STEWARDS REPORT

Australian Turf Club

ROSEHILL GARDENS RACECOURSE

Saturday 31 March 2012

Weather:                     Fine

Track:                          Good (3)

Rail:                             +2m

Penetrometer: 4.78

STEWARDS:  M F Van Gestel (Chairman), G T Rudolph, C G Polglase, R W Livingstone and Cadets D L Carr, K J Atherton and D J Bucknell.

                                                                                                                                    (jl)

Supplementary:

HAWKESBURY – Thursday 29 March 2012

Race 1:  Matilda Turf Maiden Handicap 1000m – Trainer Mr T Martin reported that Rocancourt, which bled badly, has been retired.

Race 7:  Evergreen Turf Austalia Class 1 Handicap 1500m – Stable representative Mr B Widdup advised that Faded had pulled up well following its performance and he concurred with the advice of the rider that Faded did not handle the rain affected going.

CANTERBURY PARK – Wednesday 28 March 2012

Race 1:  Australian Turf Club Handicap 1250m – Trainer Mr G Ryan reported that Sboog has now been spelled.

RACE 1:  Mondial Pink Diamond Magic Night Stakes 1200m:

On jumping Coins, which was slow to begin, was hampered when crowded by She’s A Fox, which was taken in by Ichihara.  Later Gator jumped awkwardly and lost ground.  Catkins shifted in at the start and hampered Kyria.  Catkins overraced in the early stages.  Approaching the 600m She’s A Fox shifted in momentarily, resulting in Coins being hampered.  Later Gator, which was following She’s A Fox, was steadied as a consequence.  At the 600m Mrs Gray, which was inclined to overrace, was steadied to avoid the heels of Varanasi.  In this incident Mrs Gray shifted in and made contact with the running rail.  Coins, She’s A Fox and Later Gator were briefly held up in the early part of the straight.  Cavalry Rose was inclined to lay out throughout the event and when placed under pressure in the straight was inclined to shift out.  When questioned regarding the performance of Kyria, B Avdulla stated the filly commenced a little awkwardly, but never travelled at any stage throughout the event and was most disappointing.  He added the only explanation he could offer for the run was that the filly may have come to the end of its preparation.  A post-race veterinary examination of Kyria revealed the filly had mildly abraded its hind bumpers.  Trainer Mr G Begg undertook to report back to the Stewards the results of a full vet check of Kyria.

RACE 2:  Bowermans Office Furniture Pago Pago Stakes 1200m:

Pure Hustle was slow to begin.  D Oliver, rider of Collect reported that his mount did not feel comfortable in its action throughout the run.  A post-race veterinary examination of Collect revealed the colt had sustained a large speedy cut to its near fore fetlock.  Trainer Mr K Moses indicated that Collect would now be spelled.  D Oliver, rider of Collect, pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding in that approaching the 800m he permitted his mount to shift in when insufficiently clear of Pure Hustle, which was inclined to overrace, resulting in Pure Hustle being taken in onto Limes, which was further taken in, causing Fob Dubai and Pure Hustle to be checked. D Oliver’s licence to ride in races was suspended for a period to commence on Sunday, 8 April 2012 and to expire on Thursday, 19 April 2012, on which day he may ride.

RACE 3:  Randwick Equine Centre Darby Munro Stakes 1200m:

Aerobatics was checked shortly after the start when crowded by Sacred Pins, which shifted in.  Unpretentious jumped awkwardly and lost ground (2L).  Anise was slow to begin.  B Avdulla, rider of Kneeling, was found guilty of a charge of careless riding in that near the 900m he permitted his mount to shift in when insufficiently clear of Al’s Magic Miss, resulting in Al’s Magic Miss being taken in onto Sacred Pins, which was checked and taken in across the running of Famous Seamus, which was also checked.  In this incident Unpretentious, which was following, was severely checked when taken out across the heels of Upstacker, resulting in Subarc and Aerobatics being hampered.  B Avdulla’s licence to ride in races was suspended for a period to commence on Sunday, 8 April 2012 and to expire on Thursday, 19 April 2012, on which day he may ride.  A post-race veterinary examination of Upstacker revealed the gelding to have lost its near hind plate and to have quartered that heel.  Leaving the 900m Altar was steadied to avoid the heels of African Pulse (C Brown), which shifted in when not quite clear.  C Brown was advised to ensure he is two lengths clear when shifting ground.  Sacred Pins (H Bowman) was held up for clear running in the early part of the straight and, after improving into a narrow run between Kneeling and Mahisara near the 50m, made contact with the hindquarter of Mahisara, resulting in that runner being taken in across the heels of Kneeling.  H Bowman was advised in similar circumstances he must ensure there is sufficient room to proceed into a run.

RACE 4:  Parramatta Leagues Club Challenge Stakes 1100m:

Bel Sprinter, which was scratched from the Newmarket Handicap at Flemington on Saturday, 10 March 2012, due to a wound to the outside of the off hind cannon, was inspected by the Club's Veterinary Officer after its arrival on course and passed fit to start.  Bel Sprinter jumped awkwardly, shifted in and made contact with the inside of the barrier and lost ground (2L).  Making the home turn Bel Sprinter shifted out to improve to the outside of Satin Shoes and made contact with the hindquarter of Neeson, which became momentarily unbalanced.  A post-race veterinary examination of Winter King, which weakened in the straight, revealed the gelding to be displaying a poor post-race recovery.

RACE 5:  De Bortoli Wines Epona Stakes Stakes 1900m:

Foxstar overraced badly in the middle stages.  Approaching the turn near the 1000m Dancing Attendance commenced to overrace and was checked away from the heels of Galizani.  When questioned regarding his riding of Crafty Irna from the 700m, H Bowman stated that he had been under no specific instructions on the mare.  He added, after following Vintedge approaching and passing the 700m, he initially elected to endeavour to shift off into a three deep position, with a view to improving to that runner’s outside, however, when Fibrillation improved quickly to his outside, he was disappointed for this run and, together with the fact that he was reluctant to improve from the 700m, he remained racing on the back of Vintedge.  He added he then followed Vintedge, which he perceived to be one of his main dangers, into the race, but was reluctant to shift out to the outside of that runner to follow Fibrillation, as that runner had commenced to shift wider on the track, which would have resulted in Crafty Irna covering additional ground.  He said, consequently, he elected to save ground making the home turn, resulting in Crafty Irna then being obliged to come to the outside of Vintedge and Fibrillation before obtaining clear running near the 200m.  H Bowman further stated, after initially responding well to his riding at the 200m, the mare’s run commenced to end over the final 100m.  Whilst Stewards accepted that Crafty Irna had peaked on her run over the concluding stages, in their view he had erred in not attempting to follow Vintedge making the home turn, which would have allowed him to obtain clear running to the outside of Fibrillation sooner than he did in the straight.  A post-race veterinary examination of Foxstar revealed the mare to be lame in the near foreleg.  Trainer Mr G Walter was advised that a veterinary clearance would be required for Foxstar prior to its next start.

RACE 6:  Hyland Race Colours Ajax Stakes 1500m:

Revolt, which reared in the gates and dislodged its rider, was inspected by the Club's Veterinary Officer behind the barriers and, on his advice was withdrawn by the Stewards at 3.33pm.  Stewards subsequently ordered that all monies placed on Revolt be refunded in full and with regards to betting with bookmakers all successful wagers made prior to 3.33pm to be subject to the following deductions in the dollar on the face value of the ticket:

1^st) Niagra less 3 cents win, 3 cents place

2^nd) Star Of Octagonal less 3 cents place

3^rd) Alma’s Fury less 3 cents place

Co-trainer Mr M Hawkes was advised that Revolt would be required to barrier trial to the satisfaction of the Stewards prior to its next start.  Ironstein and Hood were slow to begin.  Leaving the 1200m Absolutely was inconvenienced when crowded by Alma’s Fury, which was taken in by Fast Clip (D Oliver), which was not quite clear.  D Oliver was advised to ensure he is two lengths clear when shifting ground.  Near the 1000m Triple Elegance was steadied from the heels of All Silent, which shifted out, resulting in Happy Trails being taken out onto Al Dhafra.  C Brown, rider of Speediness, reported that gelding had raced ungenerously throughout and, when placed under pressure in the straight, hung in and was difficult to ride out.  At the 50m Speediness was then steadied from the heels of Star Of Octagonal.  When questioned, J Cassidy, rider of Triple Elegance, stated that the gelding relaxed well in the run today, but did not respond to his riding when asked for an effort in the straight.  He added, in his view, he noted that on return to scale the gelding had abraded its bumpers and he felt this may have impacted on its performance.  He further stated that Triple Elegance may be better suited when dropped back in distance and able to be ridden cold.  A post-race veterinary examination of Triple Elegance revealed the gelding had gone down on both hind bumpers.  Trainer’s representative Mr L Prior agreed with the explanations offered by J Cassidy and undertook to report if there is anything amiss with Triple Elegance subsequent to the race.

RACE 7:  Flinders Lane Rosehill Guineas 2000m:

A veterinary inspection of Sangster, which had sustained a suspected insect bite on 27 March 2012, passed the gelding fit to start.  Strike The Stars and Big Time were crowded at the start between Highly Recommended and Induna, which shifted out.  Proliferate, which was slow to begin, was crowded shortly after the start by Darci Be Good, which shifted in.  Sangster overraced badly in the early stages and near the 1700m got its head up when being checked from the heels of Ambidexter.  Entering the back straight near the 1400m Big Time shifted in and brushed the running rail.  Galah, which was following, had to be checked to avoid the heels of that runner, shifted out and hampered Induna. Near the 800m Ocean Park shifted out and hampered Silent Achiever.  When being restrained from the heels of Strike The Stars near the 700m, Sabrage ran out, resulting in Ocean Park being taken wider.  In this incident both Sabrage and Ocean Park came together and became unbalanced.  Near the 350m Rock ‘N’ Pop shifted out and hampered Ocean Park.  On straightening Strike The Stars was steadied when disappointed for a run between Rock ‘N’ Pop and Ocean Park.

RACE 8:  Ambassador Travel N E Manion Cup 2400m:

A veterinary examination of Precedence, which was a late withdrawal from the Ranvet Stakes at the Rosehill Gardens meeting on 24 March 2012, due to a foot abscess, passed the gelding fit to start.  Older Than Time shifted in at the start, resulting in Showcause having to be steadied when taken in onto Nextanix.  Stand To Gain was inconvenienced on the home turn when it commenced to weaken and was crowded by Older Than Time (P Robl), which shifted out.  P Robl was advised to exercise more care.  Coliseo and Jimmy Fortunes bumped making the home turn as Coliseo shifted out to improve.  Merchandise was held up rounding the home turn.  Near the 200m Permit shifted in and inconvenienced Jimmy Fortunes.  A post-race veterinary examination of Showcause revealed the gelding to be lame in the off foreleg.  Trainer Mr F Ritchie was advised that a veterinary clearance would be required for Showcause prior to its next race.

RACE 9:  Ascend Sales Birthday Card Stakes 1200m:

Potions was a late withdrawal on veterinary advice at 8.29am.  Graceful Anna overraced in the early stages.  Near the 1000m Graceful Anna was steadied to avoid the heels of Gybe (B Shinn), which shifted in.  B Shinn was reprimanded and advised to ensure he is two lengths clear when shifting ground.  Miss Marx overraced in the middle stages.  Near the 800m Divorces was briefly crowded by Next The Universe, which shifted in.

GENERAL:

Swab samples were from all winners and the following runners:

Race 1:  Doubtfilly, Cavalry Rose (2), Flying Snitzel, She’s A Fox, Coins.

Race 2:  All Too Hard (2), Pure Hustle, Hard Mark, Narcissus.

Race 3:  African Pulse, Unpretentious, Altar.

Race 4:  Bel Sprinter, Cardinal Virtue, Elite Falls, Satin Shoes.

Race 5:  Once Were Wild, Vintedge, Crafty Irna (2), Tigress Lily, Dancing Attendance.

Race 6:  Ironstein, Absolutely, Star of Octagonal.

Race 7:  Rock ‘N’ Pop, Sabrage, Highly Recommended, Strike The Stars, Darci Be Good, Proliferate, Ocean Park, Silent Achiever.

Race 8:  Merchandise, Precedence, Showcause, Older Than Time.

Race 9:  Kanzan, Graceful Anna, Divorces, Next The Universe.