Darwin (NT)

Saturday, 24 July 2004 00:00

WEATHER: FINE
TRACK: GOOD

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

BOOKMAKERS: 10

VETERINARY SURGEON: J, Farebrother

Number of Races: 7                        Stakes Paid: $ 118,000

Number of Runners: 70

RACE ONE 2YO S/W & P – 11OO M

On jumping away TWENTYONE GUN shifted out and tightened MY PERFECT GIFT, which was slow away, onto GREIMOTA.

Shortly after the start PRETTY TUBBY shifted out and bumped SHIRLEY’S BOY unbalancing that gelding.

SKYY GREY was swabbed.

1^st        SKYY GREY  2^nd            GARBLED    3^rd            PSEUDONAJA

RACE TWO 3YO S/W & P – 13OO M

On jumping away FINAL PUG knuckled.

From the 150 metres to the winning post BELLANTO had a tendency to lay out.  Near the 50 metres HUZZAH eased for a stride and changed course to the inside of BELLANTO.

BELLANTO and HUZZAH were swabbed.

1^st             BELLANTO 2^nd            HUZZAH      3^rd            RANKS

RACE THREE        CLASS 6 HCP – 13OO M

Apprentice M Hart was unable to ride at his declared MRW of 52.0kg.  As there were no suitable replacements, stewards permitted M Hart to ride 1/2kg over his declared MRW in;

Race 3.................. GEODUDE

Race 5.................. FIRE JOE

M Hart (a) was fined $100 under NT91 for failing to ride at his declared MRW.

When the gates opened POP’S TAURUS, which was restless in the barriers was slow to begin.

Near the 1000 metres SHADOW BOXER was tightened for room by GEODUDE.  When tightened, SHADOW BOXER got its head up, raced ungenerously and shifted out.  As a result it had to be checked.

Rounding the turn near the 600 metres SHADOW BOXER layed out as did SKIING which had to be checked off the heels of POP’S TAURUS as a consequence.

On the home turn SHADOW BOXER rolled out and bumped AMBERLIGHT on the hindquarters.  For some distance in the straight SHADOW BOXER and AMBERLIGHT bumped and as a result near the 200 metres AMBERLIGHT had to be eased.

POP’S TAURUS and RADIANT BLAST were swabbed

1^st            RADIANT BLAST            2^nd            GEODUDE    3^rd            POP’S TAURUS

RACE FOUR        CLASS 2 HCP – 12OO M

On jumping away FATHER’S FOLLY was bumped by THE RED FACED RAT.

In the straight KELVINSIDE LAD had a tendency to lay in.

The clubs veterinary surgeon inspected THE RED FACED RAT subsequent to the event and reported that the gelding had pulled up lame in the near foreleg.

BARRY was swabbed.

1^st             BARRY          2^nd            LOADED VICE (NZ)            3^rd            BELISARIUS

RACE FIVE        CLASS 1 HCP – 16OO M

When the gates opened STAR QUEST was slow into stride.

At the start FIRE JOE jumped outwards.

Stewards questioned C Moon regarding his riding tactics on the winner of the event DUBAI FLYER.  C Moon stated that DUBAI FLYER stated that DUBAI FLYER normally races back in the field however over the 1600 metres he had been instructed to attempt to get a place in the middle of the field.  However after jumping from barrier 12 when he attempted to get a position the other runners eased and he elected to go to the front and take advantage of the slow pace.

DUBAI FLYER was swabbed.

1^st            DUBAI FLYER            2^nd            STAR QUEST              3^rd            RUBY’S HONOUR

RACE SIX        FLYING HCP – 11OO M

Near the 1000metres ARNSIDE (J Hallam) shifted in and as a result ORIENTAL TREASURE, AL TAYAR and BLUE VENTURE which were already racing tight were tightened for room, as a consequence ORIENTAL TREASURE was unbalanced as was BLUE VENTURE and AL TAYAR had to be eased.  J Hallam was severely reprimanded and notified that in future he must ensure he is 2 lengths clear prior to shifting ground.

Rounding the turn near the 650 metres GAMERA had a tendency to lay out.

AL TAYAR and BLUE VENTURE were swabbed.

1^st        AL TAYAR            2^nd            ARNSIDE       3^rd            BLUE VENTURE

RACE SEVEN        METRIC MILE – 16OO M

When the gates opened KELAMAM was slow to begin.

Near the 1400 metres FURNISH was tightened for room and had to be checked when BATHERS shifted in on a number of occasions. S Ridler, rider of BATHERS stated that he did his utmost to stay out however the horse had its tongue over the bit and did not respond when he tried to come out and give FURNISH more room.  Stewards accepted the explanation of S Ridler and took no further action.

C Moon, rider of CAPO DEL OPO was found guilty of a charge of careless riding AR137 (a).  The careless riding being that near the 1100 metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not sufficiently clear of OLD SWAMPY which caused OLD SWAMPY to be checked off its heels.  C Moon was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire at midnight on Saturday 31 July 2004 (2 meetings) and fined $250.

CAPO DEL OPO and KELAMAN were swabbed.

1^st        CAPO DEL OPO            2^nd            OLD SWAMPY            3^rd            PRAY IN VAIN