After passing the 200 metres "Tweak" was tightened on to "Jugahnaut" by "Piachay (NZ)", which shifted in under pressure when laying in. In the incident "Tweak" had to be checked. B. Prebble, rider of "Piachay (NZ)", was notified that he must exercise far more care when shifting ground in future.

D. Gauci, rider of "Tweak" which had performed below expectations, explained to the Stewards that his mount was better suited by not leading in races, but due to the pace today he elected to take the sit behind the leader. Gauci added that his mount had not responded to his riding when asked to go forward after passing the 600 metres, and had weakened in the straight. Gauci also added that "Tweak" appeared to pull up well.

Race 3 - VRC RACING AT WERRIBEE HANDICAP - 2600 metres

No report.

Race 4 - VRC MEMBERS LOUNGE MARQUEE 1600 - 1600 metres

"Kahuna Princess" was slow to begin.

Approaching the home turn "Sagacious Mover" was held up when unable to obtain a clear run, and in the early part of the straight had to change course to obtain a clear run.

Race 5 - RIVERDALE HANDICAP - 1400 metres

"Pointy Stick" was slow to begin.

Race 6 - www.vrc.net.au - 1100 metres

Apprentice Chris Symons inadvertently appeared in the race book as "Carl Symons", rider of "Flash Line".

"Pindarri Gold", which was restless in its stall, jumped away awkwardly.

D. Oliver, rider of "Chardonnay and Ice", explained to the Stewards that his mount had hung out throughout the race and that he was concerned with its action. Oliver added that it was for that reason that he eased the mare down in the straight. A veterinary examination of "Chardonnay and Ice" revealed that the mare was sore in the near fore leg. Mr. R. Smerdon was notified that prior to "Chardonnay and Ice" racing again he must produce a veterinary clearance for it.

G. Childs, rider of 'Ziparche", advised the Stewards that the gelding had hung out badly rounding the home turn and in the early part of the straight, and in his view it was unsuited to racing on firm tracks and was better suited by racing on rain-affected tracks, on which the horse had performed well in recent starts. G. Childs added that "Ziparche" appeared to pull up well.

Race 7 - FIRST OF SPRING HANDICAP - 2000 metres

On jumping away "Alexander's Magic" shifted in away from "Seaview Symphony" and bumped "Minster's Pride (NZ)".

Shortly after straightening "Rimmer" raced tight between "Philbel" and "Twigum".

Shortly after this incident "Twigum", which was weakening, had to be eased to avoid the heels of "Suave Lover", which shifted out.

K. McEvoy, rider of "Philbel", explained to the Stewards that his mount had travelled well in the early and middle stages of the race, but when asked to go forward near the 1000 metres failed to respond to his riding. McEvoy added that as "Philbel" was weakening he did not ride his mount with his normal vigour over the concluding stages. A veterinary examination of "Philbel" failed to reveal any abnormality.

Race 8 - SUPER VOBIS BIRDCAGE HANDICAP - 1400 metres

"Super Irish" jumped away awkwardly, shifted out and bumped "Brandy Cruster", which then shifted out further and hampered "Fubutu".

Near the 600 metres "Lord Montague" had to be checked when reluctant to hold its position on the inside of "Fubutu".

"Alhazen" had difficulty obtaining a clear run in the straight, and was hampered due to "Diamond and Ice" hanging in, in the straight.

Michelle Payne, rider of "Whale Watch (NZ)", was fined $200 for weighing in one kilogram over her declared weight.

SWAB SAMPLES were taken from the winners of all races today.

EXPLANATIONS:

Due to administrative errors D. Nikolic was not notified as the rider of "Cape Kennedy" in Race 1, and as the rider of "Fubutu" in Race 8 at declaration of riders' time.

SUMMARY

FINES

Mr. J. Wheeler, trainer of "The Almighty One (NZ)", was fined $50 for having nominated the horse, when ineligible, for Race 2.

Michelle Payne, rider of "Whale Watch (NZ)", was fined $200 for weighing in overweight.