Riding Changes:

Race 1 - WILLIAM NEWTON V.C. STEEPLECHASE - 3300 metres:

"Kevie's Luck" was examined by the Club's Veterinary Surgeon at the barrier, and passed fit to run.

When "Kingston Campbell" fell at the second last fence, "Aorangi", which was following, was hampered.

Race 2 - SUPER VOBIS LONG TAN HANDICAP - 1735 metres:

No report.

Race 3 - ANZAC DAY STAKES - 1425 metres:

"True Glow" was hampered when tightened for room between "Milanova" and "Lady Garcia", which shifted in.

Race 4 - MATRON STAKES - 1635 metres:

Shortly after the start "All Time High" and "Donvamore" came together.

When asked if there was any explanation for "All Time High" performing below expectations, Patrick Payne stated that it did not handle the track conditions, particularly when put under pressure from the 600 metres. A veterinary examination of "All Time High" failed to reveal any abnormality.

Race 5 - VRC ST. LEGER - 2800 metres:

Near the winning post the first time "Stalking Horse", "Minogue" and "Domineer Prince" were hampered when tightened for room by "Millipede", which shifted in.

Near the 1300 metres "Minogue" was taken out by "Lester Thunderwing". Shortly after this incident "Lester Thunderwing" was taken in by "Minogue".

On the home turn "Domineer Prince" was tightened on to "Western Waters" by "Figeac (NZ)" (L. Currie), which was shifting out. When being straightened "Figeac (NZ)" shifted in and bumped "Grey Song", which was shifting out, on the hindquarters, which resulted in "Grey Song" and "Figeac (NZ)" becoming unbalanced, and "Figeac (NZ)" shifting out across the running of "Domineer Prince", resulting in "Domineer Prince" making contact with the hindquarters of "Western Waters. and "Domineer Prince" having to be checked. After taking into account all the circumstances the Stewards took no action, but notified L. Currie that he must ensure that he is clear of other runners at all times when shifting ground.

Race 6 - KOKODA TRACK HANDICAP - 1200 metres:

After being placed in its stall "Zodiac Star" became fractious and reared on a number of occasions. "Zodiac Star" was removed from the stalls, examined by the Club's Veterinary Surgeon, and passed fit to run.

After passing the 400 metres "Oregon Seal (NZ)" was inconvenienced when disappointed for a run between "Kapuna" and "Dalla Vista".

For some distance approaching the 200 metres "Oregon Seal (NZ)" was disappointed for a run between "Dalla Vista" and "Zodiac Star" where there was not quite sufficient room.

"Go on Spending", which weakened over the concluding stages of the race, was found to be lame in the off fore leg.

During the running of the race "Sinology" lost its near fore plate.

Race 7 - AUCKLAND RACING CLUB HANDICAP - 1635 metres:

After being placed in its stall "Consular" became fractious and then became cast. Acting on veterinary advice the Stewards ordered the withdrawal of "Consular" at 4.38 p.m. In the incident D. Nikolic, rider of "Consular", was also injured.

Subsequently the Stewards ordered that all monies wagered on "Consular" be refunded, and that all successful bets on horses prior to the time of withdrawal of "Consular" be subject to the following deductions in the dollar from the face value of the ticket: Win Bets: 25 cents; Place Bets: 18 cents; Winning Concession Bets: 23 cents and Doubles Bets: 25 cents. All monies bet after the Stewards' declaration of withdrawal were ordered to be paid at face value of the ticket.

"Flavour" jumped away awkwardly.

Brendan Fenech, rider of "Notation", was found guilty of a charge of careless riding, the careless riding being that he permitted his mount to shift out after passing the 200 metres when not sufficiently clear of "Lord of the Pines", which resulted in "Lord of the Pines" having to be checked. B. Fenech was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence at midnight on Sunday, 28^th April, 2002 and to expire at midnight on Friday, 17^th May, 2002.

Race 8 - BRUCE RUXTON RSL HANDICAP - 2550 metres:

"Beach Bonanza", which was eased down from the home turn, was found to be lame in the near hind leg. Mr. G. Rogerson, trainer of "Beach Bonanza", was notified that prior to the gelding racing again he must produce a veterinary clearance in respect of it.

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

FINES/EXPLANATIONS:

Mr. R. Carr, trainer of "Us and Maka", was fined $30 for using wrong colours on the gelding which ran in the Bruce Ruxton RSL Handicap - Race 8.

The Stewards were approached by the trainers of the following horses requesting permission to scratch their respective horses from the numbered races as the track had been downgraded from Dead to Slow, and it was the opinion of each trainer that his horse would not handle the track conditions today. The Stewards acceded to the requests of the trainers, and their horses were withdrawn from the races at the times indicated.

Race Horse Trainer Withdrawn at
5 "Cate's Forest" Mr. T. McEvoy l.15 p.m.
6 "Super Impressive (NZ)" Mr. Lee Freedman 2.05 p.m.
7 "Dignity Dancer (NZ)" Mr. Bill Mitchell 12.55 p.m.
7 "Kosta Zoff" Mr. M. Ellerton 1.30 p.m.

RESUMED INQUIRY:

The Stewards today concluded the inquiry into an incident which occurred in the Hydrogen Super Vobis Handicap - Race 2 - at Sandown on the 17^th April, 2002, in which D. Gauci, rider of "Weeds" had been charged with careless riding, the careless riding being that he permitted his mount to shift out from near the 200 metres for some distance under pressure when not sufficiently clear of "Lightning Tears", which resulted in "Lightning Tears" being hampered and taken off its course. D. Gauci was found guilty as charged, and he was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence at midnight on Sunday, 28^th April, 2002, and to expire at midnight on Friday, 17^th May, 2002.

The Stewards Room