Riding Changes:

Race 1 - Business Network Luncheon Handicap - 1200 metres

 "Saints Union" began awkwardly and then knuckled and lost ground.

Whilst rounding the home turn "West Bound" which had commenced to weaken had to be checked when tightened for room by "Ali Sting" (N Callow) which shifted in.

As the Stewards had some doubt whether "Saints Union" which had been racing on the outside of "Ali Sting" had some slight bearing on it, Stewards took no action other than to severely reprimand N Callow rider of "Ali Sting" and notified him he must leave sufficient room in future.

A veterinary examination of "West Bound" which continued to weaken revealed no abnormality.

Approaching the 100 metres "Unbridled Smile" shifted in towards the running rail and became unbalanced.

Race 2 - Winning Edge Presentations Handicap - 1000 metres

 "Starhere" laid out over the concluding stages of the race.

Shortly after the start "Starhere" was tightened for room between "Paradise Blue" and "Violet Tints" both of which shifted ground.

Approaching the 600 metres "Violet Tints" shifted out to avoid the heels of "Starhere" which steadied at that point and hampered "Suave Thought".

B Prebble, rider of "Smytzer's Officer" hung in throughout the race placing B Prebble at a disadvantage in riding his mount out.

Race 3 - Programmed Maintenance Services Handicap - 3000 metres. 

A veterinary exam of "Irish Piper" which had performed poorly revealed the gelding to be in a distressed condition.

Race 4 -Carlton Draught Handicap - 1200 metres

 After leaving the mounting yard "Jasper Ruler" dislodged its rider M Zahra and galloped for a short distance before being caught. "Jasper Ruler" was inspected by the Clubs Veterinary Surgeon and passed fit to run.

"Ming's Finale" was slow to begin.

Shortly after the start "Cici Stad" was tightened onto "Rings of Gold" by "Rapid Waters" which shifted out.

Shortly after this incident "Indigo Rain" was inconvenienced due to "Rings of Gold" shifting out slightly.

Approaching the home turn "Rings of Gold" was bumped on two occasions by "Classic Wine" (M Payne) which shifted in. M Payne was notified to exercise more care in future.

Race 5 - Moonee O'Valley Night March 2 Handicap - 1600 metres

P Payne rider of "China Syndrome" advised the Stewards that he had been concerned with his mounts action throughout the race as it felt in his opinion to be sore behind, and for that reason he did not ride it with his normal vigour in the straight. A veterinary examination of "China Syndrome" revealed no apparent abnormality.

Race 6 - Great Race Sweepstake Handicap - 1200 metres

Noel Callow rider of "Sea Conquest" dropped his whip rounding the home turn.

Approaching the winning post "Tan Tat Star", (S Arnold) shifted in and hampered "Berlin Tango" which shifted in. S Arnold was notified to exercise more care when shifting ground in future.

M Pegus rider of "Sharna Cabarna" stated that the filly had travelled well in the early and middle stages of the race but did not respond to his riding when put under pressure rounding the home turn. He added that "Sharna Cabarna" appeared to pull up well and could offer no other explanation for its poor performance.

"Sagacious Mover" was reluctant to enter the starting stalls and as a result the start of the race was delayed. Mr G Thornton, trainer of "Sagacious Mover" was notified that Stewards were issuing an official warning against the filly that should "Sagacious Mover" perform similarly in future, action may be taken against the filly. Mr Thornton was further notified that he must produce a barrier test certificate prior to "Sagacious Mover" racing again.

Race 7 - MV Functions & Events Handicap - 2040 metres

"Spirit of the Nite (NZ)" was inspected by the Club's Veterinary Surgeon before the start and passed fit to run.

S Arnold rider of "Spirit of the Nite (NZ)" which had performed below expectations stated that in his opinion the mare was unsuited by the track conditions today and when put under pressure near the 800 metres failed to respond to his riding.

A veterinary examination of "Spirit of the Nite (NZ)", subsequent to the event revealed no apparent abnormality

Race 8 - MV Tabaret Handicap - 1000 metres

Mr G Fennessy representing Mr T McEvoy requested to scratch "Chalonnaise" from this event as in his view the horse was unsuited to today's track conditions due to the rain today.

As Stewards had downgraded the track from good to dead, the Stewards acceded to his request and "Chalonnaise" was withdrawn at 4.00pm.

"Yaremiss" lost its off fore plate.

"Rare Result" which began awkwardly shifted in and bumped "Yaremiss" in onto "Jodi's Gamble".

Rounding the home turn D. Taggart rider of "Rustic Sal" dropped his whip.

Greg Childs rider of "Rare Result" explained to Stewards that apart from jumping away awkwardly, he could offer no explanation for the mares poor performance. A veterinary examination of "Rare Result" revealed no apparent abnormality.

Approaching the winning post "Tiger Belle" was tightened for room between "Yaremiss" which shifted in away from "Ebony Magic" which shifted in and "Jodie's Gamble" which after initially shifting out was taken out further by "Tiger Belle which shifted out.

SWAB SAMPLES - Swab samples were taken from all winners.

 FINES & EXPLANATIONS -

Adjourned Inquiry Melbourne Racing Club, 10^th February, 2002.
Stewards today concluded the inquiry into P Payne becoming indisposed and unable to ride "Cool Trent" in the AAMI Blue Diamond Prelude for Colts and Geldings at Caulfield.

P Payne advised the Stewards that he had been ill on the day and for that reason unable to waste. His explanation was accepted by the Stewards.

Adjourned Inquiry Mornington Racing Club, 15^th February, 2002.
Race 1 Four 'n' Twenty Maiden Hurdle, the explanation of E Musgrove regarding the late notification of rider for "Adderley " was accepted.

The Stewards Room