Tabcorp Park Melton – 16 December 2017
RACE 10 - OLYMPUS FEEDS PACE
After obtaining preliminary evidence and then initially adjourning an inquiry into the driving tactics adopted by Josh Aiken on Sanna Cruza in Race 10 at Tabcorp Park Melton on 16 December 2017, Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) Stewards had the opportunity to further review the prior race history of Sanna Cruza and conduct an analysis of the wagering information on this event.
The inquiry was reconvened at the offices of HRV on 22 February 2018. After considering all the evidence obtained by HRV Stewards and provided by Mr Aiken, HRV Stewards found Mr Aiken guilty of a charge under Australian Harness Racing 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 in Race 10 at Melton on 16 December 2017, the ‘Olympus Feeds Pace’, when the driver of Sanna Cruza, after leading unchallenged from barrier one (1) during a slower than average lead time of 7.6 seconds and an exceptionally slow first quarter of 32.2 seconds, compared to statistics established over the previous five (5) years, that especially over the short distance of 1720m in the opinion of Stewards it was then unacceptable and unreasonable for Mr Aiken to surrender the lead near the 1200m without resistance to Isntshejust, driven by Miss Frenning, thereby relinquishing any such advantage Mr Aiken had obtained over the remainder of the field and his decision was a major contributing factor to Isntshejust winning the event and Mr Aiken’s own drive Sanna Cruza finishing in 2nd place beaten 1.3 metres.
Mr Aiken’s licence to drive in races was suspended for a period of 5 weeks to commence midnight 3 March 2018.
When assessing penalty, inclusive of submissions provided by Mr Aiken, Stewards took into account relevant factors in accordance with the Minimum Penalty Guidelines, which included:
• Mr Aiken’s clear prior record in relation to the applicable rule and the frequency in which he drives in races;
• The mid-range degree of culpability attributed to the rule breach in these circumstances and;
• That Mr Aiken is an A grade driver that has driven in approximately 1600 races.
Ballarat – 10 January 2018
RACE 5 - BALLARAT TREE WORKS PACE (2ND HEAT)
An inquiry was concluded into the driving tactics of Emmett Brosnan, the driver of Beach Garden and in particular to the reasons for him failing to direct his drive out three wide over the final 700m. Mr Brosnan explained that Beach Garden is a horse that is best driven with cover and fails to finishes its race off when having to improve wider on the track and added that of recent times Beach Garden had not improved three wide in the final 800m this preparation. Mr Brosnan further explained that in the home straight he did not attempt to shift wider as he was of the opinion that to improve to the outside of Blissfull Stride he would have had to have lost ground, when Blissfull Stride failed to give any ground to his outside and held its position. This resulted in Beach Garden being held up and unable to be fully tested in the run to the finish. In reviewing the comments made by Mr Brosnan and also viewing the exposed race form of Beach Garden, which verified the comments made by Mr Brosnan, stewards recorded his comments.
Tabcorp Park Melton –3 February 2018
RACE 5 - YABBY DAM RACING V L DULLARD TROTTERS CUP (GROUP 1)
A veterinary report submitted to Harness Racing Victoria revealed Fabrication to be suffering discharge in the trachea. A lung wash conducted on the gelding revealed it to be suffering a slight infection. Fabrication has subsequently been treated and is responding well to treatment.
Tabcorp Park Melton – 16 February 2018
RACE 4 - ALLIED EXPRESS 3YO TROT
Anton Golino, trainer of La Grange, advised that a veterinary examination conducted on the colt failed to reveal any apparent findings. Mr Golino added that Le Grange had recovered well following the event and explained he expected La Grange to improve on its first up race start this preparation.
Terang– 17 February 2018
RACE 6 - NEVILLE & PATSY CLARKE MEMORIAL PACE
David Drury, trainer of Yankee C J NZ, explained that the gelding had recovered well and was engaged to compete at Hamilton 26/02/18. Mr Drury added that he contributed the overall performance of Yankee C J NZ, to the work endured between the 1200 – 1000m, when attempting to maintain the position outside of the leader.
Bendigo - 14 February 2018
Race 6 - GARRARDS PACE
Upon review of this race an inquiry was conducted into the reasons for Endorsement (Kima Frenning) shifting out in the home straight resulting in Jialiner (Josh Aiken) obtaining clear running. After taking evidence from Ms Frenning and viewing the replays Ms Frenning pleaded guilty to a charge under rule 162(1) (www) which states: A driver shall not, once the horses have entered the home straight on the final occasion allow his or her horse to shift ground in a manner which impedes hinders or advantages another runner. The particulars of the charge being that Ms Frenning directed her driver wider at approximately the 100m which resulted in Jialiner being advantaged when the gelding was able to gain clear running over the latter stages of the race. Ms Frennings licence to drive in races was suspended for a period of 3 weeks to commence 28 February 2018. When assessing penalty the panel took into consideration Ms Frennings guilty plea. The penalty guide lines in relation to rule 162 (1)(www). That Ms Frenning had directed Endorsement wider on the track when Jialiner gained a clear run to finish in 3rd placing which was considered mid to high range. Stewards also took into consideration that Jialiner had been held up behind Franks Very Much which had hung in upon entering the home straight and then shifted in marginally which may have contributed to a clear run becoming available for Jialiner.
Cranbourne – 22 February 2018
Registered owner Mr Matthew Van Gemeren pleaded guilty to a charge under rule 248 which states:
A person shall not say, publish or write or cause to be said, published or written anything malicious, intimidatory or otherwise improper about the Controlling Body, its members and employees or the Stewards or anyone else associated with the harness racing industry.
The particulars of the charge being that as a registered owner with Harness Racing Victoria (HRV), on 21 February 2018, Mr Van Gemeren utilising his twitter handle "Professor Crow" made improper comments regarding the Controlling Body (HRV) and HRV Stewards.
Mr Van Gemeren was fined $500 with a portion of $250 being suspended for 2 years provided there is no further offence under the applicable rule.
In assessing penalty Stewards took into account the following factors:
Mr Van Gemeren's guilty plea, clear prior record, subsequent apology, obvious remorse and the professional manner in which he conducted himself during the course of this inquiry. Furthermore, consideration of previous penalties imposed in similar circumstances.
Participants in the Victorian Harness Racing industry are reminded of the HRV 'Social Media Policy For Industry Participants' - http://www.hrv.org.au/integrity/stewards-industry-policies/social-media-policy-for-participants/
