Stewards' Reports

Moonee Valley Racing Club

Race 1 – SPORTINGBET HANDICAP - 1500 metres: 

Cadel’s Gold was slow to begin (one length).

In the straight General Rippa hung in.

Both C Williams (Adjuster) and trainer Mr B Cozamanis were questioned regarding the apparent change of tactics adopted on the colt today as opposed to its normal racing pattern.  Mr Cozamanis confirmed the instructions were to ride Adjuster back as it normally is however there was general agreement to be positive out of the barriers.  C Williams explained that after Cadel’s Gold, which was drawn to his immediate inside, was slow away and was a noted on pace runner he then made the decision to go forward given his mount jumped very well and could not see any options to come back without being caught wide and more than likely without any cover.  In all the circumstances the Stewards noted the explanations tendered if required for further reference.

L Currie (About Square (NZ)) could offer no excuse for the gelding’s disappointing performance.   A post race veterinary examination of About Square (NZ) revealed the gelding to have an upper respiratory abnormality and trainer Mr M Moroney was advised that a veterinary certificate of fitness together with the satisfactory results of an endoscopic examination are required prior to About Square (NZ) racing again.

Race 2 – BOSCASTLE PLATE - 1200 metres: 

Mama’s Choice over-raced in the early stages.

J Mott (Games) was found guilty of a charge of careless riding under the provisions of AR137a, the careless riding being that from the 500m to the 400m he continued to ride his mount out from behind Spirit Of Soul to a point where he left insufficient racing room for Big Chill which had to be checked.  At the point of the check Stewards conceded that Volcanic Sky shifted in slightly but still maintained a position three wide outside of the heels of Flying Hostess.  J Mott had his licence to ride in races suspended for a period to commence at midnight September 15  and to expire at midnight September 25, a total of ten race meetings ( two city, eight country).  In assessing penalty Stewards took into account the incident was in the mid-range and some concessions were made with respect to penalty given his good record and the slight shift from Volcanic Sky.

Rounding the home turn (near the 300m) Love For Ransom had to be checked to avoid the heels of Spirit Of Soul which was giving ground.

On straightening near the 150m Mama’s Choice, Saturn Rock and Spinning Diamond were all crowded for room and got unbalanced when tightened between Flying Hostess and Stella Lante which was laying in under pressure.  The incident was also compounded by Flying Hostess being taken out slightly by Games. 

Volcanic Sky which was following, was held up for clear running and failed to obtain clear running for the remainder of the race.

Games also failed to obtain clear running for  a major part of the straight.

Inside the final 100m Spinning Diamond continued to race in restricted room and was not fully tested over the final stages.

Approaching the winning post Big Chill shifted out to improve from behind Malasun and in doing so tightened the running of Legcut which had to be checked near the post.

Big Chill lost its off hind plate in running.

M Rodd (Volcanic Sky) reported that his mount raced very greenly and it was noted it did lay in on the point of the home turn.

D Gauci (Legcut) explained that his mount raced keenly and was endeavouring to find some cover initially but due to the filly over-racing he was unable to do this and by the time the field had reached the 1000m his mount was three wide without cover. He added for this reason he then elected to put his mount under a little pressure to go forward and clear Volcanic Sky and from this point his mount took charge  after passing the 800m.

A post race veterinary examination of Spirit Of Soul revealed the filly had sustained two small cuts to the inside of its near hind leg.

Race 3 – ADAPT AUSTRALIA HANDICAP - 1600 metres: 

After the running of Race 1 it was established that Sierra Nevada (NZ) would be ridden mid-field with cover today.  Sierra Nevada (NZ) settled in a rearward position.

After passing the 1000m Heaven’s Riches was checked when crowded for room by Ebony Rock which was taken in by Ulundi. Contributing to this interference was Ulundi over-racing and having to be restrained off the heels of The Wingman (NZ) which had a bearing as to why Ulundi shifted in.  In all the circumstances no direct action was taken other than to caution D Lane, rider of Ulundi, and advised him to exercise more care.

B Rawiller (Glaneuse) reported after the race that he felt the gelding was not right in its action. A subsequent veterinary examination of Glaneuse revealed  no abnormalities.

A veterinary examination was carried out on Val Champ (ARG) which weakened in the straight and this revealed no abnormalities.

Race 4 – JAPAN RACING ASSOCIATION TROPHY (Listed) - 2500 metres: 

Prior to correct weight C Schofield rider of Fictional Account (IRE), second placegetter, viewed the Stewards film before deciding not to lodge an objection.  Stewards were also satisfied that there where insufficient grounds for an objection as both horses shifted ground inside the final 100m.

Tanby over-raced in the early stages.

Crabs (NZ) raced wide without cover.

Rounding the home turn M Walker (Unchain My Heart) had some difficulty in pulling his whip through.

Stable representative Mr G Fennessy explained that Fictional Account (IRE) was only having its second run today since being imported and they endeavoured to try and ride the mare today with some cover as it failed dismally when leading at its first start in Australia at Flemingotn on July 21 and would continue to ride the mare in this fashion in the future.

S King (Tanby) explained that he rode the gelding back in accordance with his instructions and given the run the gelding had in transit was confident from the 1200m when getting a trail behind Fictional Account (IRE). He added once he put his mount under pressure from the 800m Tanby was close enough if good enough however failed to let down and did not respond to his riding.  A subsequent veterinary examination of Tanby after the race revealed no abnormalities.

Race 5 – MITTY’S MCEWEN STAKES (Group 3) - 1000 metres: 

Green Birdie (NZ) was slow away and then dipped shortly after the start.

On the point of the home turn Platelet (N Hall) shifted out abruptly to obtain a clear run and in doing so brushed Umgeton which then got unbalanced.  A short distance after Umgeton again got unbalanced when placed in restricted room between Platelet and Golden Archer which shifted in under pressure making contact with Umgeton.  N Hall was reprimanded and advised to exercise more care for the manner in which he shifted out.

Approaching the 100m Didntcostalot had to be checked when disappointed for a clear run to the inside of Snitzem which did shift in back towards the fence after initially shifting out on the home turn. 

Race 6 – DATO TAN CHIN NAM STAKES (Group 2) - 1600 metres: 

After the running of Race 4 trainer Mr J Sadler advised Stewards that it was the stable’s intention to ride Linton back from its barrier draw.

Ethiopia raced wide without cover.

From the 800m Linton was unable to improve its position when held up behind Ethiopia and to the inside of Alcopop and Linton continued to be held up until entering the home straight.

D Holland (Mr Chard) was issued with a severe reprimand for permitting his mount to shift out near the 500m when not fully clear of Sneak A Peek (ITY) which had to be eased.

Trainer Mr M Price advised that the connections of Heart Of Dreams have decided to retire the gelding after today’s race.

Race 7 – TOP CUT STOCKS STAKES (Group 2) - 1600 metres: 

The explanation of trainer Mr A Purcell for presenting Spirit Song late on course was accepted.

Bliss Street over-raced in the early stages and got its head up when being restrained off the heels of Avienus when negotiating the turn near the 1200m.

My Chicharita (NZ) over-raced in the early and middle stages and then from the 800m was unable to improve its position when held up behind a number of runners and then had to be shifted out approaching the home turn to obtain clear running and then made significant ground in the straight.

When questioned D Oliver (My Chicharita (NZ)) explained that his mount lacked gate speed and was not suited by the slow tempo and as a result pulled too hard with the addition of blinkers on today.  He added that from the 800m he did attempt to shift out off the fence when trailing Booklet who was following Dance For Cash which was under pressure.  He confirmed that My Chicharita (NZ) made good ground in the straight but did not feel it necessary to use the whip as it would have made no difference to the end result.

M Rodd (Midnight Martini) explained it was not the intention to lead today but with the lack of speed in the race he was left with no other option.

Race 8 – CHANDLER MACLEOD STAKES (Listed) - 1200 metres: 

That’s The One missed the start by at least one length.

Shadowfax (NZ) raced wide without cover.

After passing the 500m Mr Make Believe attempted to obtain a clear run to the outside of Sea Lord however was denied that opportunity by Shadowfax (NZ) which attempted to hold its line and this resulted in Mr Make Believe assuming its original position however Amah Rock had improved to its inside and taken that position resulting in Amah Rock being checked, shifted in crowding That’s The One which was checked.  By The Way which was following to be severely checked and See The World which was also following clipping the heels of Amah Rock and almost falling.  Whilst the degree of interference was severe the Stewards were of the view that L Nolen (Mr Make Believe) could not avoid the incident in the circumstances in which it unfolded therefore no action was taken

Rounding the home turn and in the straight That’s The One failed to obtain clear running and subsequently was unable to be fully tested to the winning post.

Rounding the home turn and for a major part of the straight Essington was unable to obtain clear running when racing  in restricted room between Mr Make Believe and Dee’n’gee and as a result was unable to be ridden out over the concluding stages.

Pied A Terre got forced wide on the home turn.

B Rawiller (Pied A Terre) explained he would have liked to have the gelding closer in the run however his mount never travelled well and hung out but then made ground late.

Post race veterinary examinations of See The World and Pied A Terre revealed no abnormal findings.

Swab Samples

Pre-race blood for post-race analysis:

R2 – Flying Hostess, R4 – Buxted (IRE), R6 – Alcopop, R7 – Spirit Song  

Post-race samples from the following horses:

All winners

Raceday Summary

General

Trainer Mr A Freedman today advised Stewards that after Mawingo’s disappointing run in the Makybe Diva at Flemington last Saturday, the horse had felt very flat for some 48 hours after the run and that blood results appeared to be normal.  He further reported that Mawingo had been brighter in its work during the week and he would expect the horse to display a more forward showing at its next start.