Canberra (ACT)

Friday, 12 December 2003 00:00

WEATHER: Overcast
TRACK: Dead
RAIL: True

T. J. Davidson (Chairman), P. Hartman, T. Smith (Stewards), M. Wilson (Starter), D. Stewart (Betting), H. McAlister (Swab), C. Polglase (Judge), R. Chapman, R. Joyce (Veterinarians).

RACE 1: CLASS TWO HANDICAP             1000M

DARK CHOCOLATE was slow to begin. After straightening SAY BOO (P. Goode) shifted out under pressure and hampered THE HORSE JACK. P. Goode was advised to exercise more care.

1^st: I’M A LEADER 2^nd: DARK CHOCOLATE 3^rd: AFFLICTION 4^th: SAY BOO

RACE 2: CLASS FOUR PLATE             1200M

No report.

1^st: TAVERN 2^nd: INDIAN CIGAR 3^rd: MISS MACHINE 4^th: SKY SIGN

RACE 3: MAIDEN PLATE             1200M

CAN HE SING and SIDEARM were slow to begin. Shortly after the start MARFORTUNE was steadied when crowded between REGAL SPORTS and TOP VALUE. TOP VALUE and GARRETT overraced in the early and middle stages of the event.

1^st: CAN HE SING 2^nd: ZANDES 3^rd: MARFORTUNE 4^th: GARRETT

RACE 4:MAIDEN PLATE             1400M

NATIONAL ICON began awkwardly. SPANISH AFFAIR was slow to begin. SHORTAN SHARP raced wide throughout. Near the 850 metres MIRARI’S IMAGE was steadied when crowded between RADIANT EMPRESS, which got its head up and shifted out and REINSMAN, which shifted in. NATIONAL ICON, which was following, was hampered in consequence. For some distance after the 800 metres DOOGIE LYN was continually steadied when awkwardly placed close to the heels of RADIANT EMPRESS. A veterinary examination of REINSMAN found that horse to be coughing.

1^st: ARDEO 2^nd: SURF BEACH 3^rd: DOOGIE LYN 4^th: MARWISH

RACE 5: TRANSITIONAL HANDICAP             1600M

Acting on a confirmed telephone call that MOST WANTED had an elevated temperature, it was withdrawn by Stewards at 11.52 a.m. Trainer Mr M. Petrovic undertook to supply a veterinary certificate in regard to MOST WANTED. Approaching the 1000 metres CORYTHUS was steadied away from the heels of EDGE OF THE STORM. EDGE OF THE STORM bled during the event and under the provisions of AR53A is now barred from racing for a period of three months. When questioned L. Price (KOSTA ZOFF) explained that after blundering making the crossing near the 1300 metres he allowed his mount to gradually shift away from the fence as he believed the gelding was better suited some three horses wide where the going was less shifting. He further stated that although EDGE OF THE STORM and SILVER BLISS improved through to his inside in the middle stages he believed that the tactics he adopted were in his mount’s best interests. SILVER BLISS and EDGE OF THE STORM raced tight over the concluding stages when EDGE OF THE STORM shifted in under pressure.

1^st: SILVER BLISS 2^nd: EDGE OF THE STORM 3^rd: KOSTA ZOFF 4^th: ROYAL HEIR

RACE 6: CHRISTMAS CUP OPEN HANDICAP             1000M

SMART TYCOON was slow to begin. INFLATION began awkwardly and shifted out. SIR AVALANCHE raced wide throughout. After the 700 metres UP YOUR SLEEVES was steadied away from the heels of SUPREME BUTTERFLY (K. Sweeney), which shifted in when not quite clear. Sweeney was advised to exercise more care.

1^st: MUKAREENA 2^nd: MISSILE SAM 3^rd: SMART TYCOON 4^th: INFLATION

RACE 7: CLASS ONE AND MAIDEN PLATE             1600M

MISS SEKHMET blundered after making the crossing near the 1300 metres. After the 600 metres TIMBUKTU dipped when it ran up onto the heels of PATIENT PLANET. CANSPRINT shifted in noticeably under pressure at the concluding stages. When questioned on the performance of ALPHA CENTAURI K. Sweeney stated that his mount was able to obtain a leading position during the event but when SON OF TARA improved to his outside near the 1300 metres ALPHA CENTAURI commenced to overrace and refused to settle. He added that the fact the horse was first up from a spell and racing on a rain-affected track had contributed to his mount weakening over the concluding stages and it was his opinion that ALPHA CENTAURI would benefit from today’s race start. A veterinary examination of ALPHA CENTAURI revealed a poor post-race recovery.

1^st: MISTRIAL 2^nd: CANSPRINT 3^rd: MISS SEKHMET 4^th: SON OF TARA

RACE 8: CLASS FOUR HANDICAP             2000M

No report.

1^st: STADIUM 2^nd: BEAT THE TIDE 3^rd: SOUTHERN AIR 4^th: THUNDER LINE

SUMMARY OF ACTION TAKEN:

Race 5: EDGE OF THE STORM bled for the first time (AR53A).