Riding Changes:

Race 1 - MANFRED SUPER VOBIS HANDICAP:

"North Boy" hung out under pressure from the top of the straight.

Race 2 - SCHWEPPES CUP:

Prior to correct weight, Greg Childs, rider of fourth placegetter "Telford" viewed the Stewards Patrol Video before deciding not to lodge an objection against first placegetter "Don Eduardo(NZ)" and third placegetter "Exaggerate(NZ)".

It was established that at the entrance to the straight "Telford" attempted to take a narrow run between "Don Eduardo(NZ)" and "Exaggerate(NZ)" which was laying out, where there was not sufficient room. Shortly after, "Telford" had to be checked when "Exaggerate(NZ)", which continued to lay out, shifted out further under pressure.

Scott Seamer, rider of "Grey Song", stated that the gelding commenced to hang out shortly after the start and then hung out badly from the 800 metres and continued to do so for the length of the straight.

A veterinary examination of "Grey Song" failed to reveal any abnormality. After questioning Tommy Hughes, trainer of "Grey Song", Stewards warned Mr Hughes that should "Grey Song" lays in a similar manner in the future action may be taken against him.

Race 3 - REDCRAZE HANDICAP:

No report.

Race 4 - LOMBARD THE PAPER PEOPLE PLATE:

"Mister Obliging" had to change course at the entrance of the straight and near the 200 metres when attempting a narrow run between "Gallopini" and "Go On Spending" was accidentally struck on the head by the whip of Glen Boss, rider of "Gallopini".

David Taggart, rider of "Candana Lad" was fined $200 for weighing in 1 kg over his declared weight.

Race 5 - TBV MANNERISM STAKES:

Near the 1200 metres "Mighty Fine" was hampered and had to ease off the heels of "Limerick Lady" ridden by Darren Gauci who shifted in. Gauci was notified to exercise more care when shifting ground in the future.

"Noble Glow" had difficulty obtaining a clear run rounding the home turn.

In the early part of the straight "Belle Princess" had to be off the heels of "Spurn" which had shifted out to obtain a clear run.

Race 6 - AAMI BLUE DIAMOND STAKES:

The start was delayed initially when "Coupe" broke through the barriers and cantered a short distance. "Bel Esprit" proved difficult to load. Acting on a report from the Starter, regarding the unruly behaviour of "Bel Esprit" the Stewards questioned Mr J Symons, trainer of the colt. Mr Symons was then notified that "Bel Esprit" will not be permitted to start until such time that the colt had performed to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial, at which time he must obtain a barrier test certificate. "Bel Esprit" had proven difficult to load previously.

"Bel Esprit" jumped awkwardly.

At the entrance to the straight, "Cool Trent" was tightened on to "Tom Coureuse" by "C'est Le Reve" which shifted out slightly under pressure. "C'est Le Reve" became unbalanced after brushing "Cool Trent".

Race 7 - CARLTON DRAUGHT ANGUS ARMANASCO STAKES:

The start of the race was re-scheduled to 3.50 p.m.

On arrival at the barrier "Moon Dragon" threw her head in the air and struck D. Oliver the filly's rider in the face. Oliver was examined by the ambulance officer and passed fit to ride.

"Born Priceless" threw her head in the air and raced ungenerously for some distance approaching the 1300 metres when being restrained.

"Moon Dragon" was held up for a run rounding the home turn and prior to straightening eased off the heels of "Born Priceless" which shifted out.

At the entrance to the straight "Tully Thunder" was hampered when disappointed for a run between "Karla Keys" and "Periphery".

Approaching the winning post "Gold Lottey" which was laying in under pressure and "Woodwina" came together.

Race 8 - OAKLEIGH PLATE:

Prior to correct weight the Stewards together with Darren Gauci, rider, and Mr Wayne Hawkes who was representing Mr John Hawkes, trainer of "Hire" viewed the start of the race to establish whether "Hire" which had had got its head in the air on jumping away had been denied a fair start.

Evidence was also taken from Mr Pat Walsh, (Barrier Attendant) and Mr Doug McClure (Starter). It was established that "Hire", which had been restless in the stalls and which had been held by Mr Walsh at the request of D Gauci its rider, threw its head to the near side of the stall as the start were released and lost considerable ground. The Stewards deemed that "Hire" had not been denied a fair start.

"Chong Tong" and "Sudurka" were both slow to begin.

In the early part of the straight "Ateates" was hampered when tightened for room between "Straight Ace" and "Lontano" which shifted out.

"Old Comrade" which was making ground had to change course in the straight to obtain a clear run.

Near the 800 metres "Fair Alert" shifted in away from "Lontano" after being taken in by that gelding and made contact with "Sports".

Race 9 - AUTUMN COUNTRY CUP:

As J. Patton was to ride overweight, he was replaced by Luke Currie. Patton was reprimanded and reminded action may be taken against him should he not fulfill his engagements in the future.

Near the 1200 metres "Frere Jacques" shifted out slightly after being brushed by "Jake's Woman" and tightened onto "Primevall".

D. Oliver, rider of Zinedan which performed below expectations felt that Zinedan was short in its action in front. A veterinary examination of "Zinedan" revealed it was lame in the off hind leg.

Mr T. O'Sullivan, trainer of Zinedan was notified that prior to the horse starting again he must produce a veterinary clearance.

 SWAB SAMPLES -

Pre - race samples were taken from 54 horses and post race samples were taken from all winners and "Mistegic" second placegetter in the Oakleigh Plate.

FINES AND EXPLANATIONS:

Colin Alderson, trainer of "Kehunga" and Mark Young, trainer of "Melody Prince" were each fined $50 for having nominated their horses in the Autumn Country Cup when they were ineligible.

An inquiry into the reason for "Mr Bombastic" being nominated when ineligible was adjourned to a date to be fixed.

MOONEE VALLEY 26^TH DECEMBER, 2001 - ADJOURNED INQUIRY:

FUNCTION AND EVENTS HANDICAP:
Stewards took no action in respect of F. Villella in failing to fulfill his engagement on "Ella Corina".

The Stewards Room