Canberra (ACT)

Friday, 16 July 2004 00:00

WEATHER: Fine
TRACK: Good
RAIL: Out 7 metres

T. J. Davidson (Chairman), C. P. Yeo, T. Smith (Stewards), M. Wilson (Starter), D. Stewart (Betting), T. Woodham (Swab), A. Clark (Judge), R. Chapman (Veterinarian).

RACE 1: CLASS FIVE HANDICAP            1000M

Trainer Mr M. Lynch was fined the sum of $50 under AR59A when he failed to present the document of description for WALK THE BEAT when requested. TRAVEL THE WORLD was slow to begin. MR TAC struck the running rail approaching the 600 metres. Approaching the winning post WALK THE BEAT was steadied when crowded between TAD and MR TAC (App. P. Wells), which shifted in under pressure. App. P. Wells was reprimanded under AR137(a) and advised to exercise far greater care. TRAVEL THE WORLD bled for the first time during the event and will now incur a mandatory three-month ban from racing.

1^st: MR TAC 2^nd: TAD 3^rd: WALK THE BEAT 4^th: I’M A LEADER

RACE 2: MAIDEN PLATE            1000M

CROWN POWER, DESERT MIST and FUNNY GAMES were all slow to begin. Approaching the 400 metres FUNNY GAMES was steadied when it raced up onto the heels of TRULY SOMETHING. BLACK DOG and JIM’S JUDE raced greenly under pressure after straightening and both shifted out noticeably. SAVVY LASS shifted out under pressure over the concluding stages. A post-race veterinary examination of FRENCH CADET found that horse to have a puncture wound to the rear of the off-fore fetlock.

1^st: KELTIC FLASH 2^nd: RUMBULLION 3^rd: GOBBLE 4^th: SAVVY LASS

RACE 3: CLASS FOUR HANDICAP            2054M

Trainer Mr G. Walter was fined the sum of $50 under AR140B for presenting GOBI to race in other than its approved gear. After passing the winning post on the first occasion APOSTASY was steadied away from the heels of WALLY, which shifted in slightly. LIGOLD raced wide throughout. GOBI hung out on the home turn and then laid out under pressure in the straight. M. Lister (WALLY) was reminded of his obligation to ride his mounts at least hands and heels to the finishing line.

1^st: WESTERN SPRINGS 2^nd: GOBI 3^rd: WINKURRA 4^th: CREANCED 

RACE 4: MAIDEN PLATE            1600M

SURF BEACH raced wide throughout. Approaching the 600 metres LEOPOLD BRAE was steadied when crowded between STAKALA, which shifted out, and HEADSWELL, which shifted in. Approaching the 300 metres TAMICA’S GIRL and LEOPOLD BRAE were hampered when SURF BEACH shifted in under pressure. Approaching the 200 metres HEADSWELL shifted out abruptly to obtain clear running. M. Lister (FOR YOU DAD) reported that his mount did not seem free in its action on pulling up. A post-race veterinary examination of FOR YOU DAD found that horse to have returned lame in the near foreleg. Trainer Ms A Moller was advised that a veterinary clearance must be produced before FOR YOU DAD would be permitted to race again.

1^st: HIGH FLYING 2^nd: HEADSWELL 3^rd: FIESTA 4^th: EZE LA BELLE

RACE 5: MAIDEN PLATE            1200M

Trainer Mr B. Adams was fined $50 under LR35 for the late declaration of R. Bensley as the rider of SCALDED. Approaching the 700 metres and again near the 650 metres SCALDED and INANON were steadied and lost ground when crowded to the inside of TRISTY’S ROSE, which shifted in slightly away from ANTCLIFF. At the same time COURT LION was checked when awkwardly placed close to the heels of TRAMSTOPPER and ANTCLIFF. JUST A BLOKE, which was following, was hampered in consequence. Stewards were unable to attribute blame to any one rider and all riders were advised to exercise more care. A post-race veterinary examination of TRISTY’S ROSE, which weakened noticeably, detected a laceration to the off-hind pastern and to the front of the nearside hock.

1^st: LOCHTAINE 2^nd: COURT LION 3^rd: DANE LUCKY 4^th: JUST A BLOKE

RACE 6: CLASS ONE HANDICAP            1000M

Trainer Mr W. Warner was fined the sum of $50 under AR140B for presenting EXCUSED to the mounting yard without blinkers, part of its approved gear. SOLOMON was slow to begin and, shortly after the start, was steadied away from the heels of COPPERBILLY. MAR MAR raced wide until the 600 metres. MACHADO overraced in the middle stages of the event. After straightening MAR MAR shifted in to improve when DIK DIK rolled out and after the 200 metres MAR MAR was momentarily held up on the heels of ZANDES, which shifted in. When questioned regarding MAR MAR racing back in the field today rider M. A. Cahill stated that he was instructed to race in a forward position but, despite his urgings in the early stages of the event, MAR MAR was unable to cross runners to its inside and was therefore caught wide until approaching the 600 metres. After straightening he shifted in when DIK DIK rolled out in front of him and, after the 200 metres, he was momentarily held up when ZANDES shifted in. M. A. Cahill stated that, once clear after the 150 metres, MAR MAR found the line well.

1^st: COOLROOM CANDIDATE 2^nd: MAR MAR 3^rd: DYNASTY’S END 4^th: EXCUSED

RACE 7: CLASS TWO HANDICAP            1400M

DARK CHOCOLATE was slow to begin. KING OF ILLAWARRA and FLASH ‘N’ THUNDER raced wide until the 600 metres. When questioned regarding the performance of DARK CHOCOLATE rider M. A Cahill stated that his mount was slow to begin and was then crowded shortly after the start, resulting in the filly settling further back than he had anticipated. He added that his mount travelled well until straightening but when placed under pressure failed to find the line and, in his opinion, felt flat. Trainer Mr R. Boljun advised that DARK CHOCOLATE would now be sent for a spell. A post-race veterinary examination of DARK CHOCOLATE did not detect any abnormality.

1^st: AMBER LIQUID 2^nd: FLASH ‘N’ THUNDER 3^rd: ION YOU 4^th: CRISTOFORO

RACE 8: OPEN HANDICAP            1400M

For some distance approaching the 600 metres LORENZO was steadied when awkwardly placed close to the heels of ELMO CRUSHER and EXAMINE THE BOOKS. Stewards questioned J. Ford (RADIANT IMAGE), App. K. Parkin (NEVARA) and J. Whitney (SWING AND MIST) regarding the tactics adopted on their respective mounts and, in particular, their apparent lack of urgency to push forward in the middle stages of the event and attempt to take ground off the tearaway leader SERKELT. Both J. Ford and K. Parkin stated they were instructed to race in a forward position but not to bustle their mounts or take on the expected early leader SERKELT. J. Ford stated that he was unconcerned in the middle stages as he believed SERKELT was suspect over the 1400 metres having never travelled over this distance previously and both he and K. Parkin expected SERKELT to come back to the field. J. Whitney stated that he was instructed to be racing in fifth or sixth position and to attempt to obtain cover as the gelding has been overracing recently. He also expressed the view that the pace of today’s event had been genuine and SERKELT would in all likelihood weaken over the concluding stages. After considering all available evidence and taking into consideration the sectional times of the race Stewards noted all explanations but did advise J. Whitney (SWING AND MIST) that in their opinion and with the benefit of hindsight he may have erred in electing to obtain cover behind NEVARA near the 700 metres where in the Stewards’ opinion an opportunity had existed for him to allow that gelding to stride forward.

1^st: SERKELT 2^nd: SWING AND MIST 3^rd: LORENZO 4^th: LOVE’S A STUBBY

SUMMARY OF ACTION TAKEN:

Race 1: Trainer Mr M. Lynch fined $50 (AR59A).

Race 1: TRAVEL THE WORLD bled first time.

Race 3: Trainer Mr G. Walter fined $50 (AR140B).

Race 4: FOR YOU DAD—veterinary certificate of fitness.

Race 5: Trainer Mr B. Adams fined $50 (LR35).

Race 6: Trainer Mr W. Warner fined $50 (AR140B).