Are the stewards right

It was interesting to read the stewards report from Hobart's meeting on the 1st of January, young reinmans Alex Ashwood was fined $100 for releasing gear with his foot. The gear he released was the ear plugs, in other words he kick the plugs out, this is a common practise in the states and is now being adopted over here in Australia by many drivers.
I believe that this practise should be encourage not penalised, as drivers have more control over their horses when they kick the plugs out, by removing the plugs with their hands can allow a horse to shift in or out at that time.
Darrel Graham removed the plugs on his star pacer Lanercost in the New Year cup on new years eve and when he did Lanercost shift in and contacted the wheel of Mr Feelgood, which in turn resulted in that pacer breaking stride and finishing last.
Stewards need to review this, and encourage drivers to release gear with their foot, as it makes for safer racing and drivers having a lot more control over their horses.
Review both stewards remarks below.

 

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Alex Ashwood (GENUFLECT) was fined the sum of $100 under the provisions of rule 170(1) for releasing gear with his foot resulting in his foot not being in the sulky rest at all times.

 

at RACE 6 – TABCORP PARK MENANGLE NEW YEAR CUP – 2300 METRES

The winner of the event MR FEELGOOD USA was subject to a post race urine sample.
Horses LANERCOST NZ and MR FEELGOOD USA were both subject to pre race blood testing.
The all clear for this event was delayed to enable Stewards to view the DVD footage of the run to the finish line in that around the 200 metre mark LANERCOST NZ galloped. After viewing both the lateral and head on DVD it was established that at the 200 metre mark LANERCOST NZ shifted in and simultaneous to this MR FEELGOOD USA which was racing to the inside of LANERCOST NZ shifted out. As a result of this there was a contact to the near hind leg of LANERCOST NZ and through this the horse galloped. In view of both runners contributing to this incident the all clear was given. At a subsequent inquiry warnings were issued against both runners for their contributing parts in the incident.