Stipendiary Stewards Report

Auckland Greyhound Racing Club

Manukau Stadium ON THURSDAY 20 May 2004

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

Judicial report: Weather: Fine PROTEST - A protest was lodged, compliant with the timing and monetary terms of Rule 315, following Race 2, by the trainer of Shiraz Royale, PE Freeman. The issue protested was the withdrawal of that greyhound from race 2 by the NZGRA on the 19.05.04, the Chief Executive having excluded Shiraz Royale in terms of Rule 104.5, deeming that it should have been upgraded following a win in a C1d race at the Christchurch meeting on the 12 May 2004. The issue of the greyhound's elegibility to compete in Race 2, a C1d, had been drawn to the Stipendiary Steward's attention at the AGRC meeting on the 18.05.04. When referred to the NZGRA, it was confirmed that the Christchurch GRC had not paid out a higher mininum stakes level for the (feature) race won by Shiraz Royale on the 12 May 2004 - in accord with a designation published in the May 2004 issue of the NZ Greyhound, and the NZGRA CE then ordered that the greyhound be withdrawn. At the hearing of the protest, convened by the Judicial Chairman, acting solely, the trainer PB Freeman was represented by Thayne Green, a part owner. When requested to detail his protest Green in essence maintained that the CE had erred when ordering the greyhound's withdrawal, that he was not empowered to utilise Rule 104.5 for such purpose, and that there were no grounds within that Rule which justified the action taken.
In response the Stipendiary Steward contended that he considered it appropriate that the Chairman first determine whether he had jurisdiction to consider the protest, as the withdrawal ordered by the NZGRA had not taken place during the race meeting, and further that the terms of Rule 315 did not apply, as Shiraz Royale had not been engaged
in the race and the Rule was specific that an objection 'could only be made by the owner, trainer, or handler of some other greyhound engaged in the race'.
The Chairman declined jurisdiction, in essence declaring that the issues raised
were not within the parameters of his raceday role, and further finding that as Shiraz Royale had not been engaged in the race the criteria that specific persons only could lodge a protest had not been met. The issue of the stake payments for the race being withheld was waived by the trainer's representative.

Incident Reports

Race Number	Race Name	Incident Report
Race 1	CATERING PROFESSIONALS STAKES - C1 - 527	Roszel Bale was noticeably slow to start, conceding ground. Twilight Lane fell middle of first bend - recovered footing and tailed field home. A post race veterinary exmination cleared the dog of injury.
Race 2	RADIO PACIFIC DISTANCE FEATURE - C1d - 603	Thrilling Heidi led into the first bend from White Token and Stylish Zoe - this order was unchanged at the line. No 8 Shiraz Royale (PB Freeman). NZGRA withdrawal. No 9 Unlawful Lass (S P Clark)- under stand down from AGRC 18.05.04.
Race 3	COCA-COLA DASH - C2 - 318	The field tightened behind Poetical moving into the first bend, hampering the progress of Faithful Habit, Marrick Maid, Faithful Bart and Kiwi Fire as they buffeted each other in the running.
Race 4	MEADOWSET GRAPHICS STAKES - C1/2 - 527	Mean Tyler skipped clear and held strongly. Lazy Alex and Graeshar's Boy were in running contact with Astro Doll, squeezing that dog severely and forcing her backwards in the early running. No 9 Unlawful Lass (SP Clark) - under stand down from AGRC 18.05.04. No 2 Harvard Chief - Ruloe 329 - laceration to left hind foot. Stand down 7 days to 26.05.04. VC issued.
Race 5	TINT-A-CAR STAKES - C3 - 527	Race clear. .
Race 6	JIMBO'S PETFOODS DASH - C3 - 318	Walton Bale was slow to start but recovered sufficiently to place third.
Race 7	COMMERCIAL PLUMBING DUKE OF EDINBURGH - C2df - 779	Silver Collar - Shining Comet was the slowest to start, settling at the rear and running there until she checked badly off the hind legs of Blue Fern and fell to the track. Whilst able to regain her footing and continue she was then out of contention. A post race examination by the veternary surgeon cleared her of injury. Mcdeebee surged along the rail entering the back straight to take the lead and from that point sustained his run and did not look challenged in his run to the line. The outstanding run set a new track record.
Race 8	ROYAL WOLF CONTAINERS STAKES - C4/5 - 527	Cosmic Eclipse featured in a close photo call, winning by a nose after claiming Winsome Dixie in the last stride, with the same margin to the third placed dog Pilli Appeal, that dog surging to the line in a strong late run. Uptown Dance showed up at the front briefly in the early stages but when gathered in by Winsome Dixie, began to drift and whilst going back through the field, impeded other dogs.
Race 9	FRIDAY FLASH DASH - C5 - 318	Nicholas Bale jumped from box 2 but sprawled on landing somewhat, conceding ground and not recovering sufficiently to feature.Never Time flared wide in the early running, checking Gold Amore wide as well.
Race 10	'GET WELL MAJOR' STAKES - C1/2 - 527	Miss Tracey Lee raced keenly at the start, settling second and holding until the bottom of the back straight before drifting and finishing at the rear.

Scratchings

Stand Downs

Swabbings

GM Downey

Stipendiary Stewards