Track: Dead
Weather: Overcast/Showery
Rail: Out 4 metres from 450 metres to Winning Post.

In the vicinity of the 1300 metres THE EX FILES (B Claridge) shifted out and bumped AVIATE (Damien Holland).

Stewards questioned J Potter in relation to his ride of BUFFALO POWER over the final 300 metres. J Potter explained to the Stewards that in the vicinity of the 300 metres he did not have a clear run on his outside, and he elected to switch BUFFALO POWER to the rails in the hope of obtaining a run on the inside of GENERAL MAGIC (M Neilson). He further explained that when he attempted to take a run on the inside of GENERAL MAGIC that gelding shifted back slightly towards the rail and as a result he was disappointed for a clear run and had to switch around the heels of GENERAL MAGIC. J Potter was advised that Stewards confirmed and accepted his explanation.

Subsequent to the race a Veterinary inspection of FRENZEL RHOMB revealed that gelding was suffering soreness in the lower back.

RENDELSHAM STAR (J Holder) knuckled at the start.

POWER TO RULE (J O’Connor) was slow to begin and showed a tendency to race greenly in the early stages.

Following the running of this race the track was downgraded from DEAD to SLOW.

QUESTAMATIC (D Tootell) and NASTIVE EDITION (B Vale) were both slow to begin.

In the vicinity of the 1000 metres IRISH INTRIGUE (W Kerford) shifted out and bumped RIDE THE STORM (J Maund). W Kerford was reminded of his obligations when shifting ground.

On return to Scale Damien Holland rider of he fourth placegetter KEN CHEVAL viewed the official Stewards head-on patrol film. After doing so in conjunction with the Stewards, Damien Holland lodged an objection against ZED FILES (P Gatt) being declared the third placegetter on grounds of alleged interference over the final 300 metres. After taking evidence from all connections and acting on their own observations and viewing the Stewards patrol film, Stewards upheld the objection.

The amended placings were:
First        No. 5 IKAROS (B. Claridge)
Second No. 2 STYLISH LASS (S. Price)
Third No. 1 KEN CHEVAL (Damien Holland)
Fourth No. 6 ZED FILES (P. Gatt)
Fifth        No. 4 HIGHTARI (W. Kerford)

In the vicinity of the 200 metres, ZED FILES (P Gatt) shifted in under riding when insufficiently clear of KEN CHEVAL (Damien Holland), causing that gelding to shift in and make contact with MOSSITON (D Tootell), which in turn shifted in and made contact with the hindquarters of HIGHTARI (W Kerford). As a result, KEN CHEVAL (Damien Holland) had to be eased and MOSSITON (D Tootell) was checked and lost its position. P Gatt pleaded guilty to a charge of Careless Riding under ARR 137(a) and was subsequently suspended from riding in races from midnight 15 June 2002 until midnight 29 June 2002. A period of four meetings.

Stewards granted permission for SMILINGLY to be scratched at 12.47pm, following a request from Trainer Ms M Smith to withdraw the filly due to the downgrade of the track following Race 2.

LITTLE MISS QUICK (J Holder) and THESE DAYS (T Creek) bumped at the start and shortly after LITTLE MISS QUICK was inconvenienced when YOUNG SMYTZER (B Claridge) shifted in.

In the vicinity of the 700 metres YOUNG SMYTZER (B Claridge) showed a tendency to race ungenerously for a short distance.

WEST STREET was a late scratching by Stewards acting on Veterinary advice at 8.20am.

The start of this race was delayed after MAJOR PORTION lost a near fore plate. As the plate was unable to be found, Stewards gave permission for MAJOR PORTION to race bare in front.

MAJOR PORTION (D Carney) slipped at the start and as a result lost some ground.

KING KEEPERS (D Azis) knuckled at the start and as a result lost some ground.

Subsequent to the race a Veterinary inspection of BOUVERIE’S JEST revealed no visible abnormalities.

Stewards granted permission for BEVAN to be scratched at 1.12pm following a request from Trainer Mr A McEvoy to withdraw the horse due to the downgrade of the track following Race 2.

SHIRAZ NOW (W Kerford) was slow to begin.

MR ICEMAN (T Creek) jumped out at the start and bumped BITOVATUNE (D Tootell), which shifted out and bumped MOOTIARA (C Lever), which had jumped awkwardly.

CHATZ (Damien Holland) raced wide in the early and middle stages.

Subsequent to the race an endoscopic examination of MOOTIARA revealed that the gelding was suffering from pharyngitis and an internal lung haemorrhage. Trainer Mr R W Huxtable was advised that a Veterinary Certificate of Fitness would be required before MOOTIARA would be accepted for any future races.

Stewards granted permission for CLASSY LOOKER to be scratched at 1.20pm following a request from Trainer Mr K Sweeney to withdraw the mare due to the downgrade of the track following Race 2.

Stewards granted permission for HUEY to be scratched at 2.05pm following a request from Mr D Pannell, representing Trainer Mr J Hawkes, to withdraw the gelding due to the downgrade of the track following Race 2.

LEMONADE PARADE (D Tootell) jumped out at the start and as a result lost some ground.

DANAZAR (J Bowditch) jumped awkwardly.

In the vicinity of the 1000 metres KING CROW (J Potter) shifted out and bumped REQUIEM (S Price), which in turn shifted out and bumped DANAZAR (J Bowditch), which became unbalanced for a short distance.

Stewards questioned J Bowditch in relation to the performance of DANAZAR in today’s event. J Bowditch advised the Stewards that after jumping awkwardly and racing wide in the early stages he had asked DANAZAR for an effort in the vicinity of the 700 metres. However, the gelding only responded slightly to his riding. He further stated that although DANAZAR’S performance was disappointing, he did not believe this could be attributed to the track conditions.

Subsequent to the race a Veterinary inspection of DANAZAR revealed no visible abnormalities.

Race 1 THE EX FILES (winner), Race 5 LITTLE MISS QUICK (NZ) (winner), Race 2 JUDANZO (winner), Race 6 GLENWEST (winner), Race 3 QUESTAMATIC (winner), Race 7 ZIP INFATUATION (winner), Race 4 IKAROS (winner), Race 8 LEMONADE PARADE (winner).

The Stewards Room