Track: Good
Weather: Fine
Rail: True position

The start of this race was delayed owing to HYPERSONIC being resaddled.

LIGHTRIDGE (J. Maund) was slow to jump.

Racing to the 600 metres VENGADAME (J. Bowditch) shifted in and inconvenienced EUCLASSY BOY (Darren Holland).

At the entrance to the straight EUCLASSY BOY (Darren Holland), which was inclined to lay out, shifted out and away from PETRELLA (D. O’Heare), which improved on its inside.

Trainer Mr. A. McEvoy was questioned regarding the Stable’s late declaration of riders in Race 2 and 3. After considering Mr. McEvoy’s submission, Stewards elected to take no further action, as they were aware of contributing factors.

REGAL OCCASION, which was fierce during its preliminary, was vetted at the start and ruled fit.

The start of this race was delayed owing REGAL OCCASION proving difficult to load. Mr. B. Pateyjohns, Trainer of REGAL OCCASION, was advised that similar behaviour in future would result in action being taken against the mare.

TAHNEE (T. Creek) jumped away awkwardly and knuckled.

THE PLUMBER (D. Carney) raced ungenerously in the early and middle stages.

Inside the 100 metres DREAMS MAY COME (B. Claridge), which had commenced to race fiercely, was obliged to steady off the heels of SALTIMBANCO (D. O’Heare) and became unbalanced.

Approaching the 800 metres SALTIMBANCO (D. O’Heare), while being eased got its head up and raced ungenerously for a short distance.

D. O’Heare, rider of SALTIMBANCO, dropped his whip approaching the finish. D. O’Heare was fined $50 for Carelessness under AR 137(a).

D. O’Heare, rider of SALTIMBANCO, was questioned in relation to his riding of the filly over the concluding stages. D. O’Heare was cautioned in regards to failing to ride his mounts to the finish of a race and advised that future infringements may lead to a penalty being imposed.

RACE 3 – PRINT MINT MAIDEN PLATE (2^nd Division):

VALE OF TARA (K. Louca) jumped away awkwardly.

On jumping away RAMEN (M. Hoppo) jumped inwards, at the same time as LORD ROYDON (J. Holder) jumped outwards, resulting in those geldings making heavy contact.

WHAT A SPUR (S. Price) shifted out onto MARCITY (J. Lorensini), resulting in that colt being tightened and losing its position.

LEMONADE PARADE (S. Cahill) was inclined to lay out throughout the event.

S. Cahill reported, that despite his efforts, LEMONADE PARADE was reluctant to race near the field.

Near the 400 metres LORD ROYDON (J. Holder) was disappointed when attempting a run inside FRENCH BELLE (D. O’Heare), which shifted in abruptly.

LORD ROYDON was then unable to obtain clear running until approaching the 200 metres, when held up behind RAMEN (M. Hoppo) and inside FRENCH BELLE (D. O’Heare).

RACE 4 – MILL PARK MAIDEN PLATE:

FULL OF RED was withdrawn by Stewards at 10.24 a.m., acting on advice from the mare’s Trainer, Mrs. S. Hodge, that it was suffering from the onset of a virus.

ROYAL BELL (J. Bowditch) jumped away awkwardly.

On jumping away FREELANCE (J. Potter) shifted out and inconvenienced CRISP AIR (D. O’Heare).

In the vicinity of the 1400 metres HOSTLER (A. Stead) was forced to steady to avoid the heels of JABBAR (S. Cahill), which had shifted in abruptly.

Near the 700 metres TRIPLE FORCE (NZ) (S. Price) rolled out and brushed MYSTICAL FORCE (C. Lindop), which became unbalanced.

In the vicinity of the 600 metres MEMPHIS RACER (M. Neilson) shifted in and tightened SEPARATOR (J. Lorensini), which was inclined to lay away onto TRIPLE FORCE (NZ) (S. Price), which was obliged to check.

Apprentice M. Neilson was reprimanded and advised that, in future he would be expected to make a greater attempt to relieve the pressure to other riders.

When questioned regarding his riding of FREELANCE in the middle stages, J. Potter explained that in view of the filly racing very greenly in its first start, he had been instructed to allow FREELANCE to become balanced and ride the filly quietly until in the vicinity of the 800 metres, at which point he was to commence to encourage FREELANCE to improve its position. J. Potter explained that his mount had jumped away awkwardly and despite his mount lacking confidence, he believed he rode his mount to instructions, although he conceded that in the vicinity of the 800 metres the bulk of the field had improved away from his mount. Trainer Mr. G. D. Kennewell confirmed his instructions to J. Potter. Stewards noted the explanations tendered, however advised J. Potter that although having regard to the instructions given to him he should, in similar circumstances in future, ride with more initiative.

Subsequent to the race a Veterinary inspection of FREELANCE revealed no visible abnormalities.

Stewards questioned D. O’Heare regarding his riding of CRISP AIR, in the vicinity of the 800 metres. He stated that although given no specific instructions, he and Mr. David Jolly, Trainer of the mare, had believed it had been inclined to over-race in her recent runs and therefore had planned to attempt to settle CRISP AIR back in the field, and if possible from its wide barrier draw, to get in close to the running rail and to see if being ridden in this fashion if CRISP AIR could finish off its race. D. O’Heare stated that he felt he had carried out this plan, however, although aware of the change in pace in the vicinity of the 800 metres, felt it was against his mount’s interest to switch wider and improve his position earlier than he had done so. Mr. D. Jolly confirmed his discussion with D. O’Heare. D. O’Heare was reprimanded and advised that in future a rider of his experience would be expected to show more initiative.

Subsequent to the race a Veterinary inspection of CRISP AIR revealed no visible abnormalities.

SEPARATOR lost its off hind plate during the race.

C. Lindop replaced J. Holder as the rider of LITTLE MISS LINA, owing to that rider being unable to make the allotted weight. J. Holder was fined $100 under AR 120(b).

DUKATTI GREY (D. Carney) was slow to jump.

Near the 1000 metres TAGO (B. Vale), while being steadied off the heels of PURE GOLD (G. Dorol), got its head up for a short distance and shifted in, brushing LITTLE MISS LINA (C. Lindop).

PURE GOLD suffered severe lacerations to both hind legs during the event.

RACE 6 – SPRY EARTHMOVERS CLASS 2 HANDICAP:

L. Smith replaced J. Lorensini as the rider of SIR TANJIL, owing to that rider being unable to make the allotted weight. J. Lorensini was fined $100 under AR 120(b).

CONVEYANCE (NZ) (T. Creek) was slow to jump.

RATHER GAZE (R. Faehr) raced greenly in the middle stages of the race.

In the vicinity of the 300 metres CROSS ME NOT (J. Bowditch) was held up for a short distance between MANIHI PRINCE (D. Carney) which was inclined to lay out, and FRENCH REVOLUTION (W. Kerford) which shifted in.

Near the 200 metres TEMPESTO (J. Potter) shifted in and inconvenienced RATHER GAZE (R. Faehr).

RACE 7 – REX-LOK HANDICAP:

S. Price replaced B. Claridge as the rider of EARLWOOD MANOR (NZ).

B. Claridge, and the Trainer of EARLWOOD MANOR (NZ) Mr. B. Woosnam, were questioned regarding his double engagement in this event. After considering the evidence Mr. Woosnam was fined $50 for having declared a rider when no firm engagement had been made.

M. Neilson replaced H. McKechnie as the rider of SURMATO, owing to H. McKechnie reporting ill.

BEYOND FEAR (B. Claridge) was tightened on jumping away by BILLY RASCAL (J. O’Connor) which shifted out, and CATHEDRAL END (P. Gatt) which shifted in.

Near the 1000 metres SURMATO (M. Neilson) shifted in and tightened BILLY RASCAL (J. O’Connor), taking that gelding in onto STAR JOE (NZ) (G. Dorol), resulting in STAR JOE (NZ) and BILLY RASCAL being inconvenienced and forced to steady.

M. Neilson pleaded guilty to a charge of Careless Riding and was suspended for a period to commence at midnight on Wednesday 30^th January and to conclude at midnight on Saturday 2^nd February 2002. A period of one Metropolitan Meeting.

Approaching the finish ONYX RIVER (D. O’Heare) was forced to steady when tightened by BEYOND FEAR (B. Claridge) which shifted out, and BILLY RASCAL (J. O’Connor), which shifted in.

RACE 8 – ALL STOP MOWERS CLASS 4 HANDICAP:

JAMATRE (W. Kerford) was slow to jump.

Near the 1100 metres HOUSE GUEST (S. Price) shifted in onto CHICKASA (P. Marks), which was inclined to race ungenerously, taking that mare in onto BAD BOY BUCK (P. Gatt), which in turn was taken in, contacting BARONESS ROSE (J. Bowditch), resulting in both runners being forced to check and BARONESS ROSE striking the running rail.

S. Price was severely reprimanded and advised that in future to shift ground only when entitled to do so.

HOUSE GUEST lost a near hind plate during the race.

Subsequent to the race a Veterinary inspection of BARONESS ROSE revealed the mare to be sore in the lower back region.

Subsequent to the race SEA THE WAY was inspected by the Veterinary Surgeon who reported the gelding was exhibiting signs of muscle soreness in the chest area.

RACE 9 – JOHN PEACOCK FARRIER CLASS 1 HANDICAP:

CHEVITA, which had raced at Victoria Park on Saturday 26^th January, was inspected by the Veterinary Surgeon on arrival on course, and ruled fit to start.

BELLOTTO PRINCESS (T. Creek) jumped away awkwardly and shifted out, hampering SOGNARE (D. O’Heare)

Inside the 200 metres MARSCMER (R. Faehr) shifted in and inconvenienced BELLOTTO PRINCESS (T. Creek).

SOGNARE (D. O’Heare), which had commenced to improve, was obliged to steady and shift out, over from the heels of CHEVITA (Darren Holland).

Race 5 PURE GOLD (Winner)
Race 6 ZEROCCO (Winner)
Race 8 JAMATRE (Winner)
Race 9 SHIRAZ NOW (Winner)

The Stewards Room