Riding Changes:

As C.Brown was indisposed after falling at the Warwick Farm meeting yesterday, the following substitutions were made: R.M.Quinn on Hierogram in race 1, C.Munce on Big Diamond in race 2, D.Beasley on Heads of Agreement in race 3, G.Boss on Tivoli Time in race 4, D. Beasley on Thunderstone in race 6, C.Munce on Onyx in race 7 and D.Beasley on Vae Victis in race 8.

General:

The stewards today opened an inquiry into comments by Mr J. McNair, the trainer of Erudite, during an on-track interview after the gelding won race two today. After taking evidence from Mr McNair, the stewards adjourned the matter to allow them to make further inquiries.

Race 1 - Wesfarmers Industrial & Safety Handicap (1200m)

Trimiss was very slow to begin.

Gai began awkwardly.

When B.Cooper steadied Before Too Long to allow Fatoon to cross near the 1,100m, Before Too Long commenced to race fiercely and got its head up. A short distance later Before Too Long shifted off the fence, resulting in Gai, which was racing fiercely, having to be steadied when crowded out onto the heels of Lady Iscariot (App.Z.Purton), which shifted in slightly. App. Purton was told to ensure he leaves sufficient room for riders on his inside. Gai then shifted out making the first turn, resulting in All Gold being hampered.

Near the 600m Gai, Squish and Trimiss struck the running rail. Trimiss then shifted out, resulting in Inatin being crowded out onto the hindquarters of Samar, which became unbalanced.

Fatoon hung out under pressure in the straight. B.Stanley (Samar) dropped his whip at the 300m.

A post-race veterinary examination revealed that Fatoon had a laceration to the mouth.

Race 2 - The Blackwoods Cooper Tools Handicap (1900m)

Clevatilla was slow to begin.

Shoemaker got its head up and raced ungenerously in the early stages.

Balidor was obliged to alter course on a number of occasions to obtain clear running approaching and passing the 200m.

Over the concluding stages Clevatilla shifted in and brushed Erudite.

When questioned about the performance of Sporran, G.Boss said that when the pace was true in the early stages he elected to take a sit behind Big Diamond. He said the pace then slowed and Sporran, with its big weight of 59kg, was not suited by the tempo. He added that although he was taken wide passing the 700m when Big Diamond shifted out around Aerodramus, his mount was disappointing in its failure to run on in the straight. Trainer Mrs G. Waterhouse advised that she no longer intends to continue with the gelding's campaign. A post-race veterinary examination revealed that Sporran had been galloped on the near hind leg. A swab sample was taken.

When questioned about the disappointing performance of Shoemaker, S.Pollard said that although the gelding was not suited by the tempo, it was disappointing in its failure to respond to his riding in the straight. Mr D.Trinder, representing trainer Mr R.Stitt, said Shoemaker had worked well leading up to the race and was unable to explain its poor performance. Mr Trinder undertook to report on the progress of Shoemaker in the days subsequent to the race. A post-race examination of Shoemaker revealed no abnormality.

Race 3 - The Blackwoods Hitachi Power Tools Handicap (1500m)

Shortly after the start Rockley Opera had to be eased to avoid the heels of Eyes and Tees, which shifted in.

Near the 1300m Tap To It was checked when crowded between My Wishing Star, which shifted out slightly, and Jerash (G.Buckley), which was inclined to lay in. G.Buckley was told to make every endeavour to prevent his mounts from shifting ground.

App. Z.Purton was reprimanded for permitting Jump 'N' Move to shift in near the 1000m, resulting in Rockley Opera being crowded.

Near the 700m Woodie was crowded between Eyes and Tees and Rockley Opera, which shifted out slightly. Woodie then raced in restricted room for some distance.

Heads of Agreement was held up for a run in the early part of the straight.

Tap To It also had difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the straight, and passing the 300m was disappointed for a run between Vereza and Rockley Opera, both of which shifted ground.

Approaching the 200m Vereza had to be steadied to avoid the heels of Laetitia (B.Cooper), which shifted in. B.Cooper was reprimanded and told to ensure she is sufficiently clear when shifting ground.

Passing the 100m App.R.Freeman was obliged to stop riding Rockley Opera when the filly was crowded between Vereza and Eyes and Tees, which shifted in slightly.

Classic Doll was slow to begin.

On jumping, Lapwing was crowded between Shagney Miss and El Senorita, both of which shifted ground.

App.R.Stewart (Dancing Diamond) said that passing the 300m he anticipated a run developing between Cool Chick and Tivoli Time, but he was obliged to alter course to the inside of Tivoli Time when that horse shifted out. He added that after obtaining a run to the inside of Tivoli Time that horse then shifted back in, resulting in him being momentarily hampered.

Race 5 - The Blackwoods Sutton Tools Handicap (1400m)

Lead Break was slow to begin.

Shortly after the start Chief Power was crowded between Gentle Tom and Predominater, which was taken in by Collaroy.

Near the 1200m Life's Fortune got its head up and raced ungenerously, and in doing so shifted in, resulting in Collaroy and Predominater being crowded. Life's Fortune then continued to over-race for some distance.

Predominater hung out badly under pressure in the straight, resulting in rider J.Cassidy being unable to fully test the gelding.

Over the concluding stages Collaroy shifted out and away from Predominater, resulting in St. Xavier being hampered.

When questioned about his riding of St. Xavier rounding the turn and in the early part of the straight, M. de Montfort said he had been trailing French Heir throughout the middle stages, but when that horse went forward passing the 600m he was reluctant to follow it as he would have been taken unduly wide. He said he then elected to take a run to the inside of Life's Fortune, and at the entrance to the straight he was held up for a number of strides behind Gentle Tom. When asked why he did not continue to shift to the inside of that runner to obtain a run between Gentle Tom and Chief Power, M. de Montfort said he was reluctant to improve to the inside of that runner as he thought that if Gentle Tom shifted in slightly, there would have been a run between Gentle Tom and Life's Fortune. He added that when Gentle Tom shifted out he rode for the inside run, and that passing the 200m he was briefly held up for clear running behind Collaroy and to the inside of Gentle Tom. M. de Montfort was told to ensure he avails himself of all available runs.

Race 6 - The Blackwoods F. H. Prager Handicap (1400m)

Blue Pharoah shifted out at the start, resulting in Cannonball Max being hampered.

He's On Fire, which was slow to begin, was inclined to race fiercely in the early stages.

Thunderstone was held up for a run in the early part of the straight when taking a tight run to the inside of Blue Pharoah.

Near the 100m Yoruba was struck across the nose by the whip of C.Munce (He's On Fire).

Over the concluding stages C.Munce was obliged to stop riding He's On Fire when Yoruba shifted in slightly.

When asked about the improved performance of Yoruba compared with its last run, at Rosehill on 9 February, Mr M.Dunn, foreman for trainer Mr G.Ryan, said that, as instanced in the stewards report of that meeting, Yoruba had not been able to finish off its race after being caught wide and having to be ridden in a more forward position than anticipated. He added that Yoruba had done well leading into and following the 9 February run, and that that poor performance could be solely attributed to the circumstances of the race.

A post-race veterinary examination of Blue Pharoah, which weakened in the straight, revealed no abnormality.

Race 7 - The Blackwoods Uvex Handicap (1500m)

Alanis stood flatfooted at the start and took no part in the event. Trainer Mr J.Pride was told that as Alanis had been previously barred for a similar occurrence, the mare must barrier trial to the satisfaction of the stewards on two consecutive occasions before being permitted to race again. Mr Pride was further told that if Alanis should re-offend, consideration will be given to refusing nominations for it.

Our Lady Margaret was slow to begin.

Shannanigan was slow to begin and was then hampered when crowded between Mustard and Zillion, both of which shifted ground.

G.Boss, the rider of sixth placed Our Lady Margaret, was reminded of his obligation to ride his mounts right out to the finishing line.

When asked about the disappointing performance of Shannanigan, G.Buckley said he was happy with the way the gelding travelled throughout the race, but when he commenced to ride it along rounding the turn in an endeavour to maintain its position, the gelding failed to respond to his riding and then weakened badly in the straight. He added that he had ridden Shannanigan in its work leading up to the race and it had worked well. Trainer Mrs D. Slinkard said she was very disappointed in Shannanigan's run because it had worked and done well in the lead-up to today's race and a forward showing was anticipated. Mrs Slinkard was told that Shannanigan must trial to the satisfaction of the stewards before it races again. A post-race examination of Shannanigan revealed no abnormality. A swab sample was taken.

When asked about the disappointing performance of Optimax, App.N.Tomizawa and trainer Mr R.Quinton could offer no explanation. Mr Quinton said the first-up run of the horse at Canterbury on 6 February may have flattened it somewhat, but that it had worked well in the lead-up to today's race. A post-race examination of Optimax revealed no abnormality. Mr Quinton undertook to advise the stewards of the results of a full veterinary examination of Optimax to be conducted in the next couple of days.

Kenny's Pride was slow to begin.

On jumping, Able Mr. Jif and Vae Victis were crowded between Maestro Maker, which shifted in, and Mr. Attorney.

Able Mr. Jif was unable to obtain clear running at any stage of the straight and consequently was not tested.

SUMMARY

Nil

Reprimands:

Race 3: App. Z.Purton was reprimanded for permitting Jump 'N' Move to shift in near the 1,000m, resulting in Rockley Opera being crowded.
Race 3: B.Cooper was reprimanded and told to ensure she is sufficiently clear when shifting ground.

Nil

Bleeders:

Nil

Trials:

Race 7: Mrs Slinkard was told that Shannanigan must trial to the satisfaction of the stewards before it races again.
Race 7: Trainer Mr J.Pride was told that as Alanis had been previously barred for a similar occurrence, the mare must barrier trial to the satisfaction of the stewards on two consecutive occasions before being permitted to race again. Mr Pride was further told that if Alanis should re-offend, consideration will be given to refusing nominations for it.

Nil

Certificates:

Race 2: Mr Trinder undertook to report on the progress of Shoemaker in the days subsequent to the race.

The Stewards Room