Race 1 - YORK TRIAL HURDLE - 2890 metres:

J. Hateley was fined $100 for failing to present himself at Scales at the appropriate time to be weighed out to ride "City of Gold".

Turning out of the straight "Piermont (NZ)" had to be checked when tightened for room between "Our Grades (NZ)" and "Prince Rules", (S Ryan) which shifted in when not sufficiently clear. The tightening was exacerbated due to "Our Grades (NZ)", after being brushed on the hindquarters by "Piermont (NZ)", shifting out slightly. S. Ryan was severely reprimanded, and notified that he must ensure that he is clear of other runners when shifting ground in future.

Race 2 - SUPER VOBIS ORSAY HANDICAP - 1200 metres:

Shortly after the start "Devon Dancer" was bumped by "Polar Queen", which shifted out and as a result "Largo" was inconvenienced.

Race 3 - SIRIUS HANDICAP - 2690 metres:

A veterinary inspection of "Ultimate Ambition", which had weakened over the concluding stages of the race, revealed no apparent abnormality. The Stewards will discuss with Mr. D. Bourne, trainer of "Ultimate Ambition", and the Club's Veterinary Surgeon, the soundness of "Ultimate Ambition" as it had `pulled up distressed at its previous start.

Race 4 - SUPER VOBIS HOBSON'S BAY HANDICAP - 1440 metres:

Shortly after the start "Hollow" knuckled.

Shortly after this "Barrenjoey Sunrise" had to be checked when tightened for room between "Homemaker", which shifted in away from "Feel On" and "Work of Heart", which shifted out.

Near the 600 metres "Kozminsky" was inconvenienced when tightened for room by "Hollow" which when weakening shifted in slightly.

A veterinary examination of "Kozminsky", which had performed poorly, revealed no apparent abnormality.

Race 5 - YARRAVILLE WELTER - 1440 metres:

Acting on a confirmed telephone call from Mr. Craig Conron, trainer of "Timely Waters", who stated that the gelding had an elevated temperature and was unfit to run, the Stewards ordered the withdrawal of "Timely Waters" at 10.20 a.m. Mr. Conron will submit a veterinary certificate for the gelding.

The Club's Veterinary Surgeon inspected "Blue Murder" prior to the event, and passed the horse fit to run.

When the gates opened "Your Mate" stood flat-footed and lost ground.

Near the 200 metres "Your Mate" was disappointed for a run between "Land Rule", which shifted in slightly, and "My Name's McGinty", which shifted out away from "Dylan", which shifted out.

Shortly after this incident "Your Mate" again was inconvenienced due to "Land Rule" shifting in slightly.

Race 6 - SHOW EGO HANDICAP - 2000 metres:

No report.

Race 7 - NEWPORT HANDICAP - 1200 metres:

Mr. Stuart Webb, trainer of "Sterling Knight" was found guilty of a charge of neglect in the saddling of "Sterling Knight" in that he did not include a towel , in the gear of "Sterling Knight" with which Brian Park had weighed out, in saddling "Sterling Knight". Mr. Webb was fined the sum of $300 for this offence. B Park was allowed ½ kilogram in weighing in, in accordance with the rules, resulting in him weighing in at the correct weight.

Race 8 - SUPER VOBIS GLENCOE HANDICAP - 1650 metres:

After passing the 600 metres "Mister Greig" had to be eased to avoid the heels of "Crown Lago" (D. Oliver), which shifted out. D. Oliver will be notified that he must exercise far more care in future.

Approaching the 200 metres "Raami Romancer" shifted out away from "Rhythm and Light", which was hanging out.

Shortly after this incident "Rhythm and Light" (R. McLeod), which continued to hang out, shifted out and took "Raami Romancer" out on to "Tosamba", which was, in turn, tightened on to "Bangerang Clyde", which was tightened for room between that colt and "Victorix", which shifted in slightly. In this incident "Raami Romancer", Tosamba" and "Bangerang Clyde" were all hampered. Whilst the Stewards accepted that "Rhythm and Light" had been hanging out in the straight, R. McLeod was severely reprimanded, and notified that he must stop riding and straighten his mount far sooner than he did on this occasion.

SWAB SAMPLES were taken from the winners of all races today.

ADJOURNED INQUIRIES: Yarra Glen Racing Club meeting at Cranbourne on the 26^th May, 2002. The Stewards today continued the inquiry into the change in riding tactics on "Zabenz (NZ)" from Moonee Valley on the 8^th May when "Zabenz (NZ)" ran second and raced on the pace, and Cranbourne when "Zabenz (NZ)" was ridden back in the field and ran third in the Stayers Class 4 Handicap. Mr. Smerdon, trainer of "Zabenz" (NZ)", explained that he had decided to go forward at Moonee Valley where the race was run at a slow tempo, and he did not wish "Zebenz (NZ)" to be held up behind tiring horses over the concluding stages of the race. Mr. Smerdon added that his instructions at Cranbourne were for the horse to be ridden in the second half of the field as he felt that "Zabenz (NZ)" had raced well when ridden that way at Bendigo on the 24^th April. Mr. Smerdon said that he had not anticipated "Zabenz (NZ)" getting as far out of its ground as it had at Cranbourne, and added that Jason Patton, rider of "Zabenz (NZ)" had told him that he had been a victim of circumstances in the middle stages of the race when unable to go forward. Whilst the Stewards did not take the matter further, they advised Mr. Smerdon that, if there was to be a significant change in riding instructions for his horse, they would expect him to notify them of that prior to the race being run. Mr. Smerdon also added that he had not supported "Zabenz (NZ)" at either start, and that to his knowledge neither had the owner. Mark Zahra who rode "Zabenz (NZ)" at Moonee Valley confirmed the instructions given on that day.

Moonee Valley Racing Club - 27^th April, 2002.

The Stewards today concluded the inquiry held at Moonee Valley on the 27^th April, 2002, in which Michelle Payne, rider of "Lexitaw" in the Identicorp Plate, had been charged with careless riding, the careless riding being that rounding the home turn she permitted her mount to shift in when not sufficiently clear of "Blacktype Magic", thereby tightening "Blacktype Magic" in on to "Lord Ardsley (NZ)", which resulted in "Blacktype Magic" having to be checked.

The inquiry had been adjourned to enable Michelle Payne to be represented by her master, Mr. P. Payne and had been delayed due to a member of the Stewards panel being unavailable.

The Stewards decided not to proceed with the charge after hearing further evidence, but she was severely reprimanded and notified that she must exercise far more care when shifting ground in future.

Virtual FormGuide Member Services News Forums Virtual Saleyard Directories Information Departments © Cyberhorse 2001		Track: SLOW Weather: FINE Rail: OUT 15 METRES FOR THE ENTIRE CIRCUIT Riding Changes: Flemington (VIC) - Wednesday 29 May 2002 Race Horse Rider Replaced By Reason   4 "Feel On"  Gavin Eades * S. Baster  Indisposed  6 "Scenic Lady" P. Mertens K. McEvoy Became Indis. 8 "Scenic Quest" Jason Patton K. McEvoy Unavailable * Must produce medical certificate prior to riding again.
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