Riding Changes:

* Must produce medical certificate prior to racing again

Race 1 - DANTELAH HANDICAP - 1000 metres:

"Natrass Lane" jumped away awkwardly, shifted out and brushed "Grey Regent".

On return to scale it was noted that "The Mooksta" had lost its near hind plate.

Race 2 - AAMI BLUE DIAMOND PRELUDE (COLTS AND GELDINGS) - 1100 metres:

On arrival at the course "Delago Brom" was examined by the Club's Veterinary Surgeon who reported that the colt had an elevated temperature and was unfit to run, the Stewards ordered the withdrawal of "Delago Brom" at 12.20 p.m.

"Bel Esprit" proved difficult to load into the starting stalls, and held up the swtart of the race for a short time. As the Stewards believed that there were some circumstances they did not take action today, but notified Mr. J. Symons, trainer of the colt, that should "Bel Esprit" behave in a similar manner in future action may be taken against it.

On jumping away "Tom Coureuse" knuckled, became unbalanced and shifted in slightly and brushed "Hardrada", which had also begun awkwardly and shifted out slightly.

"Prosperous Bid (NZ)" got its head up on jumping away, and lost some ground.

"Prosperous Bid (NZ)" raced greenly throughout the event, and approaching the 200 metres shifted in abruptly towards "Zibellino (NZ)".

"Restore (NZ)", which weakened in the straight, was examined by the Club's Veterinary Surgeon, who reported that he could find no apparent abnormality.

Race 3 - AAMI BLUE DIAMOND PRELUDE (Fillies) - 1100 metres:

Acting on a report from the Club's Veterinary Surgeon who stated that "Innovation Girl" had an elevated temperature and was unfit to run, the Stewards ordered the withdrawal of the filly at 12.25 p.m.

"Jamrah" jumped away awkwardly, shifted out and hampered "Palatial".

Race 4 - MODULINE PLATE - 1600 metres:

"Brigantine" jumped away awkwardly, shifted out, and as a result lost ground.

After passing the 1400 metres "Likauma" was inconvenienced due to "Miss Charlemagne (NZ)" shifting in slightly.

Near the 100 metres "Carnebelle (NZ)" shifted out towards "Rezidencia (NZ)" after being taken out slightly by "Gypsy Geena", which shifted out.

Race 5 - CITY OF GLEN EIRA CUP - 1200 metres:

"Spurn" broke through the front of the gates and cantered for a short distance before being returned to the start. "Spurn" was examined by the Club's Veterinary Surgeon, and passed fit to run. As a result of this the start of the race was delayed.

S. Baster, rider of "Comedy Court", and P. Mertens, rider of "Fashion Flame", both of which performed disappointingly, explained to the Stewards that in their view both horses were unsuited by the track conditions today, and neither horse had handled them at any stage of the race. Veterinary examinations of "Comedy Court" and "Fashion Flame" failed to reveal any abnormalities.

Race 6 - NUTFIELD HANDICAP - 1600 metres:

"Dane River" jumped away awkwardly.

Approaching the 1500 metres "Irish Glen" had to be eased to avoid the heels of "Dane River", which shifted out.

For some distance after passing the 1200 metres "Macmiki" got its head up when over-racing.

D. Gauci, rider of "Sacred Shield" which had weakened in the straight, advised the Stewards that he was concerned with the action of "Sacred Shield" from the 700 metres onwards, and for that reason he did not ride the horse in his normal manner. Gauci added that in his view "Sacred Shield" was sore in front. A veterinary examination of "Sacred Shield" revealed no apparent abnormality.

On return to scale it was noted that "Lindoni" had lost its off fore plate.

Race 7 - E. J. KENNON HANDICAP - 1420 metres:

P. Mertens, rider of "Our Guided Missile (NZ)", stated to the Stewards that he had ridden his mount quietly in accordance with his instructions in the early and middle stages of the race, and that he had not improved his position until shortly before the home turn as to do so he would have been required to race wide. Mertens added that he was inconvenienced near the 100 metres when "Montaigne Way (NZ)" shifted out, but his mount, which had a tendency to lay in, was beaten at that stage, and he believed that it was unsuited by the going today. A veterinary examination of "Our Guided Missile (NZ)" failed to reveal any apparent abnormality.

Near the 1300 metres "King Salieri (NZ)" was tightened due to "Luxford" shifting in.

Near the 1200 metres "King Salieri (NZ)" then had to be eased when tightened for room by "Luxford", which was shifting in. C. Symons, rider of "Luxford", was reprimanded and notified that he must ensure that he is clear of other runners when shifting ground in future.

For some distance after passing the 1200 metres "Brother Thaddeus" got its head up and was over-racing.

Near the 100 metres "Our Guided Missile (NZ)" was inconvenienced due to "Montaigne Way (NZ)" (G. Childs) shifting out. G. Childs was notified to exercise more care when shifting ground in future

Race 8 - ARCTIC SCENT HANDICAP - 2025 metres:

Prior to correct weight D. Nikolic, rider of "Kinjika", third placegetter, viewed the Stewards' patrol video and decided not to lodge an objection.

"Swamp Princess" was slow to begin.

R. Cartwright, rider of "Duval", explained to the Stewards thast his mount had failed to respond to his riding when put under pressure near the 600 metres. Cartwright added that as "Duval" was not responding to his riding he did not put it under pressure in the straight. A veterinary examination of "Duval" revealed that the mare had pulled up sore in its off fore leg.

Prior to the 200 metres "Jewel of Kingston" and "Kinjika" brushed due to both horses shifting ground.

Near the 100 metres "Kinjika" was taken in slightly off its course by "Jewel of Kingston" (D. Mittiga), which shifted in under pressure. D. Mittiga will be notified that he must stop riding and straighten his mount when shifting ground in future.

A veterinary examination of "Blemish", which has performed poorly, failed to reveal any abnormality.

WITHDRAWAL OF HORSES DUE TO THE DOWNGRADING OF THE TRACK

The following horses were withdrawn from the events as indicated due to the downgrading of the track from Dead to Slow. Each trainer stated to the Stewards that it was his opinion that his horse would not perform to the best of its ability in today's conditions. Each trainer was notified that he would have to pay the scratching fee.

Race 4 Trainer: T. McEvoy "Alfah Scene" Withdrawn at 1.28 p.m. **
" 5 " B. Barnes . "Amandine" " 1.19 p.m.
" 6 " D. O'Sullivan "On the Snip" " 1.21 p.m.
" 8 " T. McEvoy "Jeune's Heart" " 2.22 p.m.

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

ADJOURNED INQUIRIES: An inquiry into the reason for P. Payne becoming indisposed and being unable to ride "Cool Trent" in the AAMI Blue Diamond Prelude (Colts and Geldings) - Race 2 - was adjourned to a date to be fixed.

An inquiry into the reason for Veejay (NZ) being nominated for the Nuffield Hcp - Race 6 was adjourned to a date to be fixed.

The Stewards Room