Harness & Greyhounds - Perth Turf Talk

Conclusion Of Stewards Enquiry Members Sprint

JayJay — Mon, 21 Oct 2013 23:04:41 +0000

Well, here we go. Talk about being thrashed to death with a limp lettuce leaf. No action on B.Stampalia and not a mention of Hall jnr:

Stewards concluded the inquiry into the driving tactics of Brad
Stampalia (SNEAKYN DOWN UNDER NZ) in particular his reasons for
applying pressure to the leader IM THEMIGHTYQUINN NZ (Gary Hall Jnr) in
the early and middle stages in an effort to gain the lead of the event.
Driver had explained that he had been instructed to drive the gelding
in that manner as that was consistent with its usual racing pattern. It
had been the connections’ expectation that it would gain the lead of
the event, however that did not eventuate. He had considered that Gary
Hall Jnr had initially resisted his challenge but would hand up if a
second challenge was issued. In hindsight he considered that he had
erred in restraining to take a trailing position racing into the front
straight to receive the bell as the gelding was a free running type and
resented being restrained at that point. Stewards took no action over
the matter other to advise him that in their opinion he had erred in his
tactics by not assessing that Mr Hall had intended to lead earlier than
he did and driven accordingly.

Maybe the Stewards could advise driver Stampalia to take no notice of any comments driver Hall may or may not make on the radio prior to the race.

im victorious

trooper — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 15:49:06 +0000

was watching a few of the bunbury trots races sat night and noticed this horse having his first start for michael brennan.

mousey looks to have a good one here and won convincingly. peter bell and simon miller involved also.

goodluck to mousey hopefully he has a successful campaign with this one.

might be one to keep a eye on.

Friday night's GP stewards report still not online!!!

AndrewCarter — Mon, 14 Oct 2013 12:09:42 +0000

Yet another example of the lack of professionalism displayed by RWWA stewards and their staff.

Eastern States metro thoroughbred meetings have their stewards reports available online soon after the completion of that day's meeting yet somehow we can't have a metro harness stewards report out some two and half days later???

It is now noon on Monday and we still haven't got last Friday night's stewards report available to the public online at harness.org.au.

Of course there's nothing important in that report is there, other than the stewards report into the Quinny v Victorious race and for the record I backed Victorious but the tactics employed in that race were disgraceful and for the stewards reports to not be out by now is an absolute joke.

This is simply good enough, correct me if I'm wrong but we are in 2013 aren't we???

Is there any chance we might see some semblance of professionalism from our stewards and RWWA sometime this century and arrange for a simple task such as this to be carried out forthwith.

quinnie v victorious

trooper — Tue, 08 Oct 2013 08:48:14 +0000

been looking forward to this battle happening at GP for a while now

over the sprint journey this week

can the young and up and comer put it to the champ.

draw will play a huge part.

Conflict of intetest

Gilgamesh — Fri, 27 Sep 2013 23:34:50 +0000

I have nothing against Chris Voak, infact hes probably the driver im happiest to be on at the moment so this is not about him but surely he shouldnt have been allowed to drive Chaldea when he owns Rojen Cruz. Imagine if this was a tight driving finish between these two (which at one stage looked like it could happen) and he went down by a head. It would be worth more to him to lose! Again in no way am i saying that he wouldnt be going flat out but perception is everything, how can RWWA not see this? Hopefully someone from the stewards picks this up or if not if Chris wants Lewis to drive for him he watches on from the stand.

WA harness awards

rooster321 — Mon, 07 Oct 2013 14:43:44 +0000

Just a question when are the nominees out for the horse of the year in WA ??

Springsteen!!!! In The BOTRA Cup

JayJay — Sat, 05 Oct 2013 08:08:45 +0000

Helluva an effort at GP last night in the 2900m stand - galloped out hopelessly (caller said he had "lost all chance"), settled 2nd from last, immediately took off 3 wide for a lap (caller said he is "losing all chance"), worked to the front and then home in 56 and change untouched for a super impressive win. Admittedly, got a soft middle 800m and Colin Brown handed up the lead without so much as a hint of a fight and the horses that breezed didn't apply too much pressure but whenever this horse leads, no matter how he gets there, he is pretty much unbeatable. A pretty interesting standing start race compared to some of the repetitive short course leader wins racing over 2100m even though the leader won, yes, very interesting.

GP 2 Year Olds Race 1 August 30

JayJay — Wed, 04 Sep 2013 08:04:36 +0000

Interesting race with the 3 G.Hall snr runners running the trifecta. The very heavily supported 2nd favorite Elegant Christian (Kim Prentice) just shades the odds on drifting favorite Pelusiac (G Hall jnr) with a late lunge to get home by a short neck after traveling 4 wide early and breezing. Soho Starr was 3rd with daylight to the rest. Anticipated that the stewards may at least ask a question or two but alas, the published report says not one solitary word about the situation.

No more Gold Coast

BlacksAFake — Sun, 22 Sep 2013 07:55:38 +0000

Gold Coast will run its last meeting on Friday,
making way for the Comm Games athletes
village and then hospital extensions.
Best track in Qld and will be sadly missed,no
plans for a new one either,leaving a big hole
in the industry.

VICTORIAN GOVT & HARNESS RACING VICTORIA

SLIPPERGOLDEN — Mon, 16 Sep 2013 18:08:37 +0000

Interesting tale quoted from Derryn Hinch under the heading 'A Lousy Bet.'

"It involves a local company called Provideo which has provided services to Harness Racing Victoria for about 30 years. The last contract expired two years ago. It was put out to tender and a Swedish company was chosen. A company with no outdoor broadcast experience in Australia.Somebody close to the company (not the business owner) contacted me and wrote:

‘Look Mr Hinch, I am not writing because "boo hoo" we lost the contract. I'm writing to you because I am so upset and sad for all the Victorian staff and crew whose lives were very much part of HRV and now feel used, abandoned and humiliated because HRV have chosen a Swedish-based company over a Melbourne-based one. I mean, it’s not like we can’t do the work because we have been doing it for years. My questions would be this:

Why has a Swedish company been allowed to win over a local business, taking into account HRV is government funded?
And does everyone involved with HRV know about this?’

What makes it more bitter to swallow, I’m told, is that several times Provideo allowed HRV to make late payments, to keep going out of contract and was asked to give advice on how HRV could cut operational costs.

The final comment in the passionate note got to me:

‘Harness Racing Victoria? I think you can take the Vic out of that one now. Is there any loyalty and pride left? Very sad’.

Any comment Mr. Premier?"

10 Year Old Marvel Has The Answers

JayJay — Sat, 10 Aug 2013 16:59:49 +0000

What a marvelous advertisement old Has The Answers is for the Standardbred, his sire Legacy of Power, breeder Les Coulson and to be fair, trainer Tony Svilicich, Last night, he runs 1.53.8, last 800m in 54 and change coming from 6th and getting home right over the top of a 1700m specialist in Sneakyn Down Under courtesy of a class drive from Morgan Woodley.
He is trained unconventionally being chased around a paddock from a ute but it works. There is over $1.3 million in the kitty and he keeps racing week in week out. When they took him off Tony and trained him conventionally, he went like a busted arse, back he goes to Svilicich and it took a little while but he is back in fine form. Its a great story and one that I am sure teh PR department at GP is running very strongly with on the promotional side of things!!!!!

GP Preview 9 Aug

Gilgamesh — Fri, 09 Aug 2013 10:35:41 +0000

A bit of a preview I do for a couple of mates, let me know if you have any thoughts, I generally play pretty even stake race to race but like to work costs out in 100% to know what sort of return we need. I'm normally only good for around one novelty collect a night but they can pay pretty well, if you can be bothered putting in the time and follow the form closely enough GP novelties are actually a very good way to bet.

R1: Fillies and
mares race to start of the program is a fantastic race. No1 Four Legged Frenzy
raced a bit flat last start having its 3^rd run in a short space but
did still manage to hold 2^nd. I’d imagine Turvey would hand up to No2 Jungle Genie making this horse very
hard to beat. She won very well 3 back leading throughout, was run down late
sprinting home very fast 2 back and then ran on ok last week, the Bond horses
go far better in front IMO the only problem I can see is the price she will be
at. It would make sense for No6 Am Opulent to push forward and then take the
sit on No7 Miss Atomic who I also think will go forward at the start. If this
happens I can’t see how 9,10,11 or 12 can get into the race (as winning chances) even though they
have ability. Interesting that S Suvaljko is driving 11 Diamonds A Blaze and
Not Miss Atomic, I though Diamonds A Blaze would keep improving with more
racing.

Tri: 2/1,7/1,6,7,8,10,11,12 100%
costs $12.

R2: Not a race I
overly like for betting. Think No1 The Left Arm Quick is a bit of a plodder and
I think he’ll be struggling to holding up. Think it will be either 4 ImTheGuy
or 5 The Black Lord who finds the top, I’d prefer to be on the 5 than the 4 if
you could have a choice of who leads. No8 Te
Rauparaha is a horse I’ve always liked, he was only fair first up but he’ll
be sitting on the fence doing no work early and in a weakish race if the splits
can open up he can get over them.

Small EW whoever out of imtheguy or The Black Lord does the best warm up.Exacta 4,5,8/1,4,5,8.

R3: Great to see No5 Im Victorious returning, should be
winning. No1 Wrongly Accused should be leading early, he has gone roughly from
one though in the past. I think that gives No3 Village Steel some FF claims at
odds to help boost it. 6 Western Cullen and 7 Banna Dana are down in class, I
think Western Cullen is racing slightly better. No9 Dohni ran pretty well last
start in an unsuitable race but this is probably not a suitable draw for him.

FF: 5/3,6,7/1,3,6,7,9/1,3,6,7,9 100%
costs $36.

R4: No2 Ths Time
Dylan should have enough speed to cross the 1 and from in front will be
very hard to beat. No1 Smooth Caesar ran well last start and will get the nice
run. No10 El Machine is racing great and has loads of ability but this is a bit
harder, he’ll be the first horse 3 wide with no11 Our Major Mark following him
around. If 5 Black Pontiac can get around to the breeze he will go ok and 8 and
9 are drawn to get good trails.

FF: 2/1,10,11/1,8,9,10,11/1,3,5,8,9,10,11
100% costs $60.

R5: Good race, I
do give No1 Lucie Boshier some
chance of knocking off No3 Pacific Warrior. She did beat the subsequent (all
though probably weak) miracle mile winner 5 starts back when leading throughout.
I see her in the lead with Pacific Warrior the breeze and Leda McNally one one.
7 Ohoka Samson will have to be massive to go 3 wide and win, I do think he will
stick on though making it hard for Leda McNally to get out. 8,9 and 10 could
all run on into the first four if they stick to the fence and get some splits.

FF:
1,3/1,3,5,8/1,2,3,5,8,10/1,2,3,5,8,9,10 100% costs $96. Just play a small %, if
we can get one of the backline horses in it could pay very well but obviously if
the favs come in we will struggle to recoup costs.

R6: I know
Sneakyn Down Under loves to fly around in front over the sprint trip but I’d
love to see No5 Please Release Me come
out humming, I think he can cross. Either way I think the way he’s going he’d
still win this race from the breeze.

Win No5 Please Release Me.

R7: I thought No14 Shardons Rocket was massive last
week. I think he’s well in off the 40m and the 3309m will give him plenty of
time to settle and make his way into it. If he’s anywhere near EW he’s a great
bet. No5 Salliwood will lead early with either 4 Lord Diego or 7 Erris Lad
being first there to take the top off her. If it is Lord Diego then I think we
will see Bettor Reason taking it up off him. Horses like No8 Courageous Ned and
no9 Braemoor will be running on late after sticking to the pegs, over this trip I far them over the horses who will push on early.

EW No14 Shardons Rocket, Tri: 13,14/5,8,9,13,14/4,5,7,8,9,13,14
100% costs $40.

R8: This is a
pretty hard M0 with not a lot of form. No1 Vietchy should have the speed to
hold up, is capable of winning this race, is also capable of being beaten 60m
after having the pie trip! I don’t mind That Is Correct, if I thought he could
get across I’d back him but I don’t know where he’ll get. I’ve settled on No6 Lewis Hamilton EW he’s with a good
trainer, is racing ok and can do a few different things in the run and still be
in the finish. I’d like to see him up in the breeze but if horses like Franco
Torres and Lord Jowers want to go forward I still think he can give a sight
parking 3 deep.

EW No6 Lewis Hamilton.

R9: No2 Death Adda looks to find the top
here, Suvaljko horses fresh very hard to beat! I think that Talk It Up might
find his back and fill a hole from there. Therecomesatime can go rough from one
but obviously if he can keep his feet early will be in the finish, Dolly Vardon
blinkers going on suggest to me they wont push him early. No5 Tee Pee Village
racing well, will probably breeze and is the obvious danger.

Tri: 2/3,5/1,3,5,8,9 100% costs $8
then 2/1,3,5,8,9/3,5 100% costs $8.

R10: Watch on.

Quad: 2,10/1,3/5/13,14
100% costs $8.

Flat Quinnie and Stewards Report

JayJay — Tue, 30 Jul 2013 12:38:00 +0000

There is something that worries me about Quinnies race on Friday Night. And in the absence of a stewards report on the AHRA website (all other clubs that raced Friday Night across Australia have managed to post their stewards reports except GP), surely there must be some questions asked.

Hall (jnr) stated that Quinnie "felt flat" when explaining his surprise loss to stablemate Livingontheinterest, who stage a big form reversal from running 9th of 10 at his previous start, to winning with ease, granted from a better barrier draw and a virtually unchallenged soft run in front with zero pressure applied by the breeze horse Hokunui Ben, a stablemate of both the winner and Quinnie.

And it's little wonder the horse was "flat" as on Hall's admission, he had a very hard run when trialling from 60m behind at Byford just 5 days before his Friday race - a trial that was just a qualifier to make him eligible for standing start races, a trial in which they ran 57.6 the last 800m.

Now, hindsight does give us all 20/20 vision but what on earth was the horse doing even starting after such a hard run at trials. I gather there was no compulsion on him winning the trial or having a gutbuster run, he just needed to step safely. I would expect that questions at least were asked of not only Quinnies performance but also Livingontheinterest and Hokunui Ben, as a $1.10 favorite got rolled. I didn't back him but plenty must have and it would seem worthy of enquiry, at least, in addition to the betting sheets receiving some perusal.

Long priced Winners Turn at GP

JayJay — Fri, 02 Aug 2013 18:54:07 +0000

The long priced winner a thing of the past at GP????? Not tonight.

Race 1 Hugh Victor at $58.90, Race 2 Another Vinnie at $28.90 and Race 3, Justlikelindt at 21.20 runs the odds on favorite Might Flying Thomas to a head. Another Vinnie is a Les Coulson Legacy of Power 3YO that won a $100,000 Sires race 3 starts back and gets up at $28.70 on the back of a last start 3rd. No respect shown for that sire (and breeder) - And I'm as guilty as everyone else. You look at them and go "Nah, that can't win" and spend the rest of the night choking on your hat!!!

GP Fri 26th

Gilgamesh — Tue, 23 Jul 2013 17:11:16 +0000

Just a couple of winner,s Miss Atomic is absolutely flying and will be hard to beat in the first, probably from the breeze. In the Rising Stars I predict the young fellas will run the quickest lead time of the night, if Dean Miller can get some gaps late Our Gent will be very hard to beat.

Congratulations To The Gloucester Park Promotional Team

JayJay — Fri, 26 Jul 2013 10:12:55 +0000

Wow, what a stunningly effective promotion for tonight"s GP meeting. True, it will be a cold wet night and they might not even go around if the weather Bureau's tip of a rainfall armageddon is correct but that hasn't deterred the promotional team from going all out to secure a bumper crowd for tonight's meeting. And what easy pickings it is for them - Australia's greatest pacer, possibly of all time, having his 100th start in the George Maloney Memorial, honoring one of the truly great stalwarts of Western Australian Harness Racing. (Just a query, hands up anyone who knows of George Maloney and his deeds? And we are not talking about the ex Claremont and Geelong Football star here!!!!)

A quick search of this mornings paper,followed by an even more thorough search, failed to reveal a single piece of promotion for I'm The MightyQuinn other than 19 words on the bottom of a Jay Rooney article concerning the fate of Aldo Christiano (An article that asserts the horse has had a bad reaction to stem cell treatment but then when questioned further on in the article, trainer Gary Hall isn't sure if it is a bad reaction or an infection - never let facts get in the way of a headline Jay!) And that was it as far as the "promotion" was concerned. Now, for all I know, there might have been TV ads, letter box drops, free tickets handed out in shopping centres, on course entertainment, the gates may have been thrown open for free admission, free rain poncho's at the gate in the Hall Racing colours and much more. But if that has occurred, it must be a national secret. Thank goodness this team wasn't promoting the Steelo /Satinover Match Race- it would have been run in front of 35 people, two dogs and a crowd of 19 up on Scotchmans Hill.
This is the equivalent of Black Caviar or Northerly or Sunline running at Belmont tomorrow - imagine how the Melbourne race Clubs or Harness Racing Victoria would have handled the bonanza of Gary Hall starting his champion at their tracks in the middle of winter when its difficult enticing the public to attend the meetings.

Quinnies 100th From 100m Handicap

JayJay — Mon, 22 Jul 2013 12:14:31 +0000

Looks like a 100 m handicap for Quinnie in the Marathon Stakes over 3309 metres at GP which according to the West will be run on August 6th which is a Tuesday Night??? He practiced a standing start at Byford trials and passed with flying colours. Tough test for his 100th start.
Some horses had a good history of coming off backmarks. Going way back, Kolect won a Pacing Cup off 108 yrds, Royal Step won a Fremantle Cup from 84 yrds at Richmond Raceway. In the modern era, only a few could do it - I saw Radiant Oro win a Pacing Cup off 36 yrds for Jack Retzlaff and Steelo a Stratton Cup from 40m and a Fremantle Cup from 35m for Phil Coulson. Popular Alm won a Kilmore off 35m and Tassie great Golden Alley won successive Easter Cups off 36 yrds and 72 yrds in 1967 and 1968.
Very stern assignment off 100m for both horse and driver- he would want to step straight into his gear.

Our Maestro FFA Melton Friday Night????

JayJay — Sat, 20 Jul 2013 10:46:14 +0000

Will declare that I'm moaning through my wallet here .......but I'm Barney Rubble gets handed a win on a plate here. Why oh why would the driver of Bit of Bliss not choose to peel off from the rear during a very very slow 2nd quarter (31.6 sec), instead trying to cover the field over the last 2 quarters run in 28 and change on a wet track!!!!! Driver SC Stewart is experienced - he would know what a 31.6 second quarter feels like yet he chooses to loaf around out the back before coming 6 wide on the turn and flies home to run 2nd a certainty beaten.

http://media.harness.org.au/vic/MXM19071301.wmv

Game On In The Golden Slipper

JayJay — Fri, 19 Jul 2013 09:29:06 +0000

Cracking field of 2 year olds, made all the more interesting by the draw. Crusader Banner and Kimba Bay both wanting to lead from gate 3 and 4 respectively - the "Big" stable versus the "little guys from Manjimup, New Zealand import versus locally bred. Class of Tara from New Zealand winner of last 2 starts drawn 2 on the 2nd line may get a good run. Swagga,if he gets in from out wide in 6, is good enough and Mister Jadore has AC Lewis and good form. Other chances as well in what is a terrific race on paper. Macon Georgia at $14 has appeal if they go mad up front which is always a possibility in these races.

Doff Our Caps, Century Coming Up For Quinnie

JayJay — Sun, 14 Jul 2013 10:10:20 +0000

(I'm) The Mighty Quinn went around for the 99th time on Friday Night, another monument to the enduring toughness of the incredible Standardbred. In recording his 50th race win (30 placings), he continues to make his case as Australia's greatest ever pacer. As a rising 9 year old, he ran an incredible 1.53.6 coming 3 and 4 wide from last when the official last 800m was run in a scorching 56.4 by another enduring marvel, the rising 12 year old Has The Answers.
Quinnies record is amazing (3 Interdominion Titles etc etc) having done the business both here in Australia and in New Zealand. His performances in Auckland were awesome this past summer and his 2 runs back from a spell show he could well add a 4th Interdominion and join Blacks A Fake, who still heads him in both starts (105 for 72 wins and 24 places) and prize money ($4.575 million versus $4.353 million). Watching him cover the field on Friday night was hair raising and as much as I love old Steelo, Mount Eden and all the other champs. I'm thinking we are watching the greatest ever. Wouldn't it be nice if there was some (any?????.....at all????) promotion of his up coming 100th start. I can imagine the Vics would almost declare a Public Holiday with free admission and Blue and Gold caps and balloons at the gate if it was happening over there. Here, well we may get an public address announcement before the race.
Might be an idea if we all rocked up to have a good look at this amazing horse - don't know what the immediate plans are but hope it's at GP. It was worth putting up with the cold on Friday Night.

DeCampo = $$$$$

CPL — Sat, 13 Jul 2013 09:33:39 +0000

Ive won a small fortune off this bloke in the last week.

Son of Ferge a $40 winner two starts back than last night he gets up again at $13.50.

Than his dog Vane Choker wins its last two races and his sons dog Casual Antics wins its last start.

On top of that his horse Dardy Delight won two weeks back at $20.

Keep them coming.

Harness Stewards Inquiry – Giovanni (John) Filardo – MIAMI TERROR NZ

TheDiva — Fri, 12 Jul 2013 14:16:55 +0000

Friday, 12 July 2013

MEDIA RELEASE

RWWA Stewards have been advised by the ChemCentre in Perth, that the pre-race blood sample taken from MIAMI TERROR NZ prior to it competing in Race 6 the ALL TOOLS FILLIES AND MARES MS PACE (2130m) at Gloucester Park on Monday, 8 July 2013, has been found to have a level of total carbon dioxide (TCO2) in excess of 36.0 millimoles per litre in plasma.

This finding has been verified by the Racing Analytical Services Ltd (RASL) Laboratory in Victoria.

Accordingly the Stewards will inquire into these reports and the Trainer of MIAMI TERROR NZ, Mr Filardo has been requested to attend the inquiry, which will be held in the RWWA Stewards Room at Ascot Racecourse on Tuesday, 23 July 2013 at 10:30 am.

Media Contact: Denis Borovica – General Manager Racing Integrity Ph: 9445 5427 denis.borovica@rwwa.com.au

What's going on at the dogs??

RIO — Wed, 26 Jun 2013 07:20:43 +0000

Don't tell me the best sport in the state is in some sort of trouble??? Investigation, Resignations, what else???? Come on doggie lovers what's this all about???

http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/sport/a/-/racing/17750475/greyhound-board-rocked/

How good a drive from G hall junior last night??

theketaminekid — Sat, 06 Jul 2013 09:18:15 +0000

How good is this bloke!! Fair enough he had the horse power under him but that was a seriously good drive last night on Quinnie.

Te Amo

Radman — Fri, 31 May 2013 12:23:30 +0000

Did anyone cop the qualie of this dog on Wednesday. 5.62 (Fastest ever recorded in a race is 5.55), 18.85 & 30.50. Was going that fast that it almost forgot to take the first turn.

Out steps Miata and in steps Te Amo. The next big thing of WA greyhounds perhaps?

Just as a reference, Miata went 5.87, 18.99 & 30.26 in her qualie.

Check it out

http://greyhoundswa.com.au/portals/0/Replays/130529%20-%20T02.wmv

Linda Britton story

TheDiva — Tue, 21 May 2013 11:12:24 +0000

pinjarra cup from an outsiders point of view

Dale — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 17:58:35 +0000

please dont attack me, its just my observations.

Too many kids with mulletts

too many dads with black shirts/black jeans/mulletts

too many women with tattoo's on their necks/ calves/tits/butts

a rude prick that pushed me out of the way to get a $2 each way bet on at dubbo who i assume was a local trotting guy as he was talking to drivers.

$6 horses with 1 min before start , starting at 2.40 i.e pools just average.

Good points- funny how they have nothing to do with the general public there.

Getting to see imthemightyquin- the only SB that i know is any good.

Older couples enjoying a day at the trots.

The track and facilities.

the guy singing between races.

free entry

$5 stubbies when the pinny races are $6 i guess the extra 400mtrs transport from the main strip calculates for that

good racing.

the smiles on the faces of the staff that i saw.

that is all. just wanted to let people know what it is like for someone that hasn't been to the trots in a few years.

Met G.K. Wilson.

Radman — Sun, 26 May 2013 18:34:36 +0000

I'm sure most greyhound folk already know Gary Wilson. I met him today and let me tell you, what a fantastic character. And so funny!

G.K. doesn't complain about life, and nor shall I.

Dog lost interest

TheDiva — Thu, 23 May 2013 10:32:49 +0000

Harness – Stewards Inquiry – Reinsperson Mr Garry Butler

TheDiva — Thu, 23 May 2013 13:07:03 +0000

Thursday, 23, May, 2013

MEDIA RELEASE

On Wednesday 22 May 2013 Stewards concluded the inquiry into the driving tactics adopted by Garry Butler (LUCKY DIVA) in the early stages of Race 7 the Gannon’s WA Oaks (2536m Mobile) at Gloucester Park on Friday 10 May 2013.

When questioned after the race Mr Butler had explained that he had driven forward from his outside barrier in an effort to cross to the lead. He considered his filly raced best in front and tended to over-race if restrained early. When his attempt to lead had been unsuccessful he had endeavoured to restrain LUCKY DIVA to obtain a trailing position, racing into the back straight on the first occasion, however it commenced to race fiercely and he had been unable to do so. The racing manners of the filly had resulted in it performing poorly by giving ground from the 1200 metres. It had been stood down from racing for 6 days and until such time as it completed a satisfactory trial. The inquiry had been adjourned at that point.

At the resumption Stewards expressed their concerns at the tactics adopted. They sought an explanation for his reasons for driving the filly out of the barrier to go forward to challenge for the lead. In previous starts when drawn the front line the filly had not been taken forward when it had drawn wider than barrier 4 in weaker company. Stewards also expressed concern with the fact that the filly had previously demonstrated a tendency to over-race which would, in their view, only have been exacerbated by asking it to go forward hard at the start. Other concerns were that the filly had not raced over 2536m previously and had not raced for almost a month. It had also been racing without a rear spreader for the first time thus increasing the potential for the filly to make a mistake in running.

An email from managing owner Mr A J Tapp was read into evidence. Mr Tapp was overseas and unable to give evidence in person. The evidence stated that in pre-race discussions the connections were of the opinion that the filly’s best chance of obtaining the best possible place in the race was to go forward in an attempt to lead or gain the lead of the one wide line. If the second scenario had occurred the intention was to immediately obtain a trailing position.

Mr Butler was adamant that his best chance of gaining a forward position had been to attempt to catch drivers to his inside unawares as he had anticipated that if those drivers, in particular Bruce Harpley who drove the favourite FRITH and Gary Hall Jnr who drove the second favourite ASKMENOW NZ, had not expected early speed they would not come out as hard at the start. In his opinion his tactics had almost succeeded as he had nearly been in a position to cross to the lead. Once it had become evident that he was not able to do so he had immediately restrained prior to entering the back straight on the first occasion. After initially feeling as though it would come back to him the filly began to race extremely fiercely and from thereon he had been unable to get it to settle until it began to give ground.

He further stated that the filly had demonstrated by the manner in which it had finished off previous races that the 2536m distance of the race would not have been an issue. He had also

fast worked the filly without a rear spreader and had been confident that it no longer needed that equipment.

Mr Butler conceded that he had since realized that the filly had previously shown a greater tendency to race fiercely if resuming from a let-up of greater than 3 weeks similar to what had occurred in this race. Had he been aware of that prior to the race he may well have adopted different tactics.

He had not considered alerting the Stewards of his tactics pre-race as he had not considered them to be a change as the filly had previously shown gate speed albeit from inside barriers.

After considering all the evidence, in particular the facts that Mr Butler was only directly responsible for the challenge issued in the first 200m approximately, his reasons for issuing such a challenge and that the filly had clearly raced fiercely from thereon despite his efforts, Stewards were unable to be satisfied to the requisite standard that Mr Butler’s tactics had been unacceptable.

Media Contact: Bill Delaney - Chief Steward Harness

Ph: 9445 5107 bill.delaney@rwwa.com.au