RACE 1: Empire Link Handicap 1000m

Snowland was fractious in the barriers and came together with Pinot on jumping.

A post-race veterinary examination revealed Purrformer had lost the off-fore plate in running.

Sportsgail was slow to begin.

On the home turn Eminently (R. Quinn) shifted out hampering Fawayez. Sportsgail,which was commencing to make ground, was taken wide in the incident. R. Quinn was reprimanded and advised to exercise more care when shifting ground.

Eminently was inclined to lay out in the early part of the straight and bumped Sunday Joy on a number of occasions.

When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of Royal Purler, C. Brown stated that the filly had worked and trialled well leading into the race, but in a solidly run race today, although obliged to cover ground when trapped wide, Royal Purler was inclined to lay out and was never travelling comfortably.

A post-race veterinary examination of Royal Purler revealed no abnormality.

A swab sample was taken. As trainer Mr G. Hickman could offer no tangible explanation for the poor performance, the Stewards ruled that Royal Purler must barrier trial to their satisfaction prior to its next race start.

Sophistocat was slow to begin.

Bonbird suffered a bleeding attack and will incur an automatic three-month ban (AR53A).

When questioned regarding his ride on Play Mistress, B. York stated that as he had anticipated there not being a lot of pace in the race he intended to be in a forward position, but his instructions had been to get back as the mare races best when ridden quietly.

When questioned as to why he had shifted in onto the fence, B. York stated that Play Mistress missed the start and in accordance with his instructions he elected to take the mare across behind the field rather than race wide and then be pushed wider when he made his run. He added that he was held up inside the heels of Bonbird and was inclined to lay in and struck the rail rounding the home turn.

Shortly after entering the straight B. York added that he shifted out in an endeavour to improve into a position between Betrille and Frisky Business, which shifted back in. B. York stated further that near the 200m, as he commenced to take that run, Frisky Business (H. Bowman) then shifted out slightly and Play Mistress, when crowded, was reluctant to take the run and had to be checked.

When questioned Mr M. Dunn, stable foreman for trainer Mr G. Ryan,  confirmed the instructions and advised that the stable had fancied the chances of Play Mistress in today's race.

A post-race veterinary examination revealed Play Mistress to have sustained small lacerations to the inside of the off-hind pastern and coronary band.

The Stewards advised B. York that whilst they were somewhat critical of his decision to shift in to the fence early, bearing in mind the instructions given his explanation was accepted.

Relative to the incident at the 200m, H. Bowman (Frisky Business) was reprimanded for not stopping riding and straightening his mount.

Eyes And Tees was a late withdrawal at 2.51pm on veterinary advice that the filly had sustained a wound to the mouth and lacerations to the off-hind cannon after being very fractious in the gates.

Subsequently it was directed that all bets made on Eyes And Tees, including quinella and multiple double bets incorporating that horse, be refunded in full and that all bets made with bookmakers be paid less the following deductions in the dollar on the face value of tickets: win 7¢, place 8¢, quinella 16¢, multiple doubles 7¢.

Model Wife was slow to begin.

Pinetti attempted to buck for a few strides shortly after the start. This matter was brought to the attention of trainer Mr S. Williams.

Near the 1000m when New York Style shifted away from the fence, Matif, which was taken out, had to be restrained when endeavouring to resume a position one off the fence and in so doing resulted in Tap To It having to be checked off the heels of that runner.

RACE 5: Raconteur Handicap 1200m

No report.

Race The Ace was slow to begin.

Making the first turn Knickerbocker Kid, which was overracing, had to be checked off the heels of Race The Ace.

Near the 600m Play Station (G. Boss) shifted out slightly resulting in Mabuz being crowded for room. G. Boss was reprimanded and advised to exercise more care.

At the entrance to the straight Agincourt Express checked off the heels of Ra Eclipse and shifted in resulting in Race The Ace being hampered.

Agincourt Express then had some difficulty obtaining a clear run until passing the 100m.

L. Cassidy stated that Mabuz was not suited by the moderate tempo and was inclined to lay in and did not finish off its race.

RACE 7: Razor Sharp Handicap 1100m

Trainer Mr G. Portelli was fined $50 for presenting Secret Decree in the enclosure with blinkers, which were not part of its approved gear (AR140A).

Centre Fire and Secret Decree were slow to begin.

At an inquiry into the performance of Zariz, Dr C. Suann advised that the horse had sustained a deep wound to the back of the off-fore pastern and superficial wounds to the off-fore cannon. Dr Suann advised that the injury to the off-fore pastern was of a nature that may have affected Zariz's racing performance.

When questioned G. Boss stated that shortly after the start Zariz became very unbalanced, shifted in and made contact with Centre Fire.

He stated that in the straight he was not happy with the horse's action and as a result eased Zariz down.

After questioning stable foreman Mr M. Dunn, the inquiry was adjourned so that the Stewards may interview trainer Mr G. Ryan.

The club's veterinary surgeon reported that Chosen Valour was making an abnormal respiratory noise following the race, displaying signs of respiratory distress and a poor recovery rate.

Trainer Mr G. Vella was advised that the results of a full veterinary examination, including an endoscopic examination, must be produced before Chosen Valour is permitted to race again.

When questioned concerning his riding over the final 600m, J. Sheehan stated that he was under instructions to save Palladium Star for a short run and not to use the whip on the gelding.

He stated that rounding the home turn he looked to get a trail into the race, but when one was not forthcoming and the field fanned he was obliged to go to the extreme outside shortly after straightening and then rode is mount out hands and heels. Trainer Mr G. Walter confirmed the instructions.

Miss Zoe (J. Sheehan) reared as the gates were released, losing ground as a result, and in that incident J. Sheehan struck his left knee on the side of the barrier gate.

Fines:
Race 7: G. Portelli (Secret Decree) fined $50—present horse with gear not approved (AR140A).

Reprimands:
Race 2: R. Quinn (Eminently)—shifting ground out on home turn (AR137(a).
Race 3: H. Bowman (Frisky Business)—shifting in (AR137(a).
Race 6: G. Boss (Play Station)—shifting out (AR137(a).

Trials:
Race 2: Royal Purler (trainer G. Hickman)—disappointing performance.
Race 4: Eyes And Tees (trainer D. Lee)—very fractious in barriers.

Bleeders:
Race 3: Bonbird (trainer G. Rogerson)—first time; 3-month ban (AR53A)

Certificates:
Race 7: Chosen Valour (trainer G. Vella)—results of full veterinary examination including endoscopic examination

Provided by NSW TRB

The Stewards Room