RACE 2 - CUDDLE HANDICAP 1,400M (FIRST DIVISION)

Mr P Snowden, stable foreman for trainer Mr J Hawkes, today reported that Little Madame, which performed disappointingly, has now been sent for a spell.

GENERAL: Following persistent morning rain the track was downgraded to heavy at 10.56am.

Moon Mambo and Inatin were slow to begin.

RACE 2 - GOSFORD RACECOURSE CONFERENCE FACILITIES MAIDEN HCP (DIV 1) 1200M

Grand Entry, which was fractious in the barriers, was slow to begin.

Reflections jumped away awkwardly.

Near the 400M Lifeline Express was briefly crowded for room between Dazzling Gold and Anthelion, both of which shifted ground.

Foxabeel was inclined to lay in throughout the event.

When questioned regarding his riding in the straight C Brown (Lifeline Express) stated that at the entrance to the straight he was briefly hampered when Dazzling Gold shifted out. He said that he then elected to shift to the outside of the heels of Rocksign but became awkwardly placed on the heels of that horse near the 200M when Rocksign shifted out. He added that he had no sooner elected to go back to the inside of Rocksign when that horse then shifted back inwards which resulted in his being unable to improve between Rocksign and Anthelion. C Brown was reprimanded for weighing in 0.4 of a Kilogram underweight on Lifeline Express. Acting under AR143 stewards declared correct weight.

RACE 3 - BIG FUNCTION BIG VENUE MAIDEN HANDICAP (DIV 2) 1200M

Dragon Spirit, which was fractious in the barriers, got down and forced its way under the front gates. Acting on veterinary advice Dragon Spirit was a late withdrawal at 1.39pm. Stewards subsequently ordered that all bets made on Dragon Spirit, including quinella and multiple double bets incorporating that horse, be refunded in full and that all bets made with bookmakers before 1.39pm be paid less the following deductions in the dollar from the face value of successful tickets: traditional win and each way bets: eight cents win, nine cents place; quinellas 16 cents; multiple doubles eight cents. Mr G Thompson, representing trainer Mr F Mitchell, was advised that Dragon Spirit must barrier trial satisfactorily prior to its next start.

Near the 900M Nan Jiang Girl, which was slow to begin, shifted out resulting in Shepherd's Way being taken on to Distant Storm, which was hampered.

Near the 700M Figuretta had to be checked off the heels of Detriano Rose and in doing so shifted out taking Imbrulio out on to Nan Jiang Girl.

RACE 4 - BEST FUNCTION VENUE ON THE COAST CLASS 1 HANDICAP 1000M

Caesar's Gold and Courtina were slow to begin.

Shortly after the start Phorcys was crowded for room between Time Rules, which shifted out, and Majestic Son, which was taken in slightly by Starvite.

At the entrance to the straight Brass Band was checked when disappointed for a run between Courtina and Time Rules which shifted out.

Close to the finishing line Courtina had to be checked when crowded for room between Brass Band and Time Rules, both of which shifted ground.

RACE 5 - WEDDING PARTIES ANYTHING CLASS 1 & MAIDEN PLATE 2100M

Leaving the straight on the first occasion Casual Dawn ran out across the heels of Super Bank.

RACE 6 - THE PARTY 2 MIX CLASS 6 HANDICAP 2100M

Ready Now was slow to begin. Near the 600M Balidor was hampered when Kalos shifted out slightly.

Balidor then raced in restricted room between Kalos and Quadri for a short distance thereafter. A post race

veterinary inspection of Space Dancer, which weakened in the straight, did not reveal any abnormality.

Grandiser was a late withdrawal at 8.45am. Trainer Mr S Smith was advised that an inquiry will be heard prior to the first race at Royal Randwick on Saturday, 16 February 2002 relative to this matter.

Serpentine shifted out at the start resulting in Klazig and I Do Thee Wed being hampered.

Near the 1000M Serpentine was hampered when Klazig shifted in away from I Do Thee Wed.

A short distance later I Do Thee Wed (S Pollard) shifted in resulting in Klazig being taken across the running of Serpentine. Apprentice S Pollard was reprimanded and told to exercise more care in similar circumstances.

Too Little Time was slow to begin.

When questioned regarding Cuvanna racing back in the field today, D Beadman stated that he had been instructed to have the gelding racing where it was comfortable but not to be racing up in the lead as the horse had not shown its best form when ridden forward at its last start. D Beadman stated that he was obliged to race further back than he had anticipated due to having to find cover as Cuvanna was racing fiercely. Trainer Mr C Conners was reminded of his obligations to advise the stewards of any change in riding tactics.

RACE 9 - 2002 GOSFORD GUINEAS (3YO HANDICAP - LISTED RACE) 1600M

As J Innes was overweight, G Buckley was substituted as the rider of Balgold. Bearing in mind the circumstances of the case, J Innes was fined $50.

Cybernetic was slow to begin.

Hello Pamela jumped away awkwardly, shifted out and made contact with the hindquarters of Silver Duke.

Rounding the first turn Cybernetic, which improved to be racing to the inside of the heels of Cash Cache, raced tight for some distance inside that horse.

RACE 10 - EAGLES PLUMBING PLUS CLASS 3 PLATE 1100M

For some distance near the 600M Dream Till Dawn was awkwardly placed close to the heels of Switched On Time.

In the presence of trainer and master Mr P Perry and NSW TRB Training Support Officer, Mr M Fitzgerald, stewards addressed apprentice Daniel Pitomac, who was having his first race ride today, regarding his vigour on third placegetter Simon's Galaxy in the straight. Both Mr Perry and apprentice Pitomac undertook to make suitable arrangements to improve apprentice Pitomac's ability to ride horses out.

SUMMARY:

FINES: Race 9 - J Innes, $50 [AR 120(b)]

REPRIMANDS: Race 2 - C Brown (Lifeline Express); Race 7 - S Pollard (I Do Thee Wed)

RE TRIALS: Race 3 - Dragon Spirit (F Mitchell)

CHANGE OF RIDERS: Race 9 - G Buckley replaced J Innes on Balgold (overweight)

The Stewards Room