GENERAL:

App. G. Scimone was reprimanded for failing to produce a letter of authority from his master (LR68).

App. M. Howarth was interviewed concerning his failure to claim down to his declared riding weight. After interviewing App. Howarth and Mr M. Fitzgerald, Industry Training Support Officer, and considering the recent riding history of App. Howarth, the Stewards did not take any action but rather ruled that his riding weight be lifted to 52kg.

Record Time began awkwardly and lost considerable ground.

Capital Cee was checked at the start when Souch Street shifted in after beginning very awkwardly.

Near the 900m I Do Thee Wed, which missed the start slightly, improved into a tight run between Record Time and Night Before Dawn and then had to be checked when Seafront shifted in away from Words Of Magic. A short distance later Seafront (M. Manktelow) continued to run in away from Words Of Magic hampering Record Time and taking Record Time in onto Night Before Dawn and Brockenhurst, both of which had to be checked. App. M. Manktelow was told that in similar circumstance she should make greater effort to prevent her mount from shifting in.

Over the concluding stages I Do Thee Wed hung in badly causing Record Time to be crowded and Night Before Dawn to be eased close to the finish line.

RACE 2: Triple M Slipper Saloon Superfecta 1250m

Mica's Pride and Al Sakeb were slow to begin.

Lady Cay was held up for a run in the early part of the straight and then shifted out under pressure in the run to the line.

When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of Wandane, C. Munce stated that although the filly was obliged to race three wide throughout the race, he did not put this down as a reason for the disappointing performance as he was obliged to ride the filly along as far as the 600m from the finish in an endeavour to hold his position. A post-race veterinary examination of Wandane revealed no abnormality. A swab sample was taken. Trainer Mr R. Thomsen stated that the only excuse he could find for the performance was that the filly was stirred up prior to the race and was obliged to race wide. Mr Thomsen undertook to report on the progress of Wandane in the days subsequent.

Honest Ned was slow to begin.

In the early part of the straight Italian Adventure was held up on the back of Chatline and then after obtaining clear running inside the 200m was further hampered when taken out by Gourmet Paradise, which was inclined to lay out under pressure.

At the 200m Honest Ned ran up onto the heels of Jimmy Walasko and was checked.

Kiawah was found to be lame in the off-hind leg subsequent to the event. Trainer Mr O. Koolman was advised that a veterinary certificate would be required before Kiawah is permitted to race again.

RACE 4: Raine & Horne Handicap 1200m

Concord, which was fractious in the barrier stall and struck its head on an upright, was withdrawn by the Stewards at 8.45pm on veterinary advice. Subsequently it was directed that all bets on Concord be refunded and that all bets with bookmakers be subject to the following deductions in the dollar from the face value of tickets: traditional each way: 17¢ win, 15¢ place, 35¢ quinella, 17¢ multiple doubles. Trainer Mr W. Thompson was advised that Concord must barrier trial to the satisfaction of the Stewards before it is permitted to race again.

At the 800m Crete had to steady off the heels of Perfect Halo.

Kennett had some difficulty obtaining clear running until approaching the 100m and close to the finish line raced tight inside the heels of Specialist.

RACE 5: Matador Towbars Plate 1550m

The saddle of Alassany shifted forward approaching the first turn placing its rider, A. G. Robinson, at a disadvantage.

For some distance passing the 200m Miss Hepburn was held up for a run behind Alassany.

When questioned regarding the poor performance of Miss Doopsy, D. Beadman stated he was not happy with the mare's action and that it was a beaten horse prior to the home turn. A post-race veterinary examination of Miss Doopsy revealed no abnormality. A swab sample was taken. Mr Slinkard was advised that Miss Doopsy must barrier trial to the satisfaction of the Stewards before it is permitted to race again.

RACE 6: 2002 AAMI Golden Slipper Ball Handicap 1900m

Passing the 1300m Caught At Dawn had to steady off the heels of Dudley Do Right.

Near the 100m Ripon By had to be checked when taken in onto the hindquarters of Abstained by Dudley Do Right (App. R. Brewer), which shifted in away from Caught At Dawn, which also was inclined to lay in under pressure. App. Brewer was reprimanded and advised that in similar circumstances he should react quicker to relieve tightening to inside runners.

A post-race veterinary examination of Friendly Seas, which weakened in the straight, revealed no abnormality. Trainer Mr W. Prain advised that the filly will now be spelled.

RACE 7: Sydney Night Racing Superfecta 1900m

A veterinary examination of An Honor behind the barriers passed the filly fit to start.

Counter Force got its head up when being restrained off the heels off An Honor and ran wide making the first turn taking Trail Of Gold and Valedict wider.

Benmanang raced fiercely in the early stages and had to be restrained off the heels of Willy Nilly.

Passing the 500m An Honor was tightened for room between Counter Force and Republic Lass (G. Boss), which shifted in.

Approaching the 400m as Trail Of Gold came off the fence from behind the leader, Caipirinha, Republic Lass shifted in resulting in Trail Of Gold being hampered. G. Boss was reprimanded and advised to exercise more care when shifting ground.

At the 400m Rectagonal had to be checked off the heels of Benmanang and in so doing shifted out and bumped the hindquarters of An Honor. For some distance thereafter Rectagonal made contact with An Honor as Rectagonal endeavoured to obtain a run between Counter Force and An Honor.

When questioned concerning the tactics adopted on Counter Force, D. Beasley stated that he was under instructions to ride the gelding behind the pace, but when the pace slowed early and Counter Force commenced to pull, rather than be caught wide he elected to go forward. He stated that Counter Force did not respond to his riding and was disappointing.

When questioned, C. Munce (Caipirinha) stated that he was under instructions to find cover early, but after missing the start was trapped wide and when the pace slowed and his mount was pulling hard he went forward passing the 700m.

Reprimands:
App. G. Scimone - not present letter of authority (LR68).
Race 7: G. Boss (Republic Lass) - shifting in (AR137(a)).

Trials:
Race 4: Concord (trainer W. Thompson) - barrier manners.
Race 5: Miss Doopsy (trainer W. Slinkard) - poor performance.

Certificates:
Race 3: Kiawah (trainer O. Koolman) - lame in off-hind leg.

The Stewards Room