Stewards' Report @ Royal Randwick

Published: 25 Apr 2015

The race-by-race Stewards Report is shown below. For a full version, see the Racing NSW website.

Vet Notes

No Vet issues noted

RACE 1: Anzac Day Handicap 1100m

Stravigo – jumped awkwardly.
Encosta Line – jumped out at the start. Passing the 350m rider T Berry had to direct his mount back to the inside of the heels of Lindwall, which shifted out under pressure in the straight.
Turbo Miss – slow to begin.
Coys – hampered at the 850m when Painted Firetail (J McDonald) was directed back to the inside of Fun Manager, which hung out at that point. J McDonald was told to exercise care. At the 350m was disappointed for a run between Fun Manager and Encosta Line (T Berry), which shifted out. T Berry was told to ensure he is two lengths clear when shifting ground.
Dane Slugger – hampered at the 850m. At the 600m got its head up and raced ungenerously.
Fun Manager – bumped at the 600m when Lindwall shifted out.

RACE 2: First Australian Imperial Force Handicap 1200m

Confederate – When questioned regarding the performance of the gelding, which was fractious in the gates and blundered shortly after the start, App. W Costin could offer no tangible excuse, other than the gelding's two starts this preparation have been on heavy tracks and this may have contributed to today's disappointing performance in that it may not have backed up from those runs. A post-race veterinary examination did not reveal any abnormalities. Stable representative Mr D Meijer stated that Confederate had pleased the stable leading into the race and, in his opinion, was not advantaged by not being able to lead today. He added that, as the gelding has wet track form, they were confident of its chances. He undertook to report the results of a full vet check and the inquiry was adjourned pending receipt of same.

RACE 3: HMAS Sydney Handicap 2400m

Soviet Courage – rounding the home turn bumped and taken wider by Major Major, which shifted out to improve around the heels of White Dove. Approaching the 50m was momentarily inconvenienced when Four Carat shifted in under pressure.
Majestic Beast – jumped the crossing at the 1600m.
Major Major – App. B Loy stated his mount began tardily (losing 3L) and then took some distance to muster speed. Trainer Mr B Heys indicated that Major Major has had a history of missing the start. He was advised a warning would be placed on the gelding and he should endeavour to correct its barrier manners. When questioned concerning the performance of the winner, Major Major, Mr Heys stated the gelding was unlucky first up when ridden by an apprentice, when beaten narrowly at Goulburn into 3rd place on 20 March 2015. He added, over the same journey at Kembla Grange on 18 April 2015, when beaten one length into 4th place, the gelding was disadvantaged by being obliged to make its run on the heaviest part of the track. Mr Heys said that Major Major has taken benefit from those two runs and the soft track conditions and stepping up to 2400m were the principal reasons behind the impressive win of the gelding.

RACE 4: Gallipoli Handicap 1600m

Swing Sensation – bumped with Sadler's Lake at the start.
Sadler's Lake – bumped with Swing Sensation at the start.
Cruentus – overraced in the early stages.
Man Of Distinction – rider B Spriggs stated that he attributed the disappointing performance of the gelding being due to not appreciating being cluttered up in the field. He added that he felt Man Of Distinction would benefit by having the blinkers being reapplied. A post-race veterinary examination did not reveal any abnormalities. Stable representative Mr D Meijer stated that Man Of Distinction had pleased the stable going into the run, but had never travelled comfortably and raced flatly. He undertook to report the results of a full vet check and the inquiry was adjourned pending receipt of same.

RACE 5: Australian Flying Corps Handicap 1000m

Texan Lad – jumped awkwardly.
Quartzite – when questioned concerning the performance of the winner, as compared to its 5th placing (beaten 3.1L) over 900m at Albury on 27 March 2015. Trainer Mr B Baker stated on that occasion he got in behind horses and never appeared comfortable and, as reported by the Stewards, Quartzite returned to scale with blood in its off-side nostril and was passed fit after galloping before the Stewards on 11 April. Mr Baker added that the gelding was advantaged by being able to lead and, as it previously had some soundness issues, appreciated the give in the track today.
Handsome Tycoon – rider S Clipperton stated the gelding did not appear to show its usual speed and was not comfortable racing amongst horses. A post-race veterinary examination did not reveal any abnormalities. Trainer's representative Ms C Cunningham stated that the wet weather this week somewhat restricting track work and Handsome Tycoon dropping back in distance today, were both factors in the gelding's performance.
Religify – rider T Berry rider of the 6th placegetter was fined $300 for failing to ride his mount out to the finish. When questioned concerning the performance of Religify, T Berry stated that his instructions had been to take a sit behind the pace and the stable were confident the gelding would perform well. He added Religify missed the start slightly and between the 800m and the 400m was off the bit and did not travel well in the going. He further stated that entrance to the straight he attempted to come to the outside, but when Miniature shifted in he was then obliged to make his run between Floral Insight and Handsome Tycoon, whereby Religify finished the race off only fairly. A post-race veterinary examination did not reveal any abnormalities. Stable representative Mr P Muscutt concurred with the remarks of rider T Berry that, after the missing the start, Religify never travelled and raced disappointingly. He undertook to report the results of a vet check and the inquiry was adjourned pending receipt of same. When questioned concerning Religify being very easy in the market, Mr Muscutt stated that the gelding had worked very well and trialled well. He added that the stable had fancied the chances of it, but the only factors the stable could put forward for the lack of support for Religify were the inside draw, with horses making their runs to the outside appearing advantaged today. In addition he stated Religify was first up with no wet track form to its credit.
Marwood – when questioned concerning the performance, App. W Costin stated the gelding jumped well, travelled reasonably will in the run but, positioned to the inside in the inferior part of the track, failed to finish its race off. A post-race veterinary examination did not reveal any abnormalities. Stable representative Mr R Hewitson advised that subsequent to the disappointing effort that when Marwood returned to scale it coughed and appeared to have taken in some kick-back. He undertook to report the results of an endoscopic examination of the gelding.

RACE 6: Battle of the Dardanelles Handicap 1400m

Drago – slow to begin. Passing the 200m was taken out by Hollywood Bound and then over the final few strides was inconvenienced when Dowdstown Charlie laid in under pressure.
Choice Larga – briefly held up in the in the early part of the straight.
Abbasso – brushed the rail at the 600m. Rider T Berry reported his mount was fractious in the stall, was inclined to sit down when the gates were released and missed the start as a result. He added, from barrier 1, the gelding travelled fairly, but was caught in the inferior part of the track to the inside and failed to finish the race off. A post-race veterinary examination did not reveal any abnormalities. Stable representative Mr P Muscutt concurred with the views of rider T Berry and undertook to report back to the Stewards on the progress of Abbasso subsequent to the race.

RACE 7: The Last Post Handicap 1600m

Black Jag – approaching the 200m was inconvenienced when Any Day Will Do, which was inclined to lay out, shifted out under pressure.
Tarangower – approaching the 200m was inconvenienced when taken wider by Black Jag. Rider S Clipperton could offer no excuse for the disappointing performance and indicated that the gelding was under pressure as far out as the 500m.

RACE 8: The Bluebird Nurses Handicap 1400m

Following the onset of a violent electrical storm following Race 7, which involved torrential rain, lightning and hail, the Stewards abandoned the last race at 4.53pm due to unsafe conditions.