Stewards' Summary @ Royal Randwick
Published: 03 Mar 2018
A summary of Royal Randwick for Saturday 3rd March is shown below, including Vet Notes, Penalties and Fines. For the full report, visit the racingnsw.com.au website.
Vet Notes
- Keymaster (Race 1) – after being loaded into the barriers, became fractious and kicked out behind. The gelding was removed from the barriers, examined by the Club's Veterinary Officer and was ruled unfit to race when found to have abrasions to both hindlegs. Trainer D Mirfin was advised a veterinary clearance would be required prior to Keymaster racing again.
- Sepoy's Choice (Race 1) – a post-race veterinary examination revealed the gelding to be slow to recover. Trainer Mr M Dunn was advised the performance of Sepoy's Choice was deemed to be unacceptable and before being permitted to race again the gelding must perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial.
- Couvre Lit (Race 4) – a post-race veterinary examination revealed multiple lacerations to the near-hind pastern.
- Adamina (Race 4) – a post-race veterinary examination revealed speedy cuts to both hindlegs.
- Casadiva (Race 4) – a post-race veterinary examination revealed the filly was slow to recover. Trainer Mr B Stanley confirmed Casadiva would now be spelled.
- Winx (Race 6) – a post-race veterinary examination revealed the mare lost the off-fore plate in running.
- Unforgotten (Race 7) – a post-race veterinary examination revealed the filly was displaying cardiac arrhythmia. Trainer Mr C Waller indicated that Unforgotten had been somewhat disappointing in its two trials in the lead up to today's race and had raced accordingly. Mr Waller was advised he must provide a veterinary clearance, including the results of an ECG, prior to Unforgotten trialling to the satisfaction of Stewards, before being permitted to race again.
Penalties & Fines
- Mrs K Waugh, trainer of Oxford Tycoon was fined the sum of $200 under AR118A. The inquiry established that trainer Mrs K Waugh had added a heavier girth to the gear of the colt.
- Mr B Baker, trainer of Crack Me Up and represented by Mr J Bruce was fined the sum of $500 under AR140(b).
Summary of Races
RACE 1: TAB Highway Plate 1600m
- Keymaster – after being loaded into the barriers, became fractious and kicked out behind. The gelding was removed from the barriers, examined by the Club's Veterinary Officer and was ruled unfit to race when found to have abrasions to both hindlegs. As such Keymaster was a late withdrawal at 12.26pm on veterinary advice. The Stewards ruled that all monies invested on Keymaster be refunded in full and that all successful wagers made prior to 12.26pm be subject to the following deductions in the face value of each ticket: 1 st Fui San 18 cents win 17 cents place 2 nd Mister Marmalade 19 cents place 3 rd Celtic Trail 19 cents place Trainer D Mirfin was advised a veterinary clearance would be required prior to Keymaster racing again.
- Delude – slow to begin.
- Volpe – from its wide barrier was steadied and shifted in behind runners shortly after the start. Held up for clear running in the early part of the straight and proved difficult to shift out when inclined to lay in behind So It Is.
- Sepoy's Choice – shortly after the start was steadied when crowded between Volpe, which shifted in, and Fui San, which was taken out by Biodynamics, which in turn was taken out when bumped by Celtic Trail. Near the 200m, when giving ground in the straight, was steadied to avoid the heels of Celtic Trail (A Hyeronimus), which shifted out abruptly. A Hyeronimus was advised to exercise more care. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance, rider T Angland stated his mount travelled reasonable well in the run, but failed to respond to his riding in the straight. He added that, as he became concerned about the gelding's action in front, he desisted from riding out over the final 200m. A post-race veterinary examination revealed the gelding to be slow to recover. Trainer Mr M Dunn was advised the performance of Sepoy's Choice was deemed to be unacceptable and before being permitted to race again the gelding must perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial.
- Biodynamic – overraced in the early stages. From the 1000m raced wide and without cover.
- It's A Lottery – nearing the 1100m broke down in the near-hindleg and was eased out of the event. When attended to by the Official Veterinarian the gelding was found to have sustained a fracture to the near-hind cannon and was humanely euthanised. Trainer Mr J Bateman advised that It's A Lottery had displayed no issues in the lead up to today's event. An inspection of the track conducted by the Stewards revealed no issue with the racing surface in the vicinity of where the gelding broke down. It's A Lottery will be transported to the University Teaching Hospital, Camden for an autopsy to be conducted. The inquiry was adjourned to allow the results of that autopsy to be presented to the Stewards, along with the veterinary and treatment records to be provided to the Stewards by trainer Mr J Bateman.
- Celtic Trail – soon after straightening was hampered when it shifted in to avoid the heels of Sepoy's Choice, which was giving ground. When questioned regarding the mare settling in a midfield position, rider A Hyeronimus stated he was instructed to ride his mount patiently in that when it raced at Walcha on 9 February 2018 it settled more forward than anticipated on that day. 3
- Mister Marmalade – when questioned regarding his riding, C Reith stated his instructions were to take up a midfield position. He said, after commencing reasonably well, when Delude and So It Is held their positions to his inside, he elected to come back and race towards the rear of the field. When questioned regarding his riding making the home turn and in particular as to whether there was an opportunity to improve between Delude and Celtic Trail sooner than he did, C Reith stated that, whilst he was aware that a run had developed between those two runners, he was reluctant to improve as he had observed K McEvoy, rider of Delude look to his outside to show intent to shift off. He said as a result he remained racing behind Delude for some distance making the home turn and, when he was satisfied the run was safe to take on straightening, he elected to improve between Delude and Celtic Trail, where he placed his mount under full pressure.
RACE 2: The Tahiti Travel Connection Handicap 2000m
- Bring Luck – slow to begin. Rider P Wells could offer no real explanation for the disappointing performance, other than to say that the gelding has a disappointing record at Randwick. He said post-race he could not identify any issue with Bring Luck. He added he had ridden it in its work in the lead up to today's race and the gelding was expected to perform much better than it did today. A post-race veterinary examination did not reveal any abnormalities.
- So Willie - slow to begin.
- The Getaway – approaching the 200m was briefly held up on the heels of Tamarack and shifted to that runner's outside to obtain clear running.
- Tamarack – laid out under pressure in the straight.
- Berdibek – rider K McEvoy could offer no excuse for the disappointing performance of the gelding. A post-race veterinary examination did not reveal any abnormalities.
RACE 3: Schweppes Skyline Stakes (Group 2) 1200m
- Santos – the colt cast its off-hind plate in the tie-up stalls, necessitating it having to be replated. As a result Santos was delayed in entering the mounting yard. Santos then kicked out and struck the rail when leaving the mounting enclosure. The colt underwent a subsequent veterinary examination and was passed fit to race. Bumped shortly after the start by Sandbar, which shifted out.
- Spin – bounded on jumping. Near the 400m was steadied when disappointed for clear running between Oxford Tycoon and Sandbar. Spin was then able to obtain clear running soon after.
- Oxford Tycoon – began awkwardly. Stewards today opened an inquiry into the reason for rider T Angland returning to scale 1 kilogram overweight. The inquiry established that trainer Mrs K Waugh had added a heavier girth to the gear of the colt. Mrs Waugh was fined the sum of $200 under AR118A.
- Irish Bet – from its wide barrier was steadied and shifted in behind runners shortly after the start. Rider B Avdulla stated that in the straight he had some concern with the action of the colt and for this reason he did not ride his mount out fully to the finish. A post-race veterinary examination did not reveal any abnormalities. Trainer Mr J O'Shea was at a loss to explain the disappointing performance and undertook to report back on the progress of Irish Bet in the days subsequent.
- Sandbar – near the 150m was inconvenienced when Santos shifted out slightly.
- Zousain – when questioned regarding the colt leading, rider H Bowman confirmed his instructions were to try and obtain cover on the colt. He said when Zousain commenced well and he had a number of runners back to his inside, he elected to allow his mount to stride forward and lead without really being pressured.
RACE 4: Chandon S Sweet Embrace Stakes (Group 2) 1200m
- Fiesta – the filly cast its near-hind plate in the tie-up stalls, necessitating it having to be replated. As a result Fiesta was delayed in entering the mounting yard. The filly underwent a veterinary examination and was passed fit to race. Raced wide and without cover for the majority of the event and was inclined to overrace. Near the 900m, when inclined to overrace, had to be steadied from the heels of Perfect Pitch.
- Into The Abyss – after becoming somewhat fractious in the enclose, the filly underwent a veterinary examination upon arrival at the barriers and was passed fit to start.
- Satin Slipper – shortly after the start knuckled and shifted out, making contact with Casadiva. Close to the winning post Casadiva, which was hanging, shifted out abruptly and caused some inconvenience to Satin Slipper, which was steadied. Rider A Adkins stated from its favourable barrier draw he was able to settle slightly more forward, but his mount was inclined to race keenly in the run. He said as a result the filly did not finish the race off as well as expected. A post-race veterinary examination did not reveal any abnormalities. Co-trainer Mr Peter Snowden agreed with the views of A Adkins that the filly was not advantaged by being ridden closer to the lead. Stewards ruled that the performance of Satin Slipper was unsatisfactory and Mr Snowden was advised the filly must barrier trial to the satisfaction of the Stewards prior to its next race start.
- Futooh – shortly after the start was steadied when crowded between Seabrook and Setsuna, which shifted out. Then from its wide barrier was steadied and shifted in behind runners.
- Sweet Ava – from its wide barrier was steadied and shifted in behind runners shortly after the start. Leaving the 600m had to be checked away from the heels of Fiesta, which shifted out. When questioned regarding the filly settling back in the field, rider B Avdulla stated that he had intended to be more forward from the wide draw and he elected to follow one of the fancied runners, Fiesta, and this resulted in his mount settling further back than anticipated.
- Now Or Never – near the 1000m was steadied away from the heels of Couvre Lit, which shifted out slightly.
- Couvre Lit – overraced badly throughout the early and middle stages and refused to settle. A post-race veterinary examination revealed multiple lacerations to the near-hind pastern.
- Seabrook – from the 800m raced wide and without cover.
- Adamina – rider T Clark stated the filly enjoyed a comfortable run behind the leaders, but when asked for an effort soon after straightening did not respond to his riding. He said in his view Adamina is still somewhat immature and as a result did not run out a strong 1200m. A post-race veterinary examination revealed speedy cuts to both hindlegs.
- Casadiva – rider G Boss stated the filly jumped awkwardly, but was able to take up a forward position. He said that on the home turn Casadiva was inclined to hang out and became progressively worse as the filly tired in the straight. He added that near the 500m his mount blundered and he did not fully test it to the finish. A post-race veterinary examination revealed the filly was slow to recover. Trainer Mr B Stanley confirmed Casadiva would now be spelled.
RACE 5: Liverpool City Cup (Group 3) 1300m
- Crack Me Up – slow to begin. Stewards interviewed trainer's representative Mr J Bruce relative to the gelding being presented to race with a near-hind bandage. Mr Bruce advised Stewards that Crack Me Up had arrived at the Sydney stable with a laceration to that leg and was bandaged as a precaution by the veterinarian. Mr B Baker, represented by Mr J Bruce, was fined the sum of $500 under AR140(b).
- Egg Tart – after being slightly slow away, was crowded for room between Arbeitsam, which shifted out, and McCreery, which was taken in by Interlocuter, which in turn was taken in by Mackintosh. Approaching the 300m was steadied when disappointed for clear running between Burradoo and Crack Me Up, which shifted out to improve. Egg Tart then had further difficulty obtaining clear running until near the 100m when it shifted to the outside of Crack Me Up.
- McCreery – crowded at the start. G Schofield, rider of the gelding, which was closing the race off strongly, was spoken to regarding his vigour over the final 200m. He was reminded of his obligations to ensure that he places his mounts under the appropriate pressure wherever possible.
- Artlee – raced keenly in the middle stages. A post-race veterinary examination did not reveal any abnormalities.
- Care To Think – when questioned regarding the gelding racing in a forward position today, rider J Lloyd stated that at the Gold Coast, when successful on 13 January 2018, Care To Think jumped well and was able to take up a forward position. He said, whilst the intention was to be in a midfield position today, when his mount commenced well again, he elected to take up a more forward position. He added that, although caught wide in the early stages, Care To Think was able to obtain cover behind Mackintosh, where it travelled comfortably. Trainer Mr M Dunn confirmed that it was the intention to have the gelding ridden conservatively. He added, however, Care To Think can race somewhat keenly in its races and, having regard to the manner in which it began today, he was not dissatisfied with the positioning of the gelding in today's race.
- Arbeitsam – rider T Clark stated that in the straight the gelding was not provided with a clear run over the latter stages and for this reason he was unable to fully test his mount. He said as a result Arbeitsam went to the line without being fully tested and in the circumstances he was not too disappointed with the gelding's performance. A post-race veterinary examination did not reveal any abnormalities.
RACE 6: TAB Chipping Norton Stakes (Group 1) 1600m
- Jemadar – began awkwardly. A post-race veterinary examination did not reveal any abnormalities.
- Classic Uniform – began awkwardly.
- Winx – slow to begin. A post-race veterinary examination revealed the mare lost the off-fore plate in running.
- Lasqueti Spirit – slow to begin and then failed to muster any early speed.
- Vinland – raced keenly in the early stages and from the 1000m raced wide and without cover.
RACE 7: James Boag's Premium Surround Stakes (Group 1) 1400m
- Yulong Xingsheng – slow to begin.
- Touch Of Mink – slow to begin and then from its wide barrier was steadied and shifted in behind runners shortly after the start.
- Alizee – from its wide barrier was steadied and shifted in behind runners shortly after the start. Raced keenly in the early stages. Held up near the 200m.
- Torvill – overraced in the early stages.
- Melody Belle – at the 600m was hampered when taken wider as Rimraam shifted out to improve. In this incident both runners bumped and became unbalanced. Raced wide and without cover for the majority of the event. A post-race veterinary examination did not reveal any abnormalities.
- Frolic – rider J Collett stated the filly jumped awkwardly, but was able to take up a midfield position without being pressured. He could offer no real excuse for the disappointing performance. A post-race veterinary examination did not reveal any abnormalities. Trainer Mr E O'Rourke indicated he would experiment with the gear on the filly, as he felt it may have resented the tongue tie. Mr O'Rourke undertook to report back if there is anything amiss with Frolic subsequent to the event.
- Unforgotten – rider J Ford reported that the filly did not travel well throughout the event and in the straight was inclined to lay in. He said subsequent to the race he could not detect any issues with the filly. A post-race veterinary examination revealed the filly was displaying cardiac arrhythmia. Trainer Mr C Waller indicated that Unforgotten had been somewhat disappointing in its two trials in the lead up to today's race and had raced accordingly. Mr Waller was advised he must provide a veterinary clearance, including the results of an ECG, prior to Unforgotten trialling to the satisfaction of Stewards, before being permitted to race again.
- Shoals – when questioned regarding the improved performance, trainer Mr A Freedman stated that at its first up run at Caulfield on 10 February 2018 the filly was disadvantaged by being ridden behind the speed, as he felt it was reluctant to race amongst horses. He said today, with the benefit of fitness and being able to race outside the lead, these were the two principal reasons for the filly's improved performance. Riders J Parr (Shoals) and T Clark (Shumookh) were cautioned against their actions in shaking hands soon after passing the winning post.
RACE 8: Guy Walter Proven Thoroughbreds Stakes (Group 2) 1400m
- Nettoyer – slow to begin.
- Eckstein – began awkwardly. Overraced in the middle stages and for some distance near the 800m was restrained from the heels of Danish Twist.
- Slightly Sweet – blundered on jumping.
- Dixie Blossoms – from its wide barrier was steadied and shifted in behind runners shortly after the start.
- Raiment – raced wide and without cover for the majority of the event.
- Aide Memoire – held up for clear running in the early part of the straight and near the 300m was disappointed for clear running between Francaletta and Nettoyer, which shifted out. Aide Memoire then had difficulty obtaining clear running for some distance near the 200m and was held up until the 75m when it shifted to the inside of Nettoyer to find clear running. Rider J Collett was spoken in regard to his lack of vigour over the concluding stages. He was reminded of his obligations to ensure that he fully tests his mounts when circumstances permit.
- Zanbagh – after improving into a run to the inside of Eckstein near the 200m, had to be steadied approaching the 150m when Eckstein (B Avdulla) shifted in. B Avdulla was advised to exercise more care. A post-race veterinary examination did not reveal any abnormalities.
- Danish Twist – when giving ground near the 150m had to be steadied when crowded. Rider G Schofield stated his intention was to find cover on the mare. He said, after commencing well, he looked to obtain cover behind Raiment, but when that runner did not go forward he was caught wide and without cover for the majority of the event. He added that Danish Twist raced too keenly in the run as it had no cover and weakened as a consequence in the straight. A post-race veterinary examination did not reveal any abnormalities.
RACE 9: Championship Hospitality Handicap 1200m
- Pick Me Up – after being loaded into the barriers, became fractious, reared and became cast. The gelding was removed from the barriers, examined by the Club's Veterinary Officer and ruled unsuitable to start. Raiden, which was in the adjoining stall, was struck in the head by the off-foreleg of Pick Me Up when it reared and was also removed from the barriers, examined by the Club's Veterinary Officer and ruled unsuitable to start. As such Pick Me Up and Raiden were both late withdrawals at 5.32pm on veterinary advice. The Stewards ruled that all monies invested on Pick Me Up and Raiden be refunded in full and that all successful wagers made prior to 5.32pm be subject to the following deductions in the face value of each ticket: 1 st Osborne Bulls 19 cents win 11 cents place 2 nd Ghostly 20 cents place 3 rd Star Reflection 23 cents place Stable representative Mr B Dodson was told that Pick Me Up must trial satisfactorily prior to its next start. Trainer Mr K Lees was advised a veterinary clearance would be required prior to Raiden racing again.
- Osborne Bulls – slow to begin.
- No Interest – making the turn near the 900m, when inclined to overrace, ran out and had to be steadied.
- Lovani – near the 800m was bumped by Osborne Bulls when that runner shifted out slightly and became unbalanced.
- Peacock – near the 150m was hampered when briefly disappointed for clear running between Mana and Ghostly, which shifted in. Near the 50m was shifted to the outside of Ghostly to secure clear running.
- Star Reflection – raced wide and without cover throughout.
- Mana – a post-race veterinary examination did not reveal any abnormalities.
- Generalissimo – rider T Clark stated that the gelding travelled towards the rail throughout the early and middle stages, but raced without cover. He added the only real excuse he could offer for the disappointing performance was that Generalissimo raced somewhat flat second up on what he considered was inferior going. A post-race veterinary examination did not reveal any abnormalities.