Darwin (NT)

Saturday, 14 August 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: 5                        Stakes Paid: $ 30,000

Number of Runners: 32

RACE ONE MAIDEN S/W – 11OO M

When the gates opened RUBYRULE was slow into stride.

Near the 800 metres PRUDENTIAL was tightened for room and eased over the heels of SINDARED.

Rounding the first turn SINDARED had a tendency to lay out and D Bates the mare’s rider elected to ease to avoid causing interference to other runners.

In the early part of the straight RUBYRULE rolled in and brushed the running rail.

The clubs veterinary surgeon inspected SINDARED subsequent to the event and reported that he could find no apparent abnormality.

1^st            RUBYRULE  2^nd            VUBBLE       3^rd            SUGAR SHOT

RACE TWO        CLASS 1 HCP – 13OO M

Shortly after jumping away PICAYUNE and CLASSIC COVER came together.

1^st             PICAYUNE    2^nd            KELVINSIDE LAD            3^rd            CLASSIC COVER

RACE THREE        CLASS 3 HCP – 12OO M

On jumping away SALTWATER WINE jumped in and bumped MURPHY’S PRIZE.

At the entrance to the straight BARRY had to be eased over the heels of SALTWATER WINE to obtain a clear run.

In the straight BARRY had a tendency to lay in.

J Hallam rider of MURPHY’S PRIZE notified the stewards prior to the race that he intended to attempt to ride the gelding back in the field and see if it could finish on.  Subsequent to the event J Hallam stated that MURPHY’S PRIZE never travelled well in the race and performed poorly.

1^st        IF YOU SAY SO            2^nd            BARRY          3^rd            SALTWATER WINE

RACE FOUR        CLASS 4 HCP – 15OO M

The club veterinary surgeon inspected TRAFFORD (NZ) on arrival at the course and notified the stewards that the gelding had tender swellings on its neck which appeared to have been the result of some type of insect bite.  Acting on his advice that TRAFFORD (NZ) was not fit to start, stewards ordered the withdrawal of TRAFFORD (NZ) at 2.43pm.

Steward notified S Leckey (a) rider of 4^th placegetter SNAP TO IT of his obligation to ride all his mounts out to the end of the race.

1^st        SONG MEKONG            2^nd            SUSURRO    3^rd            SURE AS

RACE FIVE OPEN HCP – 11OO M

When the gates opened AMBER STYLE, which had been restless in the barriers was slow away.

On jumping away BLUE VENTURE and GALVESTON STORM bumped and BLUE VENTURE became unbalances and stumbled.

S Brownbill, rider of ORIENTAL TREASURE was found guilty of a charge of careless riding.  The careless riding being that near the 650 metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not sufficiently clear of RING CYCLE thereby taking that gelding in onto PRINCE RAJA resulting in RING CYCLE and PRINCE RAJA having to be checked.  GALVESTON STORM which was racing behind PRINCE RAJA had to be checked off its heels as a consequence.

The clubs veterinary surgeon inspected GALVESTON STORM subsequent to the event and reported that the gelding was lame in the near fore leg.  Also that PRINCE RAJA had been galloped on both hind legs.

1^st        BLUE VENTURE            2^nd            I DO THEE WED            3^rd            AMBER STYLE

All winners were swabbed today