The Virtual FormGuide - The Stewards Room - Moonee Valley (VIC)

Race 1 - CARLTON DRAUGHT NIGHT RACING HANDICAP - 1000 metres:

Shortly after the start "Curragh Star" shifted to avoid the heels of "Blue Wina", which shifted in and made contact with "Uncle Willy".

From the 500 metres until the entrance to the straight "Curragh Star" and "Seek the Silk" came together on a number of occasions due to both horses shifting ground. V. Hall, rider of "Curragh Star", stated that in this incident his saddle shifted to the off-side, which inconvenienced him in the run to the winning post.

Race 2 - PAUL KELLY CONCERT JANUARY HANDICAP - 1600 metres:

"Likauma" jumped away awkwardly, and as a result the near-side spur of B. Prebble, rider of the filly, became entangled in the saddle cloth.

Shortly after the start "Royal Celebrity" shifted out across the heels of "Get the Hint (NZ)", and inconvenienced "Melodies".

Race 3 - CARLTON DRAUGHT HANDICAP - 1000 metres:

"Jedi Knight" jumped away awkwardly.

Running to the 700 metres "Station Ruler" had to be eased off the heels of "Cousin Alf".

Shortly after this incident "Station Ruler" then had to be steadied off the heels of "Phin de Vie".

Approaching the winning post "Blue Danzig" was tightened for room by "Guthrie", which shifted in before being straightened.

Also approaching the winning post "Station Ruler" had to be checked off "Panorama Heights".

On return to scale "Panorama Heights" had blood in its off-side nostril. "Panorama Heights" is not deemed to be a bleeder under the Rules of Racing.

A veterinary examination of "Kelshiki" revealed that the gelding was lame in the off fore leg. Mr. Bruce Elkington, trainer of the gelding, was notified that prior to "Kelshiki" racing again he must produce a veterinary clearance for it.

A veterinary examination of "Amber Run" revealed that the gelding was lame in the near fore leg. Mr. B. Goodwin, trainer of "Amber Run", was notified that prior to the gelding racing again he must submit a veterinary clearance for it.

Race 4 - SANDARA HANDICAP - 1533 metres:

D. Gauci, rider of "Batarshi", stated that the gelding did not feel right in its action throughout the race, and for this reason he eased it down over the concluding stages. Gauci added that "Batarshi" felt normal on pulling up.

Rounding the home turn "Worrier" was held up for a short distance when unable to obtain a clear run.

When asked if there was any explanation for "Midnight Rager" performing below expectations, Zac Purton, its rider, stated that he travelled well until the home turn, but when brushed on the hindquarters by "Chiaretto", which was racing on its inside, "Midnight Rager" then failed to respond to his riding from that point. Purton added that "Midnight Rager" may have been feeling the effects of its hard run at Caulfield on the 29^th December. A veterinary examination of "Midnight Rager" failed to reveal any abnormality.

On return to scale it was noted that "On the Snip" had lost its near hind plate.

Race 5 - DR. J. G. SHEAHAN PLATE - 1200 metres:

On the home turn "Limerick Lady", when giving ground, was tightened for room between "Amandine", which was laying out, and "Shaye Spice".

D. Gauci, rider of "Limerick Lady", which performed below expectations, stated that the mare missed the start slightly, and when he put it under pressure running to the home turn it did not stretch out as he would have expected. Gauci added that, although it was tightened slightly on the home turn, it was giving ground at that stage. Gauci said that he believes that "Limerick Lady", which has not performed well at Moonee Valley in the past, may not be suited by the Moonee Valley track. A veterinary examination of "Limerick Lady" failed to reveal any abnormality.

Race 6 - MV FUNCTIONS & EVENTS HANDICAP - 2040 metres:

"Sun Blest" jumped away awkwardly, and when making ground shortly after the start had to be checked off the heels of "Let's Remember".

Also on jumping away "Zero Isle" and "Extorted (USA)" came together.

Turning out of the straight "Right Action (NZ)" got its head up when being eased off the heels of "Tina's Crown".

Near the 1100 metres "Princess Borgia" shifted out slightly and brushed "Right Action (NZ)", which improved on its outside. "Princess Borgia" then had to be checked off the heels of "Zero Isle" when taken in slightly by "Right Action (NZ)". "Preietta", which was following, was hampered.

On the home turn "Right Action (NZ)" had to be checked when tightened on to "Tina's Crown" by "Zero Isle", which was hanging out. "Let's Remember", which was following and having some difficulty in obtaining a clear run, was hampered, and "Sun Blest" was also hampered.

Also on the home turn ""Preietta", which had been held up for a run for some distance, accidentally clipped the heels of "Tina's Crown", and knuckled.

At the entrance to the straight "Tina's Crown", when giving ground, was hampered when tightened for room by "Zero Isle", which continued to hang out, and "Extorted (USA)", which shifted in slightly.

In the straight "Sun Blest" had to change course to obtain a clear run.

On return to scale it was noted that "Extorted (USA)" had lost its off hind plate.

Race 7 - CLUB COZMO HANDICAP - 3000 metres:

After jumping away "Cossack Angel" shifted out away from "Regal Lagoon (NZ)" and hampered "Pure Control".

In the run down the straight the first time "Blue on Black (NZ)", which was over-racing, had to shift out to avoid the heels of "Noah Yarn". "Regal Lagoon (NZ)", which was racing on the outside of "Blue on Black (NZ)", was inconvenienced.

Just prior to straightening "San Gennaro (NZ)" was inconvenienced by "Regal Lagoon (NZ)", which shifted in slightly under pressure.

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

ADJOURNED INQUIRY:

Following the running of the last race the Stewards questioned Ms Rhonda Mangan who appeared on the stable return as the sole owner and trainer of "Terouge", and Mr. John Mardirossian and Mr. Spiro Efstaphiou as to the bonafides of the ownership of the gelding. As the Stewards require documentation verifying the ownership of the horse, the inquiry was adjourned to a date to be fixed.