Saturday 31 July 2010

STEWARDS:              M F Van Gestel (Chairman), T P Moxon, R W Livingstone, S J Woolaston and Cadet T J Vassallo.

LATE RIDING CHANGES

As App. J Quinnell was indisposed, the following rider substitutions were approved:

Following the running of Race 5, N Rawiller was examined by the Club's Medical Officer and declared unfit to fulfil his remaining engagements. The following rider substitutions were approved:

With A Chance jumped awkwardly, shifted out and hampered African Prince. Making the first turn Halfametreshort was restrained to avoid the heels of Scottish Border (App. J Adams), which shifted in when not clear. App. Adams was advised to ensure he is clear when shifting ground.  On straightening African Prince and With A Chance made contact as African Prince improved into a narrow run inside With A Chance.  When questioned, C Brown, rider of Third Estate, stated the gelding travelled satisfactorily on the heavy track throughout the early stages, however, after leaving the 1200m he was obliged to push Third Estate along to maintain his position and after leaving the 600m he became concerned with the gelding’s action and, as a result, did not test the gelding in the straight.  A post race veterinary examination of Third Estate revealed the gelding to be displaying a poor post race recovery. Trainer Mr P Snowden could offer no explanation for the disappointing performance of Third Estate, but advised Stewards the gelding would now leave his stable. Having regard to the advice of the Club's Veterinary Officer, Mr Snowden was advised that, should Third Estate race again, a veterinary certificate of fitness must be provided to the Stewards. G Schofield, rider of 1^st placegetter, Hawk Island, was fined the sum of $200 under AR137A(5)(a)(ii) for using the whip on seven occasions prior to the 100m, two more than permitted by the rule.

RACE 2: Inglis BC3 Future Stars Sale Handicap 1100m:

My Vegas jumped awkwardly, shifted in and made contact with Back On Top. A short distance later My Vegas and Malambo were hampered when crowded between Back On Top and Innings, which shifted in despite the efforts of its rider. My Vegas overraced throughout the early and middle stages and for some distance near the 900m was checked from the heels of Animando. Flushing Meadows and Malambo brushed on a number of occasions near the 200m as Flushing Meadows improved to the outside of Empire Place.

Royal Esprit was slow to begin.  When questioned, N Rawiller, rider of Stratofortress stated that the gelding travelled comfortably in behind the leaders in the early stages, however, when the tempo quickened from the 600m, in his view, Stratofortress lost focus and did not respond to his riding. N Rawiller added that he had advised connections that Stratofortress may benefit with the addition of blinkers.  A post race veterinary examination of Stratofortress did not reveal any abnormalities. Stable representative Mr D Meijer advised that Stratofortress had worked well leading into the race and undertook to report on the progress of the gelding, which will include a veterinary check by the stable veterinarian, in the days subsequent.  When questioned, C Brown, rider of Tollemache stated the gelding failed to handle the heavy track.  A post race veterinary examination of Tollemache revealed the gelding to be lame in the near foreleg and to have lost both fore plates in running. Trainer Mr P Snowden was advised that a veterinary clearance would be required for Tollemache.

After improving to the outside of Viva Las on straightening, Fashion Statement and We Betcha made contact, resulting in Fashion Statement being taken out further as We Betcha improved to the outside of Viva Las. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of Viva Las, App. N Berry stated that the filly travelled comfortably in the heavy track throughout the early and middle stages, however, when asked to quicken from the 500m, he became concerned as the filly failed to respond to his riding and, as he felt there may be something amiss with Viva Las in the straight, he did not fully test the filly over the final 200m. A post race veterinary examination of Viva Las revealed the filly to be displaying a poor post race recovery.  Trainer Mr J O'Shea stated that, in his view, Viva Las lost confidence on today’s heavy track, particularly when it appeared to change stride on a number of occasions making the home turn. Mr O’Shea undertook to report back to the Stewards on the condition of Viva Las in the days subsequent.  When questioned, App. B Spriggs, rider of Fashion Statement, stated that, whilst the mare had performed credibly on a heavy track at Randwick on 10 July 2010, he felt today that Fashion Statement did not handle the conditions and, as a consequence, raced disappointingly.  A post race veterinary examination of Fashion Statement did not reveal any abnormalities.

RACE 5: The Rosebud Inglis Bonus 1200m:

Approaching the 300m Ilovethiscity had to be checked when disappointed for a run between Howdiddydoit and Liesele. Ilovethiscity then did not obtain clear running until near the 200m.  Heartsareforlove, which was held up for clear running in the early part of the straight made contact with Crossbow as it endeavoured to shift out to improve around the heels of Biggietupac.  Circle Of Power did not obtain clear running in the early part of the straight and near the 50m shifted to the inside of One More Grand to obtain clear running. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of Crossbow, N Rawiller stated that, after being slow to begin, he was obliged to ride the gelding along in the early stages in an endeavour to comply with his instructions to take up a forward position. He added, after obtaining a position outside the leader, One More Grand, approaching the first turn he endeavoured to restrain Crossbow, however, the gelding commenced to race fiercely and, as a consequence, he elected to endeavour to take a sit behind Biggietupac leaving the 800m. He further stated that, whilst Crossbow then appeared to settle, when placed under pressure in the straight and after making contact with Heartsareforlove as that runner endeavoured to improve to his inside, the effort told on Crossbow and it weakened in the straight. A post race veterinary examination of Crossbow did not reveal any abnormalities. Stable representative Mr D Meijer advised that Crossbow had worked well leading into the event and, other than the explanations tendered by N Rawiller, could offer no further reason for the disappointing performance. The inquiry was adjourned pending advice from the Waterhouse stable regarding the future racing plans for Crossbow.  A post race veterinary examination of Howdiddydoit, which was obliged to race three wide throughout the event, did not reveal any abnormalities.

RACE 6: Matrium Financial Services Winter Championship 1500m:

Near the 1000m Altered Boy was eased to avoid the heels of Falaise, which shifted in away from Snow Alert. Gergis was held up and unable to be tested until inside the 100m. When questioned regarding Oopsy Doopsy leading today, T Clark stated he had been instructed to ride the filly with cover behind the leaders. He added that Oopsy Doopsy commenced particularly well and, as he was unable to restrain to take up a position behind Adnocon, he was obliged to allow Oopsy Doopsy to cross and assume the lead, rather than being caught wide. When questioned, T Angland, rider of Falaise, reported that the gelding never travelled at any stage of the event and failed to handle today’s heavy surface. A post race veterinary examination of Falaise did not reveal any abnormalities.

RACE 7: Matrium Technologies Handicap 1350m:

Sikka jumped awkwardly and lost ground.  Leaving the 1000m Shakes was steadied to avoid the heels of That’s Cricket (App. A Stokes), which shifted in when not clear. App. Stokes was advised to ensure she provides to lengths when shifting ground.  When questioned, H Bowman, rider of Key West, stated that, although the gelding was obliged to race three wide throughout the event, he felt the gelding was not comfortable in the heavy track conditions and attributed this to its disappointing performance.  A post race veterinary examination of Key West did not reveal any abnormalities. Trainer Mr C Waller stated that, in his view, Key West may not have backed up from its last start performance at Randwick on 24 July 2010 and the gelding would now be given a short spell. When questioned regarding the apparent improved performance of Sikka, trainer Mr C Waller stated, as advised to the Stewards, he had freshened up Sikka and dropped it back in distance, which he attributed to today’s improved effort. He added that, in his view, the colt was disadvantaged by the racing pattern at Randwick on 10 July 2010 when it was difficult to make up ground on this day.

RACE 8: Bravehearts Handicap 1200m:

Lotseventy and Elmsford were slow to begin. Livin’ On The Edge overraced throughout the middle stages. Lotseventy dipped in the going on a number of occasions making the home turn. On straightening Kimberley Kid was steadied when disappointed for a run between Yoburg and Onthelookout, which shifted in. Kimberley Kid then shifted to the inside of Yoburg to find clear running.

Stewards today interviewed H Bowman in respect to his inability to make the weight on the following engagements: Canterbury, Wednesday, 28/7/10 - Race 1 Malbun, Race 2 Commanding Girl, Race 4 Rampart; Wyong, Thursday, 28/7/10 - Race 5 Thunderbirdsarego; Warwick Farm, Friday, 30/7/10 - Race 6 Yogi. H Bowman explained, after returning from a vacation, he advised his manager that he would be able to make the weight, which was allotted to these horses, however, as he was unable to waste sufficiently to get down to this weight, he elected to forego these engagements. Given all the circumstances, including H Bowman’s recent good record, he was fined the sum of $300 (AR120(b).

Race 1: Hawk Island (2), African Prince, Third Estate (2), Halfametreshort.

Race 2: Innings, My Vegas, Animando, Malambo, Back On Top.

Race 3: Royal Esprit, Tollemache, Field Dictator, Stratofortress.

Race 4: Tempo Manor, Counterpane, Tell The Story, We Betcha (2), Viva Las.

Race 5: Crossbow, Howdiddydoit, Ilovethiscity, Circle Of Power, Biggietupac.

Race 6: Illuminates, Gergis, Snow Alert, Subtle Cove, Oopsy Doopsy, Mr Unforgettable.

Race 7: Shakes, Sikka (2), Lucky Moment, Speeding To Win, Little Vicki.

Race 8: Yoburg, Onthelookout, Elmsford, Daad’s Overtime, Kimberley Kid.