A swab sample was taken from ULOSIS, winner of the race.

P. Kelly, rider of KASTABON (NZ), reported to Stewards that the saddle on that gelding commenced to shift forward after jumping the third hurdle. As a result KASTABON (NZ) was eased out of the race after jumping the fourth hurdle when the saddle slipped further forward on the gelding.

OUR AGGASSI (NZ) (H. O’Sullivan) jumped the hurdle situated in the vicinity of the winning post on the first occasion poorly resulting in that rider almost being dislodged.

OUR AGGASSI (NZ) was eased out of the race in the vicinity of the 700 metres by its rider H. O’Sullivan. A subsequent veterinary inspection of the gelding revealed significant cardiac arrhythmia. Mr. M. Hughes, trainer of OUR AGGASSI (NZ) was advised that the gelding was now banned from hurdle racing until such time as it can trial to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official hurdle school. Mr. Hughes was also advised that owing to the veterinary report on OUR AGGASSI (NZ), the gelding was banned from racing for a period until such time as the results of an ECG are produced and the gelding performs to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official trial before accepting for any future event.

Stewards questioned J. Wallace, rider of SHUTAYR, in relation to his riding of that gelding between the 1000 metres to in the vicinity of the 300 metres. After taking evidence from J. Wallace and Mr. M.A. Lockyer, trainer of SHUTAYR, J. Wallace was subsequently charged with Incompetent Riding under ARR 137(a) where, in the opinion of the Stewards, he had failed to ride SHUTAYR with sufficient vigour and initiative to assist that gelding to improve into the race. After being found guilty of the charge J. Wallace was suspended for a period of two months. Stewards noted the explanations tendered by Mr. Lockyer.

A veterinary inspection of SHUTAYR following the running of the race revealed no visible abnormalities.

A veterinary inspection of KASTABON (NZ) following the running of the race revealed a laceration to the near hind cannon.

A swab sample was taken from YES SHE CAN CANCAN, winner of the race.

WYNDAM GLORY (S. Price) jumped away awkwardly.

HELLO BOYS was subject to a veterinary inspection prior to the start and passed fit to take its place in the field.

A swab sample was taken from HELLO BOYS, winner of the race.

D. Tootell replaced B. Claridge as the rider of EBONACE due to an error in the race book.

PRINCESS NICKY (B. Claridge) showed a tendency to lay in.

HIP HOP was subject to a veterinary inspection at the start which passed that mare fit to take its place in the field.

A swab sample was taken from SUPER LAD (NZ), winner of the race.

In the vicinity of the 1000 metres NEWSFLASH (S. Price) showed a tendency to lay out resulting in that gelding having to be eased off the heels of STARBUCKS (D. Carney). In consequence RUSTY DUSTY GREY (P. Gatt), which was racing behind NEWSFLASH, was hampered.

ALL CHEER was subject to a veterinary inspection following the running of the race which revealed a bruised off fore fetlock.

Mr. P.G. Moody, represented by Mr. P. Stokes, was fined the sum of $50 for failing to declare a rider for ASHLEY KATE at the required time.

A swab sample was taken from LIBERTY ROSE, winner of the race.

The start of this race was delayed owing to LIBERTY ROSE (S. Price) proving difficult to be placed in its stall. As a result Mr. A. McEvoy, trainer of LIBERTY ROSE, was advised that a repetition of that filly’s behaviour at the barrier could lead to it being banned for a period.

In the vicinity of the 1300 metres LIBERTY ROSE (S. Price) commenced to race fiercely and shifted out slightly; at the same time VICTORIX (W. Kerford) shifted in, resulting in ELATHEA (B. Vale) being tightened for galloping room between those horses.

Shortly after VICTORIX (W. Kerford), which commenced to race ungenerously after the first incident, shifted in abruptly resulting in ELATHEA (B. Vale) being tightened for galloping room, having to be eased and in doing so, clipping the heels of VICTORIX. ZIP THEA (S. Cahill) was forced to change direction to avoid the heels of ELATHEA. In consequence PHANTASMIC (W. Hokai) was hampered. W. Kerford was advised by Stewards that he was given the benefit of the doubt as to whether he was solely responsible for the first incident. Stewards took no further action in relation to the second incident as they believed no one rider was responsible.

Stewards questioned Mr. L. Macdonald, trainer of GORGEOUS GURU, in relation to the performance of that filly today. Mr. Macdonald reported to Stewards that he had formed the opinion that the two previous starts on a heavy track had, in his opinion, affected the performance of GORGEOUS GURU today. As a result he will be making a strong recommendation to the owners of the filly that it now be sent for an immediate spell. A veterinary inspection of GORGEOUS GURU following the running of the race revealed no visible abnormalities.

When no other senior rider was available, B. Claridge replaced L. Smith as the rider of KING’S LANDING. Mr. K.M. Sweeney, trainer of KING’S LANDING, was fined the sum of $50 for declaring a rider when no firm engagement had been made.

A swab sample was taken from AMA STAR, winner of the race.

BROWNLOW (L. Nolen) jumped away awkwardly.

In the vicinity of the 600 metres MANATOBA (J. Bowditch) shifted out resulting BROWNLOW (L. Nolen) being inconvenienced.

A swab sample was taken from NOBLE GLOW, winner of the race.

The start of this race was delayed owing to NOBLE GLOW having to be replated at the start.

WISP (G. Dorol) jumped away awkwardly.

In the vicinity of the 400 metres MADE FOR REAL (J. Bowditch) shifted out resulting in WISP (G. Dorol) being inconvenienced.

A veterinary inspection of EYEDROPPER following the running of the race revealed a near fore cannon laceration.

A swab sample was taken from FLURRY’S GEM, winner of the race.

In the vicinity of the 400 metres BLUESTONE VILLA (J. Bowditch), which was racing ungenerously, shifted in and away from FLURRY’S GEM (W. Kerford) resulting in VALUE OF POWER (L. Meech) being taken in and making contact with the hindquarters of VARGNA (P. Gatt), turning that horse out.

Racing inside the 200 metres BLUESTONE VILLA (J. Bowditch), which had continued to race ungenerously, shifted in; at the same time COSSACK LAW (D. Tootell) shifted out under riding, resulting in VALUE FOR POWER (L. Meech) being forced to check and in doing so clipping the heels of BLUESTONE VILLA. Stewards took no further action as they believed that no one rider was responsible.

Mr. M.A. Lockyer, trainer of ROSE OF CAITLIN, was fined the sum of $50 for employing a person who was not correctly registered under Local Rule of Racing 83.

The Stewards Room