Race 1 - GOOD LUCK IN 2002 HANDICAP - 1600 metres:

"Paris Commander" brushed the running rail on the home turn.

Race 2 - MV NEW YEAR HANDICAP - 1600 metres:

Near the 1200 metres "Bellered" shifted in and made contact with "Countback", resulting in the hindquarters of "Bellered" being turned outwards.

Approaching the 400 metres "Countback" shifted out to improve its position on the outside of "Bellered". and tightened "Rustic Draw" on to "Blanchet". The tightening was aggravated when "Bellered" shifted out as "Countback" got to the outside of that mare.

"Fortune Finder" was inconvenienced rounding the home turn when racing tight on the inside of "Dr. Lorna", which was giving ground.

N. Rawiller, rider of "Dr. Lorna" which performed below expectations, believed that the mare may have jarred up during the running of the race. A veterinary examination of "Dr. Lorna" failed to reveal any abnormality.

Race 3 - NIGHT RACING JAN. 10 HANDICAP - 2040 metres:

Prior to correct weight S. Baster, rider of "The Creature", third placegetter, viewed the Stewards' patrol video and decided not to lodge an objection.

On jumping away "Tickets to Cash" bounded in the air and lost ground.

Just prior to straightening "Monroe" shifted in towards "The Creature".

Race 4 - MV FUNCTIONS & EVENTS HANDICAP - 1600 metres:

S. Baster, rider of "Soviet Son", stated that the gelding commenced to give ground near the 600 metres, and weakened badly from that point. A veterinary examination revealed that "Soviet Son" had an irregular heartbeat. Mr. Tony Krushka, trainer of "Soviet Son", was notified that prior to the gelding racing again he must produce a veterinary clearance, which must include the satisfactory results of an ECG after exercise.

Race 5 - PAUL KELLY CONCERT JANUARY 24 HANDICAP - 1000 metres:

On the way to the barrier "Shimo Star (NZ)" struck the running rail.

Acting on a report from the Starter regarding the unruly behaviour of "Shimo Star (NZ)" when being placed in its starting stall, the Stewards notified Mr. M. Enright, trainer of the mare, that it is now suspended from racing until it performs to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial, at which time he must obtain a barrier test certificate for it.

"Chalonnaise (NZ)" was held up for a run from the 500 metres to the entrance to the straight before obtaining a narrow run on the outside of "Hunger Strike".

In the early part of the straight "La Zoffany" had to change course to obtain a clear run.

Near the 100 metres "Blue Orchid" was hampered and had to be eased off the heels of "Hunger Strike" when taken in by "My Kirana", which shifted in when being eased off the heels of "La Zoffany" when that mare shifted in to obtain a clear run.

Race 6 - COUNTRY SPRINT TROPHY - 1000 metres:

Prior to correct weight D. Nikolic, rider of "Sir Talaq", second placegetter, viewed the Stewards' patrol video and decided to lodge an objection against "Cousin Alf", the winner of the race on the grounds of alleged interference from the 300 metres to near the 100 metres. 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.

It was established that "Sir Talaq", which had been held up for a run, shifted out and brushed "On the Ranch", which was racing tight on the inside of "Go on Spending" when obtaining a narrow run between "On the Ranch" and "Cousin Alf", which then shifted out slightly under pressure.

After passing the 600 metres "Little Pearler" had to be eased off the heels of "Renoirvista", which shifted out.

At the entrance to the straight "Gattaca (NZ)" had to be steadied off the heels of "Go on Spending".

Race 7 - CARLTON DRAUGHT HANDICAP - 2040 metres:

"Ottoman" jumped away awkwardly.

A veterinary examination of "Kaaptonite", which weakened over the concluding stages, failed to reveal any abnormality.

Race 8 - MV TABARET HANDICAP - 1200 metres:

Prior to correct weight D. Nikolic, rider of "Titanic Rose", second placegetter, viewed the Stewards' patrol video before deciding not to lodge an objection. It was established that on the home turn "Titanic Rose" was inconvenienced by "Ice Dancer" which, when making ground, was taken out slightly by "Numilla" when that filly shifted out after being brushed by "Sharna Cabarna".

P. Payne, rider of "Dinnigan" which performed below expectations, stated that the filly travelled well in the middle stages of the race, but then after improving for a short distance coming to the home turn he felt that "Dinnigan" may have jarred up on the track, and for this reason "Dinnigan" gave ground over the concluding stages. A veterinary examination of "Dinnigan" revealed that the filly was short in its action.

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

FINES/EXPLANATIONS:

It was established that B. Prebble had been notified as the rider of "Belgrade", which ran in the Night Racing Jan. 10 Handicap, in accordance with the Rules.

Mr. Dean Saxon, trainer of "Our Guided Missile (NZ)", was fined $30 for using wrong colours on the gelding which ran in the Country Sprint Trophy - Race 6.

The Stewards Room