Riding Changes:

* Must produce medical certificate prior to riding again.

Race 1 - LABOUR DAY HANDICAP - 2000 metres:

Approaching the 1200 metres "Figeac (NZ)", which had shifted in slightly to race close to the heels of "La Zoffany", then had to be checked when tightened for room between "La Zoffany" which steadied, and "All Time High" (S. Arnold), which shifted in and bumped "Figeac (NZ)". After taking into account all the circumstances the Stewards reprimanded S. Arnold, and notified him that he must ensure that runners on his inside have sufficient galloping room at all times.

Race 2 - ROSEMOUNT ESTATE DIAMOND SHIRAZ 1400 - 1400 metres:

On jumping away "Mr. Trickster" shifted in and hampered "Sheraton".

S. Baster, rider of "Sheraton" which performed poorly and was eased down over the concluding stages, stated that "Sheraton" did not stretch out throughout the race. Baster added that he believed that something was amiss with it, although its action felt normal on pulling up. A veterinary examination of "Sheraton' failed to reveal any abnormality.

When questioned P. Payne, rider of "Ebony Night", explained to the Stewards that he rode the gelding back in last position in accordance with the instructions as the gelding had weakened when ridden closer to the pace at its last start. Payne added that he elected to come to the outside of "Silver Baron" in the early part of the straight to improve his position rather than take a run on the inside of that gelding as he believed that "Silver Baron" may have shifted in and interrupted his run. Payne said that after balancing up "Ebony Night" ran on well, and that he had also been instructed to improve his position on the outside of the field so as to have an uninterrupted run.

Mr. J. Salanitri, trainer of "Ebony Night", confirmed that he had instructed Patrick Payne to ride the gelding at the tail of the field, and when making his run from the 800 metres to ensure that he has an uninterrupted run. Mr. Salanitri stated that the gelding had been supported by the connections.

At the conclusion of the inquiry the Stewards notified Mr. Salanitri that, as his instructions today were in marked contrast to the way the horse was ridden at its last start, he must ensure that he notifies the Stewards in future of significant changes to the riding instructions, and that he must ensure by instruction that all his horses are ridden in a manner to give them every possible chance of success.

Patrick Payne was notified that in the Stewards' view he should have made an effort to improve his position sooner than he did on the inside of "Silver Baron" where there was room to do so on straightening, and to ensure that he rides all his mounts in a manner that leaves no room for query.

Race 3 - TBV THOROUGHBRED BREEDERS' STAKES - 1200 metres:

"Flawed Logic" knuckled on jumping away.

Race 4 - MARK SENSING 1400 - 1400 metres:

Prior to the declaration of correct weight N. Callow, rider of "Ansami", second placegetter, and Mr. N. Blackiston, trainer of "Ansami", viewed the Stewards' patrol video and TV version of the race, and decided to lodge an objection against "Embraceable You (NZ)" being declared the winner on the grounds of alleged interference in the straight. After the parties had viewed the Stewards' patrol videos and the TV version of the race, and after they had listened to the submissions of the parties concerned, the Stewards dismissed the objection.

It was established that "Embraceable You (NZ)", which had shifted out towards "Ansami", obtained a run between "Ansami" and "Encosterino" when "Encosterino" shifted in, and in the run to the winning post "Ansami" was inconvenienced and taken out by "Embraceable You (NZ)", which shifted out under pressure.

S. Arnold, rider of "Embraceable You (NZ)", was reprimanded and notified that he must stop riding and make a far greater effort to keep his mount straight when in similar circumstances.

Race 5 - SCHWEPPES 1100 - 1100 metres:

Shortly after the start "Mister Greig" was badly hampered, and "Starhere" was hampered when tightened for room between "Firm", which shifted in slightly after jumping away, and "Boy's Talk", which had been restless in its stall, jumped away awkwardly and shifted out.

Race 6 - AUSTRALIAN CUP - 2000 metres:

The start of the race was delayed when "All Courage" knuckled, dislodged D. Nikolic, and cantered down the Straight Six chute before being caught. "All Courage" was examined by the Club's Veterinary Surgeon and passed fit to run.

Patrick Payne, rider of "Rain Gauge", was found guilty of a charge of careless riding, the careless riding being that he shifted to the outside of "Northerly" to obtain a run near the 250-metre mark when not sufficiently clear of "Piper Star", resulting in "Piper Star" having to be checked. Patrick Payne was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence at midnight on Saturday, 16^th March, and to expire at midnight on Monday, 1^st April, 2002.

Shortly after this incident "Cent Home (NZ)" had to be checked when tightened for room between "Rain Gauge", which continued to shift out, and "Royal Code" (B. Prebble), which shifted in under pressure when not sufficiently clear. After taking into account all the circumstances, the Stewards gave B. Prebble the benefit of the doubt as to whether he was fully responsible due to "Rain Gauge" shifting out. However, he was severely reprimanded, and notified that he must exercise far greater care when shifting ground in future.

Race 7 - SCALZO FOOD INDUSTRIES HANDICAP - 1100 metres:

This race was re-scheduled to start at 4.12 p.m.

Approaching the winning post "Gallopini" had to be checked when disappointed for a run between "Grey Regent" and "Will he Be" due to both horses shifting ground slightly.

Race 8 - TOOHEYS NEW PLATE - 1400 metres:

This race was re-scheduled to start at 4.51 p.m.

On jumping away "Just Devine" shifted out and bumped "Calm Smytzer (NZ)".

Shortly after the start "Calm Smytzer (NZ)" was hampered when tightened for room between "Just Devine", which shifted out slightly, and "Sonarchi", which shifted in away from "Spurn" after being taken in slightly by that mare.

"Tyrolean" was unable to obtain a clear run in the straight.

'Miss Power Bird" was held up when unable to obtain a clear run in the early part of the straight, and again approaching and passing the 200 metres.

Race 9 - SCHWEPPES WELTER - 1600 metres:

This race was re-scheduled to start at 5.30 p.m.

"Our Jermyn Street (NZ)", "Swords Drawn" and "Consular" were all hampered when tightened for room between "Rice Farmer", which jumped away awkwardly and shifted in, and "Rings of Gold", which shifted out.

At the entrance to the straight "Our Jermyn Street (NZ)" was hampered when tightened for room between "Consular" and "Our Harvest Time (NZ)", which was taken in by "Melody Prince" which, when laying in, shifted in.

K. McEvoy, rider of "Our Jermyn Street (NZ)" which performed below expectations, stated that the gelding travelled well until near the 600 metres, but failed to respond to his riding and gave ground from that point. McEvoy added that "Our Jermyn Street (NZ)" did not appear to be comfortable in the ground. A veterinary examination revealed no abnormality other than the gelding had sustained an abrasion to the off fore fetlock.

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

FINES/EXPLANATIONS:

Mr. Ern Ewert (Jnr.), trainer of "Final Vixen", was fined $50 for the late notification of B. Fenech as the rider of the mare which ran in the Labour Day Handicap - Race 1.

It was established that L. Meech had been notified as the rider of "Bristling" in accordance with the Rules. (Race 4.)

Mr. R. McDonald, trainer of "Tully Dane", was fined $50 for the late notification of S. Baster as the rider of the colt which ran in the Schweppes 1100 - Race 5.

The Stewards Room