TRACK: GOOD
WEATHER: FINE
Rail:  Normal

RACE 1  :  MENIN GATE HURDLE  -  3200 metres (Inner)

Near the 1000 metres on the first occasion WYNDAM QUEST (S. Pateman) was obliged to steady off the heels of BELIEVE IN VICTORY (P. Thomas), which shifted in.

After jumping the second last hurdle BELIEVE IN VICTORY (P. Thomas) became unbalanced on landing when obliged to steady off the heels of STARBUCKS (N. Dunn).

MECKIFF (NZ) struck the last hurdle and fell dislodging its rider R. Hammond, who was uninjured.

DONATONI was examined by the Club’s Veterinary Surgeon who reported no visible abnormality.

PATANGAR, which was lame on pulling up, was examined by the Club’s Veterinary Surgeon who reported the gelding to be short in front and exhibiting muscle soreness in the neck.  Mr. R. Nicholson, the Trainer of PATANGAR, was advised that a Veterinary Certificate of Fitness would be required prior to presenting for a future trial or race.

MECKIFF (NZ), which fell, was examined by the Club’s Veterinary Surgeon who reported the gelding to have an abrasion to its off knee.  Mr. J. O’Connor, the Trainer of MECKIFF (NZ), was advised that a Veterinary Certificate of Fitness would be required prior to presenting for a future trial or race.

PATANGAR lost its off fore plate and WYNDAM QUEST lost its near fore plate during the event.

RACE 2  :  OWEN STANLEY RANGES HANDICAP  -  1000 metres

J. Lorensini was questioned regarding his failure to fulfil his engagement on MISS STAR CHASE.  After considering his submission, J. Lorensini was found guilty of a breach of ARR 120(b) and fined $200.

WAIROA WONDER (NZ), which exhibited minor filling in the near foreleg, was examined on arrival on course and ruled fit to start.

WAIROA WONDER (NZ) (G. Hoobin) jumped inwards at the start and brushed LADY LLAROO (P. Roff), which was inconvenienced.

Near the 100 metres LITTLE DOUTES (S. Leckey) rolled in marginally onto MISS STAR CHASE (J. Bowditch) tightening that filly onto SPIRITED AND SEXY (T. Baker), which was inconvenienced momentarily.

LEAMANACH, which performed below expectations, was examined by the Club’s Veterinary Surgeon who reported the filly to be exhibiting soreness in the off side wither.

RACE 3  :  MILNE BAY HANDICAP  -  1300 metres  (Inner)

CARLTON GRAND, which dislodged its rider P. Gatt en route to the start, was examined by the Club’s Veterinary Surgeon and ruled fit to start.

EXALTED CASSIDY (A. Patterson) jumped away awkwardly.

Inside the 500 metres EXALTED CASSIDY (A. Patterson), which had been inclined to lay out, shifted in onto TARTAGLIA (J. Maund), which shifted in abruptly away from EXALTED CASSIDY, resulting in CARLTON GRAND (P. Gatt) being forced to check off the heels of TARTAGLIA and being taken in, tightening WELLS STREET (O. Ridge).  A. Patterson was advised to take greater care when shifting ground in future.

RACE 4  :  NUI DAT HANDICAP  -  1600 metres (Outer)

WEST END ECHO (P. Gatt) stood in the gates and missed the start several lengths.

VIVONNE BAY (S. Price) and APTIMAN (R. Stewart) jumped away awkwardly.

Near the 1400 metres STONE QUEEN (C. Bryant) shifted in and brushed APTIMAN (R. Stewart), which shifted away abruptly and became unbalanced briefly.

In the vicinity of the 1200 metres VIVONNE BAY (S. Price) was inclined to get its head up when being restrained.

In the early stages of the straight STONE QUEEN (C. Bryant) had difficulty obtaining clear ground.

Inside the 200 metres TYRFING (S. Leckey) rolled in onto STONE QUEEN (C. Bryant).  TYRFING continued to roll in onto STONE QUEEN resulting in that filly, near the 100 metres, being obliged to race in restricted room on the heels of VIVONNNE BAY (S. Price).  Approaching the finish TYRFING rolled in taking STONE QUEEN onto the heels of VIVONNE BAY forcing STONE QUEEN to be checked off the heels of VIVONNE BAY and losing its position.  S. Leckey pleaded guilty to a charge of Careless Riding under ARR 137(a) and was suspended from midnight Monday, 2 May until midnight Wednesday, 11 May 2005;  a period of five meetings.

Correct Weight for this event was delayed to permit C. Bryant, the rider of the fourth placegetter STONE QUEEN, and the filly’s Trainer, Mr. D. Balfour, to view the official footage in the straight.  After doing so C. Bryant lodged an objection against the second placegetter, TYRFING (S. Leckey), on the grounds of alleged interference from approximately the 150 metres.  After considering the evidence, on viewing the official footage and acting on their own observations Stewards were satisfied TYRFING had sufficiently impeded STONE QUEEN to uphold C. Bryant’s objection and amended the placings to –

                   First                   VIVONNE BAY (S. Price)

                   Second                   MASTER SIMBA (A. Patterson)

                   Third                   STONE QUEEN (C. Bryant)

                   Fourth                   TYRFING (S. Leckey)

                   Fifth                   TIC TOC TAC (NZ) (J. Haitana)

PRINCESS BREEZE, which performed below expectations, was examined by the Club’s Veterinary Surgeon who reported no visible abnormalities.

WEST END ECHO was examined by the Club’s Veterinary Surgeon who reported no visible abnormalities.

RACE 5  :  NORMANDY HANDICAP  -  2000 metres (Outer)

OAKWOOD (S. Price) was slow to jump.

On jumping away MEZAIRE (NZ) (K. Walters) shifted in onto WATERMAN (NZ) (P. Gatt).

Near the 1500 metres PAGEANT NIGHT (C. Lindop) shifted in onto MENEEF (J. Bowditch) and steadied, resulting in MENEEF, which had been racing keenly, having to be steadied.  C. Lindop was advised to take greater care when shifting ground in future.

DANE DAYS was examined by the Club’s Veterinary Surgeon who reported the gelding to be suffering respiratory thumps.

RACE 6  :  LONG TAN HANDICAP  -  2000 metres (Outer)

Subsequent to the event Stewards considered an inquiry by Mrs. S. O’Donnell, the Trainer of ALPHABET STREET, regarding the effort by J. Bowditch on this gelding during the event.  Mrs. O’Donnell submitted J. Bowditch had been instructed to settle ALPHABET STREET forward of midfield and that as the gelding was inclined to be lazy, to use the whip aggressively in the vicinity of the 1400 metres and again in the straight.  J. Bowditch explained that he had been unable to obtain the position expected in the early part of the race, had used the whip briefly in the vicinity of the 1400 metres without response and had used the whip in the early part of the straight but had not persisted in the interests of his mount, which, in his opinion, was not responding and felt flat.  After considering this explanation and reviewing the official footage with Mrs. O’Donnell, Stewards noted that ALPHABET STREET had been ridden quite vigorously from the start but could not take a forward position and that J. Bowditch had tested his mount on three occasions in the straight.  Mrs. O’Donnell was advised that Stewards noted her concern, however, were satisfied J. Bowditch had fully discharged his obligations under the Rules.

ALPHABET STREET was examined by the Club’s Veterinary Surgeon who reported the gelding to exhibit significant soreness in the lower back.  Mrs. S. O’Donnell was advised that a Veterinary Certificate of Fitness would be required prior to presenting for a future trial or race.

RACE 7  :  GALLIPOLI TROPHY  -  1000 metres

Near the 800 metres SIMONDE (J. Bowditch) shifted out onto PUNK (J. Maund), which was obliged to steady off its heels and taken out onto GLENWEST (O. Ridge).  J. Bowditch was advised of his obligations when shifting ground in future.

K. Stra, the rider of SOUTHERN CLASS, which performed below expectations, explained that her mount had difficulty handling the pace of the race in the early stages but had run on fairly when taken into clear ground from the 300 metres.  SOUTHERN CLASS was examined by the Club’s Veterinary Surgeon who reported no visible abnormalities.

RACE 8  :  TOBRUK HANDICAP  -  1250 metres (Inner)

COOL RESPONSE (M. Neilson) jumped away awkwardly.

Shortly after the start PANJANDRUM (D. Holland) rolled out marginally taking IMELDA’S SHOES (K. Stra) onto MAKEUP (C. Bryant).  At the same time BILLY BAROO (T. Baker) shifted in acutely onto EXALTED PRIVILEGE (J. Bowditch) taking that gelding in onto MAKEUP, which was forced to check and lose its position.  BILLY BAROO continued to pressure EXALTED PRIVILEGE, which was tightened onto IMELDA’S SHOES (K. Stra), which was also obliged to check when tightened for room.  T. Baker, the rider of BILLY BAROO, was found guilty of a charge of Careless Riding under ARR 137(a) and suspended from riding for a period to commence at midnight on Monday, 25 April and to conclude at midnight on Saturday, 7 May 2005;  a period of six meetings.

ROUTINE SWAB SAMPLES:
 

Race 1

JUNGFRAU PEAK (NZ) (winner)

Race 5

JEUNE’S EDGE (winner)

Race 2

LITTLE DOUTES (winner)

Race 6

PIPKIN (winner)

Race 3

SPINNEY (winner)

Race 7

FERRO GEORGIA (winner)

Race 4

VIVONNE BAY (winner)

Race 8

COOL RESPONSE (winner)

RIDER CHANGES:

Race

Horse

Rider

Replaced By

Reason

2

MISS STAR CHASE

J. Lorensini

J. Bowditch

Overweight.

6

ISTA KAREEM (NZ)

D. Holland

 

Notified.

6

GATTON

J. Lyon

R. Stewart

Injured.

7

PRIYA

J. Lorensini

P. Gatt

Overweight.

GENERAL:

Mr. D. O’Donnell, a part-owner of ALPHABET STREET, a runner in Race 6, and the gelding’s Trainer, Mrs. S. O’Donnell, were cautioned regarding Mr. O’Donnell’s behaviour in the mounting enclosure following the running of this race.  Mr. O’Donnell was advised that similar behaviour in future would lead to privileges being withdrawn.