Darwin (NT)

Saturday, 21 May 2005 00:00

Track: Good
Weather: Fine
Rail: True Position

Stewards: L Lane (Chairman), J Hamilton, R Merritt, M Richardson, D Merritt (Deputy Steward)
Veterinary Surgeon: Howard Springs Veterinary Clinic
Number of Races: 6
Number of Runners: 41
Stakes Paid: $42,000
Riding Changes:Nil

Race 1 – CLASS 2 HCP - 1100 metres:

Stewards questioned Mr B Merrall, trainer of PIRATE OF PENZANCE, regarding the reason for its withdrawal this morning.  Mr Merrall stated that the gelding was fine yesterday afternoon when taken out and walked, however when taken out of its stable this morning at approximately 7.45am it was lame.  Stewards accepted the explanation of Mr Merrall.

When the gates opened STUN GUN bounded and was slow away.  Shortly after the start STUN GUN threw its head up for a number of strides.

Rounding the turn TEE CEE LOAN SHARK (NZ) had a tendency to lay out and in the straight raced greenly and shifted in when struck with the whip.  Mr B Merrall, trainer of TEE CEE LOAN SHARK (NZ) was notified that in the steward’s opinion he should engage a senior rider to ride the horse until it races more tractably.

1^st        THE GABBA (NZ)    2^nd       STUN GUN    3^rd        DESERT REEF

Race 3 – CLASS 1 HCP - 1600 metres:

Rounding the turn WHO’S COUNTING had a tendency to lay out and shifted off the rail at the entrance to the straight.

1^st        TELEPRINT  2^nd       GAGS             3^rd CHEESECAKE

Race 5 – CLASS 4 HCP - 1300 metres:

When the gates opened SHODIYM reared.

Rounding the turn and in the early part of the straight NEGEV had a tendency to hang out.

Mr B Merrall, trainer of KELTRICK reported that the gelding was lame in the off foreleg subsequent to the race.

Mr D Park, trainer of SHODIYM which was uncompetitive in today’s race, was notified that if it was to perform in a similar manner in future some action may be taken against it.

1^st        NASH STREET         2^nd       SUNBLOCK  3^rd KELTRICK

Race 7 – CLASS 6 HCP - 1100 metres:

No report

1^st        GENERAL SWAMP 2^nd       APIARY         3^rd          MANDATE

Race 9 – OPEN HCP - 1600 metres:

When the gates opened POTESTAS stood flat footed and lost ground.

Stewards questioned P Crich, rider of POTESTAS, which performed below expectations.  P Crich stated that the gelding travelled well until about the 500 metres when he attempted to go forward with GUNNEL and from that point onwards failed to improve.  Mr B Merrall, trainer of POTESTAS stated that he could offer no explanation other than the fact that its form over 1600 metres has been disappointing, further than that the horse had worked well and done everything right prior to today. The clubs veterinary surgeon inspected POTESTAS subsequent to the event and reported that other than blowing hard he could find no apparent abnormality.

1^st        BRAVE DECISION  2^nd       GUNNEL       3^rd          ACELA

Race 11 – CLASS B HCP - 1100 metres:

As the gates opened CLARKENT reared.

On jumping away PICADOR stumbled.

Shortly after the start MY ADVICE shifted out and bumped STUBBS.

In the straight ILYA had a tendency to lay in.

1^st        LITTLE UMA            2^nd       KING CONNOLLY   3^rd        MR BRITTAS

SWAB SAMPLES:

Post-race samples:   All winners were swabbed

The following riders were drug and alcohol tested P Shiers, W Stacey (a), W Orbell and P Crich.

Registered stablehands W Beaumont and G Browder were both interviewed after stewards received a complaint from the car park attendant who stated that they entered the course without the appropriate identification and both were abusive towards her.  Mr Beaumont and Mr Browder were both notified that such conduct will not be tolerated and that in future they must ensure that they have the appropriate identification when attending the course.