RACE 1: THANK YOU TABRADIO HANDICAP

TIA JANE (D O’Heare) jumped away awkwardly.

On jumping away, ANACARDE (P Gatt) shifted in and brushed IT’S A GREY (B Claridge).

Inside the 1000 metres IT’S A GREY (B Claridge) rolled in and brushed VENGADAME (W Kerford) and as a result got its head up and raced very greenly in the middle stages.

In the vicinity of the 500 metres TIA JANE (D O’Heare) was inclined to lay out and at the entrance to the straight, shifted out.

Near the 200 metres TIA JANE (D O’Heare) shifted out and away from ANACARDE (P Gatt).

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

RACE 2: RENNIKS EVENTS HANDICAP

BLEVEEN (D Tootell) jumped away awkwardly.

TALANTO (P Gatt) was slow to jump.

YOUNG LOVER (S Price) raced greenly in the early stages of the race.

J Bowditch, rider of TWIGGY SUMMIT, explained that he had intended to ride that filly similar to the manner in which it had been ridden in its previous two starts. He stated that the filly TWIGGY SUMMIT had travelled well until straightening and that under pressure his mount only plodded in the straight. He added that in his opinion TWIGGY SUMMIT may benefit from a spell and had advised connections accordingly.

Subsequent to the race Veterinary examinations of MILITARY HARE and TWIGGY SUMMIT failed to reveal any visible abnormalities.

RACE 3: CARLTON DRAUGHT HANDICAP

JAMATRE (W Kerford) and KOODA HURRY (J Holder) were both slow to jump.

Near the 700 metres OLIVER BEER (NZ) (T Creek), which had commenced to race keenly, was obliged to steady off the heels of MR.MANDEREE (B Claridge).

In the vicinity of the 100 metres OLVER BEER (NZ) (T Creek) shifted out and away from SIMPLY MAGICAL (D Azis), resulting in JAMATRE (W Kerford) being momentarily inconvenienced.

AUTUMN BELLE (C Bryant) jumped outwards and inconvenienced GINGER RAJA (P Gatt).

J Bowditch, rider of SNIPPETY DOODAH, explained his mount had been relaxed during its preliminary and had travelled well in the early stages of the race.

J. Bowditch added that he had been unable to improve with the eventual winner in the vicinity of the 500 metres, and overall he was disappointed with the gelding’s performance and could offer no further explanation.

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

RACE 5: ULTIMATE RACING PHOTOGRAPHS HANDICAP

SARATOGA BOY suffered a laceration to the off side hock during the event.

DEMOLITION DAME (C Lindop) jumped away awkwardly.

DUKATTI GREY (J Holder) missed the start by several lengths.

Inside the 1000 metres KOODA TIARA (J Lorensini), while being checked off the heels of SARATOGA BOY (J Bowditch), which shifted in, got its head up and raced fiercely, resulting in that gelding clipping the heels of SARATOGA BOY and almost dislodging J Lorensini. In consequence, KOODA TIARA shifted out and hampered OTTOBELLO (J Maund), and BRIEF TRUTH (P Gatt) was obliged to check as a result of KOODA TIARA losing its position. J Bowditch was advised that he was given the benefit of a grave doubt as to whether he was solely responsible for this incident.

Approaching the finish DEMOLITION DAME (C Lindop) shifted out and brushed BRIEF TRUTH (P Gatt.

D O’Heare, rider of LORD ARLINGTON, lost his whip in the vicinity of the 300 metres. D O’Heare was advised that future breaches of carelessness would result in him incurring a penalty.

RACE 6: LIMERICK LANE THOROUGHBREDS HANDICAP

Inside the 400 metres, GILDED STAR (J Bowditch) was held up for a short distance when unable to obtain clear running.

S Vella, rider of ELEPHANT ROCK explained that his mount had travelled well in running. He added that he would have preferred more pace in the race but felt that in the vicinity of the 600 metres he had improved into what he believed was a winning position. However, he added that after being placed under pressure shortly afterwards, ELEPHANT ROCK failed to finish the race off as well as he is aware the horse is capable of. He added that ELEPHANT ROCK felt normal on pulling up.

Subsequent to the race a Veterinary inspection of ELEPHANT ROCK revealed that gelding had appeared to pull up very well, however, had a low heart and low respiratory rate, which may indicate a lack of exertion.

Ms M Keegan trainer of ELEPHANT ROCK will be advised to inform Stewards of any condition that may become apparent within the next seven days.

RACE 7: FELTEX CARPETS NEW YEAR’S GIFT

Stewards sought an explanation from S Price as to the reasons for him being doubly engaged for both PALAGIA and LATTE in this event. Subsequently after taking evidence from S Price and Mr

J Hall, trainer of PALAGIA, Mr Hall was fined the sum of $50 for declaring a rider when there was no firm engagement.

SOUND (Darren Holland) and GUN SHOT (D Tootell) were both slow to jump.

Near the 1000 metres NOTHING BUT GOLD (D O’Heare) was obliged to check and lose its position when tightened by THE EX FILES (T Creek), which was inclined to lay away from RALLY (J Bowditch), which shifted in. J Bowditch was advised to give riders on the inside the room to which they are entitled.

Over the concluding 400 metres, RALLY (J Bowditch) was inclined to lay in under pressure.

Inside the 400 metres, EXALTED LAD (J Maund) was unable to obtain clear running when held tight by MORE ACTION (S Cahill) on its outside.

RACE 8: POPE PACKAGING HANDICAP

EMINENCY was withdrawn by Stewards at 12.48pm acting on a confirmed telephone advice from Mr P Jones, trainer of that gelding, that EMINENCY had suffered an injury to the near hind leg.

DECORATIVE (D Azis) was slow to jump.

AMBROC (W Sharp) knuckled on jumping away and became unbalanced for a short distance.

ARADINA (S Price) shifted out on jumping away and inconvenienced CHEERS POP (B Claridge).

Near the 350 metres BUTKUS (J Maund) shifted in and brushed AMBROC (W Sharp), which was inconvenienced.

ARADINA was inclined to lay in throughout the event and over the concluding stages shifted in abruptly.

Subsequent to the race a Veterinary inspection of ARADINA revealed that mare to be lame in the near fore knee. Mr J Hall, trainer of ARADINA, was advised that Veterinary Certificate of Fitness would be required before ARADINA accepted for a future race. When questioned, S Price rider of ARADINA explained that as the mare had previously shown a tendency to lay out in its races he, in consultation with Mr J Hall had elected to go to the outside rail in today’s race. He reported that ARADINA had wanted to lay in throughout the race, and over the concluding stages he had not continued to correct the mare and approaching the winning post, she shifted in abruptly.

Blood Samples were taken from the following horses for the purpose of TCO2 testing:
RALLY, MORE ACTION, REAL TIME, THE EX FILES, EXALTED LAD, LATTE, ELEPHANT ROCK, AMARINA, GILDED STAR, EVANS, FINNISS LADY, DARK BANNER, JUROMA, OLIVER BEER (NZ), WILL SOAR, HILLVIEW EXPRESS.

Race 1 ANACARDE (winner). Race 5 FAVA (winner). Race 2 ZEDIMBI (winner). Race 6 DARK BANNER (winner). Race 3 SIMPLY MAGICAL (winner). Race 7 REAL TIME (NZ) (winner). Race 4 COSMIC STRIKE (winner). Race 8 EXPRESS WALTZ (winner).

The Stewards Room