Darwin (NT)

Saturday, 23 August 2003 00:00

WEATHER: FINE
TRACK: GOOD

STEWARDS: B Merritt (Chairman), L.Lane, J.Hamilton, R Merritt, D Merritt (Deputy Steward), M Richardson (Deputy Steward)

BOOKMAKERS: 5

VETERINARY SURGEON:                         J Farebrother

Number of Races: 5                         Stakes Paid: $29,000

Number of Runners: 29

RACE ONE       CLASS B HCP – 11OO M

When the gates opened SANCAY bounded.

Rounding the home turn MANATRICE was disappointed for a clear run on the inside of SANCAY when attempting a tight run.

As M Osmond was to be overweight, stewards permitted P Denton to replace him as the rider of SPECTOR.  M Osmond was fined $100 for accepting rides for which he was subsequently overweight (AR120(b)).

1^st             DROPS OF JUPITER (NZ)     2^nd             MANATRICE                         3^rd             SPECTOR

RACE TWO        CLASS 2 HCP – 1OOO M

On jumping away SONGMAKER came out and hampered EL SUROSO.

Near the 250 metres MANDATE and GALVESTON STORM were racing tightly and bumped on several occasions.

1^st        EL SUROSO             2^nd             GALVESTON STORM             3^rd             MANDATE

RACE THREE        CLASS 1 HCP – 13OO M

At the start POLISKY and MILESTONES were tightened for room due to HUNTER REGION shifting outwards.

Mr L Houldsworth, trainer of HUNTER REGION was fined $50 for failing to lodge a stable return showing C Bowman and L Houldsworth as the nominators of that gelding (NT56).

1^st             POETIC TROUBADOR  2^nd             POLISKY       3^rd             BELIEVE IN VICTORY

RACE FOUR        CLASS 6 HCP – 13OO M

When the gates opened WINNING BLIND reared and lost considerable ground as a consequence.

On return to scale S Brown, rider of the third placegetter ACELA lodged an objection against ENTITLEMENT being declared the winner alleging interference from the 400 metres to the turn into the straight.  After taking evidence from the parties concerned and viewing the video of the race, stewards dismissed the objection and correct weight was declared.

It was established that on the point of the turn into the straight ACELA was tightened for room and had to be eased when JEREMIAH BULLFROG shifted out and ENTITLEMENT shifted in.

1^st             ENTITLEMENT             2^nd             JEREMIAH BULLFROG             3^rd             ACELA

RACE FIVE        CLASS 4 HCP – 12OO M

No Report

1^st             REDISON      2^nd             BE STRONG             3^rd             GRASS DANCER

All winners were swabbed today

Trainer Mr D Leech was fined $100 for having a car parked on the stable road on Tuesday 19^th August in contravention of the committee policy.  Mr Leech had been spoken to previously about this policy.