TARLAY (D. Tootell) was slow to begin.

INGURAIN (D. Mittiga) raced ungenerously in the early stages of the race.

In the vicinity of the 900 metres CIELO ROAD (D. Azis) shifted out onto YAN YEAN (B. Vale) which shifted out onto RENDL (C. Symons). As a result PROSPECTOR GIRL (J. Potter), which was racing outside of RENDL, was inconvenienced and taken wider on the track. D. Azis was advised of his obligations when shifting ground.

Racing to the 400 metres RENDL (C. Symons), which was showing a tendency to lay in, shifted in resulting in YAN YEAN (B. Vale), which was under pressure, having to be steadied.

A veterinary examination of TARLAY subsequent to the event revealed that gelding was lame in the off foreleg.

A swab sample was taken from QUICK SMART, winner of the race.

BOLARDS (W. Kerford) jumped away awkwardly and as a result was slow to begin and that gelding raced greenly in the early stages of the race.

DOT COM FEVER (H. McKechnie) had its head on the side when the gates were released and as a result was slow to begin.

In the vicinity of the 400 metres DOT COM FEVER (H. McKechnie), which had been racing fiercely, had to be steadied across the heels of RIVIERA GEM (B. Claridge).

In the vicinity of the home turn SIR HIGH GAZER (C. Lindop) was disappointed for a run for a short distance.

Subsequent to the event D. Tootell, rider of DANGER CHARGER, reported to Stewards that in the vicinity of the 300 metres he had been hit in the face by a clod of dirt, which damaged his goggles, and thereafter suffered reduced visibility. From this point of the race DANGER CHARGER showed a tendency to hang out.

A veterinary examination of CHEWBACCA subsequent to the event revealed that gelding had a minor injury to the off foreleg.

No report.

Prior to this event B. Claridge, rider of WALAMA (NZ), was instructed to re-weigh after he questioned the Clerk of Scales’ report that he had weighed out half a kilogram overweight. B. Claridge subsequently weighed out at his correct weight. After considering evidence from B. Claridge, he was severely reprimanded and advised that his conduct had been well below the standard required from a senior apprentice and a similar occurrence in future may lead to action being taken against him.

Upon jumping away ILLUSTRIOUS RULER (D. Azis) shifted out abruptly resulting in WALAMA (NZ) (B. Claridge), TARCOOLA GOLD (C. Buchiw), COZARVY (C. Lindop) and RELUCTANCE (C. Symons) all being hampered for a short distance. D. Azis was advised by Stewards that in future, under similar circumstances, he must act far more quickly and in a more positive manner.

No report.

In the vicinity of the 1000 metres B. Vale, rider of FARHILLS, elected to ease that gelding for a short distance, when travelling inside other runners, to enable the gelding to be positioned on the outside of the field where he believed FARHILLS would be given a far greater chance of running into the race. Stewards noted B. Vale’s explanation.

Stewards questioned C. Symons, rider of GRETROBY, and that gelding’s trainer, M. Huxtable, regarding the disappointing performance of that gelding in today’s event. C. Symons stated that GRETROBY had raced in a more forward position today compared to its previous starts at this track and had not appreciated racing inside other runners. In the vicinity of the 1400 metres, and for some distance, KING OF RUBITON (H. McKechnie) showed a tendency to lay in onto GRETROBY, which the gelding had not appreciated. When put under pressure inside the 800 metres by its rider, C. Symons, GRETROBY had failed to respond and under hard riding for the remainder of the race, the gelding did not respond. Mr. M. Huxtable reported that the gelding had worked well leading up to today’s event and could not offer any reasons for the performance of GRETROBY today. A veterinary inspection of GRETROBY subsequent to the event revealed no visible abnormalities.

RACE 7 – JIM MARTIN – PAINTER COLTS, GELDINGS AND ENTIRES CLASS 2 HANDICAP

Upon jumping away MILITARY STAR (D. Mittiga) shifted out onto PRINCETOWN (C. Lindop) who in turn shifted out onto FREE MARKET (B. Claridge) which had jumped awkwardly resulting in FREE MARKET being inconvenienced.

Racing to the 1000 metres MOTTO (C. Buchiw) shifted in resulting in DIN DAENG (B. Neville) being tightened for galloping room. C. Buchiw was advised of her obligations when shifting ground.

CERISE AND BLUE (R. Faehr) raced greenly throughout the event.

In the vicinity of the 700 metres DIN DAENG (B. Neville), which had been racing keenly, had to be eased from the heels of STOCKADE BOY (D. Azis).

B. Vale, rider of CENTRAL VIC, reported to the Stewards, that the gelding showed a tendency to hang out over the concluding stages of the event.

Upon jumping away INDI STAR (D. Tootell) shifted out onto EXPRESS ACE (D. Azis); at the same time SCORN AGAIN (H. McKechnie) shifted in onto PARIS LACE (J. Potter) and as a result NORTHERN WAR (J. Burgess), which was racing between those horses, was tightened for galloping room and lost its position.

Racing to the 100 metres EXPRESS ACE (D. Azis) shifted out slightly resulting in PARIS LACE (J. Potter) having to change direction inwards to avoid that gelding’s heels.

The Stewards Room