Stewards' Summary @ Royal Randwick

Published: 30 Dec 2017

A summary of Royal Randwick for Saturday 30th December is shown below, including Vet Notes, Penalties and Fines. For the full report, visit the .racingnsw.com.au website.

Vet Notes

Fearless Girl (Race 1) – a post-race veterinary examination revealed the filly to be slow to recover.
Memory Bank (Race 2) – a post-race veterinary examination revealed a small laceration to the near-hind fetlock.
Equal Balance (Race 4) – a post-race veterinary examination revealed the gelding was slow to recover.
Ghostly (Race 5) – a post-race veterinary examination revealed abrasions to the middle of the nose.
Anatola (Race 9) – a post-race veterinary examination revealed the mare was displaying a poor post-race recovery and heat stress.

Penalties & Fines

G Schofield, rider of Brave Song pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding in that over the concluding stages he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear, resulting in Flow losing its running and being checked. G Schofield's licence to ride in races was suspended for a period to commence on Thursday, 4 January 2018 and to expire on Friday, 12 January 2018, on which day he may ride.

Summary of Races

RACE 1: New Years Day at Royal Randwick Plate 1100m

Reagan – slow to begin (3L).
Morpheus – after beginning awkwardly and shifting out abruptly, was then steadied and shifted in behind runners shortly after the start. A post-race veterinary examination did not reveal any abnormalities.
Marmaris – began awkwardly. Raced greenly throughout the event. Approaching the 600m had to be checked when crowded between Skyray and Granny Red Shoes which, after making contact with Morpheus when that runner was steadied from the heels of Quackerjack, then shifted in away from Morpheus. In this incident Reagan, which was following, was checked as a consequence and Skyray was bumped heavily and became badly crowded as a result. Stewards deemed the racing manners of both Morpheus and Granny Red Shoes to be the principal reason for the interference suffered by Marmaris and Skyray. Did not obtain clear running until approaching the 300m.
Skyray – began awkwardly.
Granny Red Shoes – began awkwardly. Had some difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the straight.
Legislation – knuckled over shortly after the start.
Fearless Girl –leaving the 1000m eased from the heels of Secret Lady (B Melham), which shifted in when not quite clear. B Melham was advised to ensure he is sufficiently clear when shifting ground. When questioned regarding the performance, rider App. R King stated she was obliged to make use of her mount in the early stages to take up a forward position and in her opinion the filly raced greenly throughout the event and would derive benefit from the race experience. A post-race veterinary examination revealed the filly to be slow to recover.
Everard – approaching the 600m had to be steadied when crowded by Legislation, which was taken in by Fearless Girl (App. R King). App. King was advised to exercise more care. Over the concluding stages was inclined to lay out under pressure.
Dreaming Of Biscay – raced wide and without cover throughout.
Acton Shale – raced wide and without cover throughout.

RACE 2: TAB Handicap 1300m

Kissing Game – slow to begin.
Memory Bank – began awkwardly, shifted out and hampered Epidemic. When questioned regarding his riding on the home turn and the reason the filly shifted off, which resulted in Sasso Corbaro securing clear running to his inside, App. L Magorrian stated his mount, which was having its first run the Sydney way of going, was inclined to lay out making the home turn and, whilst he made some effort to keep his mount straight, when he commenced to ride his mount along the filly shifted further ground, which allowed Sasso Corbaro to improve to his inside. App. Magorrian was advised wherever possible he should right his mounts in a competitive manner. A post-race veterinary examination revealed a small laceration to the near-hind fetlock. Stable representative Mr R Roberts, representing D and B Hayes and T Dabernig, was reprimanded for permitting Memory Bank to leave the course prior to the half hour required by the rules.
Sasso Corbaro – from its wide barrier was steadied and shifted in behind runners shortly after the start.
Epidemic – making the first turn commenced to race keenly and was steadied away from the heels of Kissing Game and as a consequence ran out. When questioned regarding his riding, D McDonogh stated his instructions were to have the filly settle in behind the lead and travel where comfortable. He said his mount was somewhat fractious in the barriers and he had to make some use of it in the early stages to hold a forward position, but he was unable to prevent Kissing Game crossing his mount in the early stages. He added, after following Kissing Game and whilst he was aware a run was available to its inside and on the back of Memory Bank, he elected to remain behind Kissing Game because he felt the ground towards the rail was inferior and he was concerned that Memory Bank, the outsider of the field, may not take him into the race. D McDonogh further stated, after remaining behind Kissing Game, his mount commenced to race keenly and was steadied away from the heels of that runner, resulting in it making the first turn awkwardly. He said, after Sasso Corbaro improved to his inside near the 800m to take up a position on the back of Memory Bank, his mount, which continued to race keenly, then worked up to the inside of Kissing Game, whereby he followed Sasso Corbaro and was then positioned to the inside of the heels of Kissing Game. When questioned regarding his riding in the straight and as to whether there was an opportunity to shift immediately to the inside of Memory Bank, D McDonogh stated his focus had been on endeavouring to secure clear running towards the outside and, after it became apparent near the 300m that he was unable to improve, he then shifted back to the inside of Memory Bank, whereby he secured clear running approaching the 200m. After considering his explanation, Stewards advised D McDonogh that his tactics in the early stages, whereby he remained racing behind Kissing Game, were not unreasonable, however he was advised that in the early stages of the straight he made an error of judgement by continuing to endeavour to find running to the outside when a run was available on straightening to the inside of Memory Bank, resulting in his mount being held up for a short distance.
Bella Vella – near the 300m made contact with Memory Bank due to both runners shifting ground slightly. A post-race veterinary examination did not reveal any abnormalities.

RACE 3: Book Summer Hospitality Today Mile 1600m

Liapari – the gelding, which had its head turned to the nearside just prior to the start, was slow to begin.
New Universe – from its wide barrier was steadied and shifted in behind runners shortly after the start. Raced keenly in the middle stages.
Green Sweet – raced keenly in the early stages. Approaching the 1400m was inconvenienced when steadied to avoid the heels of Dreamforce (App. B McDougall), which shifted in when not clear. App. McDougall was reprimanded advised to exercise more care.
Hunter Jack – near the 1300m was steadied to avoid the heels of Dreamforce (App. B McDougall). App. McDougall was again reprimanded and advised to exercise more care.

RACE 4: tab.com.au Handicap 1100m

From Within – the filly, which was agitated during the parade and on arrival at the barrier, reared over and struck its head, was a late withdrawal on veterinary advice at 2.14pm. The Stewards ruled that all monies invested on From within be refunded in full and that all successful wagers made prior to 2.14pm be subject to the following deductions in the face value of each ticket: 1 st Pendeloque 9 cents win 10 cents place 2 nd Junglized 12 cents place Rider B Shinn was uninjured. Trainer Mr E O'Rourke was advised a veterinary clearance would be required prior to From Within starting again.
Junglized – lifted its front feet off the ground as the start was effected and began awkwardly.
Kennedy – raced wide and without cover. When questioned, rider T Angland stated, after his mount commenced well, he contemplated going forward of Junglized, but when that runner held its position one off the fence, he was then obliged to race three wide and without cover. T Angland was reminded of his obligations to ride his mounts out right to the finish of the race.
Equal Balance – a post-race veterinary examination revealed the gelding was slow to recover.

RACE 5: #Theraces Handicap 1200m

Tiger By The Tale – began awkwardly. From its wide barrier was steadied and shifted in behind runners shortly after the start.
Ghostly – began awkwardly. A post-race veterinary examination revealed abrasions to the middle of the nose.
Miami Dade – from its wide barrier was steadied and shifted in behind runners shortly after the start.
Flow – G Schofield (Brave Song) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding in that over the concluding stages he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear, resulting in Flow losing its running and being checked. G Schofield's licence to ride in races was suspended for a period to commence on Thursday, 4 January 2018 and to expire on Friday, 12 January 2018, on which day he may ride.

RACE 6: TAB Highway Handicap 1100m

Territorial – shifted its off-hind plate during the preliminary, which required it to be refitted. The gelding underwent a veterinary examination and was cleared to start.
Tibidabo – the mare, which turned its head to the offside just prior to the start, began awkwardly. Raced wide and without cover until near the 600m.
Remittance – the gelding, which turned its head to the nearside just prior to the start, was slow to begin.
Acquittal – slow to begin. After shifting to the outside of Tibidabo to improve near the 300m, then had to be steadied near the 200m when briefly disappointed for clear running between Tibidabo and Takookacod, which shifted in slightly.
Sonic Girl – from its wide barrier was steadied and shifted in behind runners shortly after the start.
Stone Cold – from its wide barrier was steadied and shifted in behind runners shortly after the start.

RACE 7: Christmas Classic (Listed) 1200m

My Country – the mare, which was restless in the barriers, began awkwardly.
Eckstein – lifted its front feet off the ground as the start was effected and subsequently lost ground. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance, rider M Bell stated the mare jumped awkwardly and as a result he rode his mount along in the early stages to keep in touch with the field. He said Eckstein was then inclined to race keenly in the run, particularly with winkers on for the first time, but in the straight was disappointing in its failure to finish the race off. A post-race veterinary examination did not reveal any abnormalities. Trainer Mr K Goldman stated the mare had pleased him leading into today's race and in particular trialled well at Rosehill on 22 December 2017. He added on return to scale it was noticed that Eckstein had its tongue over the bit. Mr Goldman indicated he would experiment with the gear on the mare, including removing the winkers, prior to its next start. Mr Goldman was advised a veterinary clearance would be required prior to Eckstein racing again and was asked to report back if there was anything amiss post-race.
Snippets Land – from its wide barrier was steadied and shifted in behind runners shortly after the start, however raced wide and without cover throughout.
Kudero – raced keenly in the middle stages and near the 800m was steadied away from the heels of My Country.
Music Magnate – near the 800m, when being crossed by Isorich (J Taylor) when that runner shifted in when not clear, had to be steadied. J Taylor was advised she must ensure she is sufficiently clear when shifting ground.
Supreme Effort – raced wide and without cover from the 600m.

RACE 8: Hyland Boxing Day Sale Handicap 1800m

Mortar Platoon – Stewards acceded to a request from stable representative Mr C Duckworth to withdraw the gelding on the basis that the track conditions were too firm. Mortar Platoon was withdrawn at 3.38pm.
Chatelard – slow to begin. When questioned regarding the performance, rider G Schofield stated in his view the gelding was not suited today by the slow early tempo, particularly when the race developed into a sprint home from the 600m and his mount was under pressure from that point. He added, although it was well beaten in the straight and only one-paced to the finish, he felt Chatelard was still strong to the line and would benefit from a step up in distance. A post-race veterinary examination did not reveal any abnormalities. Trainer representative Mr C Duckworth concurred with the view of G Schofield and advised that the stable would now look to step the gelding up in distance for its next race start. Mr Duckworth undertook to report back if there is anything amiss with Chatelard subsequent to the race.
Hogmanay – slow to begin.
Valentino Rossa – slow to begin.
Olympic Academy – slow to begin. A post-race veterinary examination did not reveal any abnormalities.
Reneged – raced wide and without cover from the 1100m.
Monasterio – raced keenly in the middle stages.
Zourkhan – briefly held up in the early part of the straight and then near the 250m was inconvenienced when disappointed for clear running between Reneged and Vaucluse Bay, which shifted out slightly.
Xebec – for some distance inside the 150m had difficulty obtaining clear running between Gambler's Blues and Vaucluse Bay when that runner shifted in slightly. Again over the concluding stages Xebec had difficulty securing clear running as it attempted a narrow run between Hogmanay and Vaucluse Bay.
Gambler's Blues – held up for clear running until near the 100m.

RACE 9: ATC Owners Benefit Card Sprint 1200m

Arrondissement – began awkwardly. Rider J Ford started his mount never travelled at any stage of the event and, after blundering soon after entering the straight, he eased it down when he was concerned there may be something amiss. A post-race veterinary examination did not reveal any abnormalities. Trainer Mr D Williams advised that he felt the mare did not appreciate the firm surface. Stewards adjourned the inquiry pending advice from Mr Williams in respect to the immediate racing plans for the mare and as to whether the Stewards would require Arrondissement to barrier trial before it races again.
Anatola – made contact at the start with Overstep. A post-race veterinary examination revealed the mare was displaying a poor post-race recovery and heat stress.
Overstep – made contact at the start with Anatola. Rider T Angland stated that, as advised, the intention was to be more forward, but in his view the mare was unsuited by the fast early tempo and was left without a finishing effort as a consequence. A post-race veterinary examination did not reveal any abnormalities.
Sugar Bella – after being slow to begin, was crowded for room between Savatiano and Geneteau, both of which shifted ground. In the incident both Savatiano and Geneteau became unbalanced. Laid in under pressure in the straight.
Savatiano – raced wide and without cover in the early stages.
Geneteau – overraced in the early stages. App. J Innes Jr stated was reminded of his obligation to ride his mounts out to the finish of the race wherever possible.
Kawaikini – making the home turn was held up when unable to improve between Overstep and O'Rachael. Near the 200m was directed to the outside of Savatiano to continue into clear running.