Riding Changes:

* Must produce a medical certificate prior to riding again.
** Inquiry adjourned.

Race 1 - OUR MAIZCAY SUPER VOBIS HANDICAP - 1000 metres:

After viewing the Stewards' video and taking evidence from M. Zahra, rider of "Royal Rule", Mr. G. Marconi, trainer of the gelding, and Mr. R. McKerral, who started the race, the Stewards ruled that "Royal Rule" had been denied a fair start and ordered it's withdrawal at starting time.

Subsequently the Stewards ordered that all monies wagered on "Royal Rule" be refunded, and that all successful bets on horses prior to the time of withdrawal of "Royal Rule" be subject to the following deductions in the dollar from the face value of the ticket: Win Bets: Seven cents; Place Bets: Seven cents; Winning Concession Bets: Seven cents and Doubles Bets: Seven cents. All monies bet after the Stewards' declaration of withdrawal were ordered to be paid at the face value of the ticket.

It was established that prior to the gates being released "Royal Rule" got its head down and for that reason it was unable to jump away with the field.

In the early part of the straight "Commandante" and "Hello Saithor" came together due to "Hello Saithor" shifting in slightly.

Over the concluding stages of the race "Logical Choice" shifted out under pressure.

Race 2 - UNGAR SUPER VOBIS HANDICAP - 1600 metres:

No report.

Race 3 - HOLMESGLEN HANDICAP - 1600 metres:

An inquiry into W. Hokai, rider of "Kinjika", being dislodged shortly after jumping away was adjourned to a date to be fixed.

Race 4 - HEATHMONT SUPER VOBIS HANDICAP - 1600 metres:

Acting on a report from the Starter regarding the unruly behaviour of "Miss Monaco" when being placed in its starting stall, the Stewards notified Ms Wendy Kelly, trainer of the filly, that should it behave in a similar manner in future more severe action may be taken. Ms Kelly was further notified that prior to "Miss Monaco" starting again she must produce a barrier test certificate for it.

Approaching the 400 metres "Cappucine" was hampered when tightened for room between "Miss Monaco", which shifted in slightly, and "Argegno" (N. Wilson), which was shifting out when not sufficiently clear. The tightening was compounded due to "Cappucine" brushing the hindquarters of "Miss Monaco" and turning that filly in. Whilst the Stewards did not hold him fully responsible, N. Wilson was reprimanded and notified that he must ensure that he is clear of other runners when shifting ground in future.

Approaching the home turn "Runon" obtained a narrow run between "Miss Monaco" and "Centarena (NZ)" where there was barely sufficient room.

"Runon" then had to be checked severely when tightened for room between 'Miss Monaco", which shifted out and tightened "Runon" on to the hindquarters of "Centarena (NZ)". turning "Centarena (NZ)" in. As the Stewards did not believe that one rider was fully responsible for the incident they took no action, but notified P. Mertens, rider of "Miss Monaco", that he must exercise the utmost care when shifting ground in future.

Shortly after this incident "Runon" again had to be checked severely when tightened for room between "Carte D'Or", which shifted out slightly, and "Taffeta Princess", which shifted in abruptly.

On return to scale it was noted that "Miss Monaco" had lost its off hind plate.

Race 5 - TURF RULER HANDICAP - 1300 metres:

"Tingling" dislodged V. Hall and galloped for some distance before being returned to the start and re-saddled.. It was examined by the Club's Veterinary Surgeon and passed fit to run. As a result of this the start of the race was delayed.

"Tingling" jumped away awkwardly, and lost a little ground.

C. Dinn, rider of "Straight Wilder (NZ)", advised the Stewards that he had not ridden his mount in his normal manner as the horse was not comfortable running down the hill.

In the early part of the straight "Tingling" had to be eased to avoid the heels of "Star Doc", which shifted out.

In the straight "Contend" laid in under pressure.

Race 6 - SCARLET BISQUE HANDICAP - 1300 metres:

In the early part of the straight "Miss Megari" dipped in the going.

Approaching the 200 metres "Miss Megari" initially shifted out towards "Tina's Debut", which was shifting in slightly. "Miss Megari" then brushed "Tina's Debut", turning that mare in. At the same time "Eldarin" was taken out by "Rhone Valley" which, after initially being taken out by "Dragon Lass", continued to shift out away from that mare. "Miss Megari" then accidentally clipped the heels of "Tina's Debut" when being taken out. As no one rider was responsible, the Stewards took no action.

Race 7 - CHATHAM HANDICAP - 1600 metres:

"Danish Storm" hit the gate on leaving the mounting yard. "Danish Storm" was examined by the Club's Veterinary Surgeon and passed fit to start.

Near the 600 metres " Liquid Lunch" dipped in the going.

In the early part of the straight "Cherak (NZ)" was disappointed when unable to obtain a run on the inside of "Candana Lad (NZ)".

Shortly after this incident "Cherak (NZ)" was disappointed when attempting to obtain a run where there was insufficent room between "Candana Lad (NZ)" and "Regas", which was being taken in by "Danish Storm". In the incident "Cherak (NZ)" bumped the hindquarters of "Regas".

On return to scale it was noted that "Dover Street" had lost its off hind plate and "Regas" had lost its off fore plate.

Race 8 - SECOND WIND HANDICAP - 2312 metres:

Kerrin McEvoy was dislodged from "Backstreet Boy" en route to the barrier.

On jumping away "Cate's Forest" and "Umagoa" bumped due to both horses beginning awkwardly and shifting ground. "Backstreet Boy"reared when the gates were released and struck its head.

Subsequent to the event the Club's Veterinary Surgeon reported that "Backstreet Boy" had sustained a laceration to its head on jumping away.

SWAB SAMPLES were taken from the winners of all races today.

FINES/EXPLANATIONS:

The Stewards accepted the explanation of Mr. R. Lawson, trainer of "Token Kait" which ran in the Heathmont Super Vobis Handicap, for the late notification of C. Newitt as the rider of the filly.

F. Villella, rider of "Carnaby Kiss" which ran in the Heathmont Super Vobis Handicap - Race 4 - was fined $200 for weighing in one kilogram in excess of his allotted weight.

The Stewards Room