VIC - Stewards Supplementary Report
Maryborough – 16 March 2022
RACE 7 – BENSTUD BACK STRAIGHT PACE (2190 MS)
Eric Anderson, stable representative of Renko NZ advised subsequent to the poor performance at Maryborough on March 16 2022, that the gelding had pulled up fine. Mr.Anderson stated Renko NZ had worked well since and is engaged to race at Bendigo this Thursday (24/3/2022).
Shepparton – 18 March 2022
RACE 9 – BEN O’DONOGHUE MEMORIAL MAIDEN PACE (2190MS)
Jason Hackett, trainer of Follow The Eclipse advised subsequent to the poor performance at Shepparton on 19 March 2022, that the gelding had recovered well. Mr.Hackett stated Follow The Eclipse wasn’t suited to racing without cover over the longer distance, and would look for a shorter race and potentially drive the gelding quieter if circumstances allow. Follow The Eclipse will continue with the current preparation.
Tabcorp Park Melton – 19 March 2022
RACE 7 – ALLIED EXPRESS IAN DAFF MEMORIAL
David Miles, trainer of Enchanted Stride advised subsequent to the poor performance at Tabcorp Park Melton on 19 March 2022, that he was awaiting results of blood tests. Mr.Miles stated Enchanted Stride will undergo a full veterinary check next Monday (28/3/2022) and any abnormalities will be reported to Stewards.
Charlton – 20 March 2022
RACE 4 – CUP DAY FANATICS 3YO CLASSIC (2100MS)
Jason Hackett, trainer of Gamer advised subsequent to the poor performance at Charlton on 20 March 2022, that the colt had pulled up well. Mr.Hackett stated Gamer may not have handled the track and two long trips on warm days may have flattened him. Gamer will be given a light week of training and will trial prior to racing again.
RACE 5 – CHARLTON’S VALE OF AVOCA PACE (2100MS)
Wayne Pearson, trainer of Katies Way advised subsequent to the poor performance at Charlton on 20 March 2022, that the mare had recovered well. Mr.Pearson stated Katies Way had raced below expectations, however believes being first up for over 5 months that she may have simply been in need of the run. Katies Way will continue with the current preparation.
Ararat - 13 February 2022
RACE 8 - RENOWN SILVERWARE ARARAT PACING CUP
Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) Stewards have finalised an inquiry in relation to Race 8, the ‘Renown Silverware Ararat Pacing Cup’ at the Ararat meeting on 13 February 2022.
The inquiry was initially adjourned to allow HRV Stewards to conduct a review of the following:
- The evidence obtained at the initial inquiry on 13 February, which included questioning of drivers Jason Lee (Highway To Heaven NZ) and Matthew Craven (Kimble) in relation to the respective driving tactics adopted;
- The exposed form and racing patterns of the relevant horses Highway To Heaven NZ and Kimble;
- An analysis of the betting data on the event, which upon analysis did not identify any activity of concern in relation to the relevant driving tactics adopted.
Upon consideration of the entirety of the evidence, Matthew Craven, driver of Kimble was found guilty of a charge under rule 149 (2) which states: A person shall not drive in a manner which in the opinion of the Stewards is unacceptable.
The particulars of the charge being that at the Ararat meeting on 13 February 2022 in Race 8 the ‘Renown Silverware Ararat Pacing Cup (Group 3)’ as the driver of Kimble, when positioned to the outside of Highway To Heaven NZ, from approximately the 1900m to the 1500m Mr Craven drove Kimble forward and challenged for the lead, thereby engaging in a contest for the lead over an extended distance at high speed, thus resulting in a quicker than average lead time of 38.9 seconds being recorded and in the opinion of stewards the tactics adopted during this section were unacceptable and the main contributing factor in Kimble giving ground to finish in 9th position beaten approximately 34m.
After considering penalty in accordance with the HRV Stewards Minimum Penalty Guidelines, Stewards considered the following:
- Mr Craven’s applicable record under rule 149 (2) which indicated his most recent offence occurred in August 2019, and since then Mr Craven has driven in approximately 480 races from approximately 6000 career race drives. On this basis, Stewards determined that Mr Craven had a good record;
- The high frequency in which Mr Craven has driven in races in most recent seasons;
- The level of culpability was assessed to be in the mid-range, given Mr Craven’s experience and the circumstances of this offence;
- That Mr Craven initiated and persevered with the challenge over a significant distance.
Based on those factors, Mr Craven’s licence to drive in races was suspended for 4 weeks to commence midnight Monday 28 March 2022.
Mr Craven was advised of his appeal rights.
In relation to the driving tactics adopted by Jason Lee (Highway To Heaven NZ), although considering a charge issued in accordance with rule 149 (2), based on the evidence presented, Stewards found that the charge could not be substantiated to the required standard and therefore Mr Lee was reminded of his relevant obligations.
In not pursuing the charge against Mr Lee, Stewards considered that although Mr Lee had withstood a challenge from Kimble (M Craven), this challenge was instigated and persevered with by Mr Craven and that Mr Lee had then obtained respite at the next available opportunity as Perfect Stride NZ progressed forward three wide during the middle stages. In adopting this approach Stewards were also mindful of the recent exposed form and racing pattern of the relevant horses, the relevant positioning of the respective horses through the applicable section where Kimble was always wider of Highway To Heaven NZ and the actions displayed by both drivers. On that basis, Stewards could not be satisfied to the required standard that the driving tactics adopted by Mr Lee in the circumstances were unacceptable or unreasonable to the extent of further action being taken against his licence.
