GENERAL:

The Stewards today opened an inquiry into the bona fides of the race horse Humoresque. After taking evidence from trainer Mr G. K. White and stable foreperson Ms W. Didd, the inquiry was adjourned to a date to be fixed.

Komensky overraced in the early stages. Near the 900m St. Diamond was steadied when crowded for room by King's Touch, which was taken in by He's Lightning (P. Ferris). P. Ferris was advised to exercise more care. He's Lightning was inclined to lay out under pressure over the concluding stages.

RACE 2: Richmond Club Limited 2-Y-O Maiden Plate 1000m

Stormy Joe jumped awkwardly and lost ground. On jumping Warrior Trader was hampered when crowded by The Prankster, which shifted in. On Potential was unable to obtain clear running rounding the home turn and in the early part of the straight. After the 400m Stormy Joe was checked to avoid the heels of King Of Soul. A post-race veterinary examination revealed Bessyboo, which was eased out of the race shortly after the start, was shin sore. Trainer Mr G. Cameron was advised that a veterinary certificate of fitness must be produced before Bessyboo is permitted to race again. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of King Of Soul, D. McLellan stated that his mount travelled satisfactorily in the early stages, however, after the 600m commenced to hang in badly and lost ground as he was obliged to take hold of his mount. He stated that shortly after straightening, when placed under pressure King Of Soul again hung in and consequently he was unable to ride the gelding out fully. A post-race veterinary examination of King Of Soul revealed no abnormality. Trainer Mr A. Wildman undertook to report on the progress of King Of Soul in the days subsequent. When questioned regarding the improved performance of The Prankster trainer Mr P. Sutherland stated that the horse weakened after leading at its first-up run, however, he attributed today's performance to racing in weaker company and natural improvement.

RACE 3: Sylvania Ramsgate TAB's Maiden Plate 1000m

Trainer Mr P. Sutherland was fined $50 for presenting De Bruijn in the mounting enclosure without blinkers, part of its approved gear (AR8(e)). Mareb and Light Master were slow to begin. Near the 50m De Bruijn shifted out abruptly. A post-race veterinary examination of Jilltrice, which raced disappointingly, revealed no abnormality.

RACE 4: Dural Country Club Maiden Plate 1400m

Prior to declaration of correct weight Stewards considered an application from jockey D. McLellan that Sport Prince had not been afforded a fair start as its gate had been slow to open. After taking evidence from D. McLellan and trainer Mr C. Conners and viewing Stewards video footage, it was established that Sport Prince's gate was slow to open and that this had materially prejudiced the chances of Sport Prince in the race and consequently the declared the horse a non-runner and ordered the following deductions in the dollar from the face value of tickets be made: 13¢ win and 12¢ place. Bendeta jumped awkwardly. Son Of A Legend and Forever Chaste were slow to begin. Near the 800m Son Of A Legend was steadied to avoid the heels of Victoria's Joy. Shortly after straightening Top Down was steadied when crowded between Uppingham Lad and Victoria's Joy (C. Rixon), which shifted out to improve around the heels of Bendeta. C. Rixon was reprimanded and advised to ensure that he is two lengths clear when shifting ground. Forever Chaste had difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the straight.

Jane Susan was a late withdrawal at 2.31pm acting on veterinary advice that the mare was lame in the near-fore leg. Trainer Ms M. Thexton was advised that a veterinary certificate of fitness must be produced before Jane Susan is permitted to race again. Sex Machine raced fiercely in the early and middle stages. Approaching the 200m Bestowed was steadied and shifted out around the heels of Balgold when reluctant to hold its position inside that runner. When questioned regarding his ride rounding the home turn and in the early part of the straight, App. R. Brewer (Power To Burn) stated that he was instructed to save his mount for one run at the field shortly after straightening. He said that in accordance with instructions, rounding the home turn he elected to keep Power To Burn travelling on the bit although the gelding had a tendency to labour at that point and it was for this reason that he did not place Power To Burn under immediate pressure but kept the gelding balanced, and when he eventually commenced to place Power To Burn under pressure just after straightening the gelding became unbalanced and as a result he was obliged to steady to avoid the heels of Sex Machine. App. Brewer was advised that in similar circumstances he would be expected to show more initiative and to place his mounts under pressure earlier than he did on this occasion.

RACE 6: Concord RSL and Community Club Class 3 Handicap 1200m

After arriving behind the barriers Pilgrim was found to be lame behind. Acting on that advice Pilgrim was a late withdrawal at 3.59pm. Subsequently it was directed that all bets made on Pilgrim be refunded in full and that all bets made with bookmakers be paid less the following deductions in the dollar on the face value of tickets: traditional win and place : win 7¢, place 7¢, multiple doubles 7¢. Trainer Mr G. Frazer was advised that a veterinary certificate of fitness must be produced before Pilgrim is permitted to race again. On jumping Schahriar slipped badly behind and lost considerable ground.

RACE 7: Bankstown City Bowling & Recreation Club Class 1 & Maiden Plate 1800m

As S. Treweek was stood down by the club's doctor P. Falvey was substituted as the rider of Rollon The Viking. Approaching the 200m Rollon The Viking was hampered when crowded by An Honor, which shifted out to improve around Sir Henry. In this incident Rollon The Viking shifted out and made heavy contact with Spinnaker, which became unbalanced. Passing the 100m Silver Ghost was steadied when crowded between Sir Henry and Ground Speed (L. Beasley), which shifted out. L. Beasley was severely reprimanded and advised that in similar circumstances he would be expected to stop riding and straighten his mounts sooner than he did on this occasion. A post-race veterinary examination revealed Phorcys was suffering mild respiratory distressed.

SUMMARY

Fines:
Race 3: Trainer P. Sutherland (De Bruijn) fined $50 - present horse without approved gear (AR8(e)).

Reprimands:
Race 4: C. Rixon (Victoria's Joy) - shifting out (AR137(a)).

Severe Reprimands:
Race 7: L. Beasley (Ground Speed) - shifting out (AR137(a)).

Vet Certificates:
Race 2: Bessyboo (trainer G. Cameron) - shin sore
Race 6: Pilgrim (trainer G. Frazer) - lame behind

Doctor's Certificate:
Race 7: S. Treweek - stood down by club doctor.

The Stewards Room