Darwin (NT)

Saturday, 11 September 2004 00:00

WEATHER: FINE
TRACK: GOOD

STEWARDS: L.Lane (Chairman), J.Hamilton, R Merritt, B Merritt, D Merritt (Deputy Steward), M Richardson (Deputy Steward)

BOOKMAKERS: 4

VETERINARY SURGEON: J Farebrother

Number of Races: 6                        Stakes Paid: $ 38,000

Number of Runners: 43

RACE ONE       CLASS B HCP – 1OOO M

P Shiers, rider of TIGER OF OLD was given permission to ride 1 kg overweight.  In making that decision, stewards took into account the horse’s previous untractable behaviour and that there were no senior riders available at that time to replace him.  . 

When the gates opened FETTLE was slow into stride.

Near the 650 metres PICADOR was tightened for room by RUBYRULE which had a tendency to lay in.  PICADOR also had a tendency to lay out onto RUBYRULE.  As a result PICADOR had to checked over the heels of RUBYRULE and lost considerable ground.  Subsequent to the event J Hallam, rider of PICADOR reported that the gelding was rough in its action in the straight.

During the event TIGER OF OLD suffered an attack of bleeding

1^st            RUBYRULE  2^nd            YOSEMITE VALLEY (NZ)            3^rd            BLUES LEGEND

RACE TWO SPEC COND HCP – 15OO M

As P Shiers was to be overweight stewards permitted the following rider changes:-

Race 2................. PITMAN........ J Hallam

Race 4................. REGATTA.... P Denton

P Shiers stated that he had followed his normal routine leading up to raceday, however for some reason he was unable to shed enough weight today.  Stewards accepted the explanations of P Shiers who had not been replaced due to being overweight for some considerable time.  However he was notified that if he was overweight in the near future he may be penalised.

Near the 200 metres LUNGU rolled in for a short distance and tightened PITMAN.

Stewards questioned Ms K Petrick, trainer of PITMAN regarding that gelding’s improved performance today.  She stated that the geldings’ previous runs were better than appears on paper and that prior to its last run it had a track fall which may have effected its performance on that day.  Further that she felt her other runner ROCKHOUND was not a genuine chance due to its big weight.

Ms K Petrick, trainer of LATENT was fined $50 for nominating that gelding for this event when ineligible (AR64 (1)).

1^st             PITMAN       2^nd            LUNGU         3^rd            ENTITLEMENT

RACE THREE        CLASS 1 HCP – 13OO M

When the gates opened TIME ODYSSEY and DESERT REEF were slow away.

1^st            KELVINSIDE LAD            2^nd            TIME ODYSSEY            3^rd            AUTRICITY

RACE FOUR        CLASS 4 HCP – 12OO M

In the straight BARRY had a tendency to lay in.

1^st             BARRY          2^nd            MANDATE    3^rd            REGATTA

RACE FIVE        CLASS 2 HCP – 11OO M

Stewards questioned S Brownbill, rider of SURE AS which performed poorly.  S Brownbill stated that SURE AS hung badly from the 600 metres to the winning post.  The clubs veterinary surgeon inspected SURE AS subsequent to the event and reported that he could find no apparent abnormality.

1^st        TOP SQUIRE            2^nd            CRAZY FITZ            3^rd            CENTURY’S GRAND

RACE SIX OPEN HCP – 11OO M

Mr B Merrall, trainer of CARL THE BULL was fined $50 for failing to lodge a stable return for that gelding in accordance with NT56

Approaching the winning post M Morita (a), rider of I DO THEE WED dropped his reins.

1^st        BLUE VENTURE            2^nd            I DO THEE WED            3^rd            C’EST LE VIE

All winners were swabbed today