Belmont (WA)

Wednesday, 07 August 2002 00:00

Weather: Fine
Track: Good
Rail: 18 Metres

Due to the rail being in the outside position today, the distance of Race 2. The Never Blue and Race 7. The Mt. Henry were amended from the advertised distance of 1700m to approximately 1680m.

RACE 1: THE FLYING FAY – 1300M

HEARTBEAT (L. Camilleri) was fractious in the barrier prior to the start and then commenced awkwardly and after going several strides bumped BRONZE CITY (P. King). ULTEGRA (J. Oliver) was slow into stride and shortly after was bumped when TIDY BUSINESS (K. Forrester) shifted outwards. MIRAKATAC (P. Farrell) threw its head in the air shortly after the start. MIRAKATAC raced ungenerously in the middle stages and then passing the 800m was steadied and shifted outwards forcing QUEEN OF SPIRITS (Danny Miller) wide. Near the 300m HEARTBEAT and BRONZE CITY bumped. Passing the 300m Jockey P. Carbery (VALLEY OF DECISION) dropped his whip. SURROUNDINGS (T. Turner) lay inwards over the final 200m. QUEEN OF SPIRITS had a tendency to lay inwards over the final 150m. Jockey J. Oliver (ULTEGRA) was reminded of his obligation to refrain from using the whip when his mounts are out of contention. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of HEARTBEAT, Trainer Mr L. Smith was of the opinion that the filly had failed to concentrate throughout the race and it was now his intention to place blinkers on the filly in an effort to improve its competitiveness.

RACE 2: THE NEVER BLUE – 1680M

CHANTI TROPEZ (L. Camilleri) commenced awkwardly. LOTS OF SECRETS (P. King) raced keenly in the early and middle stages.

RACE 3: THE OPENING TWIST – 1300M

KNYSNA (G. Smith) was buffeted on jumping between KING CANUTE (J. Whiting) and GARION DONN (Jason Miller). HOT STATS (K. Hawkins) and UNIVERSAL WARRIOR (A. Sansom) were slow into stride. PERSONAL AGENCY (S. McGruddy) dipped shortly after the start, raced ungenerously and lay outwards throughout. Trainer Ms V. Lane was advised that she would place a lugging bit on PERSONAL AGENCY in an attempt to improve its racing manner. UNIVERSAL WARRIOR raced fiercely in the early and middle stages. HOT STATS raced wide throughout.

RACE 4: THE SISTER PATRICIA – 1300M

KENTIARA (S. McGruddy) jumped awkwardly. TRUE SURRENDER (A. Sansom) and FORNEW (N. Rudland) were slow into stride. Near the 1150m MERCURIAL SMILE (S. Parnham) shifted inwards crowding REGAL TWIG (J. Whiting) which made contact with MADAM GUNDA (T. Ikenushi). REGAL TWIG raced ungenerously in the early and middle stages with its head in the air. BIRAKA GIRL (Jason Miller) lay outwards at the turn into the straight bumping KENTIARA. FORNEW raced wide throughout. MADAM GUNDA was held up from the 450m until near the 250m and shortly after was bumped when FORNEW shifted inwards after that mare was bumped by GUARDED ANSWER (P. King). MADAM GUNDA then shifted inwards making contact with GLEN WILLOW (Danny Miller), which was steadied. MADAM GUNDA then steadied from the heels of MOOMBA QUEEN (P. Carbery) and was then impeded for approximately 50m. GUARDED ANSWER was impeded between the 375m and the 250m.

RACE 5: THE BAHVELL – 1400M

PREDICT (C. Dredge) commenced awkwardly, losing ground. Shortly after the start MAJOR MACLEOD (A. Sansom) shifted outwards bumping SILVER SONIC (S. McGruddy) which bumped the hindquarters of KONJO (D. Randall). Shortly after this KING LOMOND (P. Carbery) lay inwards crowding KONJO. Near the 300m KONJO shifted outwards bumping MAJOR MACLEOD onto SILVER SONIC. TENDER VALUE (P. King) returned having cast its off fore plate.

RACE 6: THE HILL WOOD – 1000M

Apprentice E. Dredge advised that she was unable to arrive on course to fulfil her riding engagement due to her vehicle having a mechanical breakdown. As there were no other Apprentices available Stewards granted permission for Jockey K. Forrester to ride PEDAL TO METAL. TOUCHDOWN EXPRESS (S. Parnham) reared high on jumping, losing several lengths. PEDAL TO METAL (K. Forrester) dwelt at the start and then raced uncompetitively. Due to this, Trainer Mr P. Parsons was advised that PEDAL TO METAL would have to trial to the satisfaction of Stewards before racing again. QUEENS OR BETTER (J. Whiting) and GUN BARREL BLUE (P. Carbery) bumped at the start. GUN BARREL BLUE lay out throughout and returned with its tongue over the bit. Trainer Mr R. Elvy advised that he would effect a gear change to rectify this problem. QUEENS OR BETTER raced wide throughout.

RACE 7: THE MT. HENRY – 1680M

BETTIN GOLD (Stephen Miller) was slow into stride. Near the 1000m MIKIS PROSPECTOR (P. Carbery) shifted outwards causing YOPLAY (P. Harvey) to race wide. Near the 700m THOMPSON’S BAY (N. Rudland) and YOPLAY bumped on several occasions. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of YOPLAY, Jockey Mr P. Harvey stated that the horse had not travelled comfortably at any stage and was under pressure near the 700m. Trainer Mr T. Martinovich advised that in his opinion YOPLAY did not appear to be suited by racing in consecutive weeks and advised that he would not race the horse for at least a further two weeks. Passing the 700m WELL CONNECTED (K. Forrester) when taken outwards bumped WANERIE KATA (P. King) with these two horses brushing shortly after. Jockey P. King advised that in this incident WANERIE KATA changed stride and lost momentum. Approaching the 175m GREAT FINGALL (J. Oliver) rolled inwards inconveniencing TOPSTOCK (Danny Miller). TOPSTOCK then shifted outwards impeding WELL CONNECTED. Jockey Jason Oliver was advised to make a greater effort to correct his mounts when they were shifting ground.

RACE 8: THE LARWOOD’S GIFT – 1200M

DIAMOND SOLITAIRE (G. Smith) blundered on jumping and then raced fiercely with its head in the air. Shortly after the start CASSIE’S ANT (T. Turner) was crowded when METHODICAL MAN (Jason Brown) shifted outwards. WATERMEAD (Jason Miller), when being steadied approaching the 1000m, got its head in the air. MIXED LAD (S. McGruddy) pulled hard in the early and middle stages and had difficulty in obtaining a clear run in the straight. KING KAZA (A. Sansom) raced wide throughout. VAMPIRE (S. Parnham) raced keenly in the early and middle stages. Near the 700m MIXED LAD, when continuing to race fiercely, shifted outwards inconveniencing THUNDELERA (T. Bajramovic). Near the 275m JOLLY JUDE (D. Randall) and METHODICAL MAN bumped. VAMPIRE lay inwards over the final 100m.

GENERAL

Routine Specimens were taken from all winners.

Trainer Mr P. Parsons was admonished for the poor presentation of PEDAL TO METAL.

LATE REPORT

Belmont Park Saturday 3 August, 2002 – Race 7. Enjoy healthy Eating Apprentices’ Cup (2200m)

After consultation with the connections of CHANTI DILUNE, Trainer Mr A. Mathews advised that the mare would now be retired.

Belmont Park Saturday 3 August, 2002 – Race 8. The Eat Well (1400m)

Trainer Mr J. Taylor was of the opinion that DAWN TROOPER was not suited by the distance of this race as the mare had a tendency to overrace. Mr Taylor advised it was now his intention to freshen DAWN TROOPER and race the mare over lesser distances for future starts. He further advised that an endoscopic examination revealed no anomalies.

SUMMARY

MEDICAL CERTIFICATE:

Jockey J. Noske (Races 4 & 6) was unable to fulfil his riding engagements and will require a medical clearance prior to riding.

TRIAL:

Race 6. PEDAL TO METAL (Trainer P. Parsons) - dwelt at the start and then raced uncompetitively.