Riding Changes:

Race 1 - GEORGE VOWLES SUPER VOBIS HANDICAP - 1410 metres:

"Dilettante (NZ)" began awkwardly, shifted in, and inconvenienced "Saints Union (NZ)".

"Saints Union (NZ)" laid in under pressure in the straight.

G. Childs, rider of "Dilettante (NZ)", explained to the Stewards that he felt that the colt had got its tongue over the bit during the race, and choked down. A veterinary examination revealed no apparent abnormality, and a swab sample was ordered to be taken from the colt.

Race 2 - THE TRUMP HANDICAP - 1800 metres:

When asked if he could offer any explanation for the poor performance of "Aquiver", B. Fenech, rider of the gelding, stated that the horse had travelled reasonably well until the 600 metres, but did not respond to his riding when put under pressure from that point. B. Fenech added that he believed the horse's weight today may have been a factor in its poor performance. Fenech also added that "Aquiver" had appeared to pull up well. The Club's Veterinary Surgeon reported that an examination revealed no apparent abnormality, and a swab sample was ordered to be taken from "Aquiver".

Race 3 - TORBEK SUPER VOBIS HANDICAP - 1200 metres:

"Irish Knight" jumped away awkwardly.

Race 4 - PALPHAR SUPER VOBIS HANDICAP - 1410 metres:

"Warrior Rose", which had been slow to begin, had to be eased off the heels of "No Alibi", which shifted in away from "Enfold".

Near the 900 metres "Willie Command (NZ)", which was pulling hard, had to be checked off the heels of "No Alibi", which was also pulling.

Race 5 - ANNIVERSARY VASE - 1410 metres:

"Real Time (NZ)" had to be re-saddled at the barrier prior to the race.

Near the 700 metres "Dover Street" was inconvenienced due to "Brodance" shifting out.

Race 6 - JAYCO CARAVANS HANDICAP - 1200 metres:

Approaching the 200 metres D. Smith, rider of "Fairy Flash", dropped his whip.

Also approaching the 200 metres "Babe Zaharias" had to be checked off the heels of "Centarena (NZ)" when taken in by "A Thousand Drinks" (L. Currie), which shifted in to obtain a run on the inside of "La Tonkiki" (R. Wheeler), which then shifted in. L. Currie was notified that he must ensure that he has sufficient room when taking runs in future. R. Wheeler was notified that he must make every effort to avoid shifting ground when not clear of other runners.

Race 7 - PLANET RULER HANDICAP - 1200 metres:

Acting on a confirmed telephone call from Mr. Anthony Banks, trainer of "Buckridge", who stated that the gelding had sustained an injury to its near fore leg subsequent to seven o'clock this morning and was unfit to run, the Stewards ordered the withdrawal of "Buckridge" at 11.02 a.m. Mr. Banks will submit a veterinary certificate for the gelding.

"Phin de Vie" had to be re-saddled in the mounting yard, which resulted in the race being delayed for a short period.

"Full on Fraar", which had been restless in the stalls, began awkwardly, and lost ground.

Shortly after the start "As you Would (NZ)" attempted to buck. Mr. D. Hall, trainer of "As you Would (NZ)", was notified that the Stewards were issuing an official warning that should the gelding perform in a similar manner in future action may be taken against it.

V. Hall, rider of "As you Would (NZ)", was reprimanded for his lack of vigour over the concluding stages of the race, and notified that he must ride all his mounts out to the line in future.

Subsequent to the event the Club's Veterinary Surgeon reported that "Havana Town (NZ)" had sustained a laceration to its off hind leg during the race.

Race 8 - MARVEL LOCH HANDICAP - 1200 metres:

Shortly after jumping away "Eldarin" was tightened for room between "Stradie" and "No Feelings", which was taken in by "Sinizzor", which shifted in.

Rounding the home turn "No Feelings", which shifted out slightly, had to be eased off the heels of "Responded", which shifted in.

In the early part of the straight "Sinizzor" was held up when unable to obtain a clear run.

For the majority of the straight "Orcaella" was unable to obtain a clear run.

Approaching the 200 metres "Eldarin" obtained a narrow run between "Will she Work (NZ)" and "Stradie". "Stradie" then shifted out under pressure away from "Coronation Lass (NZ)", which shifted out slightly, and as a result "Eldarin" was tightened on to "Will she Work", which had shifted in slightly, and was then taken out on to the hindquarters of "Responded", turning that mare inwards, and resulting in "Responded" becoming unbalanced. As a result of the incident "Eldarin" was tightened. As no one rider was fully responsible, the Stewards took no action other than to reprimand Sally Wynne, rider of "Stradie", and notify her that she must make far more effort to keep her mounts straight when shifting ground in future.

FINES/EXPLANATIONS:

The Stewards accepted the explanation of Mr. John Blakey, trainer of "Tezza Raami", for the late notification of V. Duric as the rider of the gelding which ran in The Trump Handicap - Race 2.

The Stewards Room