GENERAL: J. Sheehan was questioned concerning not being able to fulfil his commitments on On A High in race 3 and Miss Zoe in race 4. After taking evidence from the club's medical officer, it was established that J. Sheehan had suffered an acute nosebleed whilst in the sauna and although the occurrence was not related to his trying to shed weight, the Stewards accepted J. Sheehan's explanation that he was then reluctant to continue using the sauna. G. Boss was substituted as the rider of On A High and K. McEvoy as the rider of Miss Zoe.

Maskerado shifted in at the start and hampered King Of Passion. Derby Parade began awkwardly.

RACE 2: San Miguel James H. B. Carr Stakes 1400m

Palidamah jumped awkwardly. Passing the 300m Seesaw was awkwardly placed on the heels of Roaring Forties. Mica's Pride was held up behind Grand Juror until passing the 200m and consequently was not tested. Twilight Rose was found to have blood in its mouth after the race. When questioned concerning the performance of Manang, rider D. Oliver and trainer Mr L. Freedman stated that the filly, as in the past, raced uncompetitively in shorter distance races and in addition may have found the going today too firm. Mr Freedman said that although Manang had suffered injuries to both fore-knees, which had necessitated her racing campaign being delayed, she had worked well going into the race and he undertook to report if there was anything amiss with the filly following the race. A post-race veterinary examination revealed Manang had healing wounds to both knees and a fresh laceration to the off-hind pastern.

RACE 3: Frank Packer Plate 2000m

Shortly after the start Total Rush shifted in resulting in Bust Up and Moonflute being hampered. When questioned concerning Sircarn Damon racing further back in the field, J. Cassidy stated that his instructions had been to be racing on the pace, but after beginning fairly from his wide barrier he did not press forward, as the pace was fast and he would have been trapped wide, and he therefore elected to take up a mid-field position. L. Cassidy (Solitary Soldier) stated that as the gelding had not raced for three weeks and had pulled hard when ridden behind the pace on that occasion he was instructed to ride Solitary Soldier a little more quietly, but from its wide barrier got back further than he had anticipated. Trainer Mrs G. Waterhouse was reminded of her obligation to notify the Stewards of any change or racing tactics.

RACE 4: Establishment Hotel Emancipation Stakes 1600m

Shortly after entering the straight Gentle Genius, which had been held up, took a narrow run between Tempest Morn and Omens. In the incident Gentle Genius made contact with both of those horses, resulting in Omens being steadied and taken in onto the hindquarters of Paris Heartbeat. Approaching the 250m Veloce was disappointed for a run between Fetes Galantes and Agile, both of which shifted ground slightly. Passing the 100m Miss Zoe (K. McEvoy) ducked in and hampered Sibyl. K. McEvoy was reprimanded and advised to exercise more care. When questioned, D. Beadman (Hosannah) stated that his mount pulled hard and although it was held up in the early part of the straight, when he obtained running the filly did not quicken and was inclined to lay out. A post-race veterinary examination revealed Hosannah to be displaying a poor recovery rate.. A swab sample was taken.

RACE 5: Moët & Chandon Champagne Stakes 1600m

The Stewards ordered that after the withdrawal of Planchet at 3.33pm on 12 April the following deductions in the dollar be made regarding pre-post betting: 16¢ win, 18¢ place. Choisir and Redwood Falls pulled hard in the early stages.

RACE 6: Schweppes Sydney Cup 3200m

The Stewards directed no deductions to pre-post betting following the withdrawal of Bondi Iceberg at 12pm on Friday 12 April 2002. After travelling 200m Meet The Stars, which was slow to begin and was improving to the inside of Mr. Prudent, was hampered when Mr. Prudent was taken in by Soldier Blue. When Dress Circle slowed at the 2700m Cavallo Bruno got its head up when being restrained, shifted in making contact with the running rail and was severely checked. Armstrong and Lottery Prize, which were following, were badly checked and Karasi and Star Of The Seas were hampered in consequence. Due to the slow pace a number of horses pulled fiercely passing the winning post on the first occasion, particularly Armstrong, Lottery Prize, Karasi, Star Of The Seas and Mr. Prudent. Rounding that turn Star Of The Seas shifted out off the heels of Karasi taking Homewrecker wider. Passing the 600m Pentastic had to be checked when tightened for room between Mr. Nelson and Cavallo Bruno (G. Childs), which shifted in when racing tight to the inside of Hail. G. Childs was advised to make more effort to keep his mounts straight. On the home turn Pentastic, which was endeavouring to improve to the outside of the heels of Cavallo Bruno, had to be checked when Cavallo Bruno shifted out to obtain a run. At the 300m Plea and Pentastic had to be checked when were endeavouring to take a run between Royal Treen and Meet The Stars, both of which shifted ground when commencing to tire. K. McEvoy (Ebony Honor) was reprimanded for permitting his mount to shift in near the 200m resulting in Lottery Prize, which was commencing to improve to the inside of that runner, being hampered. A post-race veterinary examination revealed Armstrong to be displaying cardiac irregularity and had sustained abrasions to both hind bumpers. Trainer Mr J. Lynds was advised that before Armstrong is permitted to race again he must produce the results of a full veterinary check, including the results of an ECG, and the gelding must trial to the satisfaction of the Stewards. An inquiry into App. M. Walker (Lottery Prize) leaving the course after being asked to remain for an inquiry was adjourned to a date to be fixed.

RACE 7: San Miguel Queen Elizabeth Stakes 2000m

Approaching the 200m when Defier commenced to take a narrow run between Freemason and Kingsgate (D. Beasley), Kingsgate shifted out under pressure tightening Defier out onto the hindquarters of Freemason, which resulted in Defier being crowded and Freemason becoming unbalanced. D. Beasley was reprimanded and advised to make more effort to keep his mounts straight. A post-race veterinary examination revealed Shogun Lodge, which was eased down over the concluding stages, to be in a distressed state and displaying cardiac irregularity and a poor recovery rate. Trainer Mr R. Thomsen was advised that before Shogun Lodge is permitted to race again a veterinary certificate, including the results of an ECG, must be produced and the gelding must trial to the satisfaction of the Stewards. A post-race veterinary examination of Sale Of Century revealed no abnormality.

Oomph began awkwardly and became unbalanced. Phoenix Park was slow to begin. Chong Tong was crowded at the start between Falvelon and Scenic Peak, both of which shifted ground. Shortly after the start Spinning Hill was momentarily crowded for room between North Boy and Century Kid, which was taken in slightly by Fair Embrace. At the 900m Century Kid had to be checked when tightened for room between Fair Embrace, which was taken in slightly by Mistegic and North Boy, which was taken out when Ateates shifted out. K. McEvoy (Scenic Peak) dropped his whip at the 300m. Passing the 300m Fair Embrace shifted out and momentarily hampered Century Kid. A post-race veterinary examination revealed Phoenix Park had sustained a small laceration to the off side of the off-hind cannon in running. L. Cassidy pleaded guilty to a charge under AR137(b) of having failed to ride 7th placegetter, Oomph, out to the finish line. L. Cassidy was fined $400. L. Cassidy was fined $150 for weighing in 1kg over his declared weight (AR145). When questioned regarding the improved performance of the winner, Phoenix Park, Ms E. Candy, representing trainer Mrs G. Waterhouse, stated that even though the gelding had raced credibly to finish 4th in the Hotel Inter-Continental Hall Mark Stakes on 6 April 2002, the win had taken the stable by surprise as the gelding usually performs best fresh. Ms Candy added that the fact Phoenix Park, after beginning slowly, was obliged to race wide had added more merit to the win. A post-race veterinary examination of Chong Tong revealed no abnormality.

SUMMARY

Fines:
Race 8: L. Cassidy (Oomph) fined $400 - not ride mount right out to finish line (AR137(b)); and fined $150 for weighing in 1kg overweight (AR145).

Reprimands:
Race 4: K. McEvoy (Miss Zoe) - allow mount to duck in (AR137(a)).
Race 7: D. Beasley (Kingsgate) - shifting out (AR137(a)).

Trials:
Race 6: Armstrong (trainer J. Lynds) - poor performance.
Race 7: Shogun Lodge (trainer R. Thomsen) - poor performance.

Certificates:
Race 6: Armstrong (trainer J. Lynds) including results of ECG - cardiac irregularity and abrasions to both hind bumpers.
Race 7: Shogun Lodge (trainer R. Thomsen) including results of ECG - cardiac irregularity and poor recovery rate.

The Stewards Room