RACE 1 – DARVEL FEEDS/SABIS FILLIES AND MARES MAIDEN PLATE:

J. O’Connor replaced J. Bowditch as the rider of HILL SEA, owing to that rider being indisposed.

LUNA ROSSA was withdrawn by Stewards at 12 noon, on Veterinary advice that the filly had filling in its near fore leg.

MISS PUBLICITY was inspected on arrival on course by the Club’s Veterinary Surgeon and ruled fit to start.

The start of this race was delayed owing to WEAK ELASTIC proving difficult to load. Mr. R. Cronin, Trainer of WEAK ELASTIC, was advised that a repetition of the filly proving difficult to load would lead to action being taken against it.

HILL SEA (J. O’Connor) stood flat-footed and missed the start several lengths.

Shortly after the start TELL SECRETS (B. Claridge) shifted in and brushed CALIFORNIA ROSE (C. Lindop). At the same time WEAK ELASTIC (D. Wilson), which was inclined to race greenly, shifted out and away from AMEN ROYALE (W. Kerford), taking BOONERDO LASS (J. Maund) out onto HIGH DIGIT (C. Buchiw), which reacted away abruptly, tightening CALIFORNIA ROSE onto TELL SECRETS. As a result, CALIFORNIA ROSE had to be checked severely and TELL SECRETS and HIGH DIGIT were both hampered. Stewards took no action as they deemed no one rider to be at fault.

HIGH DIGIT (C. Buchiw) continued to race greenly throughout the event.

RACE 2 – SMOKE-FREE/SABIS CLASS 1 HANDICAP:

ECKMEK (Darren Holland), which was inclined to hang in the middle stages, shifted out making the turn into the straight.

RACE 3 – CLIPSAL CLASS 1 HANDICAP:

J. O’Connor replaced J. Bowditch as the rider of BLUE WONDER.

On arrival on course ASTRO TRAVELLER was inspected by the Club’s Veterinary Surgeon and ruled fit to start.

Inside the 400 metres GORDON MACALMAN (C. Lindop) was held up for a short distance.

In the vicinity of the 200 metres AROUND THE RING (D. Tootell) was obliged to steady off the heels of MADAM MERLOT (S. Lovegrove), which shifted in.

When questioned regarding his handling of OXFORD COUNTESS, B. Claridge stated that he and the mare’s Trainer, Mr. N. Reidy, had agreed that from the wide barrier draw at this particular starting point, he should attempt to settle OXFORD COUNTESS back in the field and ride for luck, rather than be caught wide. He stated that in the vicinity of the 1000 metres he considered improving around the field, but had elected to ride for luck instead of being concerned about being taken very wide on the turn into the straight. B. Claridge’s explanation was noted.

A routine swab sample was taken from OXFORD COUNTESS, the 3^rd Placegetter.

Following this race J. Maund reported that he was unable to fulfil his remaining engagement as he was not feeling well.

RACE 5 – BERRI LIMITED FLYING HANDICAP:

Near the 1000 metres DENHOLM (D. Wilson) shifted in and away from HENRYSEE’S GOLD (H. McKechnie), resulting in CURIUM (B. Claridge) being taken in and tightened onto ANTIQUE CHAIR (C. Symons).

Near the 800 metres DENHOLM (D. Wilson) had to steady away from the heels of RYKO (W. Kerford), which shifted out.

OUR FESTIVAL TIME (NZ) (C. Lindop) raced fiercely in the middle stages of the race.

In the vicinity of the 500 metres CHELSEA’S DREAM (S. Lovegrove) had to be steadied off the heels of COOL ROSALIE (L. Smith), which had commenced to tire.

B. Claridge, rider of CURIUM, dropped his whip in the vicinity of the 100 metres. B. Claridge was fined $50 for carelessness under ARR 137(a).

Over the concluding 100 metres CHELSEA’S DREAM (S. Lovegrove) and ANTIQUE CHAIR (C. Symons) were both obliged to steady off the heels of OUR FESTIVALL TIME (NZ) (C. Lindop), and were unable to obtain clear running when racing tight inside TOP CHANCE (P. Gatt).

RACE 6 – GRAHAM TAPLEY CLASS 3 HANDICAP:

A routine swab sample was taken from TOVA, winner of the race.

RACE 7 – EYRE PENINSULAR RADIO COLTS, GELDINGS & ENTIRES MAIDEN PLATE:

C. Lindop replaced J. Bowditch as the rider of SYNCHRONICITY.

B. Claridge replaced J. Maund as the rider of ZETAS.

BREEZON DOWN (Darren Holland) was slow to jump and took no part in this event.

Subsequent to the race a Veterinary inspection of BREEZON DOWN failed to reveal any visible abnormality.

Mr. P. Montgomerie, Trainer of BREEZON DOWN, was advised the gelding would be required to be competitive in an Official Trial before accepting for a future race.

Approaching the 1000 metres DIGBURY (P. Gatt) was obliged to steady away from the heels of MR. DONALDSON (J. O’Connor), which shifted in. Shortly after MR. DONALDSON again shifted in, resulting in DASHING PRINCE (C. Symons), having to be steadied away from the heels of MR. DONALDSON. While being eased DASHING PRINCE got its head up for a short distance.

J. O’Connor was reprimanded and advised to give riders on his inside the room to which they are entitled.

S. Lovegrove, rider of UNDERWORLD, was questioned regarding the gelding’s performance in the middle stages of the race. Ms. Lovegrove advised that UNDERWORLD had been reluctant to race in the early stages of the race and was inclined to get its head up and change legs in the vicinity of the 900 metres. She stated that shortly afterwards she had used the whip in an attempt to stand over the gelding to make it concentrate and get into the race. She added that as a result of her riding UNDERWORLD had improved its position and although under pressure and wide for the remainder of the event, had run on quite strongly. Ms. Lovegrove’s explanation was noted.

An inquiry was opened into the reasons for Jockey J. Lorensini weighing in, in excess of the weight declared. The inquiry was adjourned to allow evidence from the Clerk of Scales, Mr. R. Reid, to be confirmed. It will reconvene at Port Lincoln on Wednesday 7^th November 2001.

GENERAL:

Urine samples were provided by Jockey D. Wilson and Apprentice Jockey D. Azis.

The Stewards Room