Riding Changes:

* Stewards took no action against R. Aitken being overweight.

Race 1 - W.T. & P.M. DURBIDGE SUPER VOBIS THREE-YEARS-OLD MAIDEN PLATE (1400 METRES)

ANTON BELLE STAR knuckled on jumping away.

SCOTTALIA (NZ) was slow to begin.

Near the 900 metres LADY PAPADAM had to be checked off the heels of HOT SHOESHINE.

Near the 100 metres LADY PAPADAM was hampered when tightened for room between PEACE DANCE and HOT SHOESHINE which shifted in. In the incident Brady Cross rider of LADY PAPADAM accidentally dropped his whip.

Stewards questioned Brady Cross rider of LADY PAPADAM as to the reason for him getting so far out of his ground in the middle stages of the event. Brady Cross stated that after being hampered near the 900 metres he got further out of his ground than anticipated and added that he was held up for a run rounding the home turn. After viewing the Stewards' patrol film Brady Cross, conceded that he had an opportunity to go forward sooner that he did on the home turn. Stewards notified Brady Cross that in future he would be expected to improve his position sooner than he did on this occasion.

Race 2 - PEDENS PTY.LTD. FOUR YEARS OLD & UPWARDS MAIDEN PLATE (1400 METRES)

On return to scale Craig Robertson rider of BLAZING PLANE (equal first place getter) and Alan Peterson rider of DEVIOUS DEAL (also equal first place getter) requested to view the photo finish for first. Mr. C. Cassar Trainer of BLAZING PLANE and Mrs. G. Peterson Trainer of DEVIOUS DEAL also requested to view the photo finish. After viewing the photo finish on the monitor, also two developed prints of the photo finish and after hearing a submission from Mr. Noel Ryan, Judge, and as the stewards were satisfied the judges placings were correct, correct weight was then declared.

DEVIOUS DEAL began awkwardly.

Rounding the home turn SISTER WAKEFIELD was hampered when tightened for room by TREASURED EMPIRE (NZ) which shifted in slightly.

In the straight TREASURED EMPIRE (NZ) shifted out and brushed GOSPEL ROAD.

Race 3 - GREAT SOUTHERN PLANTATIONS STEEPLECHASE (3400 METRES)

Acting on veterinary advice that DANKWORTH was unfit to run due to possibly suffering from colic. The Stewards withdrew the gelding from the event at 12.35p.m.

On return to scale J. Julian rider of YAHOO (third place getter) and J. MacMillan rider of BASANK (fifth place getter) both wished to view the Stewards' patrol film with a view to lodging an objection. After viewing the film neither rider lodged an objection.

P. Kelly rider of PRINCE LARMAYR (second place getter) lodged an objection against P. Thomas rider of TURKEY LANE being declared the winner on the grounds of alleged interference coming onto the course proper near the 150 metres. After taking evidence from all parties concerned and viewing all video replays available, stewards dismissed the objection and correct weight was declared. It was established that PRINCE LARMAYR which was laying in away from TURKEY LANE, was tightened onto the running rail coming out of the open country onto the course proper by TURKEY LANE (P. Thomas) which had shifted in resulting in PRINCE LARMAYR being tightened onto the hind quarters of TURKEY LANE and being severely hampered and TURKEY LANE also becoming unbalanced. In arriving at this decision Stewards took into account that PRINCE LARMAYR had also continued to come out at this point when entering the course proper. Stewards took no action other than to notifiy P. Thomas that on this occasion he would be expected to leave sufficient running for all horses on his inside at all times.

On return to scale the Club's Veterinary Surgeon reported that YAHOO had sustained an injury to its near fore fetlock and its near hind leg.

Race 4 - ARCHER WITHAM CLASS 2 HANDICAP (1) (1800 METRES)

Prior to correct weight Dean Yendall rider of SPANISH STEPS (third place getter) and Rhonda Rees rider of SCREMUS (second place getter) both wished to view the Stewards' patrol film in the straight with a view to lodging an objection. After viewing the film neither rider lodged an objection.

Near the 200 metres SCREMUS was inconvenienced when tightened for room between BASYN BELLE which shifted out slightly and HONG SE LAD which shifted in. HONG SE LAD then continued to shift in and hamper SCREMUS. SPANISH STEPS, which was following was hampered in consequence.

Race 5 - ELDERS V P CLASS 2 HANDICAP (1200 METRES)

Near the 600 metres RARE PRAISE (NZ) had to be checked severely and lost considerable ground when initially tightened for room by WARATAH MAGIC, which shifted in away from WITH PASSION before being taken in further by that mare, who in turn was taken in by PLUSH MANOR (Peter Young) which shifted in. Peter Young was reprimanded and notified to exercise more care when shifting ground in future.

For some distance in the straight EL KAPALDO had some difficulty in obtaining a clear run.

Race 6 - GORMANS REAL ESTATE CASTERTON CUP (2000 METRES)

Acting on a confirmed telephone call from J. O'Connor Trainer of TOP KALA that the vehicle transporting the gelding to the course today had broken down en route and would not arrive at the track in time to start. The stewards withdrew the gelding from the event at 1.48p.m.

After the second last runner had been placed in the starting stalls the starting gates opened prematurely and a false start was declared. The starting gates were tested and found to be in operating order. All runners were examined by the Club's Veterinary Surgeon and passed fit to run.

When asked if she could offer any explanation for MIGHTY EEL'S improved performance today Kerrie Johnson the gelding's Trainer informed the Stewards that due to an increase in distance and also today's wet track condition was the reason for its improved performance.

Near the 200 metres on the first occasion SHOWGAZER was hampered when tightened for room by JEWEL OF KINGSTON which was taken in by JOVIAL KING who was forced in by SWORDS DRAWN (Michael Evans) which when pulling hard shifted in. M. Evans was reprimanded and notified to exercise more care when shifting ground in future.

After passing the winning post the first time SHOWGAZER had to be checked when tightened for room by JEWEL OF KINGSTON which was also hampered when tightened for room by SWORDS DRAWN (Michael Evans) which shifted in when not sufficiently clear. M. Evans was severely reprimanded and notified to exercise far more care when shifting ground in future.

Race 7 - CASTERTON AGRICULTURAL CLASS 4 HANDICAP (1400 METRES)

Acting on a confirmed telephone call from J. O'Connor Trainer of FLAME BIRD that the vehicle transporting the mare to the course today had broken down en route and would not arrive at the track in time to start, The stewards withdrew the mare from the event at 1.48p.m.

Race 8 - STOOKES FOODWAY MUNTHAM HANDICAP (1200 METRES)

Acting on a confirmed telephone call from J. O'Connor Trainer of INKAMULLA (NZ) that the vehicle transporting the gelding to the course today had broke down en route and would not arrive at the track in time to run. The stewards withdrew the gelding at 1.48p.m.

Race 9 - ARCHER WITHAM CLASS 2 HANDICAP (2) (1800 METRES)

No report.

Race 1- SOVEREIGN POINT - Winner
Race 3- TURKEY LANE - Winner
Race 5- HELLO HELLO - Winner
Race 6- MIGHTY EEL - Winner
Race 8- SHALLY'S MAGIC - Winner

The Stewards Room