Riding Changes: Nil

Race 1 - RACECOURSE ANNIVERSARY MAIDEN PLATE 1200 METRES

Approaching and rounding the home turn FULL ON RED was held up for a run. After passing the 200 metres AYRFORDMAN, which had obtained a narrow run between INDECORUM and DEE DAA was hampered for a number of strides due to DEE DAA initially shifting in and then INDECORUM shifting out slightly. D Larsson, rider of UMIGHT, which performed below expectations stated that the gelding was slightly slow to begin and was then reluctant to stretch out in the early stages of the race. D Larsson added that UMIGHT hung out rounding the home turn and then ran on only fairly in the home straight. A subsequent veterinarian examination of UMIGHT revealed no apparent abnormality. On return to scale it was reported that BORRACHOSO had been galloped on the off hind leg. Prior to correct weight being declared MISS C Lindop, rider of AYRFORDMAN, third place getter requested to view the stewards patrol video of the home straight before deciding not to lodge an objection. When asked if he could offer any explanation for the improved performance of MISS SUZI QUE , the winner, Mr J North, trainer of the mare stated that since MISS SUZI QUE raced at Wangaratta and performed poorly he discovered the mare had a problem with its stifle joint. MR North added that MISS SUZI QUE had received chiropractic treatment to the injury and had responded well to that treatment. MR NORTH further added that in the lead up to this race MISS SUZI QUE had felt much better in her action and had worked and trialled well recently, and for this reason he moderately supported MISS SUZI QUE today.

Race 2 - G H MICHELL & SONS MAIDEN PLATE 1850 METRES

Prior to correct weight being declared K Post, rider of YANKEE BABE, fifth place getter, requested to view the official photo finish print. After viewing the print K Post agreed with the judges placings. Near the 300 metres TRUE AS had to be eased to avoid the heels of NATHAN DETROIT which shifted in slightly. In the early part of the straight BACONER'S SISTER shifted in and had to be checked off the heels of BLUE SUMMIT (NZ).

Race 3 - CADBURY SCHWEPPES HANDICAP 1000 METRES

BLUE ORCHID jumped away awkwardly. Approaching the 600 metres BLUE ORCHID had to be eased to avoid the heels of BRINKLEY LASS which shifted in. Near the 500 metres BLUE ORCHID was tightened for room between STAMPCO and PAY THE TOMMS which shifted in. Near the 50 metres PAY THE TOMMS had to change course to obtain a clear run. On pulling up, the saddle on BLUE ORCHID shifted to the near side, this resulted in M EVANS rider of BLUE ORCHID dismounting and the horse being led back to scale riderless.

Race 4 - J H GREENHILL SUPER VOBIS 3-Y-O MAIDEN PLATE 1200 METRES

Near the 50 metres KEEP IT had to be eased when tightened for room by MR MOSS which shifted in slightly. MISS B Blacker, rider of CHEEKY ROSIE ,which performed poorly explained that the filly hung in throughout the race and did not feel right in its action. A Subsequent veterinary examination of CHEEKY ROSIE revealed no apparent abnormality.

Race 5 - TOOHEYS NEW EDENHOPE CUP 1850 METRES

P Marks, rider of COSIPURA, second place getter, requested to view the official photo finish print prior to correct weight being declared. After viewing the print P Marks agreed with the judges placings.. Near the 600 metres KASHA MOON shifted in towards the running rail and became unbalanced. KASHA MOON then shifted out resulting in REGAL RICOCHET having to be checked off that gelding's heels. Approaching the wining post CASUAL REMARK had to be checked and OCEAN RULE was hampered when tightened for room between KASHA MOON which shifted out and BONZER BLUE which shifted in. Subsequent to the event INALA LASS, which had weakened badly from the 500 metres onwards was examined by the club's veterinary surgeon who reported the mare had a slower than normal recovery. D Mittiga, rider of KASHA MOON was found guilty of a charge of careless riding. The careless riding being that he permitted his mount to shift in near the 100 metres the first time when not sufficiently clear of REGAL RICOCHET thereby taking that gelding in across the running of JOVIAL KING resulting in that gelding having to be checked. D Mittiga was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence at midnight the 13^th March 2002 and to expire at the completion of the day meeting on the 28^th March 2002.

Race 6 - NOVOTEL ST. KILDA CLASS 2 HANDICAP 1850 METRES - No report.

Race 7 - FORSTER/OTTOSON FIRST NATIONAL CLASS 4 HCP 1450 METRES

Near the 1000 metres OLD DUNCAN had to be checked severely when tightened for room by SWANWATER, which had been racing ungenerously for some distance prior to this and then shifted in abruptly. When being checked OLD DUNCAN clipped the heels of SWANWATER. Rounding the home turn SWANWATER was held up when unable to obtain a home run. Subsequent to the event the club's veterinary surgeon reported that OLD DUNCAN was lame in the nearside knee.

Race 8 - ELDERS VP EDENHOPE CLASS 2 HCP 1000 METRES

After being placed in the barriers KARNAK, MILITARY and NO JOKE all broke through their front gates and cantered for a short distance. The respective horses were returned to the barrier and examined by the club's veterinary surgeon who passed those horses fit to run. Approaching the 800 metres MISS REVIC had to be severely checked when tightened for room between MILITARY CREST which had been eased off the heels of KARNAK and IRISH DUCHESS ,which after receiving a slight brush from GALWAY SPARKLER shifted out further away from that mare. As the stewards did not attribute the cause of incident to any one rider no action was taken. Subsequent to the event the club's veterinary surgeon reported that MILITARY CREST sustained a laceration to the near hind leg.

SWAB SAMPLES -

RACE 1 - A random swab sample taken from FULL ON RED , unplaced.
RACE 2 - A routine swab sample was taken from HIROTA , the winner.
RACE 5 - A random swab sample was taken from PERSIAN STING, the winner.
RACE 6 - A random swab sample was taken from OUR SHIVOO, the winner.
RACE 8 - A routine swab sample was taken from ZASHMIR, the winner.

The Stewards Room