Albany 16/02

OnTheBridle · February 2018

Race 2: 6 - Four Legged Frenzy

Race 3: 6 - Beau's Mystery

Race 4: 9 - I'm Zuleika

Race 5: 6 - Crimson Floyd

Race 6: 1 - Athabascan

Race 7: 1 - Rocknroll Beachboy

Race 8: 1 - Clovelly Spirit

Race 9: 2 - Major Beachboy

JayJay · February 2018

Fiasco race 5 at Albany...accident at the start, a couple knocked out of the race, then another couple pulled up thinking it had been called off, then starting up again 500m behind the 3 leaders who just jogged down the back....confusion central. Amazed they declared it a race.

curmudgeon · February 2018

Couldn't hear any alarm calling off the event so don't know why the two pulled out mid race JJ. Confusion reigned there for a while but I don't think the officials could have called it off retrospectively.....the track was clear quickly it seems and apart from the rain there was no other impediment. Very ordinary look I grant you.

JayJay · February 2018

Something must have happened for the leader and chuck Norris to pull up and the other 3 slow down to a jog. Like to see the sectionals.After all that, it was a free kick and 50 for Dreadlock.

Rocket_Reign · February 2018

Absolute joke really... Shafting to the punters

Chariotsonfire · February 2018

JayJay said:
Something must have happened for the leader and chuck Norris to pull up and the other 3 slow down to a jog. Like to see the sectionals.After all that, it was a free kick and 50 for Dreadlock.

There is a procedure in place to call off a race and in this instance and rightly so no lights were activated and I assume no siren.

The onus is on the drivers to continue, not to make their own decision that it is a no race.

Hefty fines in order for those drivers who elected to pull up. Don't think the stewards were to blame at all.

rooster321 · February 2018

100% with chariots no lights no sirens keep racing no reason the pull them up

loose_goose · February 2018

By this explanation, find it hard to call race off, but the adjourned enquiry may bring up reasons it could have

As the start was effected MELTON EXPRESS stood flat footed and then commenced to run backwards and as a result CRIMSON FLOYD which was trailing made heavy contact with the sulky of MELTON EXPRESS NZ resulting in drivers W. Andrews (MELTON EXPRESS) and T. Stone (CRIMSON FLOYD) becoming dislodged from their sulkies. As both horses and drivers had cleared the track the race continued. Prior to the all-clear Stewards questioned all Drivers in the event into the reasons for them appearing to restrain their horses during the early stages of the event. The drivers stated that they elected to restrain their runners as they were off the opinion that the race would be stopped due to the fall shortly after the start. In giving consideration to the evidence tendered by all drivers Stewards were of the opinion that at no stage were any warning sirens sounded to alert the drivers to restrain their runners, there was no interference suffered to any runner and that the track was clear of any obstruction and therefore clear to continue running the race. As a results Stewards declared the event and race gave the all clear on the judge’s numbers.

As Driver W. Andrews was injured he was transported to Albany Base Hospital for observation. Due to the delay all races were put back 1 race with Race 9 re scheduled to start at 11.05pm.

Stewards opened an inquiry into the actions of the following Drivers L. Inwood (ACROSS THE WAY), M. Young (ESTOCADA), T. Wheeler (FOUR NEEDED), J. Justins (CHUCK NORRIS), A. Markham (DREDLOCK ROCKSTAR) during the running of the event. After taking initial evidence the inquiry was adjourned to a time and date to be fixed.

MELTON EXPRESS – Stood flat footed at the start and lost ground. Driver dislodged shortly after the start. In view of the performance stood down until it can complete one satisfactory standing start trial.

CRIMSON FLOYD – Severely checked after the start and dislodged driver.

loose_goose · February 2018

I would be more worried about this

t the conclusion of this event all clear was given on the judge’s numbers of 6-9-10-7-5. Subsequently it was made aware to the Stewards that the judges numbers given to the Stewards and the official results published were different. Stewards questioned the judge in regards to the numbers semaphored following the event and advised Stewards that an error had been made and acting under Rule 49(5) the judge corrected his error and amended the placings to 6-9-10-5-7. In accordance with TAB policies dividends were paid on the initial numbers however official records will reflect the correct finishing order. Connections of Number 7 (THE REDEEMER) and Number 5 (BORN A TIGER) were advised of the error and subsequent correction by the judge.

VillageKid · February 2018

loose_goose said:
I would be more worried about this

t the conclusion of this event all clear was given on the judge’s numbers of 6-9-10-7-5. Subsequently it was made aware to the Stewards that the judges numbers given to the Stewards and the official results published were different. Stewards questioned the judge in regards to the numbers semaphored following the event and advised Stewards that an error had been made and acting under Rule 49(5) the judge corrected his error and amended the placings to 6-9-10-5-7. In accordance with TAB policies dividends were paid on the initial numbers however official records will reflect the correct finishing order. Connections of Number 7 (THE REDEEMER) and Number 5 (BORN A TIGER) were advised of the error and subsequent correction by the judge.

Unfortunately it has happened a few times in the last few months.

loose_goose · February 2018

VillageKid said:

loose_goose said:
I would be more worried about this

t the conclusion of this event all clear was given on the judge’s numbers of 6-9-10-7-5. Subsequently it was made aware to the Stewards that the judges numbers given to the Stewards and the official results published were different. Stewards questioned the judge in regards to the numbers semaphored following the event and advised Stewards that an error had been made and acting under Rule 49(5) the judge corrected his error and amended the placings to 6-9-10-5-7. In accordance with TAB policies dividends were paid on the initial numbers however official records will reflect the correct finishing order. Connections of Number 7 (THE REDEEMER) and Number 5 (BORN A TIGER) were advised of the error and subsequent correction by the judge.
Unfortunately it has happened a few times in the last few months.

Looking at photo the 5 clearly ran 4th

TheDiva · February 2018

https://www.punters.com.au/news/punters-fume-over-albany-harness-debacle_166403/

Markovina · February 2018

Just watched the replay of that race now - hadnt bothered to now - because i dont bet in stand starts re the Pacers

A few comments

Alot of baggers of Harness Racing as a Code - well they can all jump in the lake - i couldnt care less about them - go back to the boring gallops and the dishlickers

However the stewards in that race ( and the interesting thing is B Scott was their ) have applied the rule book and have shown no common sense whatsoever

When i say the rule book - they have said - because their were no warning lights - then the drivers should have kept going - and if they pulled/retired up their horses - then that is their stiff luck - and ditto to the punters who backed those horses - like i say no common sense has been applied whatsoever

What used to happen up until say 4-5 years ago - if their was a spill - horse or driver down - then the rest of the drivers would keep racing- however in the last 4-5 years - because of insurance and safety etc - if there is any sign after an accident there could be a risk - then the race is off - and perfectly understandable - so the drivers driving today are thinking that way which in my view is good - safety 1st - thats common sense

As a result - no action should be taken against any of the drivers in that race at Albany

As for the officiating stewards( and i have posted numerous times on this forum - that in the whole Aust wide - i think overall they do an excellent job ) - however in this particular case - i think B Scott ( im assuming thats Barbara Scott - chief steward of WATA ) should be hauled before Michael Radley and his full commitee and read the absolute riot act . The only out she has got - is if from a legal and rule book position - she had to deem it a race - and thus had no discretion to call it a no race

However if within the rules - she in that particular race - had within the rules the discretion to call it a no race - then what she has done by giving the all clear as a race - is an absolute disgrace

JayJay · February 2018

It has nothing to do with M.Radley and Gloucester Park Committee. Stewards are RWWA appointments and RWWA controls racing in WA across all tracks.

curmudgeon · February 2018

There may be a bit more to this than meets the eye Marko. We will have to wait and see.

Similar events occurred at Pinjarra a few weeks ago.....horse drawn 1 swung sideways and interfered with horses off 10m. Race was restarted ...probably erroneously but a better decision. Only blue was the 1 horse did it again in the restart and caused problems for the 10m horses again....should have been sent to the outside as unruly like they used to do here and still do in NZ.

savethegame · February 2018

The drivers,.... drive the race .......Stewards make the call regarding to continue remember you have usually only 30-40 seconds max. to make the call re safety on a 800m. track to give drivers 20 odd seconds to take action before they arrive at the scene...if you are to call a no race,.. have seen them call a race off, & danger has past two seconds later....Safety is paramount..

The caller has indicated at the 18sec. mark the situation was under control...This situation the drivers had no right to surmise it was off, if the lights and sirens don't,work then stewards are general placed around the track at different points with walkie- talkies, the head steward makes the call also the clerks or course have them plus have seen memebers of the public and other drivers sprinting to warn drivers of danger...

Think quite a few years ago sarah suvaljko went over a horse that was laying on the track from the previous lap..

Chariotsonfire · February 2018

Completely disagree Marko, the drivers are the culpable ones here and by indicating that Michael Radley should take control you are showing a complete lack of understanding of the current integrity structure for WA harness racing.

Markovina · February 2018

Yes but there is a thing called common sense - which i think the stewards here have thrown out the window

Likewise in a Ballarat Pacing Cup about 3 years ago ( there was an issue re Sulky size at that time - actually i think it might have been the manufacturers at fault - making them too big )

So instead of the stewards picking some nondescript meeting - eg (Cobram Charlton ) no he has to do it on Ballarat Cup night ( big Sat night crowd - everyone excited ) - he decided to measure all the sulkies - so David Aitken Emma Stewart and i think Brent Lilley ( all with multiple runners ) said up yours mate - where all late scratchings

Thus they were left with about a field of 4 for the Cup ( because no common sense had been used ) - and the public and punters were the big losers

curmudgeon · February 2018

What if.....just saying....in the rain and the confusion....someone was yelling out " pull up it's been called off " .....or words to that effect?

What is going to go through your mind as a driver ? do you ignore it ? has someone been hurt ? have the warning lights malfunctioned (plenty of precedent there if you have been around long enough ) ? What is actually going on over the other side of the track ? Be safe rather than sorry ? Is there something I can't see in all of this ?

...there may be more to come in this

savethegame · February 2018

Lot races over the years a horse has fallen or choked down .....drivers have navigated a wide course around the fallen runner, you weren't allowed to improve your position until you went past the incident.......Many moons ago knew a driver that had a pretty big bet got tipped out after the start and laid there complaining of his back so it was a no race to get his money back he invested so..things aren't cut &dried.

jum · February 2018

savethegame said:
Lot races over the years a horse has fallen or choked down .....drivers have navigated a wide course around the fallen runner, you weren't allowed to improve your position until you went past the incident.......Many moons ago knew a driver that had a pretty big bet got tipped out after the start and laid there complaining of his back so it was a no race to get his money back he invested so..things aren't cut &dried.

Very Smart Man
:))

Chariotsonfire · May 2018

Inquiry finally completed and penalties handed down:

RWWA Harness - Albany Inquiries Finalised

17 May 2018

RACE 5 – ALBANY HARNESS MEETING 16 FEBRUARY 2018

Stewards recently finalised a number of inquiries that had been adjourned from Race 5 at Albany on 16 February 2018.

Background

Race 5 at Albany on 16 February 2018 was a standing start race. After the start, MELTON EXPRESS (W. Andrews) was fractious and as a result made contact with CRIMSON FLOYD (T. Stone) which had begun from 30 metres. This resulted in W. Andrews being dislodged from the sulky but remaining on his feet and T. Stone being dislodged and returning to his feet immediately. Both drivers continued to retain hold of the reins with no horses falling to the track and therefore both horses and drivers were cleared from the track quickly with the track being cleared to continue racing after approximately 20 seconds.

The remaining horses and drivers continued in the race however in the back straight on the first occasion, J. Justins (CHUCK NORRIS), M. Young (ESTOCADA) , L. Inwood (ACROSS THE WAY) and T. Wheeler (FOUR NEEDED) all began to restrain their horses to varying degrees, with CHUCK NORRIS and ACROSS THE WAY being pulled up to a walk, ESTOCADA being restrained and losing ground and FOUR NEEDED being impeded and losing ground when caught behind ACROSS THE WAY which was under restraint. DREDLOCK ROCKSTAR (A. Markham) continued on in the race and improved around the horses that were being restrained and worked to the lead. DREDLOCK ROCKSTAR won the race.

After being caught behind ACROSS THE WAY, T. Wheeler was able to gain clear running with FOUR NEEDED and although initially cautious, then obtained a trail on DREDLOCK ROCKSTAR and continued on and completed the race, being placed second, beaten 8 metres.

After restraining ESTOCADA and losing ground, M. Young continued on and completed the race, being placed third, beaten 42 metres.

After restraining ACROSS THE WAY to a walk, L. Inwood continued on and completed the race, being placed fourth, beaten 380 metres.

After restraining CHUCK NORRIS to a walk, J. Justins continued on and completed the race, being placed fifth, beaten 732 metres.

The all clear was delayed to allow Stewards to review the race and interview all drivers. In determining it was a race, Stewards took into account that no horse suffered interference in the race, all horses were afforded a fair start, there was no obstruction on the track and it was solely the action and decisions of drivers that affected the outcome of the race. Inquiries into the tactics adopted by drivers was adjourned.

Inquiries Finalised

At the resumption of the inquiry, further evidence was taken from L. Inwood, T. Wheeler, M. Young and J. Justins. Assistance was provided to M. Young and J. Justins throughout the inquiry from RWWA Driving Master Mr Trevor Warwick.

Stewards issued a charge under Rule 149(2) to L. Inwood, M. Young and J. Justins

149(2) A driver shall not drive in a manner which in the opinion of the stewards is unacceptable.

The particulars being that in the opinion of stewards it was unacceptable for drivers to restrain their horses and lose ground when the track was clear for racing and no sirens had been sounded. In determining penalty stewards took into account:

It is a drivers primary obligation to give their horse every opportunity to win or obtain the best possible placing
The action of drivers resulted in their horses losing ground which affects their finishing position
The action of drivers resulted in punters, owners and trainers being financially disadvantaged
It is not acceptable for drivers to take matters into their own hands
Drivers that intentionally restrain their horse in a race, some to a degree that the horse came to a walk is an integrity issue and will lead Stewards to question the motives of drivers
This type of action by drivers is detrimental to the harness racing industry in that horses that are not allowed to run on their merits will result in a loss of confidence from punters.
That any penalty must be a general deterrent
The guilty pleas of the drivers
Their offence history and previous penalties under this Rule.

The following penalties were issued:

L. Inwood (ACROSS THE WAY) – Suspension of licence for 6 weeks

J. Justins (CHUCK NORRIS) – Suspension of licence for 4 weeks

M. Young (ESTOCADA) – Suspension of licence for 4 weeks

Stewards took no action against A. Markham (DREDLOCK ROCKSTAR) or T. Wheeler (FOUR NEEDED).

Full details:

http://www.harness.org.au/media-room/news-article/?news_id=37290

Markovina · May 2018

In NSW and Vic - you can appeal to a separate independant body - dont know if that is the same in WA - but if it is - then those penalties at appeal will be thrown out in 5 minutes

"Drivers that intentionally restrain their horse in a race some to agree that the horse came to a walk is an integrity issue and will lead stewards to question the motives of drivers " - what an absolute joke

You dont have to be Julius Sumner Miller to know why they restrained/ pulled up their horses - safety concerns for their fellow drivers

Chariotsonfire · May 2018

So what you are saying Marko is that drivers can decide what should be a no race rather than the stewards controlling the meeting.

curmudgeon · May 2018

I think what Marko is saying is that the drivers became confused as to what was going on and erred on the side of caution ......although it wasn't the case on this occasion it would not be the first time that the warning system has failed to operate at a country venue. At least some of the drivers remaining were aware that two others had been tipped out and they thought it was prudent to not arrive on the scene at full pelt in race mode. It it hard to evaluate the exact situation from the other side of a track whilst you are behind a moving horse. The integrity question would seem to be obviated by the sequence of events I would think. This seemed to be an abnormal situation...I can't remember a similar occurrence.

curmudgeon · May 2018

Bit of light reading that explains why some pools go aarse up in a flash.

https://www.watoday.com.au/national/meet-the-joker-the-australian-who-is-the-biggest-gambler-in-the-world-20180515-p4zfhi.html

G'day Punter!

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RWWA Harness - Albany Inquiries Finalised