ZOFF’S LAD lost an off fore plate during the running of the event.

SHIP OF DREAMS sprung an off fore plate during the race.

Acting on Veterinary advice that DRACONIAN suffered soreness in the near hind leg and was unfit to take its place in the field, Stewards ordered the withdrawal of the gelding at 12.05 p.m.

Following the running of this race Stewards reclassified the track from GOOD to DEAD.

The start of this race was delayed five minutes owing to RED TRICK attempting to get under the front gate of its stall, resulting in that filly’s rider Murray Henderson becoming trapped between the horse and the superstructure of the stalls, and OLD SEA SALT being unable to be loaded into its stall. As a result, acting on Veterinary advice, Stewards ordered the withdrawal of RED TRICK at 1.30 p.m. and acting on advice from the Official Starter, Mr. L. Cromwell, Stewards ordered the withdrawal of OLD SEA SALT at 1.32 p.m. Mr. F. Lane Trainer of OLD SEA SALT, and Mr. G. Birchmore Trainer of RED TRICK were advised that their horses were now banned from racing and until such time as they can trial to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an Official Barrier Trial.

All bets on OLD SEA SALT and RED TRICK were declared off. Bets on other runners were not affected.

At the start ROYAL JEUNE (W. Kerford) jumped away awkwardly, resulting in the filly shifting out onto STACK THE DECK (J. O’Connor), which had been slow to begin and was tightened for galloping room.

DEER GIRL (J. Potter) showed a tendency to lay out badly throughout the event.

In the vicinity of the 1200 metres WILCROW (W. Kerford), which was showing a tendency to lay in, shifted in slightly, resulting in TYRANNIZE (R. Stewart) being tightened for galloping room and forced to ease. R. Stewart reported to Stewards that although receiving some pressure, his mount had been extremely reluctant to hold its position inside of WILCROW. Stewards took no further action as they believed no one rider was responsible.

In the vicinity of the 100 metres FLY THE SCENE (J. Bowditch) shifted in, resulting in NORTHERN FIELD (S. Price) having to be eased when taken in onto the heels of ANOTHER PRINTER (Murray Henderson).

J. Bowditch was reprimanded by the Stewards, and advised that under similar circumstances he would be required to stop riding immediately his mounts commence to shift ground.

J. Bowditch, rider of 2^nd Placegetter FLY THE SCENE, was fined $50 for dropping his whip in the vicinity of the 100 metres.

VANDECLARE was extremely restless in its stall prior to the start, kicking out on a number of occasions, resulting in that mare’s rider D. Tootell dismounting from VANDECLARE in the starting gates. Shortly after, the field was dispatched by the Starter, resulting in VANDECLARE jumping away with the field, riderless. As a result, Stewards, prior to the declaration of Correct Weight, declared VANDECLARE a non-runner, resulting in all bets on the mare being declared off. Bets on other runners were reduced at the rate of:
Bets for a WIN - 15 cents in the dollar from the face value of the ticket, and
Bets for a PLACE - 15 cents in the dollar from the winnings only.

BIG SALLY (NZ) suffered a bi-lateral bleeding attack during the running of the event. As a result Mr. G. Penna, Trainer of BIG SALLY (NZ), was advised the mare was now banned from racing for a period of three months under ARR 53A.

In the vicinity of the 1000 metres SATANIC (R. Stewart) shifted in, resulting in MYSTICAL FORCE (R. Faehr) being inconvenienced, resulting in that mare commencing to race ungenerously for some considerable distance.

Racing to the 600 metres BAUDIN (D. Dunn) shifted in, resulting in SATANIC (R. Stewart) receiving some tightening and in turn shifting in and away from BAUDIN. As a result, SATANIC made contact with the running rail and became severely unbalanced. D. Dunn was given the benefit of the doubt as to whether he was solely responsible for the incident.

Racing to the 600 metres TO PAY UP (D. Tootell) shifted in slightly; at the same time NATURE’S HIDEAWAY (D. Carney) shifted in and away from that horse, resulting in MYSTICAL FORCE (R. Faehr), which had been racing ungenerously, being tightened for galloping room and having to ease. In consequence SKIPPER (D. Mittiga), which was racing behind MYSTICAL FORCE, was forced to change direction.

Mr. G. Dawson, Trainer of THE JOINER, was fined $100 for failing to produce the Document of Description for the gelding, as required under ARR 59A. After Stewards were able to confirm the identity of THE JOINER from their computer records, the gelding was permitted to take its place in the field.

LADY RANSOM (C. Lindop) was slow to begin.

RACE 8 – SMOKE-FREE MAIDEN PLATE:

A swab sample was taken from VELVET LAKE, winner of the race.

In the vicinity of the 900 metres ANSQUEAK (W. Kerford) became unbalanced, resulting in that filly shifting in. In consequence DONATONI (J. Potter) was inconvenienced.

In the vicinity of the 500 metres ARRABIN (NZ) (L. Smith), when being eased, rolled out. In consequence DONATONI (J. Potter) was forced to ease, resulting in WOMAN IN ME (C. Lindop) having to be eased to avoid the heels of DONATONI.

In the vicinity of the 400 metres COVOID (Maree Henderson) commenced to weaken dramatically. In consequence that mare rolled in, resulting in SCENT (Darren Holland) being forced to check and lose its position.

J. Holder was fined $100 under LR 97(a) which relates to the failure to pay fines imposed, within a period of twenty-eight days.

The Stewards Room