Darwin (NT)

Thursday, 04 March 2004 00:00

WEATHER:  FINE
TRACK: GOOD

STEWARDS:  L.Lane (Chairman), J.Hamilton

BOOKMAKERS:  3                     

VETERINARY SURGEON:  S Cutter

Number of Races: 7                                   Stakes Paid:  $ 64,000

Number of Runners: 67     

RACE ONE       CLASS B HCP (Div 1) – 12OO M

As there were no suitable replacement rider’s available stewards permitted T Norton to ride RING OF DIAMONDS 1 ½ kg’s overweight and race two REGENT 1 kg overweight.  T Norton notified the stewards that he was not notified by the trainer that he had been declared at 55.0kgs until late and had no opportunity to get down to the correct weight. 

When the gates opened TOP SQUIRE reared and lost ground.  Rounding the turn FLASH LIGHTNING had a tendency to lay out.  Near the 150 metres CHANGE YOUR TUNE shifted in onto GOING STAG. 

Mr K Lamprecht trainer of UPTON and CHANGE YOUR TUNE was fined $50 for presenting those horses late on course.  During the event PRUNINGS suffered an attack of bleeding.

1^st SAVNECT                          2^nd PRUNINGS            3^rd            CHANGE YOUR TUNE

RACE TWO       CLASS B HCP (Div 2) – 12OO M

On jumping away CHEMICAL HEART was tightened for room by CRAFT CLUB, which shifted out.  Also REGENT shifted out taking BEANIE out onto STRESS RELIEF, which had to be checked as a consequence.

Racing towards the first turn REGENT, BLUES LEGEND and CRAFT CLUB all raced tight and bumped on several occasions.  Approaching the first turn CRAFT CLUB had to be eased off the heels of SANCAY when tightened.

1^st BRIGHT BEAD             2^nd CRAFT CLUB 3^rd            SANCAY

RACE THREE        CLASS 4 HCP – 15OO M

When the gates opened STUBBS was slow to begin.  Near the 300 metres Stubbs shifted out abruptly and in doing so took KOSSI PRINCE out onto ZAMBO.  In the straight GRASS DANCER had a tendency to lay out.  .

Pre race blood samples were taken from ZAMBO and GRASS DANCER.

1^st ROYAL RAPIDASH            2^nd KISSING DOWN                        3^rd            GRASS DANCER

RACE FOUR        CLASS 5 HCP – 12OO M

After being placed in the barriers STREWTH broke through the front gates, which necessitated it being re boxed.  When the gates opened RICHOTTO was slow to begin.

1^st AMBER STYLE                        2^nd SYLVAN GREEN                       3^rd THE PHARMACIST 

RACE FIVE        CLASS 3 HCP – 11OO M 

Approaching the winning post SONGMAKER was held up for a clear run.  Near the 200 metres GALVESTRON STORM rolled in towards APIARY.  Over the concluding stages NABERZOX shifted in taking LUSKIN DREAMS in onto GALVESTON STORM and APIARY, which was making ground, had to be eased off their heels. Approaching the 200 metres CAMUS shifted in as a result its rider S Leckey had to stop riding and straighten.

Shortly after the start NABERZOX shifted in taking GALVESTON STORM in onto SPECTOR, which resulted in SPECTOR having to be checked.

After being placed in the barriers LUSKIN DREAMS broke through the front gate and had to be re boxed.

1^st NABERZOX               2^nd ALTO EGO            3^rd            GALVESTON STORM

RACE SIX 3YO CLASS 2 HCP – 12OO M

Stewards questioned D Coffey rider of ABRA about that colts disappointing performance.  D Coffey stated that ABRA was a little slow away, however was not competitive at any stage and rounding the turn he considered easing it up as he thought there may be something amiss.  He further stated that after the race the colt did not feel sore and was not overly distressed. 

In the straight NASH STREET had a tendency to lay in.

1^st RANKS                  2^nd PRINTERS BOPUNTY                  3^rd            LAVA FLOW

RACE SEVEN OPEN HCP – 11OO M

When the gates opened HIGH REVS was slow into stride.  After racing tight for distance between CATHALOOK and ORIENTAL TREASURE, which was tight inside the heels of ARNSIDE, JEREMIAH BULLFROG had to be eased near the 900 metres.

In the early part of the straight JEREMIAH BULLFROG and RADIANT BLAST bumped on several occasions due to RADIANT BLAST shifting in.

1^st ARNSIDE              2^nd SWAMP THING                        3^rd            ORIENTAL TREASURE

All winners were swabbed today

The following riders were interviewed regarding not having an approved light attached to their helmet whilst riding work prior to sunrise on Tuesday 2^nd March, D Bates and W Orbell whose explanation was accepted, S Leckey was fined $50, S Leckey has been reprimanded previously.  Each was reminded that the policy states that lights must be worn prior to sunrise, not at their discretion as to when it is not dark.