Riding Changes: Nil

Race 1 - BISCAY SUPER VOBIS HANDICAP - 1000 metres:

"Delargo" was slow to begin.

"Delargo" hung in rounding the home turn and in the straight "Around the Block" hung in and proved difficult to ride out.

During the running of the race the saddle on "Boy's Talk" shifted back.

Race 2 - JOHN C. REILLY SUPER VOBIS HANDICAP - 1200 metres:

"Major Woody" shifted out on jumping away, and bumped "Super Scope".

Near the 500 metres "Major Woody", which was shifting ground, shifted out when being checked off the heels of "Rust".

On the home turn "I'll be Gone" shifted out slightly, brushed "Fubutu", and became unbalanced.

The Club's Veterinary Surgeon reported that "Peace Ruler" had sustained a wound to its near fore pastern during the running of the race.

Race 3 - AUSPOWER PLATE - 1400 metres:

Acting on a report from the Starter regarding the unruly behaviour of " Betula" when being placed in its starting stall, the Stewards notified Mr. Tommy Hughes, trainer of the filly, that it is now suspended from racing until such time as it trials to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an organised trial, at which time it must obtain a barrier test certificate.

As a result of this the start of the race was delayed.

"Bridal Hill" was slow to begin.

Running to the 600 metres "Bridal Hill" had to be eased off the heels of "Lady Mulroy".

S. Seamer, rider of "Vignette" which performed below expectations, stated that after racing in a forward position in the early and middle stages of the race "Vignette", when put under pressure from the home turn, did not respond to his riding and gave ground from that point. Seamer added that "Vignette" felt normal on pulling up. A veterinary examination of "Vignette" failed to reveal any abnormality.

When questioned D. Gauci, rider of "Pretty Woman (NZ)", explained to the Stewards that he took hold of the filly shortly after the start in an endeavour to race close to the rails from an outside barrier. Gauci stated that in his efforts to race closer to the rails he got further out of his ground than he intended. Gauci added that, although he slapped the filly up in the middle stages of the race, it did not respond as he would have expected. Gauci further added he then elected to wait for a run through the field, running to and rounding the home turn rather than race wide, and that after switching to the outside in the early part of the straight "Pretty Woman (NZ)" had a tendency to lay in when put under pressure in the straight.

The Stewards severely reprimanded D. Gauci for the manner in which he had ridden "'Pretty Woman (NZ)", and notified him that in their view he should have made a far greater effort earlier than he did today to improve his position. Gauci was also advised that he must show far more initiative throughout his races in future.

Race 4 - W. J. (BILL) ADAMS STAKES - 1200 metres:

On jumping away "Gattaca (NZ)" and "Roktzar" bumped.

Race 5 - FUTURITY STAKES - 1400 metres:

Prior to correct weight B. Fenech, rider of "Aquiver", fourth past the post, and Mr. W. Hawkes, who was representing trainer John Hawkes, viewed the videos of the race, and decided to lodge an objection against "Desert Sky" being declared third placegetter on the grounds of alleged interference in the straight. After the parties had viewed the Stewards' patrol video and the TV version of the race, and after they had listened to the submissions of the parties concerned, the Stewards upheld the objection, the amended placings being "Dash for Cash", 1^st; "Chattanooga", 2^nd, "Aquiver", 3^rd and "Desert Sky", 4^th.

It was established that near the 150 metres "Aquiver" was hampered and had to change course to avoid the heels of "Desert Sky", which was shifting out under pressure. B. Prebble, rider of "Desert Sky", was notified that he must make a greater effort to keep his mount straight than he did on this occasion.

Approaching the winning post "Mr. Murphy" had to be steadied off the heels of "Aquiver", which shifted in under pressure.

Race 6 - CARLTON DRAUGHT ST. GEORGE STAKES - 1800 metres:

"Market Price" was slow to begin.

Near the 1200 metres "Northerly" shifted out and brushed "Cent Home (NZ)"

Shortly after this"Northerly" had to be checked off the heels of "Piper Star", and "Cent Home (NZ)" had to be checked off the heels of "Tuscanos".

"Cent Home (NZ)" was temporarily held up for a run on the latter part of the home turn.

In the straight "Tuscanos" was hampered when tightened on to the hindquarters of "Market Price" by "Ethereal (NZ)" (S. Seamer), which shifted out abruptly before being straightened.

Race 7 - SHANNONS CLASSIC - 1800 metres:

"All Courage" knuckled on jumping away, and then shifted out and tightened "Royal Code" on to "Zarek".

Running to the home turn "Don Eduardo (NZ)" and "Royal Code" came together.

"Don Eduardo (NZ)" was then taken out by "Royal Code" rounding the home turn.

Race 8 - VICTORIA GOLD CUP - 2000 metres:

Approaching the winning post "Royal Treen" had to be eased when tightened slightly between "Rain Gauge" and "Gunnamatta", which was taken out by "Eagle Rhythm (NZ)".

During the running of the race "Varsilayos" suffered a bleeding attack.

SWAB SAMPLES were taken from the winners of all races today.

FINES/EXPLANATIONS:

The Stewards took no action against Mr. D. Lawson, trainer of "Aux Cayes", for the late notification of B. Fenech as the rider of the filly which ran in the Auspower Plate - Race 3.

The Stewards Room