Riding Changes:

Race 1 - AUSTRALIAN BANANAS HANDICAP - 1000 metres:

On jumping away "Something Funny" and "Danislew" were both hampered and lost ground when tightened for room between "Kashcrop (NZ)", which initially shifted out, and "Queen Ruler", which shifted in slightly.

On return to scale it was noted that "Queen Ruler" had lost its off fore plate.

Race 2 - NU FRUIT THREE-YEARS-OLD FILLIES HANDICAP - 1000 metres:

Prior to correct weight J. Patton, rider of "Violet Tints", second placegetter, viewed the Stewards' videos and decided to lodge an objection against "Hello Boys" being declared the winner on the grounds of alleged interference over the last 120 metres of the race. After the parties had viewed the Stewards' patrol video and the TV version of the race, and after they had listened to the submissions of the parties concerned, the Stewards dismissed the objection.

Subsequently it was established that near the 100 metres "Violet Tints", which was attempting a narrow run on the inside of "Hello Boys", was tightened for room and hampered due to "Hello Boys" shifting in slightly under pressure.

On jumping away "Rainbow's Edge" and "Vignette" bumped due to both horses beginning awkwardly and shifting ground.

Shortly after this incident "Curragh Star" then shifted in away from "Vignette", and made contact with "Rapid Woman".

"Rapid Woman" was then tightened on to "Curragh Star" which, in turn, was taken out on to "Vignette" due to "Violet Tints" shifting out.

In the early part of the straight "Rainbow's Edge", when weakening, shifted out slightly, and as a result was bumped by "Curragh Star", which was laying in, and shifted in slightly.

Race 3 - JOHN HOLMAN QUALITY FRUITS & VEGETABLES LEILANI QUALITY - 1600 metres:

Rounding the home turn "My Lavinia" was held up when unable to obtain a clear run.

For some distance in the straight "Never Decree (NZ)" had difficulty in obtaining a clear run.

Race 4 - VELISHA FRESH PRODUCE HANDICAP - 1519 metres:

Approaching the winning post "Careyes", which was shifting out under pressure, then shifted out abruptly across the running of "Tack Hammer", resulting in S. Vella, rider of "Careyes", becoming unbalanced, and being dislodged, and "Tack Hammer" being hampered.

The Stewards delayed correct weight to ascertain both whether S. Vella had been dislodged prior to the winning post, and to consider S. Vella's submission as to whether his mount had been denied a fair start. The Stewards found that S. Vella had been dislodged prior to the winning post, resulting in his mount not carrying its correct weight to the post, and that "Careyes', which had been fractious in the stall, turning its head towards the adjoining stall when the gates were released, had not been denied a fair start. As a result of this "Careyes" lost some ground on jumping away.

Mr. D. O'Brien, trainer of "Careyes", was notified that a warning was being placed on the colt for its unruly behaviour, and that a repetition of its behaviour could lead to action being taken against it.

Race 5 - SPC ARDMONA HANDICAP - 1000 metres:

Mr. D. O'Brien, trainer of "Rings of Gold" which was having its first race start in Victoria, was fined $200 for failing to produce the Document of Description for that gelding. "Rings of Gold" was examined from the brands and markings provided by the Registrar, and permitted to run.

On jumping away "Souplesse (NZ)" was bumped by "Natrass Lane", which began awkwardly and shifted out.

"Rings of Gold' began awkwardly, and lost a little ground.

Rounding the home turn "Namedul Man" was brushed by "Torque", which was taken in slightly by "Solid Wood", which shifted in slightly.

Also rounding the home turn "All Lustre" was held up when unable to obtain a clear run, and for a short distance in the early part of the straight "All lustre" had some difficulty obtaining a clear run.

After passing the 200 metres "Solid Wood", which shifted out, had to be eased to avoid the heels of "Noble Sun (NZ)", which shifted in.

Approaching the winning post "Station Ruler" was inconvenienced by "Torque", which was shifting out slightly.

Subsequent to the event the Club's Veterinary Surgeon reported that "Station Ruler" had a haematoma on its near shoulder.

Also subsequent to the event the Club's Veterinary Surgeon reported that "All Lustre" had been galloped on, on its off hind leg.

Race 6 - KWIKLOK/SOUTH EASTERN GROWERS HANDICAP - 1200 metres:

"Circumnavigating" began awkwardly, and then had to be eased off the heels of "Gironde".

Rounding the turn near the 800 metres "Carnebelle (NZ)" laid out across the heels of "Gironde", became unbalanced and had to be checked.

"Gironde" hung in under pressure in the straight.

During the running of the race "Blue Wina" was galloped on, on the near hind leg.

Race 7 - MEADOW HILLS VEGETABLE MARKETING HANDICAP - 2040 metres:

Prior to correct weight Michelle Payne, rider of "Quencher", third placegetter, viewed the Stewards' patrol video, and decided not to lodge an objection.

"Soviet Draw", which became restless in its stall, was examined by the Club's Veterinary Surgeon and passed fit to run.

"Keystone" was slow to begin.

Race 8 - VICTORIAN CELERY GROWERS HANDICAP - 1519 metres:

Rounding the first turn "Royal Treen" had to be checked when tightened for room between "Brassy Jim", which shifted out slightly after being eased off the heels of "Prizefighter" and "Brodance" (N. Callow), which shifted in when not sufficiently clear . Whilst the Stewards did not hold N. Callow fully responsible for the incident, they severely reprimanded him and notified him that he must ensure that he is clear of other runners when shifting ground in future.

When "'Prizefighter", which had suffered a bleeding attack, weakened quickly, "Brassy Jim" and "Royal Treen" were hampered.

SWAB SAMPLES were taken from the winners of all races today.

The Stewards Room