Riding Changes:

Race 1 - AUTUMN HURDLE - 2800 metres:

During the running of the race "Willy What" suffered a bleeding attack. As this was the second occasion on which "Willy What" had suffered a bleeding attack, it is now suspended from racing forever.

On the home turn "Noble Jon (NZ)" (G. Crofskey) shifted out to improve its position on the outside of "Mystic Outlaw" and made contact with "Sir Ritchie" (M. Mills), which, when endeavouring to hold its ground, shifted in, which resulted in both horses being hampered, and "Noble Jon (NZ)" having to be eased off the heels of "Mystic Outlaw", which was laying out. The Stewards notified G. Crofskey to ensure that he has sufficient room when obtaining runs in future, and reprimanded M. Mills and notified him that, whilst he is entitled to hold his ground, he is not entitled to shift horses off their course when endeavouring to do so.

Near the 300 metres "Sir Ritchie" was hampered due to "Jarl (NZ)" (C. Maher) shifting in. C. Maher was notified to exercise more care when shifting ground in future.

Race 2 - THE DECK BAR SPRINT - 1100 metres:

On arrival at the barrier "Rohatyn (NZ)" dislodged its rider, and then galloped down to the 1200-metre chute.

Acting on veterinary advice the Stewards ordered the withdrawal of "Rohatyn (NZ)" at 1.02 p.m. Subsequently the Stewards ordered that all monies wagered on "Rohatyn (NZ)" be refunded, and that all successful bets on horses prior to the time of withdrawal of "Rohatyn (NZ)" be subject to the following deductions in the dollar from the face value of the ticket: Win Bets: Eight cents; Place Bets: Eight cents; Winning Concession Bets: Eight cents, and Doubles Bets: Eight cents. All monies bet after the Stewards' declaration of withdrawal were ordered to be paid at face value of the ticket.

As a result of this the start of the race was delayed.

Near the 900 metres "Tom Coureuse" became unbalanced when being eased off the heels of "Prince Ali", which shifted in slightly.

"Prince Ali", when giving ground, hung in over the concluding stages.

Near the 400 metres "Prince Ali", which was laying in and giving ground, was inconvenienced by "Saints Union (NZ)", which shifted out away from "Dantana" which, after being held up for a short distance, shifted out abruptly to obtain a clear run.

Race 3 - ROSEMOUNT ESTATE DIAMOND CHARDONNAY 1600 - 1600 metres:

At the entrance to the straight "Tickle My" and "Grange Hill" were hampered when "Belle Princess" (G. Boss) shifted out to improve its position. G. Boss was severely reprimanded, and notified that he must ensure that he has sufficient room when shifting ground in future.

On return to scale it was noted that "Hula Wonder" had lost its near hind plate.

Race 4 - JAYCO HANDICAP - 2000 metres:

At the entrance to the straight "Stravana (NZ)" shifted in, bumped "Condies Fair", lost its footing and became unbalanced. "Condies Fair" was then held up when unable to obtain a clear run until near the 200 metres.

S. Seamer, rider of "Fraar's Turn" which performed below expectations, stated that the gelding, which was having its first start over 2000 metres, over-raced in the early and middle stages of the race, and because of this gave ground over the concluding stages. Seamer added that "Fraar's Turn" felt normal on pulling up.

When asked if there was any explanation for "Trousers" performing below expectations D. Oliver, rider of the gelding, stated that "Trousers" did not feel right in its action during the race, and he believed that something was amiss with it. A veterinary examination of "Trousers" revealed that the gelding was distressed, and showing signs of a respiratory complaint. Mr. S. Alderson, who was representing Ms Cindy Alderson, trainer of "Trousers", was notified that prior to the gelding racing again he must produce a veterinary clearance, which must include the results of an endoscopic examination.

Race 5 - PFD FOOD SERVICES STAKES - 1400 metres:

Approaching the 1000 metres "Captivator" had to be checked off the heels of "Border Time", which got its head up and raced ungenerously when being checked off the heels of "Flavour", which was laying in. "Umrum", which was following "Captivator", was hampered.

Near the 900 metres "Noble Sensation", which had a tendency to over-race, accidentally clipped the heels of "Tears Royal", and knuckled.

"Border Time", after having to be checked at the top of the straight, then gave ground over the concluding stages. A veterinary examination of "Border Time" failed to reveal any abnormality.

Darren Gauci, rider of "Flavour", was found guilty of a charge of careless riding, the careless riding being that he permitted his mount to shift out in the early part of the straight when not sufficiently clear of "Border Time", which resulted in "Border Time" having to be checked. Darren Gauci was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence at midnight on Monday, 11^th March, and to expire at midnight on Tuesday, 26^th March, 2002.

Also in the early part of the straight "Notation" shifted in away from "Real Time (NZ)", and had to be checked off the heels of "Fappiano's Son". "Notation" then had to shift out to obtain a clear run.

Approaching the winning post "Flavour" had to be eased off the heels of "Roktzar" and "Adolescence", which had to be checked off the heels of "Real Time (NZ)".

Race 6 - ROSEMOUNT ESTATE NEWMARKET HANDICAP - 1200 metres:

After passing the 800 metres "Point Danger" had to be checked off the heels of "Mistegic" which, in turn, was eased off the heels of "Desert Sky".

Approaching the 600 metres "Slalom" had to be checked off the heels of "Spinning Hill". "Slalom" then shifted in and forced "Show a Heart" inwards.

Shortly after this "Slalom" shifted in slightly, and made contact with the hindquarters of "Show a Heart", turning that horse outwards. "Show a Heart" then had a tendency to lay out under pressure from this point. The Stewards reprimanded G. Murphy, rider of "Slalom", and notified him that he must make a far greater effort to avoid causing interference when in similar circumstances in future.

After passing the 200 metres "Spinning Hill" was tightened for room between "Black Bean" and "Show a Heart", which was laying out.

Approaching the winning post "Debrief" had to be eased over the heels of "North Boy", which was laying out under pressure.

Race 7 - ROY HIGGINS QUALITY - 2500 metres:

"Lady of the Dance (NZ)" knuckled on jumping away.

V. Duric, rider of "Knuckles Pippin", was severely reprimanded for permitting his mount to shift out at the entrance to the straight when not quite clear of "Rhapsodize (NZ)", which resulted in "Rhapsodize (NZ)" having to be checked over the heels of "Knuckles Pippin".

Race 8 - KEWNEY STAKES - 1600 metres:

In the early stages of the race "Haste ye Back" threw its head in the air, and raced ungenerously when being restrained.

Near the 300 metres "Karla Keys" had to be checked severely when tightened for room between "Damaschino" which, when laying in, had to shift in to avoid the heels of "Bridal Hill" (S. Arnold) and "Elegant Fashion", which then shifted out slightly. After taking into account all the circumstances the Stewards severely reprimanded Steven Arnold, and notified him to exercise more care when shifting ground in future. "Moon Dragon", which was following "Karla Keys", was severely hampered.

N. Rawiller, rider of "Woodwina", was severely reprimanded for shifting in to obtain a run on the inside of "Li Lo Lill" near the 300 metres when not sufficiently clear of "Haste ye Back", which resulted in "Haste ye Back" having to be checked.

Race 9 - THE FLEMINGTON RACECOURSE ROSE - 1700 metres:

No report.

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

Jockeys B. Fenech and Shayne Cahill were today drug tested.

FINES/EXPLANATIONS:

It was established that V. Duric had been notified as the rider of "Condies Fair" in the Jayco Handicap - Race 4 - in accordance with the Rules.

The Stewards Room