Canberra (ACT)

Sunday, 14 March 2004 00:00

WEATHER: Fine
TRACK: Good
RAIL: 2 metres out

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

RACE 1: TWO AND THREE-YEAR OLD MAIDEN PLATE            1000M

SHREWD LAD bounded on jumping, resulting in its rider K. Sweeney becoming dislodged. Sweeney was examined by ambulance officers and passed fit to fulfil his further engagements. WINGS ON AZZAAMS and AMARYNTHIA were slow to begin. BALLY TIGER raced wide throughout and laid in noticeably after straightening.

1^st: MAGIC MORNING 2^nd: RAS TAFARI 3^rd: YOUANDI 4^th: BALLY TIGER

RACE 2: GOLDEN JUBILEE MAIDEN PLATE            1400M

B. Stanley replaced M. Schmetzer (no appearance) as the rider of PURE FAITH. An explanation will be sought from M. Schmetzer regarding his failure to arrive on course. STAY ALL NIGHT was slow to begin. PERETTE and TRINITY SONG raced wide throughout. Shortly after the 200 metres PERETTE was steadied when momentarily crowded between TRINITY SONG and MINOA, both of which shifted ground. A veterinary examination of PERETTE found that horse to have a laceration on the front of its near-hind pastern.

1^st: TRINITY SONG 2^nd: MINOA 3^rd: RUSHCUTTER 4^th: DAMAH GEM

RACE 3: CLASS ONE HANDICAP            1200M

The front gates of the stall occupied by GOLD WORKS were slightly slow to open. SHANANDOR raced wide throughout. SHANANDOR and IN TOTO were carried wider on the home turn when TRUE CROWN shifted out to improve.

1^st: OLYMPIC TWIST 2^nd: TRUE CROWN 3^rd: IN TOTO 4^th: SIR RUSSKI

RACE 4: TRANSITIONAL HANDICAP                2000

KINGSTON SHORES shifted out under pressure in the straight. J. Nisbet (CYCLONE FREDDY) explained that, as has been the case previously with the gelding, it did not appreciate today’s firm racing surface. A post-race veterinary examination of CYCLONE FREDDY revealed that horse to be jarred up.

1^st: HASTY BELLE 2^nd: SOUTHERN AIR 3^rd: DANCARAMA 4^th: SILVER BLISS

RACE 5: OPEN QUALITY HANDICAP            1000M

PRIDE AND POWER which struck its offside hip on leaving the mounting yard was examined by the club’s veterinary surgeon behind the barriers and found to be lame behind. It was subsequently withdrawn by Stewards at 3.06 p.m., who ordered that all moneys invested in PRIDE AND POWER be refunded on all successful wagers placed prior to 3.06 p.m. be paid less deductions of 9¢ win, 10¢ place and 20¢ quinella on the face value of the ticket. Near the 200 metres EXRAY was momentarily steadied when it attempted to improve into narrow running between PEMBLETON and DAINTY DEB.

1^st: PEMBLETON 2^nd: INFLATION 3^rd: SWING AND MIST 4^th: STOUSHMAN

RACE 6: CATBIRD THREE-YEAR-OLD CLASS FIVE HANDICAP            1000M

GLASOS was slow to begin. Near the 600 metres GLASOS hung out and carried HEAD ENFILADE wider. GLASOS continued to shift ground outwards in the straight while under pressure. When questioned on the performance of GLASOS W. Pearson stated that he was instructed to race in a forward position but, after being slow into stride, the gelding raced further back than anticipated. He added that, when attempting to improve around runners from the 700 metres, GLASOS hung out noticeably and again shifted out on several occasions under pressure in the straight proving very difficult to ride out. Trainer Mr S. Hill confirmed the instructions and could offer no tangible explanation for today’s performance. He added that, while he had not supported GLASOS himself, connections had supported the gelding in a similar manner to its previous starts. A veterinary examination of GLASOS found a healing ulcer on the right side of the mouth and also found that horse to be lame in the off foreleg. Trainer Mr. S. Hill was advised that a veterinary certificate of fitness would be required before GLASOS would be permitted to race again.

1^st: ARMIGIGGLE 2^nd: SUPER DRAGON 3^rd: TAKING CHARGE 4^th: GLASOS

RACE 7: CLASS TWO HANDICAP            1400M

ROMAN COMPOSER raced wide throughout. Over the concluding stages ANDTOLD and INTEMPERATE raced tight and bumped on several occasions resulting in both runners becoming unbalanced. A veterinary examination of KIR ROYALE found that horse to have a slightly elevated heart rate and to be moderately distressed. Trainer Mr F. Cleary stated that KIR ROYALE would now be sent for a spell. When questioned as to the reason LIGHTNING MITCHELL raced in a rearward position today after leading and winning at Wagga at its previous start on 19 February 2004 A. Bloomfield stated that his instructions today were to go forward. He added that he initially rode his mount along out of the barriers but when he was crossed by INTEMPERATE he elected to steady and shift in towards the rear of the field to avoid covering excessive ground. He then stated that the pace steadied in the middle stages of the event and LIGHTNING MITCHELL then commenced to overrace for the remainder of the event. Trainer Mr A. Bourke confirmed the instructions and expressed some disappointment in how far back LIGHTNING MITCHELL had settled. In severely reprimanding A. Bloomfield under AR135(b) Stewards advised him that in their opinion his ride lacked judgment and initiative and they felt he should have made a greater effort to ride to instructions and should have attempted to push forward early.

1^st: ANDTOLD 2^nd: INTEMPERATE 3^rd: MR JONES 4^th: PADDY’S PUPIL 

SUMMARY OF ACTION TAKEN:

Race 5: PRIDE AND POWER late scratching. Deductions 9¢ win, 10¢ place and 20¢ quinella.

Race 6: GLASOS veterinary certificate—lame in the off foreleg.

Race 7: A. Bloomfield severely reprimanded (AR135(b)).