Stewards' Reports

Ballarat Turf Club (Outer Track)

Date:	Thursday, 10 January 2013
Track:	Dead 4 – Upgraded Good 3 at 1.07 p.m.
Penetrometer:	5.17
Weather:	Fine
Rail:	Out 10 metres
Stewards Panel:	Mr C Waller (Chair), Ms H Lester, Mr T Wilson, Mr S Bettess, Mr K Salt

Riding Changes / Jockey Information

Race	Horse	Rider	Replaced By	Reason
3	Siddle’s Birthday	B Melham	J Noonan	Unavailable
8	Oh George	J. Mott	J. Lyon	Became indisposed

Must produce Medical Certificate prior to riding again:  J. Mott

Did not attend meeting: B. Melham

Other Comments / Explanations:

Stewards accepted the explanations of both Trainer Mr M Laurie and Rider Mr B Melham regarding the change of rider on Siddle’s Birthday in Race 3.

Race 1 – CITY OF BALLARAT SV 2YO FILLIES MAIDEN PLATE - 1000 metres: 

Astro Miss proved difficult to load and as a result Mr. A. Freedman’s representative was advised that prior to racing again the filly must trial to the satisfaction of Stewards.

Yugoslavia began awkwardly and lost ground.

Charnzel began awkwardly.

Shortly after the start Jessy Belle was eased briefly when crowded for room between Mystical Miss and Drifting Cube, both of which shifted slightly.

Charnzel raced keenly in the early stages.

Scented Siren raced wide without cover for the majority of the race.

Approaching the 600 metres Blendwell had to be restrained when racing close to the heels of Charnzel.   As a result Mystical Miss which was following and also inclined to over-race, had to be steadied outwards to avoid the heels of Blendwell.   As a result Mystical Miss made contact with Scented Siren.

Approaching the home turn Jessy Belle improved up on to the heels of Drifting Cube and as a result shifted out making contact with the hindquarters of Every Faith.   As a result Jessy Belle was briefly tightened for room and had to be eased by its rider.

Approaching and rounding the home turn Drifting Cube was held up for clear running.

B. Evans rider of Scented Siren which performed poorly, stated he could offer no explanation for the poor performance however did report that the filly became unbalanced for a short distance when negotiating the dip approaching the 200 metres.

V. Duric rider of Enmore Miss reported that his mount was inclined to lay inwards in the straight proving difficult for him to ride out in his normal manner.   A post race veterinary examination was unable to be conducted as Enmore Miss had left the course.   Representative for the T. Vasil stable was advised that a $100 fine would apply for Enmore Miss leaving the course within 30 minutes of the race, without permission of the Stewards.   It was further identified that Every Faith had also left the course well within 30 minutes guideline and R. Smerdon’s representative was advised that $100 fine would apply.

J. Noonan rider of Yugoslavia which performed poorly stated that although he was disappointed with the filly’s performance he was of the opinion that Yugoslavia would be much improved after it had an opportunity to mature.

Race 2 – PORTER PLANT F&M MAIDEN PLATE - 1200 metres: 

Melting Moment shifted in abruptly en route to the barriers dislodging its rider J. Mott, then breaking through the inside running rail.   Melting Moment then galloped some distance before being captured.  Stewards ordered the withdrawal of Melting Moments at 1.32 p.m.   Subsequently Stewards ordered the following deductions to betting – All monies bet for a win and/or place and concession betting on the late scratching to be refunded.   All successful bets on horses prior to time of withdrawal are subject to the following deductions in the dollar from the face value of the ticket:

Win Bets (#10) – 34 cents

Place Bets (for winner#10) – 21 cents

Place Bets (for second #9) – 23 cents

Place Bets (for third #2) – 22 cents

All monies bet after the Stewards declaration of withdrawal to be paid at face value of ticket.

Trainer R. Cameron’s representative was advised a warning would be placed on the filly’s record for its pre-race behaviour.

J.  Mott was examined by the Ambulance Officers and deemed unfit to fulfil his remaining engagements.

On jumping away Aurelii shifted in and bumped Madam Petite.

Lady Hillingdon was held up for clear running rounding the home turn and had to be taken outwards abruptly by its rider shortly after straightening to obtain clear running.

Mors Et Vita had a tendency to lay outwards in the straight.

Race 3 – AUSTRALIAN STOCKYARD CO SV 3YO MAIDEN PLATE - 1200 metres: 

Maharaaj began awkwardly.

Picked In Faith was slow to begin.

Approaching the 700 metres Think To Myself improved up on to the heels of Shriver and as a result had to be eased.

Rounding the home turn and in the early stages of the straight Lachie’s A Star  was held up for clear running.

For a short distance in the early stages of the straight  Pillar Of Creation had difficulty obtaining a clear run to the outside of Fremont Street and as a result made contact with Siddle’s Birthday on a number of occasions.

Think To Myself was held up for clear running in the early stages of the straight and approaching the 200 metres had to be restrained when disappointed for clear running between Lachie’s A Star which initially shifted in slightly and Prakticality which shifted out slightly.   Think To Myself was then taken inwards by its rider, however was again held up for clear running until passing the 100 metres.   J. Lyon rider of Think To Myself when questioned, further stated that shortly after straightening he had intended to attempt a run between Shriver and Prakticality one off the fence, however when Prakticality shifted in he elected to attempt a run to its outside at that stage.   J. Lyon further stated that after obtaining clear running from the 100 metres he was again held up over the concluding stages.   His comments were noted.

For some distance near the 300 metres Prakticality which was racing greenly, was held up for clear running.

D. Lane was questioned regarding the performance of Pillar Of Creation which although only beaten a short margin, started a short price favourite.   D. Lane could offer no explanation for the performance.

Race 4 – TRACY THE PLACEMENT PEOPLE MAIDEN PLATE - 1400 metres: 

Prior to correct weight I. Gundogdu rider of Caesar’s Revenge fourth placegetter, viewed the official video in the straight before deciding not to proceed with an objection.

Gold Viking commenced awkwardly making contact with Hammerhead.

Approaching the 1200 metres Darkwater Jewels was tightened for room and had to be eased when crowded by Gold Viking, which shifted in away from  Hammerhead when also shifted in slightly.

Passing the 50 metres Caesar’s Revenge had to be eased when crowded for room between Sea Of Choice and El Mandoma, which shifted out under pressure.

When questioned A. Stead rider of Kem Heart which led before compounding in the straight, stated it had been his intention to race in a forward position, however after receiving a slight bump near the 1000 metres Kem Heart commenced to pull hard to a degree where he was unable to restrain the gelding, and as a result it compounded over the concluding stages.

B. White rider of Danzinar reported that his mount hung in considerably in the middle stages.

Race 5 – TRANSPORT TYRES 0 – 68 HANDICAP - 1400 metres: 

More Than A Monty stood flatfooted as the start was affected and as a result lost considerable ground.

Princess Rock jumped out at the start and made contact with Van Rossum.

Mega Rich over-raced in the early stages and approaching the 1200 metres shifted outwards when racing awkwardly on the heels of Rockshaft.

In the middle stages Soaked was inclined to lay outwards and as a result raced wide for the majority of the event.

Padstow Bay raced wide without cover for the majority of the event.

Soaked continued to lay outwards in the straight. M Allen its rider stated as a result he was unable to ride it out in his normal manner in the straight.

J. Kissick rider of More Than A Monty which finished a distant last reported that in his opinion the mare had broken down.   A post race veterinary examination revealed no abnormalities. Trainer S. Morrish was advised that a warning would be placed on the mare’s record for its failure to jump with the field and should it re-offend further action may be taken.    S. Morrish will also be contacted in the coming days to ascertain whether anything comes to light which may explain the poor performance.  

Race 6 – HYGAIN 0 – 62 HANDICAP - 1600 metres:

True Brave was held up for clear running in the early stages of the straight and passing the 200 metres was disappointed for a clear run between Stable Star and It’s A Mystery which both shifted ground.   True Brave then continued to be held up until obtaining a tight run to the inside of It’s A Mystery.

Chicanes was held up for clear running rounding the home turn and in the early stages of the straight.

Race 7 – SPORTSBET.COM.AU SHOWCASE BM72 HANDICAP- - 1000 metres: 

Prior to the running of Race 6 J. McLean rider of Wee Mac indicated it was their intention to have the gelding, which in the past had been a front runner, be ridden back in the field which is where it had settled at its previous start at Moonee Valley and had performed well.   Wee Mac was ridden accordingly.

B. James trainer of Sylvan Power was fined the sum of $50 for presenting the gelding to race without blinkers, which were part of its approved gear.

Thebarwonprince began awkwardly.

Approaching the 800 metres She Swings had to be eased to avoid the heels of Gotta Laugh, which shifted out slightly.

Rounding the home turn Gotta Laugh was held up for clear running.

S. Vella rider of Sylvan Prince which performed poorly stated that the gelding appeared to become quite agitated after undergoing a gear adjustment behind the barriers and as a result, in his opinion it failed to breathe properly in the early stages and also felt awkward in the straight, resulting in him easing Sylvan Prince out of the event shortly after straightening.   A post race veterinary examination revealed a slower than normal recovery rate.

S. Arnold rider of Wee Mac which performed below market expectations stated in his opinion the gelding may have jarred up on todays track and a post race veterinary examination revealed no abnormalities.

Race 8 – HYGAIN SHOWCASE CLASS 1 HANDICAP - 1200 metres: 

The connections of Grafstrom advised prior to riders mounting up that the gelding will be ridden further back as compared to its most previous start where it had led.   Mr. Smerdon’s representative was advised that a severe reprimand would be imposed for the late notification of the change and in assessing the matter Stewards took into account that Mr. Smerdon was interstate and his representative had failed to relay the message until ten minutes before the race.   After beginning only fairly Grafstrom took up a position at the rear of the field.

The start of this race was delayed three minutes to avoid a clash with a race meeting at Albany.

Prior to correct weight V. Duric rider of Testa Grigia fourth placegetter viewed the official video in the straight before deciding not to proceed with an objection.

Steel Tiger knuckled on jumping away.

Mystery Blitz and Hampton Girl were both slow to begin.

Rounding the home turn Testa Grigia was held up for clear running.

Mystery Blitz and Hampton Girl were both inclined to lay inwards in the straight.

Quizman had a tendency to lay outwards under pressure in the straight.

Passing the 200 metres Grafstrom had to be steadied outwards to avoid the heels of the tiring Oh George.

Approaching the 100 metres Hampton Girl was accidentally struck over the head by the whip of B., Rawiller (Alice’s Virtue).

Passing the 100 metres Testa Grigia obtained a position to the inside of Day After Tomorrow (D. Lane) which then shifted in taking Testa Grigia in on to Bon Toosh which when weakening had to be restrained by its rider.  D . Lane was severely reprimanded for permitting his mount to shift ground when not sufficiently clear. In assessing the matter stewards took into account V Duric’s evidence that his mount had a slight tendency to shift in and away from Day After Tomorrow.   For some distance following this event Testa Grigia raced tightly to the inside of Day After Tomorrow.

M. Rodd rider of Domes Accord reported his mount hung inwards in the straight placing him at a disadvantage in riding out in his normal manner.

J. Lyon rider of Oh George which performed poorly stated that his mount over-race in the early and middle stages and as a result failed to finish the race off as expected.,

Swab Samples

Pre-race blood for post-race analysis:

Race 2 – Lady Hillingdon

Race 3 – Picked In Faith

Race 4 – Sea Of Choice

Race 5 – Van Rossum

Race 6 – It’s A Mystery, Stable Star

Race 7 – Sylvan Power

Race 8 – Oh George

Post race samples from following horses:

All winners

Raceday Summary

Late Scratchings	Race 2 -  Melting Moments – 1.32 p.m.
Fines:	Race 1 -  R. Smerdon - $100 – leaving course within 30 minutes Race 1 -  T. Vasil - $100 – leaving course within 30 minutes Race 7 -  B. James (Sylvan Power) - $50 – wrong gear
Severe Reprimands:	Race 8 -  R. Smerdon (Grafstrom) – late notification of change of tactics Race 8 -  D. Lane – shifting ground
Horse Actions:	Race 1 -  Astro Miss – trial Stewards satisfaction Race 2 -  Melting Moments – warning – pre-race behaviour Race 5 – More Than A Monty – warning – failing to jump with field
Change of Tactics	Race 7 – Wee Mac Race 8 – Grafstrom
Follow Up	Race 1 -  T. Vasil – (Enmore Miss) Race 5  -  S. Morrish (More Than A Monty) Race 7 -   B. James (Sylvan Power)