Stipendiary Stewards Report

Wellington Greyhound Racing Club

Hutt Park Raceway ON FRIDAY 21 Oct 2005

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

Judicial report: Weather: Showery Race 2. The day after the race meeting the trainers of Media Frenzy, R & L Bell, advised that this greyhound had suffered a toe injury which was not detected at the race meeting.
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Race 3. Homebush Gordon (M.D.McDonnell). Late scratching due to 1.9kg underweight from previous race start on 02.10.05. Rule 269.3 and $100.00 mandatory fine imposed. Trainers McDonnell, J.McInerney Jnr and O.K.Marron sought clarification on the application of this rule where a change of trainer has taken place inside 28 days from the greyhounds previous race start. This was provided.
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Race 6. Kennel Steward, T. McMillan was reminded of her responsibilities in relation to the checking of rug numbers issued to race runners.
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Race 9. Following this race a verbal complaint was received from B.R.D.Cole the Trainer of Bigtime Lee which finished fifth. Mr Cole's initial complaint was in regard to the lure distance in relation to the leading greyhound Bigtime Lee, which in his opinion, had caused this greyhound's defeat and monetary losses resulting from TAB bets which had been placed on Bigtime Lee by himself and other punters on track.
Sometime later, a further complaint was received from Mr Cole in relation to the two track light bulbs that were not functioning near the entrance to the back straight and which in his opinion had caused Bigtime Lee to lose sight of the lure and run wide.
Mr Cole's initial complaint was heard by the Stipendiary Steward and Judicial Steward / Committee (M. O'Regan). The All Clear for the race was delayed until video coverage was reviewed in the presence of Mr Cole and subsequently the decision was made to authorise the TAB to proceed with the payment of dividends despite the fact that Mr Cole was of the opinion that the Judicial Committee should have declared a 'No Race'.
Mr Cole was also reminded of the availability and procedure required in order for him to lodge an official 'Notice of Objection' under Rules 315 and 316 in regards to the race which he had not complied with and therefore a formal objection did not exist. In an endeavour to consider and satisfy Mr Cole's on-going concerns the Stipendiary Steward and Judicial Committee instigated further inquiries.
The complaints from Mr Cole with the exception of betting losses were also the subject of in-depth discussion with both the Lure Driver (R.Sewell) and Track Maintenance Manager (A.Hyslop) and included an on-track inspection of the track lighting at the point where the two bulbs were not functioning and Lure driving / distance explanations relevant to this particular race.
It was determined that there were a number of factors to be considered in relation to this race including the fact that up until Race 6 all track light bulbs were working with the exception of one. Attempts had been made by the Club to repair the bulb fitting fault prior to the race meeting however it had proven to be more serious than their Electrician had first thought. The second bulb started to become faulty at approximately Race 6 and had blown prior to Race 7. Mr Hyslop advised that repairs to this could not be undertaken on the night due to the electrical danger caused by the wet weather.
The fact that Bigtime Lee ran outwards entering the back straight and lost ground quickly but then continued to retain the lead in the race until the home turn where it appeared to tire and was overtaken by several other runners. This performance could be contributed to the inexperience of Bigtime Lee ( 6 previous race starts in total and it's first race start on this track compounded by the fact that it was at night). Consideration was also given to the possibility that Bigtime Lee may have been in breach of Rule 322.1(b). This consideration was based upon the fact that although the track lighting at Hutt Park may not be as strong / bright as some other tracks conducting night racing, no other greyhound in Race 9 or any other race on the programme ran wide to the same degree or at the same point on the track where Bigtime Lee did and therefore no reoccurring problem of this nature was evident. Taking these factors into account the racing manners of Bigtime Lee will be closely monitored in the immediate future. In addition Mr Cole's complaint was the only one received by the Stipendiary Steward about the lure distances or lighting.
When comparing the actual lighting on the area of the track where the bulbs were not functioning with the immediate areas back and forward of it, the visual difference was minimal and certainly not deficient enough for greyhounds to lose their direction or sight of the lure. The extent of the 'darker portion of track' which appeared on TAB Trackside coverage was in fact no where near as evident or intense when standing in the actual area on the track. It is also relevant that the two bulbs not operational were not the only source of light to that area of track as there were two high light towers positioned nearby on the old trotting track.
Mr R.Sewell (Lure Driver) stated that at the time Bigtime Lee ran wide entering the back straight, the lure in his opinion, was positioned no further than the desired 7 metre distance in front of Bigtime Lee which was leading the race. When Bigtime Lee ran very wide this gave a visual impression that the lure was further ahead than 7 metres but had Bigtime Lee continued to pursue the lure with the speed and commitment that it had displayed prior to running wide, then the lure distance would have continued to appear to be within the desired 7 metre range. Rule 304.1 states that 'it shall be the 'aim' of the lure driver to take the lure and maintain it at a distance of not less than five metres nor more than seven metres from the leading greyhound'. Mr Sewell also stated that when the leading greyhound is pursuing the lure with due commitment and then decides to run very wide immediate adjustment to the lure distance to allow for such direction deviation by the leading greyhound cannot always be an instantaneous correction.
Given the in-depth Judicial Inquiry conducted into the complaints received from Mr Cole, I am satisfied that all relevant matters have now been fully investigated and no NZGRA rules breached. Consequently no further action is required on this occasion other than to advise the Wellington GRC to complete full repairs to the two faulty track lights prior to their next race meeting.

Incident Reports

Race Number	Race Name	Incident Report
Race 1	SPICERS PAPER DASH - C1 - 295	Gus The Builder was very slow to begin otherwise the running of the race was all clear.
Race 2	BRYCE FRANCIS GRAPHICS - C2 - 525	Maximum ran outwards after the start and severely checked itself, Weona Pirate, Thrilling Hope, Upahut Rose, Media Frenzy and Raven Lou. Entering the first turn Weona Pirate, Upahut Rose and Raven Lou were checked. Thrilling Match (K.Walsh). Gained a start in Race 3..
Race 3	NEW ZEALAND RACING SERIES #7 - HEAT 1 - RESq - 525 Heat 1	Canongate, Thrilling Match and Accord were the slowest to begin. Canongate moved outwards on the first turn and forced Accord over extra ground. Entering the final bend Emilie One, Canongate and Celestial were hampered slightly. Celestial ran outwards on the home turn and checked Canongate. Tighnabruich (O.K.Marron). Lameness Right front shoulder. No vet certificate supplied. Rule 259.3. 30 days up to 19.11.05. Homebush Gordon (M.D.McDonnell). Late scratching. Rule 269.3. 1.9 kg underweight from previous race start on 02.10.05.
Race 4	ACCSYS FOR QUICKBOOKS - C1 - 525	Shellsal and Thrilling Cleo were the slowest to begin. Southern Rush and Astro Nerone jostled for several strides prior to the first turn. Entering the first turn general tightening resulted in checks to Staunch, Shellsal and Astro Nerone.
Race 5	NEW ZEALAND RACING SERIES #7 - HEAT 2 - RESq - 525 Heat 1	Dinah Washington and Lika Cruise were the slowest to begin. Homebush Phil ran inwards at the start and caused minor checks to Dinah Washington, Cecilia Henry and Franny Hall. Dinah Washington ran inwards nearing the first turn and came together with Cecilia Henry resulting in both being checked.
Race 6	NEW ZEALAND RACING SERIES #7 - HEAT 3 - RESq - 525 Heat 1	Clydebank, Scottago, Teddy Hall and Scandinavian were the slowest to begin. General tightening on the first turn resulted in checks to Thrilling Zack, Go Pearl Go, Scandinavian and Teddy Hall. Homebush Coyote and Scandinavian came together for a stride on the home turn.
Race 7	ANGLO UPHOLSTERERS - C3/4 - 295	Ali Phoenix was slow to begin. Entering the first turn Pelican Creek moved inwards, came together with and checked Madam Cholet. Homebush George and Ali Phoenix ran very wide on the first turn.
Race 8	CUSTOMS AGENTS WGTN - C2 - 295	Mister Jaybee, Shes Home Soon, Ginger Tyler and Opawa Jazz were the slowest to begin. Opawa Jazz ran inwards at the start and checked itself and Ginger Tyler. Nearing the first turn Ginger Tyler, Opawa Jazz and Shes Home Soon came together with all three runners being severely checked.
Race 9	EL CHEAPO CARS - C1 - 525	Given Title ran inwards at the start and checked Calley Riaz. Cool Customer moved outwards on the first turn and checked Given Title. Cool Customer and Calley Riaz came together on the first bend with both being checked. Thrilling Ice was denied racing room and a clear run on the home turn then ran on well in the home straight for 4th. Bigtime Lee began well, went to a clear lead early and then nearing the entrance to the back straight ran wide and lost approximately 3 lengths before retaining the lead until nearing the home straight where it appeared to tire and was run down, finishing 5th. This runner also raced off the rail for most of the race. (Judicial inquiry instigated - refer Judicial notes).
Race 10	WE RACE AGAIN 9TH NOV - C3 - 295	Sailah Jayne, Mondo Canpione and Hot Discovery were slowest to begin. Sailah Jayne and Mondo Canpione were slightly checked on the first turn. Banjo Country ran outwards on the first turn and checked Bossy Ace. Hot Discovery was hampered in this incident.

Scratchings

Stand Downs

Swabbings

Race Number	Race Name	Swabbing
Race 4	ACCSYS FOR QUICKBOOKS - C1 - 525	Thrilling Cleo Swab No: 16765
Race 7	ANGLO UPHOLSTERERS - C3/4 - 295	La Roko Swab No: 16766
Race 9	EL CHEAPO CARS - C1 - 525	Indicative Swab No: 16762
Race 10	WE RACE AGAIN 9TH NOV - C3 - 295	Mondo Canpione Swab No: 16763

G Bennett

Stipendiary Stewards