Darwin (NT)

Saturday, 11 June 2005 00:00

Track: Good
Weather: Fine
Rail: True Position

Stewards: L Lane (Chairman), J Hamilton, R Merritt, B Merritt, M Richardson, D Merritt (Deputy Steward)
Veterinary Surgeon: Howard Springs Veterinary Clinic
Number of Races: 6
Number of Runners: 56
Stakes Paid: 42,000
Riding Changes: Nil

Race 1 – CLASS 3 HCP - 1200 metres:

Approaching the 700 metres KELTRICK shifted out taking STUN GUN out onto I SCREAM.  As a result I SCREAM had to ease and in so doing hampered MODERN GLORY.  Shortly after this I SCREAM rolled in and hampered VALIANT LAD. 

For some distance commencing at the first turn MODERN GLORY was held up for a clear run.

Approaching the winning post SKYY GREY was struck on the nose by the whip of G Wyndham, rider of KELTRICK.

C Moon, rider of WASN’T IT GOOD was questioned regarding that mare being held up for a run in the straight.  C Moon stated that he believed there was a run on the inside on MANSMAHMOUD at the top of the straight and when he was committed to taking the run he continued to ride forward.  Stewards notified C Moon that in their opinion there was not sufficient room on the inside of MANSMAHMOUD for him to obtain a run and he should have sought an alternative option rather than continuing to ride into a dead end.

Stewards questioned Ms V Arnott, rider of MOONLIGHT EXPRESS as to the reason for racing wide rounding the turn.  Ms Arnott stated that when the gelding felt the sand being thrown up by the other runners it began to hang out and did so for the entire turn.  Further that when she had ridden the gelding previously she was able to lead.

W Stacey (a), rider of SWEPSCAY was found guilty of a charge of careless riding AR137 (a).  The careless riding being that near the 1000 metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not sufficiently clear of MODERN GLORY which resulted in  MODERN GLORY  having to be checked.  W Stacey (a) was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire at midnight on Saturday 18 June 2005 (1 meeting).  The stewards took into account W Stacey’s good riding record when determining the penalty.

The clubs veterinary surgeon inspected WASN’T IT GOOD subsequent to the event and reported that the gelding was lame in the off fore leg.  Ms L Williams, trainer of WASN’T IT GOOD was notified that a veterinary certificate of soundness would be required before the mare raced again (AR8(t)).

1^st        JUAN PABLO            2^nd       I SCREAM     3^rd        VALIANT LAD

Race 2 – CLASS B HCP - 1300 metres:

When the gates opened ALIGHIERI jumped awkwardly and lost ground and CLARKENT was slow into stride.

1^st        CANNY’S CHOICE   2^nd       SPADE            3^rd        THY SPUR

Race 3 – CLASS B HCP - 1300 metres:

When the gates opened SEABISC was slow into stride.

Near the 400 metres ILYA, which had hung out for the majority of the race, shifted out and bumped FUNNYSIDEUP on the hindquarters hampering that filly.

1^st        EM DA SHA   2^nd       MR BRITTAS            3^rd        KING CONNOLLY

Race 4 – CLASS 1 HCP - 1100 metres:

Mr B Merrall was questioned regarding the stable returns for SPLIT DECISION and CLASSIC COVER.

Ms T Halter, representing Mr B Halter, trainer of CHILL FACTOR notified the stewards at 8.35am that CHILL FACTOR was lame and unfit to start.  Acting of her advice stewards permitted the late withdrawal of CHILL FACTOR at 8.45am and applied the scratching fee of $100.

When the gates opened NANNA’SHANDSOMEBOY bounded and lost ground.

On jumping away KING OF CARDS and RED BOSS bumped.

Mr B Merrall, trainer of EXTRAORDINARY was charged under AR175 (K) with negligence that could have led to a breach of the rules.  The negligence being that his staff brought a horse reportedly named PIRATE OF PENZANCE into the saddling paddock instead of EXTRAORDINARY.  Stewards established that the wrong horse had been brought to the course when stewards went to expect EXTRAORDINARY and found that the Document of Description did not correspond to the horse.  Mr Merrall returned to his stables and EXTRAORDINARY was then brought to the course.  Mr Merrall explained that he believed the two horses were put in the wrong boxes on Friday 10 June and that was how the mistake occurred.  Stewards fined Mr Merrall the sum of $500.

1^st        DODOMA      2^nd       NEGEV           3^rd        CLASSIC COVER

Race 5 – CLASS 5 HCP - 1600 metres:

Ms L Williams, trainer of TELEPRINT, OREGON EXPRESS and PRINCE GEORGIOS was fined $100 for presenting those horses late on course (NT128A).

Stewards questioned W Stacey (a), rider of second placegetter TENACIOUS regarding his use of the whip.  W Stacey (a) was reminded of his obligations under AR 137A.

1^st        WYNDAM SPIRIT     2^nd       TENACIOUS  3^rd        KING OF IRELAND

Race 6 – OPEN HCP - 1200 metres:

When the gates opened PELT stood flat footed and lost considerable ground and STUBBS was slow to begin.

1^st        SHADOW BOXER     2^nd       COOLGARDIE          3^rd        HIGH REVS

TELEPRINT, APIARY, and TENACIOUS were pre-race swabbed.

All winners were swabbed

Routine drug tests were conducted on jockeys M Morita (a), G Wyndham and C Moon.

Trainer Ms L Williams was interviewed regarding one of her staff not wearing proper footwear whilst leading a horse at the stables which did not have a bit in its mouth to afford proper control.  Ms Williams stated that the horse was being taken from the wash down bay to the yards and she does not normally put bits in their mouth when doing so.  Ms Williams was notified that AR 87A (2) requires that all horses being led outside the confines of her stable must have a bit in their mouth attached to a lead.  Further that all her staff when working with horses must have appropriate foot wear on.

Ms L Hughes, registered stablehand was fined $50 (NT107) for not displaying her current registration card.