GENERAL:

The Stewards today interviewed trainer Mr G. Walter regarding the saddle shifting forward on Trinity Miss at the filly's only two race starts, namely, Gosford on 10 March 2002 and Canterbury Park on 14 April 2002. Mr Walter indicated that there also had been two occasions when the saddle had shifted forward on Trinity Miss in its track work. Mr Walter undertook to experiment with some variations in the saddling of Trinity Miss in an endeavour to rectify the situation. The Stewards advised Mr Walter that they would take no action at this stage but would monitor the future races of Trinity Miss.

Veterinary examinations of Cooder (race 3) and Lady Po (race 8) on arrival at the track revealed both runners to have mild inflammatory reactions due to possible insect bites and both horses were passed fit to start.

On applications from connections Seafront (race 6) was withdrawn at 2.43pm and Illusory (race 8) was withdrawn at 4.04pm due to the downgrading of the track.

RACE 1: Leger Handicap 1400m

Handsome Colours began awkwardly, shifted out and inconvenienced Beaver.

Enabler was inclined to race greenly in the straight and shifted out near the 200m inconveniencing Beaver.

RACE 2: Birdcage Handicap 1400m

Celestial Kiss began awkwardly.

A post-race veterinary examination of Catmint revealed no abnormality.

RACE 3: Paddock Handicap 1300m

Veterinary examinations of Essembee and Monte Drift, which both broke through the barriers, passed those runners fit to start.

Full Song was slow to begin.

Shortly after the start Get Serious was steadied when crowded for room between Cooder and Essembee, which shifted out.

For a short distance after the start Catechism, Sir Bollinger and Lightning Johann raced tight between Perfect Prince and Escalante, both of which shifted ground.

For some distance approaching and passing the 600m Cooder raced in restricted room between Essembee and Showtime Pete, which resulted in Cooder eventually having to be steadied near the 550m.

Rounding the home turn Catechism shifted out away from Cooder resulting in Catechism having to be checked out across the heels of Escalante.

Near the 100m Full Song was accidentally struck across the nose by the whip of C. Brown (Cooder).

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

When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of Lightning Johann, B. York stated that when caught wide his mount was inclined to overrace and was unable to finish off its race. He stated also that in his opinion Lightning Johann had failed to handle the track conditions.

A post-race veterinary examination of Lightning Johann revealed no abnormality. A swab sample was taken.

When questioned regarding his riding of Full Song, J. Innes stated that his mount began awkwardly and threw its head in the air resulting in the gelding losing ground and that it continued to race with its head up. He added that despite his urging Full Song along to tack onto the back of the field his riding was slightly impeded due to visibility problems. J. Innes added that he pulled Full Song wide approaching and rounding the home turn in an endeavour to be able to ride the gelding out completely. He added that at the entrance to the straight he was able to remove his goggles and then was able to fully test his mount, which ran on well in the straight. J. Innes was advised that his riding of Full Song concerned the Stewards and that in future he would be expected to make every endeavour to put his mounts into the race at the required time and leave no room for query.

Following a storm prior to and during the running of this race the track was downgraded to slow at 1.55pm.

RACE 4: Lawn Handicap 1600m

Near the 900m Tivoli Danz had to be checked off the heels of Dark Intrigue.

At the 600m as Tivoli Danz attempted to shift to the outside of Dark Intrigue to improve, Dark Intrigue shifted out around the heels of Unbridled Dancer resulting in Tivoli Danz and Heads Of Agreement being crowded for room inside of An Honor.

Passing the 600m Blue Brocade and Coffee Delight lost their footing and slipped.

Heads Of Agreement was inclined to shift ground outwards under pressure in the straight.

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

B. Pengelly, rider of 5th placegetter, Blue Brocade, was reminded of his obligations to ride his mounts right out to the end of the race.

RACE 5: Crossing Handicap 1600m

No report.

RACE 6: Grandstand Handicap 1200m

Whilst parading behind the barriers He's On Fire was kicked by another runner.

Acting on veterinary advice that the gelding was unfit to start the Stewards ordered its withdrawal at 3.36pm. Subsequently it was directed that all bets on He's On Fire be refunded and that all bets with bookmakers be subject to the following deductions in the dollar from the face value of tickets: traditional win and place: 16¢ win, 14¢ place, 35¢ quinella, 16¢ multiple doubles.

Caerleon Coast jumped awkwardly and made contact with Backline.

For some distance passing the 1000m Torlina, which was inclined to overrace, raced tight to the inside of Caerleon Coast resulting in Torlina having to be checked off the heels of Caerleon Coast and making contact with the running rail near the 700m.

G. Ryan (Forest Magic) was found guilty of a charge of careless riding under AR137(a)) in that passing the 1100m he permitted his mount to shift in resulting in Astroflash being taken in across the running of Lunar Express causing that horse to be checked and taken across the heels of Skiddaw. In the incident Astroflash was hampered. G. Ryan's licence to ride in races was suspended for a period commencing on 26 April 2002 and expiring on 7 May 2002 on which day he may ride.

RACE 7: Turf Handicap 2200m

No report.

RACE 8: Semaphore Handicap 1000m

The front gates for Swagman's Rest and Suit Yourself opened but neither horse broke through. Stoushman began awkwardly. Lady Po was slow to begin. Suit Yourself jumped out at the start resulting in Brooklyn Rocket and Choctaw Express being crowded for room inside of Starvite. For some distance passing the 600m Stoushman improved to be racing inside the heels of Horse Of War causing Stoushman to race tight between that horse and Starvite. At the 600m Love's A Stubby hung out hampering Swagman's Rest. Near the 400m Lady Po was momentarily crowded for room between Suit Yourself and Stoushman, which shifted in away from Esteban. Suit Yourself was unable to obtain clear running in the straight until passing the 100m.

SUMMARY

Suspensions:
Race 6: G. Ryan (Forest Magic)26 /4/02 to 7/5/02 - shifting in (AR137(a)).

The Stewards Room