Riding Changes:

* The explanation of B. Rawiller for being overweight, was accepted.

Race 1 - SV 2YO Maiden Plate - 1100m -

After being placed in its barrier Our Miss Penny became fractious and broke through its front gate. Our Miss Penny then galloped for some distance before being captured. So as not to cause any unreasonable delay Stewards ordered the withdrawal of Our Miss Penny at 12.27 p.m. Subsequently Stewards ordered all monies bet for a win and/or place and concession betting on Our Miss Penny to be refunded. All successful bets on horses prior to time of withdrawal of Our Miss Penny are subject to the following deductions in the dollar from the face value of the ticket - Win Bets - 13 cents, Place Bets -12 cents, Winning Concession Bets - 14 cents, Doubles Bets - 13 cents. All monies bet after the Stewards declaration of withdrawal to be paid at face value of ticket.

Prior to correct weight being declared S. Baster rider of Stowaway Lass, 2^nd placegetter, K. McEvoy rider of Rail Rox, 3^rd placegetter and W. Treloar rider of Flash Flairs, 4^th placegetter, all requested to view the Stewards patrol video of the home straight with a view to lodging an objection. After viewing the video the respective riders decided not to lodge an objection.

Shortly after the start Mari Cha had to be eased when tightened for room between Gypsy Fingers and Archway Spirit, which was taken out by Roussel.

Near the 800 metres Sure Red had to be checked to avoid the heels of Roussel (G. Eades) which shifted in when being eased off the heels of Smart And Mighty. When being checked Sure Red over-reacted and shifted out. G. Eades was notified to exercise greater care when shifting ground in future.

After passing the 200 metres Image Of Reality, had to be eased to avoid the heels of Roussel, which shifted in.

Approaching the winning post Flash Flairs was tightened for room for a number of strides by Rail Rox, which was taken in by Stowaway Lass, which shifted in away from Smart And Mighty. Due to the continuing tightening Flash Flairs had to be checked at the winning post.

Race 2 - "Relax With Max" Class 2 Handicap - 1200m -

Approaching the 100 metres Comtrice was accidentally struck over the head by the whip of Miss J. Darose rider of Go Tilla.

Race 3 - Macedon Ranges Maiden Plate - 1200m -

Shortly after the start Gorbachov, Rocky and Gray O'Toole were all badly hampered when tightened for room between Celtic Melody and Kathey's Cloud, which shifted out abruptly.

For some distance after passing the 200 metres Gray O'Toole was unable to obtain a clear run.

Race 4 - Campaspe Dining Room Maiden Plate - 1450m -

Shortly after the start Classic Park knuckled.

Approaching the turn near the 1200 metres Blue Prominence had to be eased to avoid the heels of Pindarri's Fortune, which shifted in. Shortly after this incident Blue Prominence, which was over-racing, had to be checked off the heels of Pindarri's Fortune.

Race 5 - Tooheys New Open Handicap - 1450m -

On jumping away Skinjite shifted out and bumped Cool Prince.

Rounding the home turn Jetway and Skinjite brushed when racing tightly due mainly to Skinjite shifting in slightly.

Near the 150 metres Skinjite and Touch Of Mahogany bumped due to both horses shifting ground.

L. Nolen, rider of Our Guided Missile, was found guilty of a charge of careless riding, the careless riding being that he permitted his mount to shift in near the 1200 metres when not sufficiently clear of Cool Prince thereby taking that gelding in across the running of Ooshku, resulting in that gelding having to be checked. When being checked Ooshku clipped heels and almost fell. L. Nolen was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence midnight 4^th February, 2002 and to expire midnight 19^th February, 2002. In arriving at that penalty Stewards took into account L. Nolen's very good riding record.

Also near the 1200 metres Crown Duo had to be checked when tightened for room by Augusta, which shifted in after being bumped on the hind quarters by Skinjite (N. Callow) which also shifted in. When being checked Crown Duo shifted out resulting in Small Spoils and Tariama, which were following, being hampered. After taking into account all the circumstances and the fact that Crown Duo had over-reacted when tightened for room, Stewards took no action other than to reprimand N. Callow and notify him that he must do his utmost to protect his fellow riders at all times.

Race 6 - Blues Day Class 3 Handicap - 1450m -

Over the concluding stages of the race Raise Cash had difficulty in obtaining a clear run.

After passing the 200 metres Noblesse which had a tendency to lay in had to be checked to avoid the heels of Regal Quest, which shifted out slightly.

Race 7 - SV 3YO Class 1 Handicap - 1200m -

On arrival at the barrier Red Mars had to be re-saddled causing the start of the race to be delayed.

As the gates opened Red Mars reared and lost ground.

Near the 1100 metres My Fraarlein was tightened for room by Chairman's Choice (G. Murphy), which shifted in. G. Murphy was reprimanded and notified that he must ensure he is clear of other runners when shifting ground at all times.

In the middle states of the race Chairman's Choice had a tendency to lay out.

Approaching and rounding the home turn Miss Tatiana was held up

Approaching the winning post Buttout shifted out and inconvenienced My Fraarlein.

Race 8 - Hanging Rock Buskers Festival Class 1 Handicap - 1850m -

On jumping away Tahitian Crown and Racer's Joy bumped due to both horses shifting ground.

SWAB SAMPLES -

Swab samples were taken from the following winners - Smart And Mighty (Race 1), Fonome (Race 3), The Duce (Race 4), Skinjite (Race 5) A routine swab was taken from Woodpecker (Race 8) which finished unplaced.

ADJOURNED INQUIRIES -

Race 8 - An inquiry was adjourned into the reason for Mr. Boyd having been nominated for this event, when ineligible.

The Stewards Room