GENERAL:

The Stewards today opened an inquiry into incidents that occurred on Saturday 2 March 2002 involving licensed persons at the Warwick Farm racecourse and later in Manning Street, Warwick Farm. Evidence was taken today from licensed trainers Mr J. O'Connor and Mr G. Portelli, stable foreman Mrs S. O'Connor, AJC Track Supervisor Mr J. McGarr, owner Mr G. Jones, jockey Mr R. Moffat, and stablehands Mr S. Burnett, Mr L. Quintano, Mr D. Seagrove, Mr N. Miller and Mrs J. Moffat. Medical and photographic evidence was tendered of injuries sustained by Mr N. Miller. The inquiry was adjourned to a date to be fixed.

Supplementary report:

Warwick Farm Sunday 3 March 2002: Race 6 Classic Mission Handicap 2400m:

Mr M. Dunn, foreman for trainer Mr G. Ryan, was advised that whilst the Stewards had lifted the embargo on Blackmailer after it trialled successfully at Warwick Farm on Friday 15 March 2002 before TRB veterinarians Drs Suann and Brownlow, nevertheless the stable was placed on notice that should there be any indication of a recurrence of the horse locking its stifle, as happened on this occasion, a report of same should be made immediately to the Stewards.

Rosehill Gardens Saturday 16 March 2002: Race 7 Dubai Rosehill Guineas 2000m:

S. Seamer (Leica Guv) stated that after the gelding's disappointing performance connections had advised that it was their intention to spell Leica Guv.

RACE 1: Fred Archer Handicap 1300m:

At the start Kamala Beach jumped awkwardly and lost ground.

A post-race veterinary examination revealed Damowin sustained a laceration to the tongue.

Get Serious was slow to begin.

Passing the 900m Secret Goldmine, which was overracing, had to be steadied off the heels of Poetic Papal. Passing the 100m Pentathlon, which was inclined to lay in, was held up briefly when attempting a run between Rinehart and Secret Goldmine.

Charlie Bub did not obtain clear running in the straight and consequently was unable to be tested.

At the entrance to the straight Bullala and Conspirator bumped on a number of occasions.

Huit shifted out under pressure over the concluding stages.

When questioned concerning his ride on Minority, D. McLellan stated that he was under instructions to ride the colt quietly, but that in his opinion Minority failed to concentrate and lost touch with the field early. He stated that he worked into the race on the home turn and although Minority was inclined to lay in, it ran home strongly. D. McLellan stated that he had indicated to connections that Minority would benefit from the addition of blinkers and also from additional journey. D. McLellan was advised to ensure that he does not ride his mounts in such a manner as to set them too great a task.

When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of Mission Statement, C. Munce stated that although trapped wide in the early and middle stages he had attempted to follow the eventual winner, Redwood Falls, however, his mount failed to respond when placed under pressure from about the 600m. C. Munce added that Mission Statement was inclined to lay in in the straight.

When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of Mukareena, D. Beadman stated that the gelding was coming off a hard run at its most recent start when runner-up to the Black Opal Stakes at Canberra on 2 March 2002 and his instructions today were to ride Mukareena just off the speed, however, in his opinion Mukareena felt flat and did not respond to his riding when placed under pressure before the home turn. Trainer Mrs B. Joseph undertook to report to the Stewards the results of a full veterinary examination, including a blood count, in the days subsequent. However, she added that strong consideration would be given to spelling Mukareena.

Post-race veterinary examinations of Mukareena, Mission Statement and Minority revealed no abnormalities.

A post-race veterinary examination revealed Samar, which tailed off, to be suffering from cardiac irregularity. Mr M. Dunn, representing trainer Mr G. Ryan, was advised that before its next race start Samar must barrier trial to the satisfaction of the Stewards and the results of a subsequent ECG must be produced.

RACE 4: Tod Sloan Handicap 1600m:

Near the 300m as Powderfinger commenced to tire, Grand Franco was obliged to steady across the heels of that runner to obtain clear running. A short distance later Grand Franco was crowded when Conzeal was awkwardly placed close to the heels of Mr. Attorney, which shifted in slightly.

In the straight Zillion laid in badly and as a result its rider, Ms B. Cooper, was unable to fully test the gelding.

My Brown Eyed Girl dislodged its off-fore plate and had to be replated behind the barrier, however, a subsequent veterinary examination found the mare to be sore in front and consequently was unfit to start and was withdrawn at 3.13pm. Subsequently it was directed that all bets on My Brown Eyed Girl be refunded and that all bets with bookmakers be subject to the following deductions in the dollar from the face value of tickets: traditional each-way: 10¢ win, 10¢ place, 20¢ quinella, 10¢ multiple doubles. Trainer Mr G. Rogerson was advised that a veterinary certificate would be required before My Brown Eyed Girl is permitted to race again.

Shortly after the start Laetitia and a short distance later Giske, which was slow to begin, improved quickly to the inside of Cups Quest (C. Munce), which commenced to shift in resulting in Laetitia being taken in onto Giske and Giske being checked. After taking into account that the two runners that had improved to his inside had drawn barriers to his outside, and that C. Munce had looked and was clear when he commenced to initially shift in, the Stewards did not issue a charge against him, however, he was reprimanded and advised that it is his responsibility to ensure at all times that runners to his inside have the room to which they are entitled.

Leaving the 300m Whole Lotta Rosie, after initially being disappointed for a run to the inside of Onyx, had to be shifted out across the heels of that mare to obtain clear running.

Near the 200m Laetitia was reluctant to improve to the outside of Cups Quest and was inclined to lay in thereafter.

A post-race veterinary examination of Laetitia revealed no abnormality.

RACE 6: Beau Zam Handicap 2200m:

Mr N. McBurney, trainer of Twilight Years, which raced disappointingly, advised that the gelding will now be spelled.

Close to the finish line Dusky Beau and Grey Minstrel bumped due to both horses shifting ground.

RACE 7: Gordon Richards Welter Handicap 1600m:

Near the 200m Sircarn Damon was checked when disappointed for a narrow run between Terrible Taurus and Regal Zero (C. Munce), which shifted out. Sircarn Damon was then momentarily crowded between Norman's Way and Regal Zero, both of which shifted ground. C. Munce was advised to make more effort to keep his mounts straight.

Post-race veterinary examinations of Royal Integrity and Pennywort, which weakened after travelling wide throughout, revealed no abnormalities.

RACE 8: Douglas Smith Handicap 1400m:

On jumping Nordic Flight shifted out and bumped Ritual, which was taken out on to Jetonova.

Near the 900m Ritual shifted out and hampered Heads Of Agreement.

At the 400m Britney had to be checked between Prude (D. Beadman), which shifted out slightly, and Twilight Rose (L. Beasley), which momentarily shifted in. L. Beasley and D. Beadman were advised to exercise care when shifting ground.

Approaching the 200m Thundercup had to be steadied when Countess Chloe (G. Colless) shifted out to improve from behind the heels of Ritual. G. Colless was reprimanded and advised to be two lengths clear when shifting ground.

Trials:
Race 4: Samar (trainer G. Ryan) - poor performance.

Reprimands:
Race 5: C. Munce (Cups Quest) - shifting in (AR137(a)).
Race 8: D. Beadman (Prude) - shifting out (AR137(a)).
Race 8: L. Beasley (Twilight Rose) - shifting in (AR137(a)).
Race 8: G. Colless (Countess Chloe) - shifting out (AR137(a)).

Certificates:
Race 5: My Brown Eyed Girl (trainer G. Rogerson) - lame in off-fore leg.

ECG results:
Race 4: Samar (trainer G. Ryan)

The Stewards Room