Stewards today concluded their inquiry in relation to D. Tootell’s riding of KOLASE in the Hotel Care Community Projects 3-Year-Old run at Cheltenham on the 3^rd of November 2001. Today further evidence was taken from D. Tootell. Subsequently that rider was charged with Incompetent Riding under ARR 137(a) in that racing to the 100 metres to in the vicinity of the 60 metres D. Tootell had failed to ride KOLASE with sufficient vigour. After being guilty of the charge D. Tootell was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence at midnight Sunday 11^th November and expire at midnight on the 26^th December 2001. A period of eight Metropolitan Meetings.

J. Bowditch replaced C. Lever as the rider of ZIP ZIP ARAY, due to C. Lever being indisposed through illness.

The start of this race was delayed three minutes owing to STITCH IN TIME (S. Cahill) and ZEDIMBI (J. Holder) both proving difficult to be loaded into their respective stalls. As a result, Mr. D. O’Sullivan Trainer of STITCH IN TIME, and Mr. M. Minervini Trainer of ZEDIMBI, were advised that a repetition of their horses behaviour could lead to disciplinary action being taken.

A swab sample was taken from OUR FAME, winner of the race.

OUR FAME (T. Creek) jumped outwards at the start, resulting in BELLOTTO BOY (D. Azis), which had been slow to begin, being hampered.

Racing inside the 800 metres VINTAGE SECRET (D. Tootell), which was showing a tendency to lay in, shifted in, resulting in contact being made with OUR FAME (T. Creek).

Racing inside the 700 metres TROPHY HOLDER (J. Potter) shifted out slightly, resulting in OUR FAME (T. Creek) shifting out and away from that horse.

Rounding the home turn VINTAGE SECRET (D. Tootell) shifted out slightly, resulting in BALANNE (B. Claridge) being taken out onto ZEDIMBI (J. Holder), resulting in that gelding being inconvenienced.

Stewards questioned D. Azis, rider of BELLOTTO BOY, in relation to his riding of the gelding over the concluding 100 metres. D. Azis reported to Stewards that racing in the vicinity of the 200 metres he had elected to attempt a run up on the inside of ZEDIMBI (J. Holder). Shortly after that gelding commenced to shift in under riding, resulting in BELLOTTO BOY being taken in and eventually disappointed for a run. Stewards noted the explanations tendered by that rider.

W. Kerford replaced C. Lever as the rider of LA JOLIE.

The start of this race was delayed three minutes owing to PRINCESS NICKY proving difficult to be placed in its stall and LA JOLIE rearing over backwards in its stall, resulting in W. Kerford being dislodged and the filly becoming cast under the barriers for a short period of time. Acting on Veterinary advice Stewards ordered the withdrawal of LA JOLIE at 12.22 p.m.

Stewards ruled that all monies wagered on LA JOLIE be refunded. Bets made prior to the withdrawal were to be paid on the face value of the ticket less:
Bets for a WIN - 10 cents in the dollar from the face value of the ticket, and
Bets for a PLACE - 10 cents in the dollar from the winnings only.

Mr. D. Jolly, Trainer of LA JOLIE, was advised the filly was now banned from racing for a period, until such time as it can trial to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an Official Barrier Trial.

A Veterinary inspection of LA JOLIE revealed lameness in the off hind leg.

Ms. S. Braithwaite, representing Mr. S. Gower Trainer of PRINCESS NICKY, was advised that a repetition of the filly’s behaviour at the barrier could lead to disciplinary action being taken.

A swab sample was taken from PRINCESS NICKY, winner of the race.

In the vicinity of the 800 metres OTTOBELLO (J. Maund) and WILD BY NATURE (S. Price) bumped together. Shortly after RIVER CHI (J. Lorensini) showed a tendency to shift in and away from LORD ARLINGTON (D. Carney), resulting in pressure being applied to OTTOBELLO. Shortly after LORD ARLINGTON shifted in and away from SURE BET (J. Nevin), resulting in RIVER CHI being taken in and further pressure being applied to OTTOBELLO, who in turn continued to make contact with WILD BY NATURE, resulting in that filly laying out.

Racing to the 600 metres TELBON LOTTO (J. Bowditch) shifted in slightly. As a result, SURE BET (J. Nevin) shifted in and away from that horse, resulting in pressure being applied to LORD ARLINGTON (D. Carney, OTTOBELLO (J. Maund) and WILD BY NATURE (S. Price), who had continued to race tightly for some considerable distance. Stewards took no further action as they believed no one rider was responsible.

J. Bowditch, rider of 4^th Placegetter TELBON LOTTO, was fined $100 under ARR 144 for failing to weigh in as required under that Rule.

A swab sample was taken from EURO CONNECTION, winner of the race.

D. Azis, rider of 3^rd Placegetter TALANTO, lodged an objection against SPEEDOVICH being declared the winner, on the grounds of alleged interference over the concluding 50 metres of the event. After taking evidence from all parties, on their own observations and viewing the official video film of the event, Stewards upheld the objection by D. Azis when it was established that racing inside the 50 metres SPEEDOVICH (C. Buchiw) shifted in, resulting in TALANTO being tightened for galloping room and forced to ease racing to the line. Cheree Buchiw was advised by Stewards of her obligations. The amended placings being:

SIR TANJIL (J. Lorensini) jumped away awkwardly and as a result was slow to begin.

In the vicinity of the 900 metres RED SALLY (D. Tootell) was forced to ease and lose its position when NIGHT FANCY (J. Bowditch) shifted in slightly; at the same time JETTON (C. Symons) shifted out.

In the vicinity of the 200 metres TALANTO (D. Azis) shifted in, resulting in BLEVENCIA (D. Carney) being inconvenienced.

J. Maund replaced J. Holder, who in turn had been engaged to replace C. Lever as the rider of BETTA FORTUNE. Stewards noted the explanations tendered by J. Holder in relation to his overweight and took no further action.

Acting on Veterinary advice that CHATZ had become extremely agitated prior to the event, resulting in that gelding breaking away from the Attendant, Stewards ordered its withdrawal at 1.40 p.m.

Stewards ruled that all monies wagered on CHATZ be refunded. Bets made prior to the withdrawal were to be paid on the face value of the ticket less:
Bets for a WIN - 3 cents in the dollar from the face value of the ticket, and
Bets for a PLACE - 4 cents in the dollar from the winnings only.

The start of this race was delayed owing to WYNDAM ALL breaking through the front of its stall. The colt was quickly reined in by its rider S. Price, and after undergoing a Veterinary inspection was passed fit to take its place in the field.

A swab sample was taken from WYNDAM ALL, winner of the race.

MR. JUNEE (D. Carney) was slow to begin.

HOSTILE LAD (D. Tootell) and MOSSE (J. Bowditch) jumped away awkwardly and were slow to begin.

In the vicinity of the1000 metres KENNY BOY (D. Cleaver) shifted in when insufficiently clear of ROYAL BELL (S. Cahill), taking that horse in onto NIGHT KISS (P. Gatt), resulting in that mare being forced to ease and lose its position.

D. Cleaver was subsequently charged with Careless Riding under ARR 137(a) and after being found guilty of the charge was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence at midnight on 6^th November and to expire at midnight on Wednesday 14^th November 2001. A period of one Metropolitan Meeting. Stewards deemed this penalty to be a Class 1 suspension.

Rounding the home turn D. Azis, rider of REGION (NZ), dropped his whip, resulting in that rider being fined $50 for carelessness.

A Veterinary inspection of NIGHT KISS following the running of the race revealed lameness in the off fore leg.

D. Carney replaced C. Lever as the rider of ROMANOUS JEWEL.

A swab sample was taken from SALLY ROSE, winner of the race.

DANCERKOV (S. Cahill) was slow to begin.

In the vicinity of the 1000 metres LEAD ON (J. Maund), when being eased, shifted in, resulting in contact being made with IMPERIAL CHARTER (C. Symons), resulting in LEAD ON being turned inwards.

In the vicinity of the 400 metres PATAGONIA (S. Price) shifted out slightly, resulting in the filly brushing ZIPGAZER (J. Potter). Shortly after PATAGONIA became unbalanced, shifting out further, resulting in ZIPGAZER being severely tightened for galloping room and being taken out onto LEAD ON (J. Maund). In consequence ZIPGAZER and PATAGONIA became extremely unbalanced.

Stewards advised S. Price that he was given the benefit of a doubt as to whether he was solely responsible for the incident.

In the vicinity of the 100 metres SALLY ROSE (Darren Holland) shifted in under riding, resulting in DANCERKOV (S. Cahill) being inconvenienced.

Darren Holland was advised by Stewards of his obligations when shifting ground.

C. Symons, rider of IMPERIAL CHARTER, dropped his whip rounding the home turn. Subsequently that rider was fined $50 for carelessness.

A Veterinary inspection of IMPERIAL CHARTER, following the running of the race, revealed no visible abnormalities, although the gelding had a heart rate much lower than would have been expected.

S. Price replaced C. Lever as the rider of STAR O’WAR.

A swab sample was taken from LUSKIN’S PROUD, winner of the race.

LAPSHA broke through the front of its stall and galloped a short distance before being reined in by its rider J. Bowditch. A subsequent Veterinary inspection of the mare revealed it was fit to take its place in the field.

Stewards questioned B. Claridge into the reason for him being declared as the rider of LUCY’S GIFT and ELLAWARREN LAD in this event. After taking evidence from B. Claridge he was subsequently fined $100 for accepting two mounts in this race. C. Symons replaced B. Claridge as the rider of LUCY’S GIFT.

CAPTAIN BUCKLEY (S. Harrison) and OXFORD REGENT (D. Tootell) were slow to begin.

LUCY’S GIFT (C. Symons) jumped outwards at the start, resulting in SCARLET (Damien Holland) being inconvenienced.

J. Bowditch replaced C. Lever as the rider of STAND BY ME.

Stewards questioned Mr. D. O’Sullivan, Master of T. Creek, into the reason for him being declared as the rider of INKAMULLA (NZ) and ON THE SNIP in this event. After taking evidence from Mr. O’Sullivan, Stewards took no further action against T. Creek into the double engagement in this race, but advised Mr. O’Sullivan that he must be more positive in the directions given to his Apprentice when attempting to obtain rides.

The start of this race was delayed three minutes owing to DEDICATION BOY becoming extremely restless in its stall, resulting in BORDER TIME rearing and then shortly after DEDICATION BOY rearing, resulting in both horses undergoing Veterinary inspections, which revealed that BORDER TIME and DEDICATION BOY were unfit to take their places in the field. As a result Stewards ordered the withdrawal of the two horses at 4.16 p.m.

Stewards ruled that all monies wagered on DEDICATION BOY and BORDER TIME be refunded. Bets made prior to the withdrawal were to be paid on the face value of the ticket less:
Bets for a WIN - 9 cents in the dollar from the face value of the ticket, and
Bets for a PLACE - 11 cents in the dollar from the winnings only.

Mr. M. Kavanagh Trainer of BORDER TIME, and Katrina Broughton representing Mr. B. Mueller Trainer of DEDICATION BOY, were both advised that a repetition of their horses behaviour at the barrier could lead to them being banned for a period.

J. Bowditch replaced C. Lever as the rider of STAND BY ME.

A swab sample was taken from CHEKWENYA, winner of the race.

STAND BY ME (J. Bowditch) jumped away awkwardly.

In the vicinity of the 700 metres KEN CHEVAL (P. Gatt) was inconvenienced when tightened for galloping room on the inside of STAND BY ME (J. Bowditch) for a short distance.

Shortly after entering the straight CHEKWENYA (D. Tootell) and ALL CHEER (B. Claridge) bumped together on a number of occasions.

Stewards questioned Mr. G. Kennewell, Trainer of CHEKWENYA, into the seemingly improved performance of the gelding today. Mr. Kennewell reported to Stewards that he believed the 1263 metre journey today had suited the gelding, as against its two previous starts from a spell over 1000 metres. Mr. Kennewell further reported to Stewards that CHEKWENYA had worked well leading up to today’s event, but owing to the performance of the horse at its two previous starts had only been moderately supported by the Stable. Stewards noted the explanations tendered by Mr. Kennewell.

A Veterinary inspection of MR. SANDS revealed a severe sprain of both flexor tendons in the near fore leg.

RACE 8 – CLIPSAL SLIMLINE CLASS 3 HANDICAP:

J. Holder replaced C. Lever as the rider of OUTSIDE THE SQUARE.

A swab sample was taken from KING CROW, winner of the race.

KING CROW (C. Buchiw) was disappointed for a run for a short distance rounding the home turn.

RACE 9 – PIERLITE LIGHTING CLASS 1 HANDICAP:

A swab sample was taken from MANIHI PRINCE, winner of the race.

YUSRA (S. Cahill) jumped away awkwardly, resulting in that gelding knuckling over.

In the vicinity of the 1000 metres COORDINATOR (J. Bowditch) shifted in, resulting in PRINCIPAL MISS (J. Holder) being taken inwards. In consequence ORCHILLA (W. Kerford), which was racing on the inside of PRINCIPAL MISS (J. Holder) was inconvenienced.

Racing inside the 1000 metres ORCHILLA (W. Kerford), when being eased, shifted in, resulting in MANIHI PRINCE (T. Creek) being inconvenienced and taken to the fence. In consequence EXPLETIVE (Darren Holland), which was racing behind MANIHI PRINCE, was forced to check to avoid the heels of that horse.

Racing inside the 500 metres MAGICAL SPIRIT (J. Maund) shifted out to improve its position. Shortly after EXPLETIVE (Darren Holland), when disappointed for a run, was forced to ease to avoid the heels of that gelding.

The Stewards Room