/ OFFICE OF RACING INTEGRITY
HARNESS RACING STEWARDS REPORT
CLUB: LAUNCESTON PACING CLUB
DATE: SUNDAY 28 FEBRUARY 2016 / TRACK: GOOD
WEATHER: FINE
STEWARDS: / A CROWTHER (CHAIRMAN)
S QUILL
C DAY
B BAUDINETTE
C BRYDON
G GRIFFIN (STARTER)
VETERINARY SURGEON: / DR PHILLIPA SIMS

Rohan Hadley was unable to drive and was replaced as follows;

Race 2 - DODGERMEMATE- Rohan Hillier.

Race 4 - DEVIL OF TYNE- James Austin

Race 5 - OUTBACK MACH- Todd Rattray.

Race 7 – INNER CITY – Erin Holloway.

Race 10 - MASTER CHARLIE- Ricky Duggan.

RACE 1 – LAUNCESTON BELMONT – 1680 METRES

SOMETHINGSWEETABOUTME raced rough on the first turn then broke in the home straight and then tired and tailed the field underwent a veterinary examination which indicated a significant lameness in the near hind leg. The filly has been stood down from racing until a veterinary certificate of fitness to race has been produced.

HARSHALI hung in despite the efforts of driver Todd Rattray checking PLAYING ARKABELLA which raced rough. HARSHALI has been placed on its last chance to race truly.

ADELE SAID broke free of interference approaching the first turn and has been placed on its last chance to race truly.

In the home straight on the first occasion PLAYING ARKABELLA (Ricky Duggan) hung out checking ADELE SAID which broke for a few strides. PLAYING ARKABELLA has been placed on its last chance to race truly.

RACE 2 – IMPRESS PRINT STAKES – 2200 METRES

REGAL STRIDE pulled hard in the early stages before working around and sitting outside the leader. The gelding then tired from the 600 meters. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no apparent abnormalities and Trainer/driver Paul Ashwood explained that the gelding had commenced to strike its sulky with its hind legs early in the event causing it to over race to the extent that he was unable to restrain to the one out line and that his only option was to allow it to stride forward. REGAL STRIDE has been placed on its last chance to race truly. JARUZELSKI LEIS was briefly held up in the back straight as REGAL STRIDE commenced to tire before then successfully shifting to a position three wide.

RACE 3 – NICHOLS SOUND & COMMUNICATIONS PACE DIVISION ONE – 2200 METRES

PARWILL which broke after the start has been placed out of the mobile start draw.

Stewards inquired into the whip use by driver Wade Rattray (BAROOGA BUSTER). Mr Rattray pleaded guilty to a charge under AR 156(2) which states “a driver shall have a rein in each hand at all times unless adjusting gear or using whip in the final 200 metres of the race.” The particulars were that Mr Rattray had crossed his reins and commenced to use his whip in a free hand on the home turn and had used it on at least four occasions prior to the 200 metre mark being reached. After hearing submissions on penalty Mr Rattray was fined the sum of $200.

Stewards queried driver Todd Rattray (SIGN OF ORO). Mr Rattray explained that that gelding which was wearing a rein burr on its near side had a tendency to shift out away from that burr before then assuming its correct position near the candy pole. That gelding has been placed on its last chance in the draw. The gelding which also tired to be beaten 69 metres underwent a post-race veterinary examination which revealed no apparent abnormalities. Trainer Ben Yole explained that the only abnormality which presented after the race was a boil on the gelding’s back and that the gelding would not be nominated to race this week. SIGN OF ORO has been placed on its last chance to race truly.

JETCRAFT tired from the 450 metres and momentarily locked wheels with DO IT FOR DAVE(C Salter), inconveniencing BLACK SADDLE which was trailing. Trainer Deborah Williams advised that there were no apparent issues with the gelding following the race and the gelding would not be nominated next week, adding that gear changes may also be effected.

No action was taken against SWEET PEA JASPER (Paul Ashwood) and DO IT FOR DAVE (Christian Salter) which were not fully in position at the start.

KOUPER BAILEY has now been placed back in the mobile draw.

RACE 4 – ISLAND BLOCK & PAVING STAKES – 2200 METRES

Connections of SAMMY SEELSTER advised that the gelding would be driven forward from its favourable draw. Stewards approved the change of tactics and the gelding was driven accordingly. Driver Mark Yole was reprimanded for using his whip in a down low, side arm action in contravention of AHRR 156(3)(c) as the driver of SAMMY SEELSTER in the home straight. Post-race swab samples were taken from the gelding which was the winner of the event.

RACE 5 – LAUNCESTON MILE – 1680 METRES

Acting on a confirmed telephone call from trainer Christian Salter who advised that VANDE VELDE had gone through a fence and had wire marks and swelling to its near hind leg and was unfit to start. Stewards ordered that gelding withdrawal at 12.44pm. A 28 day stand down has been applied which may be varied upon production of a vets certificate.

At approximately the 300 metre mark REMEMBER JOE raced rough and then broke and shifted out locking wheels with OUTBACK MACH (Todd Rattray). Driver Todd Rattray was then dislodged from the sulky and OUTBACK MACH was retired from the event. OUTBACK MACH underwent a post-race veterinary examination which revealed minor abrasions. Driver Todd Rattray was examined by on course ambulance officer and was cleared to complete his driving commitments. REMEMBER JOE underwent a post-race veterinary examination which revealed the gelding to be reluctant to trot out and have a shuffling hind limb gate indicating soreness behind. Connections of REMEMBER JOE have been advised that they must in the first instance present a veterinary certificate of fitness to race and the gelding would be stood down from racing for a period of 14 days and until the completion of two consecutive satisfactory trials before being cleared to race.

A post-race swab sample was taken from QUEENS ADVOCATE NZ, winner of the event.

RACE 6 – ALLEN WILLIAMS MEMORIAL HEAT FIVE – 2200 METRES

JIMMY DE PANDA was slow to muster speed after the start.

ART OF MY ART hung in during the score-up.

RACE 7 – NEIL PITTS PTY LTD STAKES – 2200 METRES

RYLEY MAJOR which hung out in the score up and was out of position at the start will be placed on its last chance in the draw. The gelding then hung out in running.

LAST QUICKSTEP and INNER CITY were both out of position at the start and will continue to be out of the draw.

SOHO SHANGHAI NZ which was out of position by some considerable distance will also continue to be placed right out of the draw. The gelding then worked forward in the middle stages of the event. The gelding then made a three wide run from the 1300 metres taking the lead at the bell and then tired from the 300 meters to finish beaten 53 metres. The gelding underwent a post-race veterinary examination which revealed no apparent abnormalities. Stewards queried driver Troy Hiller who explained that after tacking on to the field the gelding initially travelled kindly but then commenced to pull hard, adding that the gelding was then ungenerous and hung out, as such he allowed the gelding to progress three wide and crossed to the lead. The gelding has been placed on its last chance to race truly.

LAST QUICKSTEP broke under pressure and has been placed on its last chance to race truly.

CARDINAL FINN which led the event and had the lead taken away at the bell then tired from the 500 metres to finish distanced underwent a post-race veterinary examination which revealed no apparent abnormalities. CARDINAL FINN has been stood down from racing for ten days and until the completion of a satisfactory trial.

RACE 8 – THREE YEAR OLD FILLIES CHAMPIONSHIP – 2200 METRES

No action was taken against driver Todd Rattray (GLENENISE) in relation to the sectionals in the event due to the 2 second faster than average lead time.

A post-race swab sample was taken from CHICA BELLA, winner of the event and RIVERLEGIRL, runner up.

Stewards inquired into the whip use of driver Paul Ashwood (RIVERLEGIRL). Mr Ashwood pleaded guilty to a charge under AHRR 156(2) for crossing his reins and using his whip with a free hand on four occasions prior to the 200 metres. Mr Ashwood was fined the sum of $200. He then pleaded guilty to a further charge under AHRR 156(3)(b) for his excessive whip action which was a full arm and shoulder action when driving out in the home straight. MR Ashwood was further fined the sum of $400.

KARALTA STARDUST hung in during the event.

The sulky tyre of TISU BOMBBELLE became flat passing the 1600 meters. The filly was then retired from the event by driver Troy Hillier when the tyre came off the rim.

A post-race veterinary examination was carried out on REASON TO GRIN which revealed no apparent abnormalities. Stewards queried driver Craig Sweeny into relation of the length of his challenge for the lead. Mr Sweeney explained that the filly had been successful in the past when able to lead at this track and he persisted in his challenge when he was all but across the first starter GLENENISE at the bell before then taking hold some 100 metres later. REASON TO GRIN tired in the last lap to finish distanced and will be stood down for ten days and until the completion of a satisfactory trial. Mr Sweeney later advised that blood samples taken from the filly in the days after the race indicated that the filly was suffering from a bacterial infection which would be treated with antibiotics.

RACE 9 – FOUR YEAR OLD CLASSIC – 2200 METRES

Acting on a confirmed telephone call from trainer Rohan Hillier who advised that JERRYS JET was suffering from a stone bruise or foot abscess in its near fore and was unfit to start Stewards ordered that geldings withdrawal at 12.41pm. A 28 day stand down has been applied which may be varied upon production of a vets certificate.

FOUR EX DAN hung out briefly with 1000 meters to go.

A post-race swab sample was taken from FOUR EX DAN, winner of the event.

RACE 10 – 6TY STAKES DIVISION TWO – 2200 METRES

Stewards inquired into the tactics adopted by trainer/driver Rodney Ashwood (REBEL DIAMOND). Mr Ashwood pleaded guilty to a charge under AR 44(1) for failing to notify tactics contrary to the horse’s usual racing pattern. Mr Ashwood was fined the sum of $100.

Driver Paul Ashwood (FUTURE PROMISES) was reprimanded for failing to maintain his position at the start under the provisions of AHRR 162(1)(j).

GOTTALOVEFRIDAYS which broke free of interference on the first turn has been placed on its last chance to race truly.

INGLIS which was out of position at the start will continue to be placed right out of the draw.

RACE 11 – LEES ORCHARD PACE – 2200 METRES

Connections advise d that KINGS LAW would be driven further forward due to its more favourable draw. Stewards approved the change of tactics and the gelding was then driven with a sit behind the leader when the horses drawn to its inside both went forward out of the gate.

GENERAL

Sunday 14 February 2016

Trainer Julie Johnson reported that CRANBRE which performed below market expectations underwent blood testing and chiropractic treatment following its poor performance which indicated the gelding was suffering from muscle soreness. Ms Johnson advised that the gelding would be treated to remedy this condition before it again races.

Wednesday 24 February 2016 – Henty House

An inquiry was held at Henty House, Launceston on Wednesday 24 February into the circumstances around trainer Ben Rossendell preparing DUCT TAPE and WARRIOR MAC to race prior to renewing his licence. Mr Rossendell pleaded guilty to a charge under AHRR 91(1) which says a person shall not carry out a licenced activity whilst not the holder of a licence. In considering penalty Stewards took into consideration his forthright evidence and cooperation during the inquiry, his guilty plea and Mr Rossendell was fined the sum of $750.

Friday 19 February 2016 – Devonport Harness Racing Club

Stewards concluded an inquiry stemming from Devonport Harness Racing Club on Friday 19 February into use of offensive language by owner Daniel Hill in the back straight area around the time of race 9. Mr Hill pleaded guilty to a charge for misconduct under AR 231(2) and was fined the sum of $200.

SUMMARY
REPRIMANDS / R4 – M YOLE – AR 156(3)(c) Whip outside sulky confines
R10 – P ASHWOOD – AR 162(1)(j) Fail to maintain barrier position
FINES / DHRC 19/2/16 – D HILL - $200 – AR 231(2) Misconduct
R3 – W RATTRAY - $200 – AR 156(2) Whip freehand
R8 – P ASHWOOD - $200 – AR 156 (2) – Whip freehand
R8 – P ASHWOOD- $400 – AR 156(3)(b) – Whip excessive
R10 – R ASHWOOD - $100 – AR 44(1) – Failure to notify change in tactics
SUSPENSIONS / NIL
HORSE ACTIONS / PARWILL – ODM
SOMETHINGSWEETABOUTME – VET CERT
REMEMBER JOE – VET CERT, SD14D, SD2T
LAST QUICKSTEP – CODM
INNER CITY – CODM
SOHO SHANGHAI NZ – CRODM
REASON TO GRIN – SD10D, SD1T
CARDINAL FINN – SD10D, SD1T
INGLIS – CRODM
KOUPER BAILEY - BMD
LICENSED PERSONS ACTIONS / NIL
PRE-RACE SWAB SUMMARY
Race 2 / JARUZELSKI LEIS
Race 3 / UNION FORCE
SIGN OF ORO
SWEET PEA JASPER
Race 4 / BYMARJAC
SAMMY SEELSTER
MAJORAMA
Race 5 / REMEMBER JOE
Race 6 / BAROOGA JEZZA
AHURA ART
Race 8 / REASON TO GRIN
RIVERLEGIRL
ITZ GEMMAS DELIGHT
CHICA BELLA
Race 9 / FOUR EX DAN
NO SPRING SECRETS
BLACKJACKHANOVER
Race 11 / ATTORNEY STRIDE
POST-RACE SWAB SUMMARY
Race 4 / SAMMY SEELSTER
Race 5 / QUEENS ADVOCATE NZ
Race 8 / CHICA BELLA
RIVERLEGIRL
Race 9 / FOUR EX DAN

ADRIAN CROWTHER