Riding Changes:

Race 1 - ACORN SUPER VOBIS HANDICAP - 1000 metres:

"Prove It" jumped away awkwardly, and lost ground.

Throughout the race "Unbridled Secret" hung in, and as a result P. Mertens had difficulty riding it out in his normal manner in the straight.

Race 2 - NEERIM HANDICAP - 2400 metres:

Prior to correct weight being declared R. Wheeler, rider of "Fillary", equal second placegetter, viewed the Stewards' patrol video, and decided not to lodge an objection.

L. Currie, rider of "Augusta", dropped his near-side rein at the top of the straight, and did not regain the use of that rein for the remainder of the race. Whilst accepting that "Augusta" was hanging, the Stewards severely reprimanded L. Currie for failing to ride the gelding out to the end of the race hands and heels.

"Augusta" hung in throughout the race, and due to this brushed the rail on a number of occasions.

Race 3 - AVON SUPER VOBIS HANDICAP - 1100 metres:

No report.

Race 4 - HEROIC SUPER VOBIS HANDICAP - 1400 metres:

"Walk on Air" over-raced in the early stages of the race.

Near the 300 metres "Squillani" shifted in slightly to obtain a narrow run between "Kehlstein" and "Post". "Post" (D. Nikolic) then shifted in, which resulted in "Squillani" being tightened on to "Kehlstein" which, in turn, was tightened on to the hindquarters of "Participate", which resulted in "Participate" being hampered, "Kehlstein" being hampered and becoming unbalanced, and "Squillani" having to be eased off the heels of "Post". As there was some doubt in the minds of the Stewards as to whether "Squillani" had fully obtained a run inside "Post" before that colt commenced to shift, the Stewards took no action, but D. Nikolic was severely reprimanded, and notified that he must make a far greater effort to keep his mount straight when in similar circumstances.

Race 5 - VICTORIA HANDICAP - 1400 metres:

Prior to correct weight B. Park, rider of "Kabila", fourth placegetter, viewed the Stewards' patrol video and decided not to lodge an objection.

"Mister Obliging" was disappointed for a run at the entrance to the straight between "Aka Bilk (NZ)" and "Notation", which shifted in slightly. "Most Obliging" was unable to obtain a clear run for the remainder of the race.

Near the 300 metres "Tully Dane", which had commenced to give ground, was hampered when tightened for room between "Slalom" and "Debrief" (D. Gauci), which shifted out to improve its position on the outside of "Roman Arch". At the same time "Belle Ball (NZ)" shifted in and made contact with "Slalom". D. Gauci was severely reprimanded, and notified to exercise far greater care when taking runs in future.

After being hampered "Tully Dane" then shifted in and tightened "Notation" on to "Kabila", which resulted in both those horses being hampered.

V. Duric, rider of "Tully Dane", stated that the colt travelled well until put under pressure on the home turn, and then was reluctant to stretch out over the concluding stages. A veterinary examination of "Tully Dane" failed to reveal any abnormality.

Race 6 - ST. CLAIR HANDICAP - 1400 metres:

"No Feelings" jumped away awkwardly, and lost ground.

Near the 1100 metres "Tell no Lies (NZ)" brushed the running rail.

For some distance from the entrance to the straight "Sonarchi" and "Quiz About" raced tight as "Sonarchi" shifted out slightly to obtain a narrow run between "Quiz About" and "Nas Princess".

After passing the 200 metres "Quiz About" was accidentally struck on the head by the whip of N. Callow, rider of "Sonarchi" when both horses shifted ground slightly.

"Indigo Rain" had difficulty obtaining a clear run from the 200 metres until approaching the 50-metre mark.

Race 7 - BRIGHTON HANDICAP - 1800 metres:

"Tooborack" hung in for the majority of the race, and due to this on the home turn had to be checked off the heels of "Moruya Bay", and again in the early part of the straight, when making ground, "Tooborack" had to be checked off the heels of "Landillac" before shifting to the inside of that gelding.

S. King, rider of "Atomic Man", was fined $200 for hitting his horse forward of the shoulder in a forehand manner.

Race 8 - SELECT SUPER VOBIS HANDICAP - 2000 metres:

"Spurious" stood flat-footed when the gates were released, and lost considerable ground. Subsequently, after taking evidence from L. Currie, rider of the gelding, and Mr. Matthew Hyland, trainer, the Stewards notified Mr. Hyland that a warning was being placed on "Spurious" that should the gelding perform in a similar manner in future action may be taken against it.

Shortly after the start "Parish Priest", which was laying in, shifted in and tightened "Tully Thunder" on to "Our Bullbaa" and "Prosecution (NZ)", resulting in those horses being hampered.

"Careyes" hung in throughout the race, and due to this inconvenienced "Leather Lane" in the early part of the straight.

SWAB SAMPLES were taken from the winners of all races today, and a pre-race blood sample was taken from "Indigo Rain", which sample will be subject to post-race analysis.

FINES/EXPLANATIONS:

It was established that L. Currie had been notified as the rider of "Augusta", which ran in the Neerim Handicap, in accordance with the Rules. (Race 2)

It was also established that L. Milham had been notified as the rider of "My Lavinia", which ran in the St. Clair Handicap, in accordance with the Rules. (Race 6.)

The Stewards took no action against Mr. J. Blakey, trainer of "Tezza Raami", which ran in the Brighton Handicap, for the late notification of D. Gauci as the rider of the gelding. (Race 7.)

ADJOURNED INQUIRY:

An inquiry into L. Dowson being unable to fulfil his engagement to ride "Mufaasa" in the Heroic Super Vobis Handicap - Race 4 - was adjourned to a date to be fixed. (Overweight)

The Stewards Room