Weather: Fine
Track: Good

GENERAL:

Moonee Valley: Race 5 3AW Australia Stakes:

The Stewards ordered that after the withdrawals of Falvelon and Point Danger the following deductions in the dollar be made regarding pre-post betting: 41¢ win, 28¢ place.

RACE 1: Stephensons Food Services Stakes 2000m:

Acting on veterinary advice that Kreisler Mirage was unfit to start, the Stewards permitted its withdrawal at 8.39am. At the start Heeby Reiby jumped in taking Youhadyourwarning in across the running of Star Of The Seas, which was checked. C. Munce (Life Is Beautiful) lost his whip passing the 300m. Approaching the 200m, when Youhadyourwarning endeavoured to take a narrow run between Able Way and Life Is Beautiful, Able Way shifted in, which resulted in Youhadyourwarning making contact with the hindquarters of Life Is Beautiful causing Life Is Beautiful to be turned out slightly resulting in Youhadyourwarning being disappointed for a run. Shortly afterwards, Youhadyourwarning commenced to improve to the outside of the heels of Able Way and in so doing tightened Heeby Reiby, which was commencing to make ground, out onto Touch Of Sun. The tightening to Heeby Reiby was compounded when Touch Of Sun was turned in slightly across the running of Heeby Reiby, which resulted in that horse having to be steadied. C. Brown (Youhadyourwarning) was reprimanded and advised to exercise more care. Simmysue was held up for a run until near the 200m. B. York (Borelli) was severely reprimanded for permitting his mount to shift back in to the rails over the concluding stages, which resulted in Simmysue having to be checked close to the finish line.

RACE 2: Hotel Inter-Continental Queen Of TheTurf Stakes 1500m:

The start was delayed when Maitland Gold required farrier attention after casting its off-fore plate in its preliminary. Dottoressa was slow to begin. Shortly after the start Veloce was crowded for room between Maitland Gold and La Rieuse, which shifted in. At the 600m Veloce had to be checked when tightened for room by Ugachaka, which shifted in away from Agile. At the 500m Dottoressa shifted in away from Miss Zoe resulting in Maitland Gold being tightened. For some distance passing the 200m Agile raced tight between Dottoressa and Paris Heartbeat. Close to the finish line Omens was hampered when Snow Hero shifted in under pressure. When questioned concerning Maitland Gold racing further back today, trainer Mr A. Stapleford stated that his instructions had been identical to those given at its most recent starts as he believes Maitland Gold is best ridden about mid-field. Rider C. Munce stated that although he did not have clear running over the concluding stages, Maitland Gold felt somewhat flat. A post-race veterinary examination revealed Maitland Gold to be lame in the off-fore leg. Trainer Mr Stapleford was advised that a veterinary certificate would be required before Maitland Gold is permitted to race again.

RACE 3: Perrier Tulloch Stakes 2000m:

When the pace was slow approaching the first turn Harp Of Tara shifted out taking My Tally wider. At the 1300m Golden Fawn, which was pulling hard, had to be checked off the heels of Prince Of War. A post-race veterinary examination revealed Prince Of War had been galloped on the near-hind leg and lost that plate. At the 300m Prince Of War was momentarily disappointed for a run between Harp Of Tara and Valedict.

RACE 4: The BMW 2400m:

Freemason pulled fiercely throughout the middle stages. When questioned regarding the performance of Dress Circle, B. York stated that after being taken on mid-race by Freemason when that horse was pulling particularly hard, the pressure told on Dress Circle, but nevertheless in his view the run was somewhat disappointing. A post-race veterinary examination of Dress Circle revealed no abnormality. A swab sample was taken. A post-race veterinary examination revealed Dress Circle had shifted its off-hind plate.

RACE 5: Arrowfield Stud Stakes 2000m:

Barawin, which reared up and then sat down in the barriers, was withdrawn at 3.16pm on veterinary advice. Subsequently it was directed that all bets on Barawin be refunded and that all bets with bookmakers be subject to the following deductions in the dollar from the face value of tickets:   traditional win and place: 6¢ win, 7¢ place, 12¢ quinella, 6¢ multiple doubles. Trainer Mr R. Thomsen was advised that Barawin must barrier trial to the satisfaction of the Stewards before it is permitted to race again. Moonflute, which was in the adjoining stall, was examined by the club's veterinary surgeon and passed fit to start. Sixty Seconds was slow to begin. Near the 200m Sixty Seconds (B. York) shifted out and hampered Silk Veil. B. York was advised to exercise more care in similar circumstances.

RACE 6: AAMI Golden Slipper 1200m:

Choisir jumped awkwardly and made contact with the hindquarters of Chuckle, which shifted in. A post-race veterinary examination revealed Choisir had lost its off-fore plate. At the 1000m Brief Embrace had to steady off the heels of Victory Vein. On the first turn Bel Esprit had to be checked off the heels of Yell. Calaway Gal, which was following, had to be steadied in consequence. Rounding the first turn Choisir ran out across the heels of Dama De Noche. A post-race veterinary examination of De Lollies, which finished a distant last, revealed no abnormality. A post-race veterinary examination revealed Italian Adventure had sustained abrasions to the off-hind tendon region. W. Treloar (Bel Esprit) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding under AR137(a)) in that near the 300m he shifted out causing Fatoon to be severely checked. W. Treloar's licence to ride in races was suspended for one month to commence from Wednesday 27 March 2002. W. Treloar was fined $10,000.

RACE 7: Parramatta Leagues Club Stakes 1500m:

After receiving a report of an unidentified peak in the pre-race testing screen, the Stewards questioned trainer Mr J. Kiernan concerning any pre-race treatment of No Mean City. Acting on the assurance that no substance had been given that would offend the prohibited substance rules, the Stewards permitted No Mean City to start, but ordered that post-race urine and blood samples be taken. Gordo was slow to begin. At the 800m No Mean City shifted out off the heels of Raymon taking Old Comrade wider.  Raymon did not obtain clear running in the straight. Gordo had some difficulty obtaining clear running until near the 200m. Referral and Specialist came together close to the finish line. A post-race veterinary examination revealed Chong Tong was lame in the off-fore leg. Trainer Mr L. Freedman was advised that a veterinary certificate would be required before Chong Tong is permitted to race again. When questioned, P. Harvey (Old Comrade) stated that he had no specific instructions, however, being concerns with how Old Comrade would handle the reverse way of going for the first time, when taken out by Gordo passing the 900m and then by No Mean City passing the 700m and again rounding the home turn when Raymon took No Mean City wide, he elected to shift back to find a passage through the field. P. Harvey stated that he was satisfied that all stages in the straight Old Comrade although it ran home solidly, with the drop back in distance from 2000m the gelding felt a little flat. Trainer Mr L. Smith supported the explanation given by P. Harvey.

RACE 8: The Moet & Chandon 1200m:

As no other rider was available or willing to ride Shouq, permission was granted for D. Beadman to ride 1kg over. Osca Warrior and Empire were slow to begin. At the 1000m Empire shifted in away from National Saint and briefly crowded the room of Crete. Approaching the 200m Cosmic Rays shifted out and inconvenienced Knickerbocker Kid. Near the 100m National Saint shifted in and bumped Empire resulting in both horses becoming unbalanced. Close to the finish line R. Quinn (Varicool) was obliged to stop riding as he got close to the heels of the winner, Crete.

The Stewards Room