Darwin (NT)

Wednesday, 26 January 2005 00:00

Track: Good
Weather: Fine
Rail: True Position

Stewards: L Lane (Chairman), J Hamilton, R Merritt, B Merritt, D Merritt (Deputy Steward)

Veterinary Surgeon: Howard Springs Veterinary Clinic

Number of Races: 6

Number of Runners: 36

Stakes Paid: $35,000

Riding Changes: Nil

Race 1 – SPECIAL CONDITIONS (3) S/W - 1300 metres: 

Stewards questioned B Davis (a),rider of MOOKTA’S REWARD which weakened badly in the straight.  B Davis (a) stated that he intended to sit back in the field however the gelding jumped well and raced keenly in the early stages.  This resulted in MOOKTA’S REWARD being used up early and in his opinion was the reason for the gelding weakening in the straight.

During the event CARL THE BULL suffered an attack of bleeding and is therefore subject to the embargoes as set out in AR53A.

1st        GILDED STAR          2nd       PRINCE RAJA          3rd        GUNNEL

Race 2 – 3YO CLASS 1 HCP - 1200 metres: 

MISS TALITHA broke through the front gates prior to the start and had to be reboxed.

When the gates opened MISS TALITHA jumped away awkwardly and in doing so bumped BLIX.

1st        PERFORMANCE      2nd       GAGS  3rd        BLIX

Race 3 – CLASS 4 HCP - 1200 metres: 

When the gates opened CALMER KARMA and PICAYUNE were slow to begin and then came together.

1st        IF YOU SAY SO         2nd       LUSKIN DREAMS    3rd        PICAYUNE

Race 4 - WFA - 1000 metres: 

Ms T Halter, stable representative for trainer B Halter who had nominated BEAU MASTER for this event when ineligible was notified that a $50 fine would be imposed for nominating BEAU MASTER when ineligible.

1st        BEAU MASTER        2nd       ORIENTAL TREASURE      3rd        BRAVE DECISION

Race 5 – CLASS B HCP - 1000 metres: 

Mr K Lamprecht, trainer of STORMY LANDING, which last raced interstate was fined $50 for failing to produce a clearance for that gelding (AR59B(b)).  Mr Lamprecht further stated that he believed that STORMY LANDING was clear to race.  Acting on this information stewards permitted STORMY LANDING to race.

S Ridler, rider of REEF STAR notified the stewards that his mount had a tendency to lay out.

1st        ANTIOPE       2nd       EYE EYE SIR 3rd        BOX OFFICE STAR

Race 6 – CLASS 2 HCP - 1100 metres: 

Mr B Merrall, trainer of SPRUIK, which last raced interstate, notified the stewards that he had contacted the office of the SDRA and requested a clearance for that gelding.  Acting on Mr Merrall’s assurance that SPRUIK was clear of any embargo, stewards permitted it to race.

When the gates opened OUR CAMBIDA jumped away awkwardly and lost ground.

Stewards opened an inquiry into S Hillebrand (a) riding of BELLO DIVISTA.  During the inquiry evidence was taken from S Hillebrand (a), L Houldsworth trainer of BELLO DIVISTA and trainer B Merrall representing S Hillebrand (a).  Stewards adjourned the inquiry until a date to be fixed.

Stewards expressed their concerns to B Merrall, trainer of the winner SPRUIK regarding his conduct after the race.  Stewards noted that Mr Merrall did not attend the winners stall in the mounting yard after the race and that as SPRUIK’s rider M Abe (a) was returning to scale Mr Merrall made a derogatory comment to him.  Mr Merrall stated this occurred because he was dissatisfied with M Abe (a)’s riding of SPRUIK even though he had won the race.

The clubs veterinary surgeon inspected MODERN GLORY subsequent to the event and reported that the gelding was lame in the near fore leg.

1st        SPRUIK          2nd       MODERN GLORY    3rd        RHYTHMIC STEP

SWAB SAMPLES:

Post-race samples:   All winners were swabbed