RACE 1: Thrifty Reisling Slipper Trial 1200m

Je Desire was slow to begin.

Near the 1100m Salameh was inconvenienced when crowded for room by Fatoon, which was taken in slightly by Flying Class.

Post-race veterinary examinations revealed Brief Embrace had been galloped on the off-hind leg and Flying Class to be displaying a poor recovery rate.

Trainer Mr M. Moroney advised that Flying Class will now be spelled.

Wild Heart was slow to begin.

A post-race veterinary examination of Takas revealed blood to be present in the colt's mouth.

RACE 3: Vodka Cruiser Fine And Dandy Handicap 2000m

No report.

After the running of this race the track was upgraded to dead at 2.10pm.

Athens, which was slow to begin, was tightened for room shortly after between Quays and Storm Force, both of which shifted ground.

Passing the 1400m Swing And Mist was momentarily tightened for room by Ugachaka, which shifted in.

K. McEvoy (Vita) was reprimanded for permitting his mount to shift in approaching the first turn resulting in Grand Juror being taken in causing Ugachaka to be hampered.

Pirouettes, which was following, was hampered in consequence.

Approaching the 200m Quays was disappointed for a run between Arlington Road and Patterns.

Approaching the 100m Vita shifted out hampering Pirouettes. At the same point Barawin was inclined to lay in causing Swing And Mist to be tightened onto Grand Juror.

RACE 5: Ranvet Stakes 2000m

Passing the 200m Freemason and Universal Prince came together as Universal Prince took a narrow run between Dress Circle and Freemason.

A post-race veterinary examination revealed Universal Prince had sustained a laceration to the off-fore coronet.

RACE 6: Coolmore Classic 1500m

An inquiry into Suzy Grey being a late withdrawal at 7.48am was adjourned to a date to be fixed when trainer Mr A. Bailey will be interviewed.

At the 1400m Agile was hampered when tightened for room between Ha Ha and Primrose Sands, which was taken out by Lady Marion.

Nanny Maroon pulled hard in the middle stages.

Near the 200m, as Hosannah attempted to improve to the outside of the heels of Dottoressa (M. de Montfort), Dottoressa shifted out under pressure, resulting in Hosannah being taken out onto Primrose Sands and both horses being hampered. M. de Montfort was reprimanded and advised that in similar circumstances he must stop riding and straighten his mount.

The club's veterinary surgeon reported Hosannah had blood in its mouth following the race.

Clayshaker was a late withdrawal on veterinary advice at 7.34am.

Osca Warrior was slow to begin.

Canny Fly was held up for a run until passing the 250m.

Near the 100m the whip of D. Beasley (Polygram) was accidentally knocked from his grasp by the whip of B. Cooper (Osca Warrior).

When questioned, C. Brown (Shags) stated that although he would have liked to have ridden Shags with cover he nevertheless got across the field early and was happy with the manner in which the colt travelled to the home turn, but it was most disappointing in its failure to run on. Trainer Mr M. Johnston reiterated advice given to the Stewards earlier in the day, which was broadcast on and off course, that Shags had missed one gallop after being withdrawn from its engagement at Warwick Farm on Saturday 23 February due to becoming cast in its box and as a result developing a haematoma on the inside of its near-hind leg. He added that Shags had pleased in its work since and had galloped well between races at Hawkesbury on Thursday 28 February. Mr Johnston added that he was at a loss to explain the performance of Shags, but would provide the results of a full veterinary examination. The Stewards adjourned the matter pending the results of that veterinary check. A post-race veterinary examination of Shags on course today revealed no abnormalities. A swab sample was taken.

J. Innes (National Saint) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding under AR137(a) in that shortly after the start he permitted his mount to shift in resulting in Aragonce being taken in on to Pembleton, causing both horses to be hampered and in turn Strabane to be severely checked and taken across the heels of Shags. J. Innes pleaded guilty to a second charge of careless riding for shifting in when insufficiently clear of Pembleton on the first turn resulting in Kingsgate being severely checked and Sound The Alarm, which was overracing, being hampered.

A post-race veterinary examination revealed Kingsgate to have sustained a haematoma to just above the near side knee.

On the first charge J. Innes' licence to ride in races was suspended for six meetings and on the second charge for seven meetings together with a $500 fine. The Stewards ordered that both suspensions be served concurrently. Consequently J. Innes' suspension commences Thursday 14 March 2002 and expires on Sunday 31 March 2002 on which day he may ride.

RACE 8: Konica Baguette Handicap 1400m

For some distance in the middle stages Routine Blue raced fiercely and had to be checked off the heels of Solitary Soldier. Routine Blue then had difficulty obtaining a clear run until the early part of the straight.

Approaching the first turn Miss Zoe got its head up and had to be checked when crowded for room by Raymon (P. Payne), which shifted in. The tightening to Miss Zoe was exacerbated when Miss Zoe made contact with the hindquarters of La Rieuse, resulting in the forequarters of that horse being turned out slightly across the running of Miss Zoe. P. Payne was reprimanded and advised that whilst the Stewards acknowledged he did try to relieve the pressure, they would expect in similar circumstances he make a greater effort to prevent causing interference.

Fines:
Race 7: J. Innes (National Saint) fined $500 - careless riding (AR137(a)).

Reprimands:
Race 4: K. McEvoy (Vita) - shifting in (AR137(a)).
Race 6: M. de Montfort (Dottoressa) - shifting out (AR137(a)).
Race 8: P. Payne (Raymon) - shifting in (AR137(a)).

Suspensions:
Race 7: J. Innes (National Saint) - two charges under AR137(a)) - 14/3/02 to 31/3/02

The Stewards Room