RACE 1 - EAGLES PLUMBING PLUS WINNING BONUS CLASS 6 HANDICAP 1600M

Approaching the home turn Star Varrick was steadied when crowded for room by Wild Style which shifted in.

For some distance after the 150M Star Varrick had to shift out to obtain  clear running. Kalos lost its off fore plate in running.

Barista overraced in early and middle stages.

When the pace slowed passing the 700M Twilight Years, which was awkwardly placed on the heels of Mustela, shifted out abruptly and bumped with Cherokee Chief taking it wider. At the same time Tara Flame was checked off the heels of Ritual.

When questioned regarding his ride on Ritual, particularly in the middle stages when Barista was allowed to cross that filly, apprentice T Muto stated that when Barista had improved to his outside, Ritual was unable to sprint quickly to maintain its running in the lead and consequently was crossed and therefore held up for a considerable distance to the home turn. Apprentice Muto agreed with the stewards that he had erred in allowing Barista to cross him at that stage of the race. Stewards advised apprentice Muto that in future he would be expected to show more initiative in similar circumstances.

RACE 3 - HUCKEL EXCAVATIONS MAIDEN HANDICAP 1100M

Acting on veterinary advice that Cave Hunter, which had injured its en route to the course, was unfit to start, stewards ordered the withdrawal of the filly at 12.31pm. Trainer T Karakatsanis was advised that a veterinary certificate of fitness must be produced prior to Cave Hunter racing again.

Sin Trail was slow to begin.

Rounding the home turn and in the early part of the straight Jumeira was  held up for a run and at the 200M had to be taken to the outside of the heels of Reflections to obtain clear running.

Close to the finishing line Collwes shifted out under pressure resulting in Mister Dumpty being steadied.

Chairmakers was slow to begin.

On jumping Dana's Kingdom was crowded for room by King Amour which was taken out slightly by Russian Dancer.

Cyberport was slow to begin and then for some distance passing the 600M was taken back through the field by the tiring Meteorol.

Passing the 450M Kaapbet was hampered by the tiring Red Dwarf.

Rounding the home turn Sindbad checked off the heels of Fasolato and was then badly held up until the 200M having to be taken out across the heels of Meteorol, which was giving ground, to obtain clear running.

When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of Meteorol, A W Robinson stated that he could offer no explanation other than the gelding was under pressure from about the 600M and failed to finish the race off. Trainer R Royle could offer no tangible explanation for the poor performance but said he will continue with Meteorol's preparation and undertook to report on the progress of the gelding in the days subsequent.

A post race veterinary examination of Meteorol did not reveal any obvious abnormality.

Big Henry was withdrawn at 4.05pm acting on veterinary advice that the gelding was showing mild lameness in the near fore leg.

Stewards subsequently ordered that all monies wagered on Big Henry be refunded in full and with regard to betting with bookmakers all successful wagers be subject to the following deductions in the dollar on the face value of the ticket: win and traditional each way, three cents win and four cents place; place only, eight cents.

Trainer R Davies, representing trainer M Tucker, was advised that a veterinary certificate of fitness would be required prior to Big Henry racing again.

Zabwin knuckled over on jumping.

When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of Observing, A W Robinson stated that his mount overraced in the early and middle stages due to the slow pace of the race. He said for some distance in the middle stages he was unable to allow Observing to stride forward in order to improve as he was awkwardly placed inside the heels of Genoese. He added that from the 600M Observing was inclined to hang out and proved difficult to ride and as a consequence he was left flatfooted when the leaders sprinted in the straight. He further added that in his opinion Observing was disappointing in its failure to finish the race off.

RACE 7 - ALLAN BLANCH PEST CONTROL SERVICES CLASS 3 HANDICAP 1100M

On jumping Gold Again had to be checked when crowded for room between Stasera, which shifted in, and Lasseter's Glow, which was taken out by Touch Of Brose.

Gold Again then overraced in the early and middle stages.

Approaching the first turn Lasseter's Glow, which was racing fiercely, had  to be steadied off the heels of Touch Of Brose.

A post race veterinary examination of Carl The Bull, which was forced to travel wide throughout, did not reveal any obvious abnormality.

Snow Hero was slow to begin.

Reef King blundered at the start.

For some distance after the 200M Frisk Me raced tight between I Do Thee Wed (A W Robinson) and Snow Hero (S Pollard) and then nearing the 150M became unbalanced when crowded for room when both those runners shifted ground. A W Robinson and apprentice S Pollard were reprimanded for allowing their mounts to shift ground when not clear.

GENERAL:
C O'Brien pleaded guilty to a charge under AR 120(b) in that he had to forgo rides in Race 4 (Valadez), Race 5 (Fasolato) and Race 8 (Missile Sam) as he was unable to make the weight on those mounts. C O'Brien's licence to ride in races was suspended for a period to expire on Sunday, 20 January 2002, on which day he may ride, the suspension to commence after he fulfils his engagements at the Newcastle race meeting on Saturday 12 January 2002. In addition C O'Brien was fined $200.

SUMMARY:

SUSPENSIONS:
General - C O'Brien [AR 120(b)]

FINES:
General - C O'Brien, $200 [AR 120(b)]

REPRIMANDS:
Race 8 - A W Robinson (I Do Thee Wed)
S Pollard (Snow Hero)

VET CERTIFICATES:
Race 3 - Cave Hunter (T Karakatsanis)
Race 6 - Big Henry (M Tucker)

CHANGE OF RIDERS:

Race 3
B Cooper replaced B Pengelly on Jumeira (indisposed)
Race 4
B Cooper replaced B Pengelly on Sweet Racer (indisposed)
R M Quinn replaced C O'Brien on Valadez (overweight)
Race 5
J Sheehan replaced B Pengelly on Black Anthem (indisposed)
R Thompson replaced C O'Brien on Fasolato (overweight)
Race 6
H Bowman replaced B Pengelly on Imposing Simmons (indisposed)
B Cooper replaced J Grisedale on Big Henry (indisposed)
Race 7
A W Robinson replaced B Pengelly on Carl The Bull (indisposed)
Race 8
A W Robinson replaced B Pengelly on I Do Thee Wed (indisposed)
R M Quinn replaced C O'Brien on Missile Sam (overweight)

The Stewards Room