Riding Changes:

As no other senior rider available at the weight Stewards permitted Michelle Hagley to ride Athapascan Ruler in Race 8.

Stewards took no action in respect of J. Patton replacing B. Rawiller on Silver Birch in Race 8.

Race 1 - WEST COAST RAILWAY SV 2YO HANDICAP - 1000 METRES

La Babe was slow to begin. Near the 500 metres La Babe which was laying out towards the heels of Dantana then had to be eased off the heels of that gelding. Near the 200 metres La Babe and Raver bumped due to both fillies shifting ground.

Race 2 - YALUMBA SV 3YO MAIDEN PLATE - 2000 METRES

Acting on a confirmed telephone call from Mr. Alex Macpherson, Trainer of Tear Drops that a pre-race blood sample taken by his own veterinarian from the gelding was showing signs of a viral complaint and was unfit to run. Stewards withdrew the gelding at 8.55 a.m. Mr. Macpherson will submit a veterinary certificate in respect of Tear Drops being unfit to run.

The advertised distance for this race appeared in the race book as 2000 metres when if fact it was about 2000 metres. The start of this race was delayed due to a dog having to be removed from the racecourse in the straight. Near the 900 metres Carry Me Home was taken out by Ballesteros (V. Caddy) which shifted out when not sufficiently clear. V. Caddy was reprimanded and notified to exercise far more care when taking runs in the future.

Race 3 - CARLTON DRAUGHT MAIDEN PLATE - 1400 METRES

Approaching the 400 metres Kincoy was tightened for room between Sporting State and Marnoo Blue (Miss B. Payne) which shifted out to obtain a run on the outside of Miladdonian Boy where there was not quite sufficient room. Marnoo Blue then had to be checked off the heels of Miladdonian Boy. B Payne was notified to exercise more care when shifting ground in future. For the majority of the straight Marnoo Blue had difficulty obtaining a clear run. Approaching the winning post Kincoy had to be checked when tightened for room between Miladdonian Boy and Miramishee (S. Vella) which shifted in under pressure. S. Vella was severely reprimanded and notified to exercise more care when shifting ground in the future. Mr. M. Young, Trainer of Ruler explained to the stewards that although he was not present when the horse ran second at Camperdown on 27^th January, 2002 and had not seen the replay of the event he was disappointed with L. Nolen's ride as the instructions were for him to endeavour to get cover if he could. Mr. Young stated that his representative at Camperdown informed him that Ruler had over raced to some degree that day however, as they were slightly disappointed with the ride that day as they believed L. Nolen could have rated the horse better on that occasion. M. Young further added that with a change of rider today the gelding was able to get cover and had settled better than it did at its previous start.

Race 4 - WARRNAMBOOL TELEPHONE COMPANY CLASS 2 HANDICAP - 1700 METRES

No Report. 

Race 5 - PHILPRINT OPEN HANDICAP - 1700 METRES

The Stewards interviewed Mr. E. Musgrove, Trainer of Crown Duo as to the reason why he was unable to provide the Document of Description for the gelding today. Mr. Musgrove explained that he had identified the gelding with the Document of Description and had posted the document to the offices of Racing Victoria to transfer the ownership from Mrs. V.L. Smith, Mrs. G.M. Waterhouse and Mr. G.M. Douglas into the names of Mrs. I. Musgrove and J.E.H. Spencer. The Stewards notified Mr. Musgrove that they would be contacting the Registrar of Race Horses and notified him that on his assurance that he had sighted and lodged the appropriate documentation. The Stewards permitted Crown Duo to start. Near the 500 metres Scotch Princess shifted in slightly and inconvenienced Crown Duo.

Race 6 - SCHWEPPES CLASS 1 HANDICAP - 1100 METRES

As Montazaurus refused to leave the mounting yard and whipped around and took charge of its rider and headed back to the saddling paddock and as J. Barnett refused to ride the gelding in the event the Stewards withdrew Montazuarus at 3.58 p.m. The Stewards ordered all monies wagered for a win and/or place on Montazaurus to be refunded. All monies wagered on the placed horses prior to the time of withdrawal/s of Montazaurus to be paid as under. The winner to be paid at face value of ticket less 3 cents in the $, wagers for a place on all placed horses, to be paid at face value of ticket less 3 cents in the $. Concession: The winner to be paid at the face value of the ticket less 3 cents in the $. Wagers for a place, on all placed horses are not subject to deduction. Doubles: The deduction in respect of Doubles Bets made prior to the time of the above withdrawal/s shall be paid at face value of the ticket less 3 cents in the $. All monies wagered after the Stewards' declaration of withdrawal to be paid at face value of ticket. Mr. B. Chapman, owner and trainer of Montazuarus was notified that a warning was being placed on the gelding for his behaviour today and should the gelding perform in a similar manner in future and refuse to leave the mounting yard it may be suspended from racing in the future. Near the 200 metres Cat Weasel had to be eased off the heels of Red Tamari which shifted in slightly. Cat Weasel then had difficulty in obtaining a clear run from that point to the winning post.  

Race 7 - T. & C. WILLIAMS GLASS AND GLAZING CLASS 4 HANDICAP - 1300 METRES

Shortly after straightening Soda Punch and Magnum Of Praise when attempting a narrow run between Owen which shifted out slightly and Hard Edge were both hampered when Hard Edge then shifted out slightly. As a result Magnum Of Praise then had to be checked off the heels of Hard Edge.

Race 8 - AG AGRICULTURE CLASS 1 HANDICAP - 1400 METRES

Prior to correct weight being declared D. Yendall, Rider of Cormeyer wished to view the Stewards patrol with the view to lodging an objection After viewing the film with Mrs. B. Marshman, Trainer of Cormeyer, D. Yendall did not lodge an objection and correct weight was declared.

Tashkent jumped away awkwardly. Approaching the 400 metres Cormeyer was inconvenienced due to Silver Birch being eased off the heels of Mystic Man. Near the 400 metres Northfield which was weakening was tightened for room between Western District and Mystic Man which both shifted ground slightly. In the straight Athapascan Ruler which had a tendency to lay out had some difficulty obtaining a clear run near the 200 metres.

Race 2 - Ballesteros, Parish Priest and Millenium Mellay
Race 5 - Jacque and Battle Tower

Race 3 - Ruler
Race 4 - Palace Archway
Race 6 - Shania Heights
Race 7 - Kruger King

The Stewards Room