T Creek was notified as the rider PRINCE QUAY (NZ). Mr D O’Sullivan representing Mr R F Cameron the trainer of PRINCE QUAY (NZ) was advised that Stewards would impose a fine of $50 for late notification of a rider.

C Lindop replaced J Lorensini as the rider of PRETTY EDGY owing to that rider being overweight.

J Lorensini was fined $100 under ARR 120 (B) for being overweight.

BISCAY BLAZE was withdrawn by Stewards at 12.26pm acting on Veterinary advice that the gelding was lame in the near foreleg. All monies invested on BISCAY BLAZE withdrawn by the order of the stewards, to be refunded. Bets on Win and Place made prior to the withdrawal to be paid on the face value of ticket less 3 cents in the dollar for the Win, less 4 cents in the dollar for the Place.. Mr A Carraill trainer of BISCAY BLAZE was advised that a Veterinary Certificate of Fitness to race would be required before that gelding could be accepted for a future race.

MAWHOOB (S Price) jumped away awkwardly.

On jumping away RARE GOLD (J Bowditch) lost its position when tightened by PRINCE QUAY (NZ) (T Creek), which was taken out by SOUTHERN RENEGADE (J Holder), which shifted out on jumping away.

In the vicinity of the 1200 metres MISTER MANDAREE (D Carney) shifted in on to PRETTY EDGY (C Lindop) inconveniencing that mare and taking it in on to KOODA HURRY (B Claridge), which was forced to check and lose its position. D Carney was found guilty of a charge of careless riding under ARR 137 (a) and was suspended from riding for a period commencing at midnight on 26 December 2001 and to expire at midnight on 5 January 2002 a period of three metropolitan meetings.

Near the 1000 metres PRINCE QUAY (NZ) (T Creek) got its head up and raced ungenerously and wanted to lay out.

Near the 500 metres MAWHOOB (S Price) was obliged to steady off the heels of ZIP INFATUATION (G Dorol), which rolled in.

S Price the rider of MAWHOOB reported that gelding wanted to hang out from approximately 500 metres and on straightening he became concerned that his mount was lame and from the 200 metres has eased it out of the race. Subsequent to the race a Veterinary inspection of MAWHOOB revealed that gelding to be lame in the near foreleg. Mr T Dabernig representing Mr T McEvoy trainer of MAWHOOB was advised that a Veterinary Inspection of Fitness to race would be required before that gelding could be accepted for a future race.

Subsequent to the race SOUTHERN RENEGADE was inspected by the Club’s Veterinary Surgeon who reported no visible abnormalities.

A routine swab sample was taken from RARE GOLD, winner of the race.

RACE 2: MALAYSIA AIRLINES HANDICAP

IN THE SWIM (L Smith) and BRIEF TRUTH (P Gatt) were both slow to jump.

Shortly after the start BRIEF TRUTH (P Gatt) became unbalanced for a short distance when crossing the heels of IN THE SWIM (L Smith).

Racing to the 1000 metres LIKE ALESHIA (J O’Connor) and STREET PARLOUR (J Holder) both got their heads up and raced ungenerously for a short distance. In consequence, BRIEF TRUTH (P Gatt) was obliged to steady off the heels of STREET PARLOUR (J Holder) and in doing so got its head up and raced erratically.

Subsequent to the race a Veterinary inspection of SNIPPET’S BELLE revealed that filly to be lame in the off fore leg. Mr L Macdonald the trainer of SNIPPET’S BELLE was advised that a Veterinary Certificate of Fitness to race would be required before that filly could be accepted for a future race.

A routine swab was taken from LIKE ALESHIA, winner of the race.

CANMARS, which had been kicked in the off hind leg behind the barriers was withdrawn by Stewards at 1.48pm on the advice of the Veterinary Surgeons that the mare was lame. All monies invested on CANMARS withdrawn by the order of the stewards, to be refunded. Bets on Win and Place made prior to the withdrawal to be paid on the face value of ticket less 2 cents in the dollar for the Win, less 3 cents in the dollar for the Place.

UMANOOLA (W Kerford) stood in the gates and missed the start. Mr A Opperman the trainer of UMANOOLA was advised that should that mare perform in a similar manner in future action may be taken against it.

ROKSHOW (D Azis) jumped away awkwardly, shifted out and hampered METEORA (S Cahill).

ROKSHOW (D Azis) commenced to hang making the turn at the entrance to the straight and hampered GENERAL MAGIC (P Gatt).

Subsequent to the race a Veterinary inspection of GENERAL MAGIC revealed that gelding was distressed and hypometric and was suffering oxygen debt. Mr I Walker trainer of GENERAL MAGIC will be advised that the results of an ECG will be required, and be provided to the TRSA Veterinary Surgeon before accepting for any future race.

Subsequent to the race a Veterinary inspection of MARCIN ON revealed that gelding to have an elevated respiratory and heart rates. Mr S P Gower trainer of MARCIN ON will be advised that the results of an ECG will be required, and be provided to the TRSA Veterinary Surgeon before accepting for any future race.

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

METEORA suffered a laceration to its near fore fetlock during the race.

A routine swab was taken from OLIVER BEER, winner of the race.

RACE 4: POPE PACKAGING HANDICAP

BLUESTONE VILLA (P Gatt) and IRISH JANTEE (W Kerford) brushed together on several occasions on jumping away.

DEVIL IN DISGUISE (J Bowditch) was inclined to lay out under pressure over the concluding stages.

A routine swab was taken from MINT OF GOLD, winner of the race.

After being loaded LOWENDALE ROAD broke through the gates and was quickly restrained and returned to the start where it was inspected by the Club’s Veterinary Surgeon and ruled fit to start.

A routine swab was taken from LATTE, winner of the race.

Near the 450 metres HEARTEN’S MAGIC (T Creek) was tightened by GOLDGIFT (D Azis), which shifted out. D Azis was reprimanded and advised to shift ground only when entitled to do so.

ARADINA (S Price) was held up from the entrance to the straight until approximately the 100 metres. When questioned, S Price explained that he had been satisfied with his position racing to the turn and had expected HELIUM (W Kerford) to go forward and provide him with an opportunity to follow that gelding. However, after attempting to shift HELIUM wider, shortly after entering the straight, he was obliged to remain inside HELIUM until approximately the 100 metres at which point he was able to restrain his mount across HELIUM’s heels in an attempt to gain a clear running. He added that prior to this point ARADINA had travelled too well for him to attempt this option. Stewards advised S Price they would report his explanation.

SUNBURY received a laceration over the near side eye during the race.

A routine swab was taken from GOLDGIFT, winner of the race.

RACE 7: CLIPSAL HANDICAP

SIMPLY MAGICAL (D Azis) jumped away awkwardly.

In the vicinity of the 600 metres APPEALING BELL (J Bowditch) rolled in and brushed LORD ROSELAND (M Hoppo).

Approaching the 200 metres BRAVE ENCOUNTER (D Carney) shifted in and inconvenienced BRICKLIN’S BROTHER (T Creek) taking that gelding in on to CLEAR OPTION (B Claridge), which was also inconvenienced.

When questioned regarding the performance of BILLY RASCAL, J O’Connor stated that in the early stages of the race his mount appeared to switch off and he was forced to encourage it to rejoin the field. He stated that inside the 800 metres he became concerned that he could not keep the back of SUNDIATA or SIMPLY MAGICAL. He had commenced to ride the gelding from that point. J O’Connor added that despite his riding it was only over the concluding stages of the race that he felt that his mount had commenced to respond. Stewards advised J O’Connor that his explanation would be noted.

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

A routine swab was taken from SIMPLY MAGICAL, winner of the race.

The Stewards Room