Riding Changes:

Race 1 - WELCOME MELBOURNE RACING CLUB PLATE - 1100 metres:

"Tequila Knowledge" returned to scale with some blood trickling from its near nostril. The Club's Veterinary Surgeon examined "Tequila Knowledge", and reported that it is not deemed to be a bleeder under the Rules of Racing.

Race 2 - GOLDENWAY SUPER VOBIS HANDICAP - 1000 metres:

"Rainbow's Edge" broke through the front gates of its starting stall, which necessitated it having to be re-boxed.

On jumping away "Bay of Silk" shifted in and hampered "Graduated".

Race 3 - PRINCESS EULOGY HANDICAP - 1800 metres:

"Aussie Maid" knuckled on jumping away.

"Flotsam (NZ)" was slow to begin.

Near the 700 metres "Centuism" was taken out off its course and hampered due to "Duval" (R. Cartwright) shifting to the outside of "Jeune's Heart" when not sufficiently clear of "Centuism ". "Ruling Eyes", which was racing outside of "Centuism", was inconvenienced as a result. R. Cartwright was severely reprimanded, and notified that he must ensure that he is clear of other runners when shifting ground in future.

Near the 200 metres "Dame Jessie Bambra" had to be checked when tightened for room by "Aussie Maid", which initially shifted in away from "Ocean Tide" when that mare obtained a narrow opening on the inside of "Lady of the Dance (NZ)", which shifted in slightly. The interference was exacerbated when "Ocean Tide" continued to shift in. After taking into account all the circumstances the Stewards notified R. McLeod, rider of "Ocean Tide", that he must make a greater effort to protect his fellow riders in future.

During the running of the race "Ocean Tide" suffered a bleeding attack.

Race 4 - ALWAYS WELCOME HANDICAP - 1800 metres:

Running to the home turn "Ancona Trend" brushed the running rail and had to be checked when taken in slightly by "Archly", which shifted in and made contact with "Ancona Trend" before being tightened on to that gelding by "Peroni" (V. Duric), which shifted in when not sufficiently clear. In the incident "Archly" had a tendency to shift in away from "Peroni", which was shifting in. After taking into account all the circumstances, and as they did not believe one rider was fully responsible, the Stewards took no action other than to reprimand V. Duric, and notify him that he must ensure that there is sufficient room for runners on his inside in future.

At the entrance to the straight "Mondi" was tightened for room between "Rosstown" and "Kailey Lamour (NZ)", which shifted in.

Race 5 - YALUMBA WINES PLATE - 1200 metres:

On the way to the barrier "Peddlar's Best" threw its head back, and struck D. Nikolic, its rider, on the nose. Nikolic was attended to by an ambulance officer, who passed him fit to ride.

On jumping away "Samstrong" was hampered by 'Taj Lotto", which shifted in.

For some distance approaching and passing the 200 metres "Campaign's Magic" was held up when unable to obtain a clear run.

After passing the 100 metres "Royal Calcutta" had to be checked when tightened for room between "Peddlar's Best", which shifted in slightly, and "Arctic Blast" which, after being brushed by "Demontage" which was shifting out to obtain a run, shifted out under pressure away from that gelding. Due to this "Taj Lotto" was hampered in consequence, and had to be checked off the heels of "Royal Calcutta".

On return to scale it was noted that "Campaign's Magic"' had lost its off hind plate.

"St. Fraar", which performed poorly, was examined by the Club's Veterinary Surgeon subsequent to the event. The examination revealed that the gelding was sore in the hindquarters and distressed. Mr. T. O'Sullivan, trainer of "St. Fraar", was notified that the Stewards would require a veterinary clearance in respect of "St. Fraar" prior to the gelding racing again.

Race 6 - VITALIC SUPER VOBIS HANDICAP - 1200 metres:

As it was established that B. Prebble had been engaged to ride "Prosecution (NZ)" by Mr. J. L. Thompson, owner of the colt, prior to R. Wheeler being engaged by Mr. G. Hanlon, trainer of "Prosecution (NZ)", B. Prebble fulfilled his engagement to ride the colt.

Prior to this race D. Nikolic was examined by the Club's Medical Officer and passed fit to ride.

On jumping away "Ready and Go" was tightened for room between "Sudden Snow" and "Nip of Spirit", which shifted in away from "Air Cooled (NZ)", which jumped away awkwardly, and shifted in.

Near the 800 metres "Ready and Go" had to be eased off the heels of "Rimmer".

Race 7 - PLUSH HANDICAP - 1420 metres:

Rounding the first turn and for some distance in the middle stages of the race "Dinner's Ready", which was over-racing, had to be eased off the heels of "Prizefighter".

Rounding the home turn "Major Fun" had to be eased off the heels of "Arndell Park".

In the early part of the straight "Prizefighter" had to change course to obtain a clear run.

Near the 200 metres "Olokai" had to be eased to avoid the heels of "Serai" (D. Nikolic), which shifted out under pressure. D. Nikolic will be notified to exercise more care when shifting ground in future.

Race 8 - AVA HANDICAP - 1200 metres:

The Stewards questioned Mr. G. Thornton, trainer of "Duchess Kachia", following a report from the Analyst that the screening sample had shown a TCO2 concentration in excess of 36 mmol/l. Mr. Thornton notified the Stewards that he had not treated "Duchess Kachia" with any prohibited substance, and that he had fed the horse according to its normal feeding regime. The Analyst was unable to run a confirmatory sample due to the malfunction of the instrumentation. Acting on Mr. Thornton's assurance the Stewards permitted "Duchess Cachia" to run, but notified Mr. Thornton that urine and blood samples would be taken from the horse subsequent to the event.

"Anneden Gold" got its head up on jumping away, and shortly after jumping away "Imposaway" knuckled.

Rounding the home turn "Stark Player (NZ)" brushed the running rail.

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

The Stewards Room