Darwin (NT)

Monday, 26 January 2004 00:00

WEATHER: OVERCAST
TRACK: GOOD

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

BOOKMAKERS: 5

VETERINARY SURGEON: J Farebrother

Number of Races:    6                         Stakes Paid: $ 56,000

Number of Runners: 61

RACE ONE       CLASS B HCP – 11OO M

As B Grimston (a) was to be overweight Stewards permitted M Abe (a) to replace him as the rider of BORDERLINE BLUE.  B Grimston (a) was fined $100 for accepting rides for which he was subsequently overweight (AR120(b)).

As D Coffey was to be overweight Stewards permitted M Osmond to replace him as the rider of BLUES LEGEND.  D Coffey was fined $150 for accepting rides for which he was subsequently overweight (AR120(b)).

When the gates opened CALMER KARMA, which had been restless in the barriers was slow into stride.

Near the 600 metres ROYAL RAPIDASH had to be eased slightly when tightened for room by FOR RORY which rolled in.

1^st        ALTO EGO    2^nd             PRUNINGS     3^rd             TOP SQUIRE

RACE TWO        CLASS 1 HCP – 11OO M

In the straight BARRY had a tendency to lay in which made it difficult for it’s rider D Coffey to ride the horse out in his normal manner.

1^st        STUN GUN    2^nd             BARRY          3^rd             NOT THIS TIME (NZ)

RACE THREE  3YO CLASS B HCP – 12OO M

On jumping away SIR ROASTALOT knuckled and lost ground, also LORD BALMAIN jumped in onto HUZZAH and NOT CRICKET was tightened for room between RANKS and NO TRICKS which shifted in away from HUZZAH.

Shortly after the start TIME ODYSSEY was bumped on the hindquarters by LORD BALMAIN which shifted out away form HUZZAH.

Near the 1100 metres AZARIS (S Leckey (a)) shifted in several horses quickly.  As a result MISS PETITE and HUZZAH were taken inwards.  S Leckey (a) was reprimanded and notified that when shifting ground abruptly he must ensure he is more than 2 lengths clear of other runners.

Near the 600 metres MISS PETITE, which was struggling to hold it’s position, was tightened for room and as a result lost considerable ground.  SUNBLOCK which was racing behind MISS PETITE was hampered as a consequence.

Rounding the home turn RANKS was held up for a clear run.

During the event AZARIS lost it’s off hind plate.

1^st             RANKS          2^nd             LORD BALMAIN             3^rd             CRAFT CLUB

RACE FOUR  OPEN WFA – 12OO M

No report.

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

RACE FIVE        CLASS 5 HCP – 1OOO M

B Grimston (a), rider of MANDATE was permitted to ride 1 kilogram overweight on that gelding as there were no other suitable riders available.

1^st             QUEEN OF THE NORTH 2^nd  GENERAL SWAMP             3^rd             AMBER STYLE

RACE SIX        CLASS 3 HCP – 13OO M

When the gates opened ZIPPA RAJA reared in the air and lost considerable ground as a consequence.  Stewards notified D Bates, rider of ZIPPA RAJA that if the gelding was to perform in such a manner again it may be suspended from racing.

VOLCANIC PEARL was slow into stride when the gates opened.

Approaching the first turn SUNDAY DRIVE became unbalanced and had to be eased when racing tight on the inside of NABERZOX.  VOLCANIC PEARL which was racing behind SUNDAY DRIVE shifted to the outside of that gelding to avoid it’s heels.  Shortly afterwards VOLCANIC PEARL was tightened for room by ORIGIN WARRIOR and lost ground as a consequence.

1^st             ORIGIN WARRIOR             2^nd             KISSING DOWN             3^rd             KOSSI PRINCE

All winners were swabbed today

The following trainers were fined $50 for presenting horses late at the mounting yard, K Lamprecht, L Williams, K Petrick, G Clarke and A White (NT128A).