Stipendiary Stewards Report

Auckland Greyhound Racing Club

Manukau Stadium ON WEDNESDAY 24 Mar 2004

Weather:
Track: Good Firm
Scales: Correct at all weights
Health and Safety comment:

Judicial report: Weather: Fine A Stipendiary Steward Enquiry, in terms of Rule 123.8, was opened post Race 6 when it was noted, and protested, that the lure length had been shortened during the running, with a consequent checking in his stride by No 8 Lazy Alex, then the leader. Lazy Alex was clearly compromised in his momentum, propping as the lure shortened in front of him, and was gathered in by his closest rivals who continued on and took the first two placings. Lazy Alex regained his balance and placed third.
In a consideraton of whether the race should be declared a 'No race' and abandoned in terms of Rule 305, it was agreed that the terms of Rule 305.2 no breach had occurred - the leading dogs had 'not drawn level with, passed or touched' the lure. The first two provisions of Rule 305.1 were not applicable - the first relating 'to a mechanical defect occurring after the start which prevents the race from being finished' was negated as the race was completed; and the second, which refers to 'other circumstances' was inappropriate as, in fact, a mechanical defect had been the cause. When queried, the lure driver revealed that at a certain position on the rail, recently upgraded, a fault was apparent which caused the lure to lose power momentarily, and that he had struggled to surge it away from the leading dogs. This lure fault was confirmed by a second lure driver, and is being addressed by the AGRC.
In regard to the lure driver's requirements to maintain a specific distance in front of the leading dog, it is noted that Rule 304.1 only obligates him to have the 'aim' to do so - in this matter there was nothing to suggest that the problem was caused by other than a mechanical fault - therefore no liability could be attributed to him. There is no finite breach for a failure to maintain the stipulated lure distance.
At 6.05pm, the Judicial Chairman ruled that the recommendation of the Stipendiary Steward be accepted and that the placings should stand. The Chairman instructed the Stipendiary Steward to report to the NZGRA on the issues, in particular the perceived Rule inadequacies which would allow a 'no race' to be declared when a leading dog is compromised in the running to the extent that he does not place as could have been expected - through either lure malfunction or inept driving by the lure driver.

Incident Reports

Race Number	Race Name	Incident Report
Race 1	CAROL'S TAB MAIDEN SPRINT FINAL - C0f - 318	Supreme Jester was the early leader and held until headed by Silk Ripple, that dog then drew away, increasing her margin to the line. No 9 Hezascallywag (CA Symes). Rule 254 (100K).
Race 2	CROWN CONSTRUCTION DASH - C1 - 318	Lady Dolly sprinted into the bend at the front of the field - holding until Awesome Tyler ranged up alongside, took control and held for strong win. Smokin' Time crossed after the jump and into sharp contact with Mana Watt initially and then Farmer John. As Farmer John continued he was buffeted by Winsome Eels, moving out off the rail, and then squeezed up against Smokin'Time - Farmer John did not feature further.
Race 3	MAD BUTCHER STAKES - C1 - 527	Ina Tizzy crossed to take field out of first bend - set pace down back straight, holding until Rivette Reason started forward move which saw her well placed in the home straight and able to storm home for the win in the final stages. Miss Rummo and Gozo Reg came into contact after the jump.
Race 4	ROYAL WOLF CONTAINERS DASH - C1 - 318	Sue Van Gill very quickly established an early lead and held well. Mister Zinger was slow to jump and raced along at the rear until reaching the straight entrance - then flared out sharply off the rail and into contact with Opening Time, that dog then dropping back from second position in the running. In the run to the finish line Mister Zinger and Opening Time were in shoulder to shoulder contact on several occasions.
Race 5	PROBLEM BUSTERS DASH - C2 - 318	My Journey was slow to start and although conceding ground initially then moved along rail and in the run down the straight was able to take a close decision in the last few strides.After the jump Mr Luke crossed over from the outside draw to challenge the leaders Nigella Bale and Just Curly. Those dogs then compacted tightly near the rail and Mr Luke was forced down on his hind quarters, with Just Curly falling after trying to avoid Mr Luke. Just Curly finished the race and was cleared of injury at a post race veterinary examination. .
Race 6	PETWARE STAKES FINAL - C1f - 527	Lazy Alex sprinted across from the outside draw and travelling down back straight held a good margin - until checking his stride as a lure malfunction shortened, temporarily, the length to the lure - at this time Lazy Alex was gathered in by his closest rivals and although recovering his momentum Lazy Alex could only place third at the line. A post race Enquiry ended with the Judicial Chairman accepting the Stipendiary Steward recommendation and ruling that the placings should stand.
Race 7	COMMERCIAL PLUMBING DASH - C3 - 318	Allegro Flight was slow to start, conceding ground. Onslow Bale took and held an early lead to the line. As Onslow Bale crossed after the jump he came in sharp contact with both Little Toot and Tempest Reign - Tempest Reign skewing sideways momentarily and scrambling to regain momentum. No 8 Longest Drive (DD Schofield). Rule 259 - toe laceration and bruising. Stand down 10 days to 01.04.04. VC held.
Race 8	STREETS ICE CREAM STAKES - C1 - 527	No Invitation and Cameron Bale took field out of first bend as the field bunched tightly at that corner. Splicklez, having settled back at midfield, moved steadily along rail down the back straight and when entering the home straight gathered in the front running No Invitation and went strongly on for the win. No 2 Cameron Bale (GN Pomeroy). Rule 329 - broken toe. Stand down 14 days to 06.04.04. VC held.
Race 9	RADIO PACIFIC DASH - C4/5 - 318	My Toby raced away into the lead, holding until breaking down in his stride and veering to the outer of the track - not finishing in a place but valiantly finishing with what was later diagnosed as a dislocated wrist. Blue Paragon, after a somewhat slow start moved along the track inner and took the race with ease. No 5 My Toby (DD Schofield). Rule 329 - dislocated wrist. Stand down 30 days to 22.04.04. (Unlikely to resume racing). VC held.
Race 10	EGH INTERNET GREYHOUNDS STAKES - C2 - 527	The inner dogs bunched tightly at the start as Parra Power and Easter Man from the outer and inner draws respectively, disputed the pace. Travelling down the back straight the favourite Romberg Reason commenced a strong run and in the home straight proved his dominance in getting to the line first.

Scratchings

Stand Downs

Swabbings

GM Downey

Stipendiary Stewards