Darwin (NT)

Saturday, 26 February 2005 00:00

Track: Good
Weather: Fine
Rail: True Position

Stewards: L Lane (Chairman), J Hamilton, R Merritt, B Merritt, M Richardson, D Merritt (Deputy Steward)
Veterinary Surgeon: Howard Springs Veterinary Clinic
Number of Races: 6
Number of Runners: 39
Stakes Paid: 39,000
Riding Changes: Nil

Stewards completed an inquiry adjourned from the racemeeting on 17 February 2005 regarding GOODONYA ZIGGY.  Stewards accepted the evidence tendered by Ms AWhite, trainer of GOODONYA ZIGGY regarding the stable return for that filly.

Stewards completed an inquiry adjourned from the racemeeting on 17 February 2005 into P Shiers not fulfilling his engagements.  P Shiers was fined $100 under AR120 (b) in that he was unable to fulfil his engagements on ANTIOPE, CALMER KARMA, WHERE’S DA IVORY, SPIN DUSTY and CHEESECAKE at Fannie Bay on 17 February, 2005 due to being overweight and as a result was replaced as the rider of those horses.

Stewards questioned Mr B Merrall regarding the ownership details of his runners SAKANON, TIMES RIPE and MURPHY’S PRIZE as the transfers of ownership or the lease details had not been lodged prior to today.  Mr Merrall’s explanation for not having the transfers/leases completed prior to today was accepted.  Stewards notified Mr Merrall of the policy adopted by the stewards in relation to such matters, that being; if any horse is presented to race without the relinquishing owners having completed the appropriate documentation, stewards would consider withdrawing the horse.  Further that unless the transfer/lease was completed the horse would not be permitted to start again until such time as it was completed.

Race 1 – OPEN - 1100 metres:

Near the 900 metre PRINCE RAJA had to be eased off the heels of TOP SQUIRE (B Davis (a)) which shifted in.  B Davis (a) was notified that in future he must ensure he is 2 lengths clear prior to shifting ground.

Rounding the turn TOP SQUIRE had a tendency to hang out.

1^st        COOKE STREET (NZ)          2^nd       TOP SQUIRE 3^rd        MOOKTA’S REWARD

Race 2 – 3YO CLASS 3 - 1200 metres:

When the gates opened WITCH WAY WEST was slow to begin.

Stewards questioned P Shiers, rider of SKYY GREY which performed below expectations.  P Shiers stated that the gelding had a tendency to hang out and rather than fight against it he let it move out which resulted in him racing wider than he would have liked.  Further that in the straight SKYY GREY stretched out and ran on.  Ms L Edwards, representing Mr A Trengrove, trainer of SKYY GREY stated that she could offer no explanation and that the gelding had done everything right leading up to the race, however it did in her opinion pull up slightly distressed.  The clubs veterinary surgeon inspected SKYY GREY subsequent to the event and reported that he could find no apparent abnormality. 

1^st        RATTLETRAP          2^nd       PERFORMANCE      3^rd        SKYY GREY

Race 3 – CLASS B - 1100 metres:

When the gates opened BOX OFFICE STAR was slow into stride.

During the event BELLO DIVISTA had a tendency to lay in.

D Bates, rider of MATABELE, which performed below expectations stated that the gelding hung out early in the race and that he had advised the trainer he believed that it would race more tractably in blinkers.

1^st        CHILL FACTOR       2^nd       MATABELE  3^rd        VLTAVA

Race 4 – CLASS 2 - 1200 metres:

S Ridler, rider of BEL DE FERRO, which performed below expectations, stated that the gelding may have pulled up slightly lame in the off foreleg.  The clubs veterinary surgeon inspected BEL DE FERRO subsequent to the event and reported that he could find no apparent abnormality. 

1^st        BRANDY AND ICE   2^nd       PETER JAMES          3^rd        ANTIOPE

Race 5 – CLASS 5 - 1200 metres:

Mr D Leech, trainer of PRINCE PAREE was fined $50 for failing to produce a clearance for that gelding which last raced interstate (AR59B(b)).  Acting on Mr Leech’s assurance that PRINCE PAREE was clear of any embargo stewards permitted the gelding to race.

Mr K Lamprecht, trainer of RHYTHMIC STEP was fined $50 for presenting that gelding without it’s approved gear (pacifiers)(AR140(a)).

B Huppatz, rider of RHYTHMIC STEP was reprimanded for excessive use of the whip on this gelding.

1^st        RANKS           2^nd       PRINCE PAREE        3^rd        VIDAL

Race 6 – CLASS 4 - 1500 metres:

Shortly after the start SPIN DUSTY bumped with SHODIYM and shifted out and hampered NASH STREET.

M Abe(a), rider of SHODIYM was fined $100 for unnecessary use of the whip (AR137A (1)) on this horse when it was out of contention and showing no response.

1^st        RADIANT SOCIETY             2^nd       SPIN DUSTY  3^rd        SUSURRO

SWAB SAMPLES:

Pre-race blood for post-race analysis:  RADIANT SOCIETY, NASH STREET, SHODIYM

Post-race samples:   All winners were swabbed