Darwin (NT)

Sunday, 26 December 2004 00:00

WEATHER: FINE
TRACK: GOOD

STEWARDS:  R Merritt (Chairman), K.Cook, B Merritt, M Richardson, D Merritt (Deputy Steward)

BOOKMAKERS: 4

VETERINARY SURGEON: Howard Springs Veterinary Clinic

Number of Races: 6                        Stakes Paid:                             $ 37,000

Number of Runners: 36

RACE ONE        CLASS 3 HCP – 1OOO M

Rounding the turn at the 650 metres the saddle on GREYISH slipped badly causing S Hillebrand (a) to fall from his mount.  Acting on advice from ambulance officers and following discussions with S Hillebrand (a) and his master B Merrall, stewards permitted S Hillebrand (a) to continue to fulfil his engagements.

D Bates, rider of STUN GUN reported his saddle had shifted, thus affecting the manner in which he rode that mare over the last 200 metres.

1^st        ALTO EGO    2^nd            MODERN GLORY            3^rd            NOT THIS TIME

RACE TWO        CLASS 1 HCP – 13OO M

Near the 550 metres SAVNECT (S Hillebrand) had to be eased off the heels of SHE’S A CARD causing that gelding to race wide around the home turn.

1^st             DESERT PROSPECT                2^nd            KELTRICK  3^rd            PECKJATA

RACE THREE  3YO CLASS 1 HCP – 12OO M

At the start GAGS jumped out onto PERFORMANCE and TAFFETA’S BEST jumped in onto PERFORMANCE.

Stewards questioned M Morita (a), rider of BLIX, regarding his riding of that gelding.  M Morita (a) stated that he wanted to ride BLIX behind the leaders but did not intend to get as far back as he did.  He then found it difficult to ride BLIX forward.  Stewards accepted this explanation.

1^st            KAPPA         2^nd            PERFORMANCE             3^rd            GAGS

RACE FOUR OPEN HCP – 15OO M

At the start STUBBS jumped awkwardly.

Subsequent to the event the clubs veterinary surgeon reported that CARL THE BULL had blood in one nostril.

1^st             ACELA         2^nd            STUBBS       3^rd            GUNNEL

RACE FIVE        CLASS 4 HCP – 1OOO M

At the start SPAKATAK jumped awkwardly, immediately after the start MY ADVICE jumped in onto SPAKATAK.  Shortly after the start LUSKIN DREAMS moved out onto RHYTHMIC STEP which bumped MY ADVICE onto SPAKATAK.  During this incident LUSKIN DREAMS lost ground.

1^st            SPAKATAK 2^nd            LUSKIN DREAMS            3^rd            RHYTHMIC STEP

RACE SIX SPEC COND (3) HCP – 11OO M

After the start CALIGULA and SIR ACADEMY were slow into stride.

During the event SIR ACADEMY suffered an attack of bleeding.

1^st        BEAU MASTER   2^nd            ORIENTAL TREASURE            3^rd            AMBERLIGHT

All winners were swabbed today