Riding Changes:

Race - Horse - Rider - Replaced By - Reason
1 - "Proven Angel"  - C. Symons - G. Mathrick - Unavailable 
3 - "Miss Coconut" - W. Hokai * - N. Callow - Indisposed
4 - "Mega Achiever (NZ)" - W. Hokai * - P. Payne - Indisposed
4 - "Willett (NZ)" - B. Park - K. McEvoy - Unavailable
6 - "All Black Symphony" - C. Symons - M. Zahra - Unavailable
6 - "Sanderae Lass" - M. Evans * - D. Nikolic - Indisposed

* Must produce medical certificate prior to riding again.

Race 1 - STATELY BAY HANDICAP - 1533 metres:

No report.

Race 2 - SERADEKA HANDICAP - 1000 metres:

"Go Marion" and "Russia House" jumped away awkwardly.

"Sinner" shifted out on jumping away and bumped "Go Marion".

Shortly after jumping away "All Monde" and "Thunder Queen" were hampered when tightened for room between "Rose of Spartacus" and "Wild Rapid" due to both horses shifting ground.

Near the 900 metres "Thunder Queen" had to be checked off the heels of "Rancherie", which shifted in abruptly. "Rancherie" then continued to race greenly for the remainder of the race.

Near the 600 metres "Thunder Queen", which was racing greenly, brushed the running rail.

Shortly after this incident "Thunder Queen" had to be checked off the heels of "Wild Rapid", which shifted in.

"Compactus" hung out rounding the home turn

Near the 200 metres "Rose of Spartacus" became unbalanced when hampered by "Gazania", which was taken in by "Russia House" which, when hanging in, shifted in. Whilst accepting that "Russia House" did have a tendency to hang in, Luke Currie was notified that he should have made a greater effort sooner than he did on this occasion to protect riders who were racing on his inside.

"Russia House" continued to hang in, which made it difficult for L. Currie to ride it out over the concluding stages.

Race 3 - SAVROCCA HANDICAP - 1200 metres:

When being placed in its stall "French Snip" struck its head on the side of the stall. Acting on veterinary advice the Stewards ordered the withdrawal of "French Snip" at 1.25 p.m.

Subsequently the Stewards ordered that all monies wagered on "French Snip" be refunded, and that all successful bets on horses prior to the time of withdrawal of "French Snip" be subject to the following deductions in the dollar from the face value of the ticket: Win Bets: Twelve cents; Place Bets: Twelve cents; Winning Concession Bets: Twelve cents, and Doubles Bets: Twelve cents.

All monies bet after the Stewards' declaration of withdrawal were ordered to be paid at the face value of the ticket.

Acting on a report from the Starter regarding the unruly behaviour of "Miss Coconut" when being placed in its starting stall, the Stewards notified Ms Roberta Maguire, trainer of the filly, that should "Miss Coconut" behave in a similar manner in future more severe action may be taken. Ms Maguire was further notified that prior to "Miss Coconut" starting again she must produce a barrier test certificate for it.

Race 4 - BRAVE CHIEF HANDICAP - 3000 metres:

In the middle stages of the race the saddle on "Spider Bite" shifted forward, which considerably inconvenienced its rider, L. Coffey, for the remainder of the race.

A veterinary examination of "Ultimate Ambition (NZ)" revealed that the gelding had pulled up in a distressed condition. Mr. David Bourne, trainer of "Ultimate Ambition (NZ)", was notified that prior to the gelding racing again he must produce a veterinary clearance, which must include the satisfactory results of an ECG taken after exercise.

Race 5 - CARLTON DRAUGHT WELTER - 1000 metres:

"Sinology" was slow to begin.

Near the 900 metres "Kashkii (NZ)" had to be checked off the heels of "Taj Lotto", which was taken in by "Bush Outlaw", which had a tendency to lay in away from "The Mooksta".

Near the 700 metres "Joffa Gem" had to be steadied off the heels of "Bush Outlaw".

"Kashkii (NZ)", which had some difficulty obtaining a clear run rounding the home turn, shifted out abruptly to avoid the heels of "Mercurio", which was weakening near the 300 metres, and forced "Kelshiki" wide.

Race 6 - LIGHTHOUSE FOUNDATION HANDICAP - 2040 metres:

"Figeac (NZ)" shifted in on jumping away and tightened "Petite Jeune Fille" on to the hindquarters of "Jungle Bird (NZ)".

During the running of the race "Atlanta Rose" suffered a bleeding attack.

Race 7 - ROY KEANE HANDICAP - 2040 metres:

On the home turn M. Zahra, rider of 'Farmer News", dropped his whip.

Approaching the winning post "Wazza Star" had to be steadied off the heels of "On the Menu".

Race 8 - MARSTIC HANDICAP - 1200 metres:

"Ruben" knuckled on jumping away and lost ground.

 "Juror" jumped away awkwardly.

Near the 900 metres "Act of Parliament", which had been reluctant to hold its position, had to be checked when tightened for room by "Uncle Willy", which was taken in by "Neiwand", which was shifting in away from "The Galloping Chef". In the incident "Uncle Willy" had to be checked over the heels of "Neiwand". "Uncle Willy" then shifted out and forced "Dealer's Edge", which was laying out, across the heels of "Juror", resulting in "Dealer's Edge" having to be checked.

"Uncle Willy" hung out rounding the turn near the 800 metres, and had to be checked off the heels of "Juror" near the 700 metres.

Shortly after this incident "Act of Parliament" shifted in abruptly across the heels of "Uncle Willy" and struck the running rail after being taken in slightly by "Dealer's Edge", which shifted in to avoid the heels of "Juror", which was shifting ground.

On the home turn "Uncle Willy" was inconvenienced when tightened slightly between "Tapestry of Life" and "Neiwand", which shifted out slightly.

M. Zahra, rider of "Act of Parliament", stated that after being hampered in the early stages of the race "Act of Parliament" was reluctant to stretch out throughout. A veterinary examination of "Act of Parliament" failed to reveal any abnormality.

On return to scale it was noted that "The Galloping Chef" had lost its off hind plate.

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

RESUMED INQUIRY:

Mr. D. Brideoake, trainer of "Primary Vision" which ran in the Bill Collins Super Vobis Handicap at Caulfield on the 30^th March, 2002, was fined the sum of $50 for the late notification of P. Mertens as the rider of the horse.

The Stewards Room