On return to scale an objection was lodged by G Boss, the rider of second placed Breezer, against Ta Ta Tatiana (L Price) being declared the winner, alleging interference over the final 150 metres. The stewards found that over the final 150 metres Breezer shifted out and away from Ta Ta Tatiana, which was shifting ground outwards under pressure. As the stewards were of the belief that at no stage did Ta Ta Tatiana dictate the line of Breezer the objection was dismissed. Apprentice L Price was nevertheless reminded of his obligations to keep his mounts on a straight course. Ta Ta Tatiana shifted in at the start resulting in More Than A Woman being hampered when taken in on to the hindquarters of Reflections. Near the 1000M Southern Sal, which had been tardy to begin, improved to be racing to the inside of Breezer (G Boss) which shifted in. As a result Southern Sal had to be steadied off the heels of Breezer and shifted in crowding the running of Nordic Flight, which was racing fiercely. G Boss was advised to ensure that he is two lengths clear when crossing other runners. Nordic Flight continued to get its head up and overrace and rounding the first turn shifted out resulting in She’s Sweet becoming badly unbalanced and taken wider. Then near the 600M Nordic Flight shifted in and bumped Tamarena and then ran out across the heels of She’s Sweet. Trainer D Lee was interviewed regarding the racing manners of Nordic Flight. Mr Lee advised stewards that in his opinion Nordic Flight had come to the end of its preparation and would be immediately spelled. Acting on Mr Lee’s assurances he was advised that a warning would be placed on the racing manners of Nordic Flight. Near the 800M Breezer had to be checked off the heels of Ta Ta Tatiana. Southern Sal which was following was checked in consequence. Taispeann got its head up and overraced rounding the first turn. More than A Woman had difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the straight.

Mountain Echo, which broke through the barriers, was quickly restrained and passed fit to start by the club’s veterinary officer. Approaching the first turn Garvenor got its head up when being steadied off the heels of Aerodramus. On the home turn Aerodramus (S Pollard) shifted out slightly resulting in Mountain Echo being crowded for room. Apprentice Pollard was reprimanded and advised to make every effort to prevent his mounts from shifting ground. A post race veterinary examination of Meet The Stars did not reveal any abnormalities.

Viejo was inclined to lay out under pressure in the straight. Making the first turn Brown About Town had to be checked off the heels of Japari, shifted out and made contact with Salinsky. When questioned regarding his tactics in the early stages apprentice S Pollard (Flying Mary) stated that at its most recent start at Hawkesbury on 7 September 2001 he had been instructed to be racing behind the pace, as was the case tonight. He said however on that occasion from his wide alley he had no option but to press on and lead. He said that although he had the opportunity to cross Explosive Lover in the early stages he elected to remain racing to that mare’s outside as he was of the belief that Flying Mary was a one-pace galloper and because of this he wanted the option of being able to shift out and improve on the home turn rather than being caught in a pocket.

Donna Natalia jumped in at the start resulting in Helenic Prince being hampered. Pride And Power and Glo Rest began awkwardly. Shortly after the start Clay Shaker was crowded for room between Pride And Power and Glo Rest which was taken in by National Saint. Progress had difficulty obtaining clear running until near the 200M. When questioned regarding the performance of Matter Of Honour, apprentice M Newman stated that after blundering at the start Matter Of Honour did not travel throughout the race and when placed under pressure was most disappointing in its failure to respond to his riding. A post race veterinary examination of Matter Of Honour did not reveal any abnormalities. Mr K Forbes, representing trainer P Perry, undertook to notify the stewards if there is anything amiss with the gelding in the days subsequent. A post race veterinary inspection of Our Mick, which weakened badly in the straight, revealed the gelding to be moderately distressed and displaying a poor post race recovery.

Blue Khan jumped in at the start resulting in Smartly Evident being badly hampered. A post race veterinary examination of smartly Evident did not reveal any abnormalities. Blue Khan was held up for a run until near the 200M. Kangoo was inclined to lay in under pressure in the straight and near the 100M shifted in and briefly crowded the running of Freiby.

Waaria, which was fractious in the barriers, was a late withdrawal at 9.46pm acting on veterinary advice that the gelding was unfit to start. Stewards subsequently ordered that all bets made on Waaria, including quinellas incorporating that horse, be refunded in full and made no other alteration to the betting. Trainer M Clout was advised that Waaria must barrier trial to the satisfaction of the stewards prior to its next race start. L Beasley was reprimanded for permitting Kenwood Allegro to shift out passing the 600M resulting in Back Pocket being crowded for room when taken out on to the hindquarters of Caipirinha. Apprentice S Pollard (Bugle Boy) was reprimanded for allowing his mount to shift out over the concluding stages and crowd the running of Kenwood Allegro resulting in that runner being taken out on to the hindquarters of Back Pocket. When questioned regarding the performance of Gordo, R M Quinn stated that his mount began awkwardly and shifted out and bumped the hindquarters of Kenwood Allegro. He said that Gordo was then unable to muster speed and although he rode his mount along vigorously in an endeavour to hold its position inside Kenwood Allegro he was unable to maintain that position when that horse showed more speed and was able to cross. He said that passing the 800M he was reluctant to shift three wide around Kenwood Allegro and to be following Irish Crusader as his mount was not travelling well and in any case he would have had to have made heavy contact with Back Pocket to shift out. R M Quinn further stated that he attempted a run to the inside of Kenwood Allegro near the 600M when that horse shifted out, however he was held up for some distance when Kenwood Allegro shifted back in. He said that despite his riding the gelding along vigorously in the early part of the straight Gordo did not initially respond to his riding, however passing the 200M picked up ground and finished the race off well. He added that over the concluding stages Gordo was inclined to run out towards the heels of Irish Crusader.

RACE 7 - DAILY TELEGRAPH SUPERFECTA 1,550M

Rounding the first turn Au Naturale had to steady to avoid the heels of Danasia (J Cassidy) which shifted in. J Cassidy was told to ensure he is two lengths clear when shifting ground in future. A short distance later Colditz Courier shifted in and bumped the hindquarters of Au Naturale which became unbalanced. On return to scale it was noted that Panorama had blood in the mouth.

GENERAL: As G Colless was indisposed the following substitutions were approved:
Race 2 - G Boss on Johnny Reb
Race 3 - J Sheehan on Explosive Love
Race 6 - G Boss on Back Pocket
Race 7 - M Newman on The Shootist

As T Jones was also indisposed, the following substitution was approved:
Race 3 - G Buckley on Japari.

SUMMARY:

REPRIMANDS:
Race 2 - S Pollard (Aerodramus)
Race 6 - L Beasley (Kenwood Allegro), S Pollard (Bugle Boy)

RE TRIALS:
Race 6 - Waaria (M Clout)

WARNINGS:
Race 1 - Nordic Flight (D Lee)

CHANGE OF RIDERS:
Race 2 - G Boss replaced G Colless on Johnny Reb (indisposed)
Race 3 - J Sheehan replaced G Colless on Explosive Love (indisposed), G Buckley replaced T Jones on Japari (indisposed)
Race 6 - G Boss replaced G Colless on Back Pocket (indisposed)
Race 7 - M Newman replaced G Colless on The Shootist (indisposed)

The Stewards Room