Riding Changes:

Race - Horse - Rider - Replaced By - Reason

1 - "Twist of Luck" - C. Maher - A. Garraway - Indisposed
6 - "Sylvan Heights"- C. Robertson - A. Spiteri - Overweight
8 - "Adri Marie" - V. Duric* - L. Currie - Indisposed

* Must produce medical certificate prior to riding again

Race 1 - CLAUDETTE STEEPLECHASE  - 3400 metres:

No report.

Race 2 - HYDROGEN SUPER VOBIS HANDICAP - 1200 metres:

An objection was lodged by D. Oliver, rider of "Lightning Tears", third placegetter, against "Weeds" being declared the winner on the grounds of alleged interference from the 300 metres. After the parties had viewed the Stewards' patrol video and the TV version of the race, and after they had heard the submissions of the parties concerned the Stewards dismissed the objection.

"The Silencer" jumped away awkwardly and was then hampered by "Ready and Go", which was taken out by "Casino Boy".

Shortly after this incident "The Silencer" had to be checked when tightened for room between "Casino Boy" and "Forceful", which was taken in by "Mustaagel (NZ)", which had to shift in to avoid the heels of "Lightning Tears".

D. Gauci, rider of "Weeds", was charged with careless riding, the careless riding being that he permitted his mount to shift out from near the 200 metres for some distance under pressure when not sufficiently clear of "Lightning Tears", which resulted in "Lightning Tears" being hampered and taken out off its course. As the Stewards wished to take further evidence from D. Oliver, the inquiry was adjourned to Monday, 22nd April, 2002 at a time to be decided.

Race 3 - APRIL SUPER VOBIS FILLIES HANDICAP - 1000 metres:

On jumping away "Rose of Spartacus" shifted out and bumped "Pomme de Here".

Race 4 - DESIRABLE SUPER VOBIS HANDICAP - 1000 metres:

Just after jumping away "Bee Bee Bounce" and "Tennessee Spur (NZ)" bumped.

On the home turn "Kelcheck" became unbalanced when tightened slightly between "Tennessee Spur (NZ)" and "Bird of Capri", which shifted in.

Race 5 - HIGH CASTE HANDICAP  - 1500 metres:

"Cherak (NZ)" jumped away awkwardly.

Race 6 - MARA HANDICAP - 2456 metres:

"Sylvan Heights (NZ)" was slow to begin.

Near the 200 metres "Cloud Dance (NZ)" and "West Texas" came together.

When asked if there was any explanation for "Zarfoot (GB)" performing below expectations D. Nikolic stated that the horse had a tendency to over-race running down the straight the first time, but settled well turning out of the straight. However, when asked to improve prior to straightening "Zarfoot (NZ)" did not respond to his riding. Nikolic added that the horse appeared distressed on pulling up. A veterinary examination of "Zarfoot (NZ)" failed to reveal any abnormality, and a swab sample was taken from the horse.

Race 7 - JOHN SIMPSON HANDICAP - 1300 metres:

Prior to the declaration of correct weight N. Rawiller, rider of "Paestum", second placegetter, and A. Findlay, rider of "Over the Moon (USA)", fourth placegetter, viewed the Stewards' patrol video and decided not to lodge objections.

It was established that near the 200 metres "Over the Moon (USA)", which was laying in, brushed "England".

Shortly after this incident "Greek Adonis" shifted out under pressure towards "Paestum". "Paestum" then shifted out abruptly, and tightened "England" on to the hindquarters of "Over the Moon (USA)".

"Zulu Storm" was slow to begin.

After passing the 1100 metres "Cobber's Miracle" had to be checked when tightened for room between

"Loong Har" which, after shifting in to improve its position on the inside of "England", was then taken in slightly by that gelding, and "Zulu Storm" which, when improving its position between "Cobber's Miracle" and "Saddle Delight", shifted out slightly from "Saddle Delight". As no one rider was fully responsible the Stewards took no action.

A veterinary examination of 'Full on Fraar", which was eased down over the concluding stages of the race revealed that the gelding was suffering from an irregular heart beat. Subsequently P. Hyland, trainer of "Full on Fraar", was notified that prior to "Full on Fraar" racing again he must produce a veterinary clearance, which shall include the results of an ECG taken before and after exercise.

Race 8 - LEICA SHOW HANDICAP - 1400 metres:

"All Play" was slow to begin.

On return to scale it was noted that "All Play" had lost its off fore plate.  

SWAB SAMPLES were taken from the winners of all races today, and from "Zarfoot (NZ)", which performed below expectations in Race 6.

FINES/EXPLANATIONS:

Craig Robertson, who had been notified as the rider of "Sylvan Heights (NZ)" but could not fulfil the engagement due to being overweight, was fined the sum of $300 for accepting a ride outside his weight bracket. Craig Robertson had been fined for a similar offence recently. (Race 6.)

The Stewards Room