Riding Changes:
Race - Horse - Rider - Replaced By - Reason
6 - "Logical Reason (NZ)" - Z. Purton - J. Winks - Became Indisposed
8 - "Splash of Love" - Z. Purton - M. Zahra - Indisposed

Race 1 - SUPER VOBIS NEW YEAR HANDICAP - 1200 metres:

The start of the race was delayed due to "Zonked" having to be re-saddled at the barrier.

"Snappa Cane" lost its footing on jumping away, and lost ground.

In the early stages of the race "Troublous" got its head up, and over-raced.

S. Vella, rider of "Snappa Cane" which performed below expectations, stated that after losing its footing on jumping away "Snappa Cane" did not stretch out when put under pressure in the early stages. Vella added that as he felt that "Snappa Cane" may have injured itself he eased it down over the concluding stages. A veterinary examination of "Snappa Cane" subsequent to the event revealed that the gelding was showing signs of lameness in the near fore leg. Mr. Robert Cerchi, trainer of "Snappa Cane", was notified that prior to the gelding racing again he must produce a veterinary clearance for it.

Race 2 - SUPER VOBIS IN 2002 HANDICAP - 1700 metres:

No report.

Race 3 - FLEMINGTON 1840 - 2002 HANDICAP - 1700 metres:

After passing the 200 metres "Trousers" shifted out slightly away from "Gunnamatta" and brushed "Examine the Books (NZ)". "Trousers" and "Examine the Books (NZ)" then raced tight to the winning post.

Race 4 - TWO THOUSAND AND TWO HANDICAP - 2000 metres:

"Karadan (NZ)" and "Flying Pride" jumped away awkwardly.

At the entrance to the straight "Shibiri" had to be checked when disappointed for a run between "Karadan (NZ)" and "flying Pride", which was shifting out under pressure.

On return to scale it was noted that "Mad Harry" had lost its off fore plate.

Race 5 - STANDISH HANDICAP - 1200 metres:

B. Prebble, rider of "Ponton Flyer", was severely reprimanded for shifting out shortly after the start, thereby taking "Chattanooga" out off its course for a short distance.

Near the 200 metres "Shaye Spice" was inconvenienced when tightened for room between "Prince Rubiton", which was laying in, and "Chattanooga", which improved on its inside and shifted out slightly.

N. Rawiller, rider of "Prince Rubiton" which performed below expectations, stated that the horse travelled well early, but did not feel comfortable in the going, which had been affected by a recent heavy shower, crossing to the course proper. Rawiller added that "Prince Rubiton" felt normal on pulling up. A veterinary examination failed to reveal any abnormality.

Race 6 - JAYCO CARAVANS WELTER - 1400 metres:

"Prince Lir" and "Amber Boy" bumped on jumping away, and shortly after the start "Prince Lir" had to be checked when tightened for room between "Arabian Magic" and "Amber Boy", which was laying in.

Race 7 - BAGOT HANDICAP - 2500 metres:

After passing the winning post the first time "Blacktype Magic" had to be checked when tightened for room between "Fibba (NZ)" and "Regal Touch (NZ)", which shifted in away from 'Call me Lily (NZ)", which was shifting in.

Shortly after this incident "Regal Touch (NZ)", "Fibba (NZ)" and "Soldado" were all hampered when "Call me Lily (NZ)" (M. Gatt) continued to shift in. After taking into account all the circumstances the Stewards severely reprimanded M. Gatt for shifting in, in the latter part of the incident, and notified him that he must ensure that he is clear of other runners when shifting ground in future.

A veterinary examination of "Regal Touch (NZ)" subsequent to the race revealed that the mare had lacerations to its near fore leg and both hind legs, and was sore across the back. Mr. John Symons, trainer of "Regal Touch (NZ)", was notified that prior to "Regal Touch (NZ)" racing again he must produce a veterinary clearance for the mare.

Turning out of the straight "The Collector (NZ)" lost its footing.

Subsequent to the event the Club's Veterinary Surgeon reported that "Fibba (NZ)" was lame in the off fore leg. Mr. David Noonan, trainer of the gelding, was notified that he must produce a veterinary clearance for "Fibba (NZ)" prior to it racing again.

Race 8 - MAIDSTONE HANDICAP - 1400 metres:

"Sportique" was held up for a run rounding the home turn, and in the early part of the straight.

Near the 300 metres "Ebony Beauty", which was giving ground, was inconvenienced when tightened for room by "Etta Place", which was taken in by "Sportique", which shifted in to obtain a clear run.

SWAB SAMPLES were taken from the winners of all races today.

RESUMED INQUIRIES:

The Stewards concluded the inquiry into the reason for "Show no Emotion (NZ)", "Kel Power" and "I'm Honor High (NZ)" being hampered after passing the 900 metres in the Harpagus Handicap, which was run at Caulfield on the 29^th December, 2001. It was established that near the 900 metres "Kel Power" had a tendency to shift in away from "I'm Honor High (NZ)", and made contact with "Show no Emotion (NZ)".

Shortly after this incident "Kel Power" and "Show no Emotion (NZ)" were hampered when "I'm Honor High (NZ)", which was laying in, shifted in away from "Lontano" before being taken in across the running of "Kel Power" by "Lontano" (V. Hall), which shifted in when not sufficiently clear. After taking into account all the circumstances the Stewards gave V. Hall the benefit of the doubt as to whether he was fully responsible for the interference. The Stewards took no direct action but severely reprimanded V. Hall, and notified him that he must ensure that he is two lengths clear of other runners when shifting ground.

The Stewards also concluded the inquiry into "I'm Honor High (NZ)" being tightened for room on the home turn in the Harpagus Handicap, which was run at Caulfield on the 29^th December, 2001. It was established that on the home turn "I'm Honor High (NZ)" was hampered and had to be checked when tightened for room between "Sudaam", which was laying out, and "Lontano" (Vincent Hall), which shifted in. After taking into account all the circumstances the Stewards notified Vincent Hall that he must ensure that runners on his inside have sufficient room at all times.

Z. Purton, rider of "I'm Honor High (NZ)", which ran in the Harpagus handicap at Caulfield on Saturday, 29^th December, 2001, was fined $200 for leaving the course without obtaining a clearance from the Stewards.

The Stewards Room