Track: Slow
Weather: Overcast
Rail: Out 4 metres the entire circuit.

Racing to the 1000 metres DUA AWALI (B Claridge), which had a tendency to race greenly, was inconvenienced due to VERSE LAGO (S Price) rolling out at the same time as THIS LITTLE PIG (J Lyon) shifted in and as a result DUA AWALI brushed VERSE LAGO and lost some ground.

Racing to the 400 metres DUA AWALI (B Claridge), which had a tendency to race very greenly, laid in and was obliged to ease to avoid the heels of CARNDONAGH (N Tomizawa).

J Lyon, the rider of THIS LITTLE PIG, explained to Stewards that in the vicinity of the 1000 metres he was unable to hold his position and was forced to race three wide due to DUA AWALI (B Claridge) getting up on his inside. J Lyon was advised that in future he should make a greater attempt to hold his position in the race.

Stewards reclassified the track from SLOW to HEAVY at 12.22pm.

Racing to the 400 metres FREEDOM FUNDS (P Gatt) laid in under pressure and as a result brushed AUTUMN BELLE (M Hoppo) and became unbalanced for a short distance.

J Holder, the rider of SEDONIC, explained to Stewards that he had elected to ease his mount racing to the 1000 metres due to DANEFORCE (Darren Holland) persisting in attempting to lead. As a result J Holder explained that SEDONIC was difficult to settle and from that stage had a tendency to over race.

P Gatt, the rider of MR ICEMAN, explained that the gelding had hung out for the majority of the race and he was disappointed that MR ICEMAN failed to respond to his riding over the concluding stages. A Veterinary inspection of MR ICEMAN revealed the gelding had a minor laceration to its off fore tendon and was suffering soreness over its lower back.

N Tomizawa, the rider of STAR JOE (NZ), and P Gatt, the rider of MR ICEMAN, were both warned in respect to their excessive use of the whip.

When the gates were opened CHEVITA (Darren Holland) jumped away awkwardly inconveniencing TOUCH OF IRONY (D Carney) and SANTA BARBARA GIRL (P Gatt).

Over the final 50 metres DEMOGRAPHIC (S Price) had a tendency to shift out under pressure and took DEFIANT (J Holder) wider.

P Gatt, rider of SANTA BARBARA GIRL, was of the opinion the mare got its tongue over the bit and choked down during the running of the race. Subsequent to the race a Veterinary inspection of SANTA BARBARA GIRL revealed that mare had suffered a minor bleed into the trachea and pharynx.

DAPPERSTAN was withdrawn by order of the Stewards at 8.30am. An inquiry into the late scratching of DAPPERSTAN was adjourned to allow that gelding’s trainer Dennis O’Leary to attend.

Mr L Smith, trainer of HOSTILE LAD, made an application to withdraw the gelding due to the downgrading of the track. Stewards permitted the withdrawal of HOSTILE LAD at 1.35pm.

Mr B Dunn, trainer of LOUOTTO, was questioned regarding his failure to declare a rider by the required time. After considering the explanation Mr Dunn was fined $50.

Mr J Lockyer, trainer of PROUD RIVER, was questioned regarding the declaration of J Bowditch as the rider of that gelding. After considering the explanation Mr Lockyer was fined $50 for declaring a rider without a firm engagement.

Racing to the 1700 metres PROUD RIVER (J Bowditch) shifted in inconveniencing LAWFUL POKER (B Claridge). Shortly after, PROUD RIVER (J Bowditch) steadied and as a result STAR OF BROOKLYN (C Lindop) shifted in abruptly to avoid the heels of PROUD RIVER and in consequence, MAGICAL SPIRIT (J Maund) was inconvenienced. J Bowditch was advised to exercise greater care in similar circumstances.

Racing to the 600 metres MAGICAL SPIRIT (J Maund) was severely hampered and was held up when unable to avoid the heels of VANDECLARE (D Tootell), which commenced to weaken very quickly. In consequence, ALBACUTYA ROAD (C Puls). was also inconvenienced.

Subsequent to the race a Veterinary inspection of VANDECLARE revealed no visible abnormalities.

Mr A J Selfe, trainer of SEA THE WAY, made an application to withdraw the gelding due to the downgrading of the track. Stewards permitted the withdrawal of SEA THE WAY at 1.30pm.

Stewards asked M Neilson to explain his ride on the mare SHOCKS. M Neilson stated that his instructions had been to ride SHOCKS in the mare’s normal manner, which is back in the field, and then to sprint home over the final 200 metres. M Neilson explained the mare had travelled well to the 600 metres and as a result of his instructions, he did not want to improve at that stage of the race and he was attempting to save the mare for the sprint over the final 200 metres, however, as a result of the going, M Neilson felt that SHOCKS was unable to respond to his riding over the final stages of the race. Stewards confirmed the instructions given to M Neilson by that mare’s trainer S Padman.

Approaching the 400 metres SUNTURWASI (J Holder) was held up for a run behind NO TIES (J Maund).

Mr M Minervini, trainer of SURE BET, made an application to withdraw the gelding due to the downgrading of the track. Stewards permitted the withdrawal of SURE BET at 1.00pm.

D Tootell was questioned regarding being engaged for KING’S CHOICE and DUTTON in this event. After considering the explanations tendered, David Tootell was fined $100.

After being placed in the barrier CHALTOM (Darren Holland) struck its head on the stalls. CHALTOM underwent a Veterinary inspection and was withdrawn by order of the Stewards acting on Veterinary advice on 4.35pm. CHALTOM suffered minor abrasions to its head in the incident. Stewards ruled that all monies invested on CHALTOM be refunded. Bets made on other runners prior to the withdrawal were to be paid on the face value of the ticket less:
Bets for a WIN - 4 cents in the dollar, and
Bets for a PLACE - 5 cents in the dollar.

Racing to the 900 metres DUTTON (J Lyon) and SPANISH ARMS (M Neilson) bumped.

Racing inside the 500 metres SPANISH ARMS (M Neilson) showed a tendency to lay in and bumped DUTTON (J Lyon).

Racing to the 400 metres SHIRAZ NOW (C Lindop) had to be eased to avoid the heels of WINNING SPIRIT (B Claridge) and changed course inwards to obtain a clear run.

SHIRAZ NOW (C Lindop) had a tendency to get its head up and race ungenerously for a short distance to the 300 metres.

J Potter, the rider of BOURBAN AND WATER, and J Maund, the rider of FREAK OUT, were both warned in respect to their excessive use of the whip over the concluding stages of the race.

Subsequent to the race a Veterinary inspection of WINNING SPIRIT revealed no visible abnormalities.

Race 1 DEBBEN (winner), Race 5 LOUOTTO (winner), Race 2 BISHA MON (winner), Race 6 CHADING (winner); SHOCKS (unplaced), Race 3 INKAMULLA (winner), Race 7 SUNTURWASI (winner), Race 4 DEMOGRAPHIC (winner), Race 8 CAPTAIN CHRISTIE (winner).

Personal Samples:

Urine samples were taken from apprentice jockeys J Potter, M Hoppo, B Claridge, J Lyon and M Neilson

The Stewards Room