Stewards News

[Danno]

RACE 9 – MAJOR SPONSOR DRAW TONIGHT TWO YEAR OLD PACE – 1730 metres
Pre-race blood samples were collected from OUR UNCLE JIM.
Stewards delayed the declaration of all clear to consider and objection lodged by trainer P Bullock alleging interference suffered to his runner KYLE SHANNON (M Barnes) 5th passing the 100 metres by HIT THE TRACK (M Turnbull) 4th which was shifting up the track. After taking evidence from all parties and reviewing the patrol footage stewards acknowledged that KYLE SHANNON had received interference and was checked however were of the view that if the interference had not occurred that KYLE SHANNON would not have finished in advance of HIT THE TRACK therefore the protest was dismissed and all clear given on judge’s numbers. At a subsequent inquiry driver M Turnbull pleaded guilty to a charge under rule 163(1)(a)(iii) in that when passing the 100 metres has directed his runner up the track in an attempt to gain clear running however was not clear of KYLE SHANNON where as a result this runner had to be checked. Driver M Turnbull’s licence to drive in races was suspended for a period of 7 days. When considering penalty stewards took into account his plea of guilt, record in relation to this rule and the degree of interference.

And there in the Stewards report lies the questions Tee Cee, at what stage does something look/appear malicious? at what stage would your average Harness Racing Steward identify or be suspicious of potential foul driving?" More importantly does anyone think the average punter would think that act of "directing his horse up the track" might appear our game is not on the "up and up'?

I've been around this game for close to 50 years and in that time seen some VERY ordinary things that went virtually unnoticed, but you would hope that when something looks suspect the punters and participants get a reasonably practical explanation of what ACTUALLY occurred and subsequently how our administrators are going to ensure any ongoing suspect situations will be resolved.

In this instance, I have not seen any evidence that would support that hope.