Riding Changes:

Race 1 - PEPSI MAX MAIDEN PLATE - 1200 metres:

Over the concluding stages "Bend the Rules" laid in under pressure.

Race 2 - SCHWEPPES TRADITIONALS SUPER VOBIS 3 y-o MDN PLATE - 1200 metres:

"Encosting", which proved difficult to load into its starting stall, was warned for its unruly behaviour. A barrier test certificate must be produced for "Encosting" prior to it starting again.

Shortly after the start "Cosimo" was reluctant to hold its position.

Rounding the home turn "Times Ripe" was eased off the heels of "Media Magnate (NZ)" when held up for a run.

Race 3 - SCHWEPPES MIXERS SUPER VOBIS 2 Y-O MAIDEN PLATE - 1300 metres:

On jumping away "Arctic Circle" shifted out and bumped "Not so Trite". "Decimation" and "Not so Trite" were then tightened for room between "Arctic Circle" and "Zibellino (NZ)", which shifted in. "Zibellino (NZ)" was then hampered by "Deputy Head", which shifted in abruptly after being bumped on two occasions by "Wrested", which had been taken in slightly by "Psycho Cowboy".

Upon straightening "Wrested" shifted in and brushed the running rail.

M. Ellerton, trainer of "Deputy Head", first placegetter and wearing blinkers for the first time today, stated that the gelding had improved markedly from its first start at Seymour on the 12^th February due to the blinkers being on today .Mr. Ellerton added that he was very disappointed with the gelding's run at Seymour, and that Fabian Alesci, its rider, had strongly recommended the use of blinkers on "Deputy Head" after that run. Mr. Ellerton further stated that the gelding had worked well prior to Seymour, and continued to work well prior to today's start, and for this reason he was reasonably confident the gelding would perform well today.

Race 4 - PEPSI CLASS 1 HANDICAP - 1500 metres:

Near the 1100 metres "My Fraarlein" had to be checked off the heels of "Millvina" (Lisa Irwin), which shifted in. Lisa Irwin was reprimanded for shifting in when not sufficiently clear.

Near the 200 metres "Ruler" was hampered when disappointed for a run between "Millvina" and "Pride of Oamaru", which had shifted in slightly to the inside of "Dashing Image".

Race 5 - SCHWEPPES LEMONADE HANDICAP - 1200 metres:

The start of the race was delayed as "Kawasaki San (NZ)" was re-plated behind the barriers.

"Real Boy" and "Kawasaki San (NZ)" jumped away awkwardly. "Real Boy" was then tightened for room between "Blue on Black (NZ)" and "Maranello", which then shifted in.

In the early part of the straight "Real Boy" was held up for a short distance.

S. Baster, rider of "A Class Act" which performed below expectations, explained that the mare was never comfortable during the race, and in his opinion it is better suited to mares' company over 1400 metres. A veterinary examination of "A Class Act" failed to reveal any abnormality.

Race 6 - TROA CARLTON DRAUGHT TROPHY CLASS 2 HANDICAP - 2200 metres:

Turning out of the straight "My Colonial Lady", when being eased, was then checked to avoid the heels of "Our Banjo", which was shifting in.

Race 7 - SPRING VALLEY CLASS 3 HANDICAP - 1700 metres:

Near the 400 metres "McHutch" had to be eased when tightened for room between "Teerex", which shifted in slightly, and "Our Raami Guest", which shifted out away from "Sparring Partner" when improving.

Race 8 - SCHWEPPES SOLO CLASS 1 HANDICAP - 1100 metres:

At the start "Chinese Ripper (NZ)", which began awkwardly, was then tightened for room between "Wahema" and "Physical Graffiti".

Near the 800 metres "Wahema", when being restrained, was checked to avoid the heels of "Physical Graffiti".

Shortly after straightening "Phidipides", which was laying out, was reluctant to take a run on the inside of "Danure".

Approaching the 200 metres "Phidipides" was then tightened for room by "Danure" (A. Findlay), which shifted in slightly. Andrew Findlay was severely reprimanded, and notified to exercise more care when racing in similar circumstances in future.

SWAB SAMPLES were taken from the winners of the following races: "Media Magnate (NZ)" (Race 2); "Deputy Head" (Race 3); "Tooborack" (Race 7), and from "Greek Adonis" (Race 8).

A random swab sample was taken from "A Class Act", which ran unplaced in Race 5.

Six horses were pre-race blood tested for post-race analysis.

FINES/EXPLANATIONS:

L. Nolen, rider of "Ski Comish", and A. Findlay, rider of McHutch", were both severely reprimanded for accepting rides for which they were to be overweight. (Race 7.)

The Stewards Room