Darwin (NT)
- Saturday, 16 August 2003 00:00
TRACK: GOOD
RACE TWO CLASS 5 HCP – 1OOO M
No Report
1st CALIGULA 2nd TERM 3rd SYLVAN GREEN
RACE FOUR CLASS 2 HCP – 15OO M
As T Gillett was to be overweight stewards permitted C Moon to replace him as the rider of RUSTY DON. T Gillett stated that he had only decided to ride when there was a shortage of riders and that he had more difficulty than usual reducing his weight. As T Gillett had not been penalised previously for accepting rides outside his weight bracket stewards reprimanded him and reminded him of the overweight policy in place.
When the gates opened DUSTELLA was slow to begin.
On jumping away HUNTER REGION knuckled.
Rounding the home turn RUSTY DON had a tendency to lay out.
1st THE PHARMACIST (NZ) 2nd BECCORINO 3rd BRIGHT VISION
RACE SIX CLASS 3 HCP – 12OO M
As there were no replacement riders available, stewards permitted T Gillett to ride MONKEY BOY 1.5 kg overweight.
Stewards questioned G Clarke, trainer of second placegetter GRASS DANCER about that geldings improved performance today. G Clarke stated that at the geldings previous 2 starts he performed disappointingly and in his view there was no obvious explanation. At its last start the gelding may have been ridden a little to forward and was forced to race wide but after the race he could find no reason for the geldings disappointing performance. Since its last start failure GRASS DANCER had done little different and had been eating and working well leading up to today’s race. Mr Clarke also stated that he had taken the blinkers off GRASS DANCER today as they had been of little use at its last start. Mr A Fleming, part owner of GRASS DANCER stated that he had supported the gelding at its previous start as it was expected to go well. He further stated that he supported GRASS DANCER today. A routine swab sample was taken from GRASS DANCER.
1st KINGS ALLEY 2nd GRASS DANCER 3rd EARTH LEGEND
RACE EIGHT MAIDEN S/W – 12OO M
When the gates opened JOLLY FROG stood flat footed and lost ground.
Near the 300 metres CLASSIC COVER (C Moon) shifted out taking COSTA KEYS out, resulting in COSTA KEYS being hampered and NICE PINS, which was following having to be eased. C Moon was severely reprimanded and notified that in future he must ensure he is 2 lengths clear of other runners prior to shifting ground.
Mr D Leech, trainer of HUNTER REGION was fined $50 for nominating that gelding for this event when ineligible AR64 (1).
1st MANATRICE 2nd DUBAI FLYER 3rd CLASSIC COVER
RACE NINE OPEN HCP – 12OO M
As there were no replacement riders available, stewards permitted T Gillett to ride BARROW 1.5 kg overweight.
As D Bates was indisposed, stewards permitted P Shiers to replace him as the rider of SCOTRO
On jumping away SCOTRO shifted out abruptly tightening ROCKHOUND, BARROW, GUNNEL and JEREMIAH BULLFROG out onto GALIANO (NZ). As a result ROCKHOUND, GUNNEL and JEREMIAH BULLFROG were hampered and BARROW had to be checked
1st RING CYCLE 2nd GALIANO (NZ) 3rd SCOTRO
All winners were swabbed today
Stewards completed an adjourned inquiry from 30 July 2003 into the reason for B Schmidt being unable to fulfil his engagement to ride BRAVE DECISION in the WFA plate. B Schmidt stated that he had done his best to get down to ride at 58.0kg however he was unable to get below 59.0kg as he became unwell. B Schmidt was fined $150 for accepting a ride for which he was overweight (AR120(b)).
