Stewards' Reports

Ballarat Turf Club (Inner Track)

Riding Changes / Jockey Information

Must produce Medical Certificate prior to riding again:

N Hall

Did not attend meeting:

M Payne, N Hall

Other Comments / Explanations: 

M. Webb’s explanation for arriving on course 12 minutes late, was accepted.

J. Childs was reprimanded for failing to produce his winning rides book.

Race 1 – SHANNONS F&M MAIDEN PLATE - 1600 metres: 

Ten Black was slow into stride.

In the middle stages Iceconi got its head up when over-racing.

During the running of the race Cent To Save lost it’s off hind plate.

L. Nolen rider of Nextess which performed below market expectations stated in his opinion the filly was not suited by, what in his view would be the pattern of todays racing, where it would be difficult for horses to make ground.

Race 2 – JAX QUICKFIT TYRES SV 3YO MAIDEN PLATE - 1600 metres: 

Tenderloin was slow to begin and then failed to muster early speed and as a result lost considerable ground. Trainer J. Thompson’s representative was advised that a warning would be placed on the gelding and should it offend in a similar manner further action may be taken.

Correggio was slow to begin.

For the majority of the race Unsung Hero raced wide without cover.

Approaching the 1200 metres Kim Command which was inclined to race keenly, had to be restrained when tightened for room by Taajir, which when racing waywardly shifted in.   As a result Kim Command was placed awkwardly on the heels of Taajir, for a short distance.   Although Stewards took into account the racing manner of both runners, J. Winks was nonetheless notified to show greater care when in similar circumstances. 

Approaching the 600 metres Bonanza when attempting to improve, shifted out excessively wide on the track .

Rounding the home turn Correggio was held up when unable to obtain a clear run.

Near the 400 metres Taajir when giving ground, had to be steadied when racing tight between Correggio and Unsung Hero.   Taajir was then eased down in the straight.

During the running of the race Von Sebastian lost it’s off hind plate.

J. Winks rider of Taajir stated that the colt gave ground quickly rounding the home turn and lost co-ordination in the straight, and for this reason he eased his mount down near the 200 metres.   A veterinary examination of Taajir revealed  no abnormalities, however the colt had lost its near fore plate.   The D. O’Brien stable will be contacted in the coming days to monitor whether anything that may explain the poor performance is found.

When questioned regarding the seemingly poor performance of Romani, D. Oliver stated in his opinion it would be better suited by being gelded.

Race 3 – GRIFFS TRIM SHOP MAIDEN PLATE - 1200 metres: 

At approximately 10.30 race morning Stewards received a late request form R. Smerdon to add a tongue tie and a cross over nose band to Tacs Return in this race.   Due to the lateness of the request this application was denied and this fact was broadcast to the public

Disckin jumped away awkwardly, got its head up and lost ground.

In the early stages Mr Unique got its head up on a number of occasions when being restrained..

When questioned S. Arnold rider of Chouxshine stated that rounding the home turn and in the straight his mount which was inclined to lay inwards, also felt uncomfortable in its action and in his opinion may have jarred up on todays surface.   A subsequent veterinary examination revealed no abnormalities.

Race 4 – M&W ENGINES 0 – 62 HANDICAP - 1100 metres: 

Acting on a confirmed telephone call from trainer Mr S Lenehan that Milensnake was found to have swelling in its off fore tendon, the gelding was subsequently withdrawn on veterinary advice at 10:45am. Mr Lenehan undertook to submit a veterinary report regarding the matter.

Prior to correct weight J. Childs rider of Freshwater Storm, 3 placegetter, viewed the official video over the concluding stages before deciding not to proceed with an objection

Craw Not Craw, Baremin, Belahina and Full Flight were all slow to begin.

On jumping away Full Flight shifted in and knuckled , thereby bumping Belahina, unbalancing that mare.

In the early part of the straight Craw Not Craw had difficulty obtaining a clear run.

In the early stages of the straight Al Maison which was inclined to lay inwards, raced awkwardly near the heels of Freshwater Storm, which shifted out.

Passing the 200 metres Craw Not Craw had to be checked off the heels of Full Flight, which after initially shifting out then shifted in.   Craw Not Craw then continued to have difficulty obtaining a clear run until near the 50 metres.

L. Coffey rider of Wakeel pleaded guilty to  a charge of careless riding, the careless riding being he allowed his mount to shift out over the concluding stages when not sufficiently clear of Freshwater Storm, which was tightened for room and had to be checked close to the winning post.   L Coffey was suspended from riding in races for a period to commenced midnight Tuesday 25 September 2012 and to expire midnight Tuesday 2 October, 2012  a total of 8 race meetings, 3 city and 8 country.  Stewards deemed the incident to be in the mid range, however took into account the contribution in the incident by Al Maisan, which shifted in slightly as well as L. Coffey’s  guilty plea and exceptional record, which was in excess of 1600 rides since his last suspension.

M. Walker rider of Jedi Master which performed below market expectations, stated although his mount raced keenly in the early stages, he could offer no explanation for the performance.   A post race veterinary examination revealed no abnormalities.

Race 5 – R&J BATTERIES 0 – 68 HANDICAP - 2200 metres: 

When the gates opened Snake Dancer stood flatfooted and lost considerable ground. (4l) 

Existence was inclined to over-race in the early stages.

Rounding the home turn Snake Dancer had to be eased when tightened for room between Existence and Galivant, which shifted in slightly to obtain a run.

V. Duric rider of Skalatonic could offer no explanation for the geldings poor performance.

Race 6 – WESTAG KUBOTA GOLD NUGGET HANDICAP - 1600 metres: 

For the majority of the race Doctor Fremantle raced wide without cover.

Near the 1300 metres Lord Of Brazil shifted in before being straightened by its rider, resulting in Stoneblack being eased away from that gelding’s heels, and Lord Wimble which was racing to the inside of  Stoneblack, also being hampered.

Rounding the home turn and in the early stages of the straight Puissance De Lune and Oregon Spirit both had difficulty obtaining clear running.

Near the 200 metres Stoneblack and Golden Choice were both crowded for room having to be eased due to Lord Wimble shifting in and Oregon Spirit shifting out to obtain a narrow run to the outside of Quick Shakes, which then shifted out slightly.   As Stewards were not of the opinion that the incident was a result of any one rider they nonetheless advised J. Hill, J. Benbow and D. Larsson to show greater care in future.

Race 7 – DARBY’S PAINTS 0 – 58 HANDICAP - 1600 metres: 

When queried trainer M. Cunningham’s representative advised that they would instruct its rider D. Oliver to settle Bullseye Wade where comfortable, however with the step up in distance they were of the opinion that more than likely the horse would settle further forward than at its most previous start.  Bullseye Wade settled in a position outside the leader.

When questioned regarding the seemingly improved performance of Tidal Command, Trainer Mr M. Webb stated the stable was at a loss to explain its last start where it finished second last at Pakenham. He further stated that the gelding had worked well however its race day performances had been always been inconsistent.

Lake View and Imminent Danger were both slow to begin.

Approaching the 1000 metres On The Rebound commenced to over-race and as a result the saddle on the gelding shifted forward, placing P. Moloney rider of the gelding, at a disadvantage for the remainder of the race.

Regal Rules raced wide and without cover for the majority of the event.

In the early stages of  the straight Maunafume was held up for clear running until passing the 200 metres when taken to the outside of Bullseye Wade.   Maunafume was then again held up over the concluding stages.

Shortly after straightening Peace Treaty had to be checked when tightened for room between Regal Rules (D. Larsson) which when weakening shifted in, before being straightened by its rider, and Wicked Fraar (J. Hill) which shifted out.   Both D. Larsson and J. Hill were advised to show far greater caution in similar circumstances.

Race 8 – BALLARAT HOLDEN COUNTRY SHOWCASE BM72 HANDICAP - 1200 metres: 

Cross Street knuckled on jumping away and lost ground.

In the middle stages Churn And Burn over-raced.

Passing the 600 metres Chestnut Valley had to be eased when tightened for room between Howbadisthat which shifted in slightly and Chalupa which shifted out after being brushed on the hindquarters.   As a result Little Gaz which was following, had to be eased in consequence.

Rounding the home turn and for the majority of the straight Cross Street was held up when unable to obtain a clear run and as a result went to the line not being fully tested.

For a short distance approaching the 200 metres King Buddy was held up for clear running.

Near the 200 metres Starkiato was disappointed for a run to the inside of Dare I Ask, where there was insufficient room.   Starkiato then had difficulty obtaining a clear run for the remainder of the race,

Approaching the 100 metres Court Ya was held up for a short distance.

Approaching the winning post On The Cards shifted out away from King Buddy and as a result tightened Churn And Burn out on to Chalupa and Chestnut Valley, resulting in those three horses being hampered.

When questioned M. Walker rider of Chalupa reported that his mount failed to travel well at any stage and in his opinion was disappointing.

G. Murphy rider of Chestnut Valley pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding, the careless riding being that he permitted his mount to shift in when insufficiently clear of Howbadisthat resulting in that runner striking Chestnut Valley’s heels and dislodging A. McCabe near the 200 metres.    G. Murphy was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence midnight Tuesday 25 September, 2012 and to expire midnight Wednesday 17 November 2012 a total of  25 races 8  city 17 country.   In assessing penalty Stewards took into account G. Murphy’s guilty plea and riding record.

Swab Samples

Pre-race blood for post-race analysis:

Race 1 – Our Nellie

Race 2 – Correggio

Race 5 – Skalatonic

Race 6 – Doctor Fremantle, Lord Of Brazil

Race 7 – Bullseye Wade, Lake View

Race 8 – Howbadisthat

Post race samples from following horses:

All winners

Raceday Summary