I had someone alert me to this one and ask the question "how are we 'encouraging' young kids to get involved"
Cobram R1 on Monday
http://www.harness.org.au/racing/fie...19#COC11111907
Tayla French was suspended - all she did was hold the lead almost accidentally IMO and she is punished because the other two made it a fast lead time (and her horse tired badly)
From the Stewards Report
Tayla French, driver of Trade Whispers, was found guilty of a charge under AHR Rule 149(1) for failing to take all reasonable and permissible measures from the start through to entering the back straight on the first occasion when there was a reasonable opportunity to obtain a trail on Ozzie Sunshine ($1.40 fav) or Eipper ($5.30 2nd fav) when both runners had gained a significant advantage over Trade Whispers shortly after the start. In failing to do so Ms French urged the gelding forward with the whip to maintain the lead and withstand the challenge of both runners recording a lead time which was 2.45 seconds quicker than the 5 year average and ultimately Trade Whispers being placed under pressure from the 1000m before yielding ground from the 600m to finish in last position beaten 77.3m. In the opinion of the Stewards the tactics adopted resulted in Trade Whispers not being afforded full opportunity to finish in its best possible placing. In determining penalty Stewards were mindful of the relevant considerations as outlined within the ‘HRV Minimum Penalty Guidelines’, placing particular weight on Trade Whispers exposed form (most recent start 9th placing beaten in excess of 170m), Ms French’s driving record, the degree of culpability and her driving frequency and as such imposed a 5 week suspension of her license to drive in races which was ordered to commence at midnight on 13 November 2019.
https://www.harness.org.au/racing/st...l/?mc=CO111119
Compared to the other 2 she didn't really drive the horse out but seemed to see an opportunity when the other 2 went roughly - see more from the stewards report below. It backfired on this occasion but a Suspension??!!!!
Ozzie Sunshine (Glenn Douglas) shifted up the track shortly after the start simultaneously as Eipper (Jackson Painting) shifted in slightly, resulting in both runner racing roughly momentarily. Due to the mitigating circumstances stewards could not place blame either horse or driver and noted the incident.
It was probably a missed opportunity for Glenn Douglas but the time it is taking for them to hear the serious charges against him, he most likely will have many more ops
Originally Posted by Messenger
I had someone alert me to this one and ask the question "how are we 'encouraging' young kids to get involved"