final bend and over the early stages of the run home.
Near the 150 metres MOMENT OF SUN had to be steadied briefly when DWINDLE MIST shifted outwards slightly.
SIR LEXINGTON trotted roughly over the concluding stages. Stewards ordered a post-race veterinary examination of the horse after it appeared uneven in its gait over the final stages. The subsequent veterinary examination revealed SIR LEXINGTON to have a slow recovery rate and to be showing effects of heat stress. The examination also showed SIR LEXINGTON to have an unusual action, with signs of an historical knee injury however there were no current clinical abnormalities detected.
 
Race 6 SHEET METALCRAFT LTD MOBILE PACE Video  Video 
A false start was declared when RIVER PATROL broke late in the score up checking COOL CHANGES on the second line. Driver R Swain elected to remain in his allotted position with RIVER PATROL for the restart. The connections of RIVER PATROL were advised a warning for causing a false start and been placed on the racing record of the gelding.
In the restart ONEDIN PLAYGIRL broke in the score up and failed to settle for a considerable distance.
PRIVATE JET raced ungenerously through the early stages having to be steadied by driver B Barclay.
LEIGH MAJOR was held up rounding the final bend and had to shift ground in the home straight to obtain clear racing room. LEIGH MAJOR then had to be steadied just short of the winning post when hanging in and shifting ground onto SUMTALA on its inside.
PRIVATE JET hung inwards after straightening for the run home.
When questioned regarding the performance of favourite THINKING SMART driver D Dunn advised the Stewards that he felt that THINKING SMART had become unsettled after the false start and had not been genuine over the final stages of the race.
 
Race 7 ARDEN LODGE ROBIN DUNDEE CROWN MARES MOBILE PACE Video  Video 
BOOTIE BROMAC was held up rounding the final bend.
DOUBLE IMPACT was also held up rounding the final bend by CAESARS GAMBLE which was tiring.
 
Race 8 KINA CRAIG STUD MOBILE PACE Video  Video 
TACT CHARLOTTE was a late scratching on veterinary advice at 8.40am after showing signs of lameness in the off side fore leg.
The Murphy Blind was removed from SCHERGER ROYAL prior to the start due to the gelding warming up unfavourably in the preliminary.
JACKS SALUTE broke briefly in the score up but recovered to take up its rightful position on the mobile at the dispatch.
After approximately 250 metres JACKS SALUTE which had just reached the lead paced roughly and broke briefly inconveniencing OHOKA BUD and ROCKY ROAD which were both forced wider on the track.
ARDEN CASTLE had to shift ground in the home straight to gain clear racing room before finishing strongly for third placing.
 
Race 9 ASCOT PARK HOTEL INVERCARGILL CUP (HANDICAP PACE) Video  Video 
After the tapes were released THE WRATH OF ROBYN backed away then broke losing considerable ground. The connections of THE WRATH OF ROBYN were warned to improve the standing start manners of their gelding.
QUICK AS A TRICK reared as the start was made then broke for several strides.
ONEDIN MACH broke over the early stages.
After approximately 100 metres BETTER TO BE BAD broke badly losing considerable ground.
Passing the 2800 metre mark CANARDLY LOVER which was racing in the trail broke free of interference resulting in the trailing JANGO FETT and METICULOUS shifting ground outwards to improve around the breaking runner. DEVIL MAY CARE and BELKMYSTER also had to be steadied during this incident.
Near the 300 metres CANARDLY LOVER broke again after being shifted wider on the track by JANGO FETT which was shifting ground outwards to find racing room. As this occurred METICULOUS which was held up at this stage of the race shifted ground outwards dictating JANGO FETT wider on the track. Driver S Walkinshaw (CANARDLY LOVER) did not apportion any blame to any other horse or horseman.
Stewards questioned driver T Williams (METICULOUS) regarding the tactics he adopted when he elected not to improve his position when the opportunity arose with 1400 metres to run. Mr Williams advised that he had used METICULOUS early in the race and the horse had settled well. He further added that he was aware that METICULOUS can over race and due to it being a 3200 metre race he did not believe he could sit in the parked position for the final 1400 metres and be competitive over the final stages. He further added when METICULOUS was used during the running in a 3200 metre event at the Tuapeka HRC this had taken its toll on the gelding. After hearing Mr Williams explanation no further action was required.
 
Race 10 MCKNIGHT & BROWN MOBILE PACE Video  Video 
RISK FACTOR was held up rounding the final bend.
Driver K Larsen reported to the Stewards he was unable to activate the sliding blinds on RISK FACTOR when they became entangled.
Stewards will speak with trainer / driver H Hunter in the coming days regarding the performance of favoured runner GROOMSMAN
 
Race 11 MORE FM HANDICAP TROT Video  Video 
The official start time for this race was changed to 7:29pm at the request of the TAB due to the abandonment of some Australian race meetings.
Dual acceptor SCARLETT LANE was a late scratching on veterinary advice when the mare tied up after racing in Race 1 today.
OVERCAST broke at the start losing considerable ground.
ANOTHERSUPERSTAR broke rounding the first bend.
GOLDEN GATE (J Ryan) raced three wide without cover through the early and middles stages.
SOUTHLAND REFLECTOR broke nearing the 1700 metres.
NO POTATO trotted roughly then broke with 750 metres to run when in the trailing position.
STARLIGHT INVASION gave ground on the final bend with the trailing PYRAMID MONARCH being held up.
ANOTHERSUPERSTAR broke again with 400 metres to run.
With 250 metres to run GREY POWER broke and failed to settle for the remainder of the race.
The Stewards questioned trainer / driver J Ryan regarding the manner he drove GOLDEN GATE when being caught three wide without cover through the early and middle stages of the race. Mr Ryan advised he initially attempted to improve his position however due to the strong speed of the race he was unable to do so as the parked horse GREY POWER kept improving its position. Mr Ryan then stated that he had eased backwards in an attempt to shift ground inwards however when he did so the vacant positions were taken by horses on each occasion. After hearing from Mr Ryan an taking into consideration the strong speed of the race the Stewards accepted his explanation however reminded him when the opportunity exists to ease another runner downwards he should be more assertive in similar situations. Mr Ryan was advised a higher standard of his horsemanship would be expected from him in his future drives.