Riding Changes:

* The explanation offered by B. Macdonald for failing to fulfill his engagement due to being overweight, was accepted.

RACE 1 - $2 DAY SUPER VOBIS TWO-YEARS-OLD MAIDEN PLATE. 1000 Metres.

On arrival at the barrier, "Psycho Kelly" was examined by the Club's Veterinary Surgeon and passed fit to run.

"Cavalry Charge" and "Girl Like You" began awkwardly.

Near the 700 metres, "Psycho Kelly" had to be eased to avoid the heels of "Nothin' Like Fame" which shifted in when racing greenly.

RACE 2 - BLACKSHAW'S HORSEBREAKING MAIDEN PLATE. 1600 Metres.

Rounding the home turn, "Racing Dot" was held up when unable to obtain a clear run. Also rounding the home turn, "Swift Swamp" had to be eased when tightened for room by "Regal Isle" which shifted in slightly.

At the entrance to the straight, "Salagain" was hampered and taken wide by "Champagne Fibee" (S. Leckey) which shifted out. S. Leckey was reprimanded and notified that he must exercise more care when shifting ground in future.

RACE 3 - 3TR SUPER VOBIS THREE-YEARS-OLD MAIDEN PLATE (1). 1100 Metres.

Prior to correct weight being declared, I. Culliver, rider of "Spiraci" the fourth place-getter, viewed the Stewards patrol video of the home straight before deciding not to lodge an objection.

On jumping away, "Zeenha" had to be eased when tightened for room between "Saleslady" and "Moceanna" which was taken in by "Rhumba Spirit".

Near the 400 metres, "Le Moola" was inconvenienced due to "Spiraci" which, when improving on the outside of "Under The Mattress", was taken out slightly by that filly. Shortly after this incident, "Le Moola, "Spiraci" and "Under The Mattress" all became unbalanced due to "Le Moola" and "Under The Mattress" shifting ground.

Rounding the home turn, "Thorpy Boy" had difficulty obtaining a clear run.

M. Allen, rider of "Under The Mattress", which weakened badly from the home turn onwards, stated that his mount travelled well until placed under pressure near the 500 metres and was a beaten horse from that point onwards. M. Allen added that, in his opinion, "Under The Mattress" felt slightly short in its action on pulling up. A subsequent veterinary examination of "Under The Mattress" revealed that the filly was showing signs of respiratory distress and was lame in the off hind leg. Mr. L. Freedman, trainer of "Under The Mattress", will be notified that prior to the filly racing again, a Veterinary Certificate of Fitness must be produced..

RACE 4 - RAPIDVITE SUPER VOBIS THREE-YEARS-OLD MAIDEN PLATE (2). 1100 Metres.

On jumping away, "Dual Copy" knuckled.

After passing the 1000 metres, "Here For Honour" became unbalanced after being bumped by "Hurricane Brewing" which shifted in. Due to this, "Here For Honour" had to be checked off the heels of "Mont Blanc Belle" which shifted out slightly.

S. Tronerud, rider of "Granton", which performed poorly, stated that the colt was initially reluctant to stretch out but then travelled well until placed under pressure near the 300 metres and was a beaten horse from that point onwards. A subsequent veterinary examination of "Granton" revealed no abnormalities.

V. Duric, rider of "Northern Sirocco", stated that he eased his mount down in the home straight as the gelding had weakened badly after failing to respond to his riding from the 600 metres onwards. V. Duric added that, in his opinion, "Northern Sirocco"'s action did not feel right in front. A subsequent veterinary examination of "Northern Sirocco" revealed no apparent abnormalities.

RACE 5 - MOE FRUIT MARKET CLASS 1 HANDICAP. 2050 Metres.

Near the 900 metres, "Brother Daniel" was bumped on the hindquarters by "Unhook" which shifted in after being bumped by "Campbell" which had been taken in by "Abinger Hammer" which had to shift in to avoid the heels of "Boortkoi Breaker" (Ms. T. Gray) which shifted in. Ms. Gray was severely reprimanded and notified that she must ensure she is clear of other runners when shifting ground at all times. Ms. T. Gray stated that she eased her mount down in the home straight as the gelding weakened badly from the 800 metres. Subsequently, Mr. G. Hulls, trainer of "Boortkoi Breaker", was notified that the Stewards were very concerned that the gelding had performed in an uncompetitive manner and had done so on a number of occasions previously. Mr. Hulls was further notified that should "Boortkoi Breaker" perform again in a similar manner, further action may be taken against the gelding. A subsequent veterinary examination of "Boortkoi Breaker" revealed a slower than normal recovery.

M. Evans, rider of "Unhook", which performed below expectations, stated that after being caught wide in the early stages and being hampered near the 900 metres, the mare was a beaten horse when placed under pressure near the 800 metres. A subsequent veterinary examination of "Unhook" revealed no apparent abnormalities.

Rounding the home turn, "Gold Robe" had to be eased to avoid the heels of "China Syndrome" which shifted in. Also rounding the home turn, "Rosstown" was held up for a short distance.

RACE 7 - MOE FRESH POULTRY CLASS 2 HANDICAP. 1200 Metres.

When asked if she could have used more vigour rounding the home turn and on straightening, Ms. K. Cosson, rider of "Mr. Boyd", explained that she sat quietly in an effort to keep the gelding balanced until straightening. Stewards notified Ms. Cosson that, in their opinion, she should have ridden with more vigour and initiative in an effort to improve her position at that stage of the race. In the straight, "Mr. Boyd" had to change course when disappointed for a run on the inside of "Rory's Tycoon".

RACE 8 - MULGA POST & RAIL CLASS 5 HANDICAP. 1100 Metres.

No report.

RACE 9 - RIDLEY PLUMBING & GASFITTING CLASS 3 HANDICAP. 1600 Metres.

Shortly after the start, "Bewdy James" had to be checked between "Boortkoi Mustang" and "Unquiet Times" which shifted out.

Near the 700 metres, "Boortkoi Mustang" had to be eased when tightened for room by "Radio Drive" which shifted in.

After passing the 200 metres, "Bewdy James" which shifted in abruptly under pressure, had to be severely checked off the heels of "The Swy" which shifted out slightly.

SWAB SAMPLES -
Routine swabs were taken from the following winners:
RACE 1 - "Starpower"
RACE 2 - "Regal Isle"
RACE 7 - "Deals"

Random swabs were taken from the following winners:
RACE 4 - "Sea Conquest"
RACE 6 - "Gold Robe"

FINES AND EXPLANATIONS:
RACE 8 - An inquiry was adjourned into the reason for M. Goring failing to arrive on
course to fulfill his engagement.

ADJOURNED INQUIRY - BAIRNSDALE RACING CLUB, 26/12/2001.

Rider D. Schmidt was fined the sum of $200.00 for leaving the course when requested to remain by a Steward for an inquiry.

The Stewards Room