Flemington stewards' report
03 Mar 2012 | Racing Victoria Ltd Victoria Racing Club
Date: Saturday 3 March, 2012
Track: Dead 4 downgraded to Dead 5 at 11.30am (prior to race 1). Downgraded Slow 6 at 2.50pm (subsequent to race 4). Further downgrade to Slow 7 at 4.50pm (subsequent to race 7).
Penetrometer: 4.82
Weather: Showers
Rail: True
Stewards Panel: T Bailey (Chairman), A Reardon, R Cram, R Montgomery & S Cochrane
Other Comments / Explanations:
Prior to the first race D Oliver and C Symons were examined by the Club’s doctor and were passed fit to ride at today’s meeting
Race 1 – STREETS ICE CREAM STAKES - 1000 metres:
The start of the race was delayed for almost five minutes when M Zahra was dislodged from Rhandara during the preliminary. M Zahra was able to keep the filly under control and re mount. Also during the preliminary Mandla took control of its rider (C Newitt) and negotiated the course proper rather than the straight 1200 metre chute. Mandla took time to get to the barriers, underwent a veterinary examination and was subsequently passed suitable to race.
Mandla jumped away awkwardly and made contact with the hindquarters of Imprimis which shifted in slightly.
Lady Of Harrods shifted in abruptly at the start making heavy contact with Razeena, which in turn made heavy contact with Mendivil.
After passing the 300 metres Rhandara shifted out several horses when struck with whip and in doing so inconvenienced Underestimation which had to be steadied to avoid that horse’s heels.
After passing the 200 metres Lady Of Harrods lay in under pressure and had to be checked to avoid the heels of Imprimus.
Race 2 – ROY HIGGINS QUALITY - 2600 metres:
M Walker (Cheviot Beach) was of the opinion the gelding had failed to run out the distance of today’s race.
C Williams (Western Jewel) could offer no excuse for the mare’s disappointing performance. A subsequent veterinary examination did not reveal any abnormality.
As a precaution, subsequent to the race, D Oliver underwent a further medical examination and was cleared to continue riding.
Race 3 – MRS MAC’S BEEF PIE SPRINT - 1100 metres:
Trainer M Ellerton was fined $100 for failing to declare a rider for Jessica Rose, which was lodged race day.
Trainer T Hughes submitted a veterinary certificate of fitness for Miss Octopussy after the mare was diagnosed lame in front after its last start at Caulfield (11/02/12). Racing Victoria Limited veterinary surgeons also examined the mare on arrival on course and deemed her suitable to race.
Trainer C Dickson was questioned as to the reason why Bolisimo Miss was over one hour late to arrive on course and his explanation was accepted on the basis that there was road flooding in Wangaratta resulting in him having to detour.
Tai Tai Tess jumped away awkwardly and then got its head up. When questioned, C Newitt explained Tai Tai Tess was fractious in the barrier prior to the start and he was also complying with the instructions to ride the filly back in the field over the short distance.
S Arnold (Status Symbol) was of the opinion the mare needed blinkers.
B Melham (Silkstone Special) explained the mare raced greenly down the straight and failed to finish the race off.
G Boss (Lady Antebellum) could offer no excuse for the performance today. Stewards will contact the stable on Monday to see how Lady Antebellum pulls up.
C Newitt (Tai Tai Tess) stated that the filly was off the bit for most of the race and would be better suited when stepped up in distance.
Race 4 – MITTYS HANDICAP - 2000 metres:
Trainer M Price advised stewards that it was the stable’s intention, if circumstances permit, to have Vivid Vixen (NZ) ridden in a more forward position. Vivid Vixen (NZ) raced accordingly.
C Newitt (Vivid Vixen NZ), which performed below market expectations, could offer no explanation for the mare’s performance. A subsequent veterinary examination of the mare did not reveal any abnormality other than a graze to the near hind leg which was consistent with having been galloped on however was not lame in any way.
Trainer G Eurell was questioned regarding the apparent improved performance of Coldens Choice as compared to the gelding’s last start at Flemington (18/2/12) where it finished unplaced. Mr Eurell explained that Coldens Choice had dropped 6 kgs in weight today and appreciated the step up in distance and was also of the view that the gelding had experienced a chequered run in the straight at its last start which proved detrimental with the big weight. Mr Eurell further added that Coldens Choice races much better when able to dictate terms as it did today.
A subsequent veterinary examination of Largo Lad did not reveal any abnormality.
Subsequent to the race stewards downgraded the track rating to Slow 6 at 2.50pm.
Race 5 – VIC TAB GUARANTEED $2M QUADDIE - 1400 metres:
Trainer P Moody advised stewards prior to the first race that, from the wide barrier, Testascana would be ridden quieter today.
Doubtful Jack jumped away awkwardly.
Anudjawun (NZ) and Happy Trails were slow away.
Syreon raced wide without cover.
K McEvoy (Red Colossus) stated that in his opinion gelding failed to handle today’s track condition.
L Nolen (Doubtful Jack) could offer no excuse for today’s poor performance today.
M Rodd (Shadowfax) said that his mount raced flat after dropping back from 1600 metres to today’s distance of 1400 metres.
Race 6 – AUSTRALIAN GUINEAS GROUP 1 - 1600 metres:
Helmet bounded in the air just as the gates were released subsequently missing the start.
Sangster jumped away awkwardly and then shortly after that made contact with That’s The One which was taken in by Strike The Stars.
Highly Recommended blundered just after jumping away.
Mr Milton jumped away very awkwardly.
Near the 1300 metres Highly Recommended made contract with the hindquarters of Adamantium (NZ) which caused that horse to shift out slightly and this resulted in Huegill being eased contacting the hindquarters of Proliferate which was racing to its outside. Huegill then clipped the heels of Proliferate and blundered. The stewards were satisfied that there was no rider error involved in the incident therefore no action was taken.
That’s The One which was following had to be checked to avoid the heels of Huegill.
Near the 1000 metres Bombalatomba (NZ) lost its position when racing tight to the inside of Mosheen which was placed in restricted room by That’s The One which was laying in.
Fontelina raced wide without cover.
Helmet negotiated the home turn extremely wide.
Near the 300 metres Highly Recommended shifted in under pressure before being straightened however in doing so inconvenienced Adamantium (NZ).
Near the 100 metres Fontelina and Proliferate both shifted ground and make heavy contact resulting in Proliferate getting unbalanced.
On the point of the home turn That’s The One shifted out to obtain clear running and in doing so forced Decircles and Strike The Stars (NZ) wider on the track.
C Williams (That’s The One) advised that the gelding felt short in its action on return to scale. A subsequent veterinary examination of That’s The One did not reveal any abnormality other than a slower than normal recovery.
N Callow (Highly Recommended) was severely reprimanded for breaching the provisions of AR137(A)(5)(a)(ii) in that he used his whip on six occasions in a forehand manner prior to the 100 metres.
Race 7 – ATA/BOB HOYSTEAD HANDICAP - 1000 metres:
After a request from trainer M Kavanagh, stewards ordered the withdrawal of We’re Gonna Rock at 2.11pm due to the track downgrade.
Arinos and Happy Angel jumped away awkwardly.
Gran Sasso jumped away awkwardly and was then bumped by Falco Star which shifted in.
Near 200 metres Secret Flyer had to change course and shifted out when disappointed for clear running between Panipique and Master Harry which shifted out slightly.
A subsequent veterinary examination of Happy Angel revealed a slower than normal recovery rate.
Subsequent to the race stewards downgraded the track rating to Slow 7 at 4.50pm.
Race 8 – PFD FOOD SERVICES STAKES GROUP 3 - 1400 metres:
After a request from trainer R Cameron, stewards ordered the withdrawal of I’m Discreet at 3.30pm due to the track downgrade.
On jumping away Marveen shifted in abruptly hampering Fashion which lost ground.
From the 100 metres Golden Penny raced wide without cover.
S King (Biancon Rose) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding under the provision of AR137(a). The careless riding being that near the 1100 metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of Golden Penny resulting in that mare having to checked and dip. S King had his licence to ride in races suspended for a total of 9 meetings to commence midnight 3 March, 2012 and to expire midnight Sunday 11 March, 2012. (3 metro, 6 provincial). In assessing penalty the stewards were of the view that the incident qualified for the mid range category and took into account his good record and guilty plea.
S King (Biancon Rose) was also issued with a severe reprimand for failing to be fully clear of Marveen which got its head up when being restrained to avoid that horse’s heels. In arriving at this decision the stewards accepted that the racing manners of Marveen contributed to the incident.
D Oliver (Golden Penny) explained that the mare failed to handle today’s track condition. A subsequent veterinary examination did not reveal any abnormality and a post race swab sample was taken for analysis.
C Williams (And Rock) reported that the filly had pulled up in a distressed state. A subsequent veterinary examination revealed the filly to have a slower than normal recover.
Swab Samples
A pre-race blood for post-race analysis was taken from Decircles (R6).
56 horses underwent pre race blood testing on course today.
44 horses competing at today’s meeting had blood samples taken on Friday 2 March, 2012 for out of competition testing.
Post race samples from following horses:
R1 – Fire Thunderbolt, winner – R2 – Drunken Sailor, winner – R3 – Miss Octopussy, winner – R4 – Golden’s Choice, winner – R5 – Rockpecker, winner – R6 - Mosheen, winner – R7 – Panipique, winner – R8 – Raspberries, winner, Golden Penny, 8th placegetter
Raceday Summary
Late Scratchings: Race 7 – We’re Gonna Rock at 2.11pm – track downgrade.
Race 8 – I’m Discreet at 3.30pm – track downgrade
Fines: Race 3 – M Ellerton $100 – late notification of rider (lodged race day)
Licensed boomaker B Baker $200 – Betting Regulation 12.1.4
Severe Reprimands: Race 6 – N Callow AR137(A)(5)(a)(ii)
Race 8 – S King AR137(a)
Suspensions: Race 8 – S King - AR137(a) - suspended for a total of 9 meetings to commence midnight 3 March, 2012 and to expire midnight Sunday 11 March, 2012. (3 metro, 6 provincial).
Change of Tactics: Race 4 – Vivid Vixen – more forward
Race 5 – Testascana – ridden quieter
Follow Ups: Race 3 – Lady Antebellum
Race 4 – Vivid Vixen (NZ)
Race 6 – Sangster
Race 6 – That’s The One
Race 7 – Happy Angel
General
Licensed bookmaker B Baker was fined $200 for breaching the provisions of betting regulation 12.1.4 for failing to have his prices displayed for the first race by the prescribed time.
Betting deductions – Flemington 03/03/12
Race 7 – We’re Gonna Rock – Doubles deductions 16 cents
Race 8 – I’m Discreet – Doubles deductions 20 cents
Moonee Valley 02/03/12 – Race 6
Stewards today, with D Oliver, viewed the official footage of his fall from Like An Eagle and his comments were noted.