Reply With QuoteDoes that mean trainers have illegally modified sulkies to gain an unfair advantage? If so, that is no different to drug use. Lucky to get away without a suspension.Originally Posted by Adaptor
More on the sulky approval :
NEWS ROOM
HRA Industry Notice - Sulky Approval - UFO Sulky
03 October 2012
UFO Sulky
UFO Sulky.
Harness Racing Australia (HRA) has approved the use of the UFO Sulky in racing and trial events, effective from 1 October 2012.
As part of the HRA approval process the sulky has been tested for strength, durability and performance. This testing is performed by Human Impact Engineering. This sulky has also been used in trials under the supervision of stewards.
The sulky conforms to all the requirements of the HRA Sulky Approval Policy and meets the HRA Sulky Standards.
For further details about this sulky contact:
Frank Ranaldi
Frank Ranaldi Enterprises
56 Eva Street
MADDINGTON WA 6109
Phone: 0419 947 159
Email: franaldi@iinet.net.au
HRA takes the process of testing of new products very seriously as it impacts on the health and safety of all participants as well as the welfare of the racing horses.
HRA will continue to work with all manufacturers and distributors of gear and equipment to ensure that all new products meet the standards as set out by the industry.
For any comment or for additional details please contact Gary Kairn, Operations Manager, Harness Racing Australia on (03) 9227 3003.
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Does that mean trainers have illegally modified sulkies to gain an unfair advantage? If so, that is no different to drug use. Lucky to get away without a suspension.
That UFO quote is a couple of years old so it would seem that since then
- they have either sold illegal sulkies
- or trainers have modified their sulkies (unlikely you would spend big bucks then do this - then again maybe we are just talking about using a longer axle)
The bigger issue of course is how the Stewards handled things
As for Emma Stewart talking about legal action, unless the stewards measured incorrectly last night, she does not IMO have a leg to stand on regardless of the stewards poor timing. (More chance the Ballarat Club could take action against the trainers for destroying the night?)
Greg Sugars was a Champion harness racing person
If this is true, then this whole affair becomes infinitely more farcical.
I think she should have buttoned it about that one - they may be disqualified
Greg Sugars was a Champion harness racing person
Something does not smell right with all this. If as reported the sulkies are 50cm wider, why not borrow a legal sulky for a 100k race or does that 50cm really make a huge difference.
I think you meant 50mm or 5cm Bails but other than that you are too logical. You would have thought at least one major owner would have insisted on your suggestion
Now I must admit that it did not smell right to me either and for one crazy second I turned into Mel Gibson as Jerry Fletcher and thought it was all a cover for some other pre-race abnormality LOL
Greg Sugars was a Champion harness racing person
Kevin, about 2 inches in the old.
You could understand the odd one being out a bit but to have 4 units in one stable and then refusing to race a bit odd.
UFO Booboo
Disgraceful and embarrasing how this was handled. Should have let them start last night and then undertaken a sensibly thought out inquiry. If they approved the sulky then they would be found at fault. If the manufacturer changed the specs and the distributor did not resubmit for approval then he is at fault. I suspect the inquiry would (will) find that none of the trainers are at fault, so why penalise them on such a big night.
On a similar theme on which I have commented before why aren't sulky changes included on the stable returns/ gear changes for a meeting. Everyone (including the stewards after last night) knows these carts make a huge difference. If a trainer changes a horses bit from snaffle to straight they have to advise the stewards, and in turn the punters, yet these silkies can be swapped on and off at will. Theoretically a trainer could start a horse in a 20 year old Regal SS Sulky for 3 or 4 starts then put a UFO on without telling anyone, then back the horse. Wouldn't even have to tell the stewards at an improved performance inquiry. In the states, the sulkies I.e. UFO are announced in the warm up.
I don't know much about the problem with the gigs, only what was on sky last night but if the horses were scratched because the only gigs the horses can race in are 50 mm wider than what is legal. Does that mean that those horses now are unable to race as the only gigs that they can physically race in are not legal?
Hard for a trainer to say last night a horse could not race in a certain width gig but if Hunter Cup time comes around and those wider gigs are still not allowed to be used all of a sudden the horses can race in in the narrower gigs .
Horses should have been allowed to race in their normal gigs last night and fix the issue this week. How can stewards think they made the right call either if they didn't stop the wider gigs from being used on Friday night. Once again harness racing is made to look second rate.
Last edited by Race For Fun; 12-14-2014 at 04:23 PM. Reason: Typo
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