GENERAL:

The Stewards today interviewed Mr E. B. Murray regarding comments attributed to him in the Daily Telegraph on Monday 13 August 2001 relative to the fitness of Universal Prince, which is nominated to start in the Warwick Stakes over 1400m at Warwick Farm on Saturday 18 August 2001. Mr Murray advised the Stewards that Universal Prince has been back in work 8 weeks, had pleased him in a trial at Kembla Grange racecourse on Monday 13 August, and he was fully satisfied with his fitness at the commencement of his racing campaign. The undertaking that Universal Prince was fit to race and would be ridden competitively in the Warwick Stakes was accepted by the Stewards.

The Stewards interviewed licensed jockey J. Sheehan relative to a report from the QPC Stewards concerning his failure to fulfil a riding engagement on Transfer at Doomben on Saturday 16 June 2001. (J. Sheehan was not penalised by the QPC Stewards). J. Sheehan was notified that information subsequently received by the NSW TRB Stewards indicated that he had acted in a most unprofessional manner which resulted in him not fulfilling the engagement on Transfer. J. Sheehan was placed on notice that under new NSW TRB LR60 should he offend in a similar manner in New South Wales he would be liable in the first instance to a suspension of a period of 7 days.

Supplementary Report: Saturday 11 August 2001: Race 4: Ansett Golden Wing Superfecta 2000m:

Mr P. Snowden, representing trainer Mr J. Hawkes, reported to the Stewards that Replay, which raced disappointingly and weakened badly in the straight, will now be spelled.

LATE RIDING CHANGES:

As H. Bowman was injured at the Kembla Grange race meeting on Tuesday 14 August 2001 and was unable to fulfil his engagements today the following rider substitutions were permitted: Race 1: App. M. Newman on Feline; Race 2: J. Innes on Stormy Sac; Race 3: L. Beasley on Our Siam; Race 4: B. York on Thunder Time; Race 5: G. Boss on Nighthawk; Race 6: D. McLellan on Thunderstone; Race 7: J. Innes on Crown Chief; and Race 8: J. Cassidy on El Nigma.

As App. M. Cant was indisposed App. S. Pollard was substituted as the rider of Lass Lomond in race 6.

Fly Miss, which jumped awkwardly, was then tightened for room between Our Dane and Bonsoir. Al's Alibhai and Our Dane came together as Our Dane endeavoured to shift to the outside of the heels of Buenos Aires rounding the home turn. Sand Dunes was held up for a run in the early part of the straight.

Grand Juror and World Harmony were slow to begin. Approaching the 500m Mt. Eliza, which raced greenly in the early stages, had to be checked off the heels of Grand Juror when taken out by Stormy Sac, which shifted ground when being steadied off the heels of World Harmony. Shortly after, World Harmony struck the running rail and momentarily became unbalanced. Provokes was inclined to lay in under pressure in the straight. A post-race veterinary examination of Stormy Sac did not reveal any abnormality. A swab sample was taken.

RACE 3: Crown Hotel Sydney Handicap 1550m:

As App. M. Newman was to be overweight, C. Agnew was substituted as the rider of Moonpiper. The explanation tendered by App. Newman was accepted. When questioned R. Quinn was unable to offer any tangible explanation for the disappointing performance of Ethos. A post-race veterinary examination of Ethos did not reveal any abnormality. A swab sample was taken. Mr P. Snowden, representing trainer Mr J. Hawkes, indicated that Ethos will be now retired.

RACE 4: The Metcash Superfecta 1200m:

Trainer Mr E. B. Murray was fined $50 for presenting Pointy Stick in the mounting yard without blinkers (AR140A). Centa Prima and Rectagonal were slow to begin. Approaching the 600m Thunder Time and Raise A King came together. At the same point Centa Prima shifted in and made contact with the running rail. Poetic Papal was inclined to lay in badly in the straight.

RACE 5: Friends of The Australian Ballet Handicap 1100m:

Trainer Mr D. Matts was fined $25 for failing to present Vidual in the enclosure parade (AR117(1)). Nighthawk was slow to begin. Making the first turn Madam Bligh shifted in and bumped Nighthawk, which resulted in Security being hampered.

RACE 6: Fastway Couriers Handicap 1900m:

As B. Stanley was indisposed T. Jones was substituted as the rider of Maclynn. Noir Ruler was slow to begin. Approaching the 200m Romeo George was disappointed for a run inside Big Doug and had to be eased out across the heels of that runner to obtain clear ground. When questioned D. McLellan (Thunderstone) stated that with the gelding stepping up in distance today he had been instructed to find cover about mid-field, but got further back than he intended. He added that he was then disadvantaged in a slowly run race. D. McLellan added that he commenced to improve prior to the home turn and that Thunderstone ran home solidly when clear. Trainer Mr R. Quinton confirmed the instructions given to D. McLellan.

RACE 7: Kings Park Tavern Handicap 1550m:

As no jockey was available B. York was granted permission to ride Aweless ½kg overweight. At the start Specialist shifted out hampering Romany Gypsy. Diamond Mac was inclined to overrace in the early stages. Passing the 700m Strange, which was pulling hard, shifted in and crowded the ground of Benarber, which made contact with the running rail. On the home turn Coveted shifted out and bumped Sadarar. Benarber had difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the straight. England had to be steadied off the heels of Diamond Mac rounding the home turn. It was reported that Benarber lost its near fore plate in running.

RACE 8: Truscott's Toyota Superfecta 1250m:

After initially being bumped by Prince Planet, St. Saens (D. Beasley) shifted in away from that runner resulting in El Nigma having to be checked shortly after the start. D. Beasley was reprimanded and advised that in similar circumstances he would be expected to make more effort to keep his mounts straight. Kahibah Lad was held up for a run in the early part of the straight. The Net and Kahibah Lad were held up until near the 200m. Close to the finish line App. L. Henry was struck across the arm by the whip of L. Beasley (My Tempest), which shifted in away from Aquiline.

SUMMARY:

Fines:
Race 4: trainer E. Murray (Pointy Stick) fined $50-present horse without blinkers (AR140A)
Race 5: trainer D. Matts (Vidual) fined $25-fail to present horse for enclosure parade (AR117(1))

Reprimands:
Race 8: D. Beasley (St. Saens)-shifting in.

The Stewards Room