Lauren Panella....28 Days.

[thepacingman]

Some more time off. Surely there is no defending this drive. Imcompetence is a word that comes to mind. Opportunities aplenty to ease and take a trail especially with the fast sectionals. She should think herself lucky she only got 6 weeks.

Penrith 19 April. Race 6.

http://www.trotstv.com.au/?mc=PE190412&rn=6

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L. Panella was questioned regarding her tactics on Im Le Freak in particular her reasons for racing three wide for the entire race. L. Panella advised that her instructions from trainer B. Walters were to find cover early and put the horse into the race from the 800 metres. This was confirmed by trainer B. Walters. L. Panella stated she progressed forward at the start from the second row draw and the horse commenced to pull hard until near the 1800 metres when the horse settled. L. Panella stated that she did not attempt to restrain back one length to move into the running line near the 1800 metres as she believed Im Le Freak would start to pull again. For this reason she drove Im Le Freak with vigour in an attempt to gain the position outside the leader however with Brick Top and Mabrook pulling hard and running quick quarters she was unable to make ground. L. Panella stated that near the 1400 metres she observed M. Reese indicate to her that the position outside the leader was not available to her however she elected to continue racing three wide. L. Panella stated that near the 1100 metres she noticed Kurts President who was racing in advance of her was having difficulty maintaining its position so she again urged Im Le Freak forward endeavouring to obtain the position in the running line in front of Kurts President. L.Panella stated that Im Le Freak was unable to make ground and continued to race three wide until he commenced to tire and give ground from the 600 metres to be beaten 61 metres.

L. Panella pleaded guilty to a charge under Rule 149(2) of an unacceptable drive. The particulars being that after racing three wide early, L. Panella failed to avail herself of the opportunity to move into the running line near the 1800 metres which were in accordance with the trainers instructions but continued to urge Im Le Freak forward whilst the leaders were running fast quarters. In addition, after becoming aware the position outside the leader was not available, L. Panella again placed Im Le Freak under pressure and drove with vigour in an attempt to gain a position in the running line. Stewards were of the opinion that L. Panella failed to make any reasonable attempt to restrain Im Le Freak and allow it some respite. L. Panella’s licence to drive in races was suspended for 6 weeks.
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[broncobrad]

An inexcusable drive by Lauren. Circumstances of a race are one thing, doing something about it is another. Rule 149(2) to me is fast becoming the get out clause to apply by stewards who would prefer to apply this charge instead of a more serious charge which is likely to be downgraded on appeal.

[broncobrad]

Rule 149(2) was applied twice on the night, B O'Brien copping 8 weeks for a similar offence. One can only hope that consistency to identifying these drives and action being taken is now going to be par for the course and not just a one off. It just seems to me that if you are a lesser light you can expect heavy penaltys, but if you have a high profile, more often than not, the explanation is noted and no further action is taken.

http://www.harness.org.au/stewards-r...fm?mc=PE190412

[broncobrad]

Credit where credit is due. Lauren has just driven Juryman perfectly to win the third tonight. Restrained to last, let the race unfold, went bang at the exactly the right moment and gets the bikkies at $9. What a difference a day (or two) makes. Dirty, because I've only backed her for the place.