Riding Changes:

Race - Horse - Rider - Replaced By - Reason
1 - "Masquerade" - D. Crozier - W. Smith - Indisposed 
1 - "Miracle's Star (NZ)" - C. Maher - M. Mills - Indisposed
1 - "Ricochet Riesling" - P. Daniel - J. Oldbury - Indisposed
4 - "Dark Waters" - James Winks * - Reece Wheeler - Indisposed
5 - "Kingston Campbell" - S. Vella * - F. Alesci - Indisposed
5 - "Kingston Campbell" - F. Alesci * - D. Short - Indisposed

* Must produce medical certificate prior to riding again.

Race 1 - REDLEAP STEEPLECHASE - about 3400 metres:

J. Oldbury, who had been engaged to ride "Ricochet Riesling" as a replacement rider for Paul Daniel who had become indisposed, notified the Stewards that he would be 2-1/2 kilograms overweight. As no other rider was available, and as Mr. P. Lynch, owner-trainer of "Ricochet Riesling", wished the horse to run carrying overweight, the Stewards permitted "Ricochet Riesling" to run.

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

Race 2 - THEO SUPER VOBIS HANDICAP - 1400 metres: "Hillsgrove" was slow to begin.

In the early part of the straight "Hawaiian Eye", which had been held up for a run, changed course to improve its position on the outside of "Brookton Ace".

Shortly after this "Brookton Ace" was disappointed for a run when tightened for room by "Lightning Tears", which changed course to obtain a run on the outside of "Hurricane Vic".

Race 3 - ALAN CURRIE SUPER VOBIS HANDICAP - 1000 metres:

"Raven Protector" jumped away awkwardly.

Rounding the home turn "Shell I Swing", which was laying out, had to be eased off the heels of "River Woman".

Also rounding the home turn "Firenza" laid out.

Race 4 - CAP D'ANTIBES HANDICAP - 1200 metres:

"Network News" was a little slow to begin.

Race 5 - HYPERNO HANDICAP - 2100 metres:

"Corundum" became restless in the barriers and thrashed about before causing its gate to be released. "Corundum" then galloped riderless for some distance. Mr. D. Dowler, trainer of 'Corundum", was notified that the Stewards were issuing an official warning in respect of the behaviour of "Corundum" whilst in the barriers, and notified him that he must obtain a barrier test certificate prior to "Corundum" racing again.

"Corundum" was withdrawn on veterinary advice at 2.57 p.m. All monies wagered on "Corundum" were ordered to be refunded, with no alteration to the betting. All bets made after 2.57 p.m. were allowed to stand.

As a result of the behaviour of "Corundum" the start of the race was considerably delayed.

Near the 600 metres "Jewel of Kingston" was disappointed when attempting a run between "Waikopou Bay" and "Ti Tree Flyer" where there was insufficient room, and as a result had to be eased.

After passing the 100 metres "Lord Grable", which was laying in, shifted in towards the heels of "Crescent (NZ)". "Crescent (NZ)" then shifted out, and "Lord Grable" had to be eased to avoid the heels of that gelding.

Race 6 - MARWONG WELTER HANDICAP - 1600 metres:

Prior to correct weight being declared Damien Oliver, rider of "Crasher McCauley", second placegetter, viewed the Stewards' patrol videos and decided not to lodge an objection.

"Candana Lad (NZ)" bounded in the air on jumping away.

Near the 300 metres "Landillac" had to be checked and "Lord Larwood (NZ)" was hampered when tightened for room between "Alataya", which shifted in away from "Stanley John", which also shifted in slightly, and "Lolita Star" (G. Childs), which shifted out when being eased off the heels of "Gold Robe" (Jade DaRose), which shifted in when not sufficiently clear. In the incident "Lord Larwood (NZ)" made contact with the hindquarters of "Alataya", and turned that gelding in. Whilst the Stewards did not hold one rider fully responsible, they notified both Jade DaRose and G. Childs that they would be expected to exercise the utmost care when shifting ground in future.

Over the concluding stages of the race "Nynight Louis" shifted out towards "Crasher McCauley".

Race 7 - BILL DUNCAN HANDICAP - 1400 metres:

Mr. E.. V. Musgrove, trainer of "Springhill Express", was fined $30 for using wrong colours on the mare.

"Devonshire" was slow to begin.

Race 8 - WHISKED SUPER VOBIS HANDICAP - 1400 metres:

"Night Chaser" was slow to begin.

"Topsinga (NZ)" began awkwardly, and then was bumped by "Argegno", which shifted out.

Near the 1000 metres "True Peace" accidentally clipped the heels of "Topsinga (NZ)".

Approaching the 300 metres "Carnaby Kiss" had to be eased to avoid the heels of "Our Heather (NZ)" (D. Nikolic), which shifted out. D. Nikolic was notified to exercise more care when shifting ground in future.

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

RESUMED INQUIRY:

The Stewards took no action against Mr. P. Lynch, trainer of "Ricochet Riesling" for having nominated the gelding for a 3000-metre handicap at Moonee Valley on the 20^th February, 2002, a race for which "Ricochet Riesling" was ineligible . (L.R. 23B).

The Stewards Room