Stewards' Summary @ Sandown Hillside 17th November

Published: 18 Nov 2018

Vet Notes

•   Bandinelli (Race 1) - A post race veterinary examination revealed the colt to have a slow recovery and a swab sample was taken for analysis.
•   Doukhan (IRE) (Race 2) - A post race veterinary examination revealed the gelding had lost its near fore plate and was lame in the near foreleg and will require a veterinary clearance prior to racing again.
•   Jen Rules (Race 3) - A post race veterinary examination revealed the filly to be lame in the off hind leg and will require a veterinary clearance prior to racing again.
•   Oneira (Race 3) - A post race veterinary examination revealed the filly had sustained a laceration to its near hind heel.
•   Sweet Rockette (Race 3) - A post race veterinary examination revealed the filly to be lame in the off foreleg and will require a veterinary clearance prior to racing again.
•   Rich Charm (Race 5) – A post race veterinary examination revealed the gelding to be lame in the near hind leg and will require a veterinary clearance prior to racing again.
•   Spending To Win (Race 9) - A post race veterinary examination revealed the gelding to have a throat abnormality and will require a veterinary clearance prior to racing again.

Penalties & Fines

•   Craig Williams (Race 2) (Yogi (NZ)) - pleaded guilty to a charge under the provisions of AR137A(5)(a)(ii) for using his whip twelve times prior to the 100m, which is seven times more than permitted. Craig Williams had his licence to ride in races suspended for a period to commence at midnight November 24th and to expire at the completion of the day meeting on November 30th, a total of seven race meetings (one metropolitan, six provincial). In assessing penalty Stewards took into account his guilty plea, the totality of his whip use and that he had won the race, which was a Listed event.
•   Ben Melham (Race 3) (Tatiara) - pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding under the provisions of AR137(a), the careless riding being that passing the 1300m he permitted his mount to shift in when not sufficiently clear of Gotta Be Gold which was steadied to avoid the heels of Tatiara. Ben Melham had his licence to ride in races suspended for a period to commence at midnight November 17th and to expire at midnight November 23rd, a total of seven race meetings (two metropolitan, five provincial). In assessing penalty Stewards took into account his guilty plea and good record and that the carelessness was in the low range.
•   Luke Currie (Race 4) (Mahamedeis) - pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding under the provisions of AR137(a), the careless riding being that near the 200m he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of Bring Me Roses, crowding that mare in onto Tradesman which was also crowded when it had to relinquish its position when tightened between Bring Me Roses and Tally. Luke Currie had his licence to ride in races suspended for a period to commence at midnight November 25th and to expire at midnight November 30th, a total of seven race meetings (one metropolitan, six provincial). In assessing penalty Stewards took into account his guilty plea and good record and that the carelessness was in the low range.

Summary of Races

Race 1 - Thoroughbred Club Merson Cooper Stakes (Listed) - 1000m:

Optimizzer - slow to begin and was reluctant to race. Rider Michelle Payne reported the colt felt amiss in its action. A post race veterinary examination failed to reveal any abnormalities and the colt must now obtain further approval in a jump out prior to racing again.
Salome - began awkwardly, shifted out and made contact with Oyashio. Rider Michael Walker reported that his mount is still immature and would continue to improve with racing. A post race veterinary examination failed to reveal any abnormalities.
Oh So Rewarding - began awkwardly. Checked at the 700m to avoid the heels of Oyashio, and when checking shifted out abruptly and raced greenly. Raced wide rounding the home turn.
Edinburgh - knuckled shortly after the start.
Oyashio - bumped at the start by Salome.
First Dawn - slow to begin. Laid out under pressure in the straight.
Salina - for several strides near the 400m raced greenly and became unbalanced.
First Dawn - disappointed for a run to the inside of Oyashio passing the 400m, before than shifting out across that colts heels.
Bandinelli - weakened from the 300m; rider James McDonald could offer no explanation however was of the opinion the colt may be suffering from shin soreness. A post race veterinary examination revealed the colt to have a slow recovery and a swab sample was taken for analysis.

Race 2 - Ladbrokes Sandown Cup(Listed) - 3200m:

Cougar Express - connections advised would be ridden closer from the wide draw; raced outside the leading horse.
Yogi (NZ) - slow to begin.
Flaaj (NZ) - raced three wide without cover from the 2500m until the 1200m where it then commenced to race four wide without cover.
Doukhan (IRE) - rider Damien Oliver was of the view that the gelding would be better suited on a track with more give. A post race veterinary examination revealed the gelding had lost its near fore plate and was lame in the near foreleg and will require a veterinary clearance prior to racing again.
Craig Williams (Yogi (NZ)) - pleaded guilty to a charge under the provisions of AR137A(5)(a)(ii) for using his whip twelve times prior to the 100m, which is seven times more than permitted. Craig Williams had his licence to ride in races suspended for a period to commence at midnight November 24th and to expire at the completion of the day meeting on November 30th, a total of seven race meetings (one metropolitan, six provincial). In assessing penalty Stewards took into account his guilty plea, the totality of his whip use and that he had won the race, which was a Listed event.
The track was upgraded from Good 4 to Good 3 at 1.10pm after the running of this race.

Race 3 - MRC Members Twilight Glow Stakes (Listed) - 1400m:

Tahitian Dancer - late withdrawal on veterinary advice at 8.35am.
Khulaasa - slow to begin. When giving ground passing the 100m, shifted out and was checked to avoid the heels of Jentico which shifted in slightly.
Gotta Be Gold - began awkwardly. Steadied to avoid the heels of Tatiara (Ben Melham) which shifted in when not clear passing the 1300m. Rider Jamie Kah reported that her mount felt amiss in its action. A post race veterinary examination failed to reveal any abnormalities.
Jen Rules - checked near the 1100m when tightened for room by Persuader which had been taken in by Gotta Be Gold which when racing keenly was making ground on the inside of Oneira (Nikita Beriman) which hung in despite the efforts of Nikita Beriman. Stewards accepted that the racing manners of Oneira had significantly contributed to this incident. A post race veterinary examination revealed the filly to be lame in the off hind leg and will require a veterinary clearance prior to racing again.
Persuader - tightened for room near the 1100m.
Oneira - held up for clear running from the 400m until the 150m. A post race veterinary examination revealed the filly had sustained a laceration to its near hind heel.
Zizzis - held up for clear running from the 400m and went to the line not fully tested. When making ground at the 300m was steadied when disappointed for running between Kings Brook and Into The Abyss (Damian Lane) which shifted out; as Stewards were satisfied that Zizzis had not established full running due to the margin, no action was taken other than to notify Damian Lane to exercise more care when shifting ground in future.
Sweet Rockette - rider Michelle Payne reported that after racing wide without cover, the filly failed to run out a strong 1400m. A post race veterinary examination revealed the filly to be lame in the off foreleg and will require a veterinary clearance prior to racing again.
Ben Melham (Tatiara) - pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding under the provisions of AR137(a), the careless riding being that passing the 1300m he permitted his mount to shift in when not sufficiently clear of Gotta Be Gold which was steadied to avoid the heels of Tatiara. Ben Melham had his licence to ride in races suspended for a period to commence at midnight November 17th and to expire at midnight November 23rd, a total of seven race meetings (two metropolitan, five provincial). In assessing penalty Stewards took into account his guilty plea and good record and that the carelessness was in the low range.

Race 4 - MyPunter.com Eclipse Stakes (Group 3) - 1800m:

Tally - slow to begin.
Mahamedeis - passing the 1200m commenced to over-race, getting its head in the air on a number of occasions.
Tradesman - had to relinquish its position when crowded for room near the 200m between Tally and Bring Me Roses which had in turn been crowded by Mahamedeis (Luke Currie) which shifted in when not clear.
Bring Me Roses - crowded in onto Tradesman near the 200m by Mahamedeis.
Kiwia - when making ground was steadied when disappointed for a run passing the 200m before shifting out to obtain clear running passing the 100m.
Radipole (IRE) - was eased approaching the finishing line to avoid heels.
Luke Currie (Mahamedeis) - pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding under the provisions of AR137(a), the careless riding being that near the 200m he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of Bring Me Roses, crowding that mare in onto Tradesman which was also crowded when it had to relinquish its position when tightened between Bring Me Roses and Tally. Luke Currie had his licence to ride in races suspended for a period to commence at midnight November 25th and to expire at midnight November 30th, a total of seven race meetings (one metropolitan, six provincial). In assessing penalty Stewards took into account his guilty plea and good record and that the carelessness was in the low range.

Race 5 - Kevin Heffernan Stakes (Group 3) - 1300m:

Quilista - knuckled at the start unbalancing rider John Allen. Raced in restricted room approaching the finishing line. Lost its near fore plate in running. John Allen could offer no explanation for the performance. A post race veterinary examination failed to reveal any abnormalities.
Rich Charm - began awkwardly and was slow to begin. Rider Patrick Moloney reported that his mount felt awkward in its action from the 700m and rounding the home turn, and for this reason he allowed the gelding to balance up in the straight before riding it along. A post race veterinary examination revealed the gelding to be lame in the near hind leg and will require a veterinary clearance prior to racing again.
Casino Wizard - began awkwardly.
Savanna Amour - slow to begin.
Ellicazoom - slow to begin.
Missrock - rider James McDonald could offer no explanation for the performance. As the mare had left the course before a veterinary examination could be performed, a veterinary clearance is required prior to racing again.

Race 6 - Araza Sandown Stakes (Group 3) - 1500m:

Sircconi - late withdrawal on veterinary advice at 10.40am.
Holy Snow - began awkwardly and was slow to begin. Rider John Allen reported that he did not wish to expose the entire into the headwind in the early part of the home straight, as it was first up for a new stable today. He added that after putting his mount into the race from the 350m, it had a tendency to lay in and peaked on its run over the concluding stages. A post race veterinary examination failed to reveal any abnormalities.
Man Of His Word - raced keenly through the middle stages.
Dollar For Dollar - rider Luke Currie could offer no explanation for the performance, which was below expectations. A post race veterinary examination failed to reveal any abnormalities.

Race 7 - Ladbrokes Sandown Guineas (Group 2) - 1600m:

Good N Fast - bounded at the start.
Du To Pass - began awkwardly.
Predecessor - bounded at the start.
Secret Blaze - hung inwards towards the running rail passing the 1000m despite the efforts of its rider.
Syds Coin - raced three wide without cover from the 900m and laid out rounding the home turn.
Achieve Victory - got its head up when being restrained when laying out across the heels of Ringerdingding at the 700m.
Igniter - raced keenly through the middle stages. Lost its off hind plate in running.
Seabrook (NZ) - settled further forward. Rider Damien Oliver stated that after beginning extremely well, the filly settled further forward than intended.
Scottish Rogue - weakened from the 200m; rider Kerrin McEvoy could offer no explanation for the performance. A post race veterinary examination failed to reveal any abnormalities.

Race 8 - Quayclean Zipping Classic (Group 2) - 2400m:

Libran (IRE) - connections advised would be ridden closer if circumstances permit; settled in a handy position. Rider Michael Walker was of the view that the gelding failed to handle the quick back up, after racing at Flemington on November 10th. A post race veterinary examination failed to reveal any abnormalities.
Ventura Storm - rider Mark Zahra reported that the gelding raced flat. A post race veterinary examination failed to reveal any abnormalities.

Race 9 - Clanbrooke Racing Doveton Stakes (Listed) - 1000m:

Crown Witness - underwent a veterinary examination after arriving on course and was passed suitable to race. Began awkwardly. Weakened from the 100m; rider Ben Melham reported that after commencing awkwardly the mare travelled well in the early stages although when placed under pressure in the straight felt amiss in its action. A post race veterinary examination failed to reveal any abnormalities.
Faatinah - began awkwardly. Weakened from the 200m; rider Luke Nolen reported that the gelding is better suited to straight track racing and may be at the end of its preparation. A post race veterinary examination failed to reveal any abnormalities.
Nasdex - began awkwardly. Hung inwards in the straight.
Rocket Tommy - tightened for room at the start by Spending To Win which began awkwardly and shifted in.
Ill Have A Bit - slow to begin.
Invincible Al - hampered at the start when bumped on the hindquarters by Rocket Tommy.
Soothing - held up for clear running from the 400m until the 250m.
Written Choice - weakened from the 300m; rider Luke Currie reported that after racing wide in the early stages, failed to respond to his riding when placed under pressure. A post race veterinary examination failed to reveal any abnormalities.
Spending To Win - weakened from the 200m; rider Regan Bayliss reported that after racing keenly, his mount failed to respond after being placed under pressure. A post race veterinary examination revealed the gelding to have a throat abnormality and will require a veterinary clearance prior to racing again.

Race 10 - Le Pine Funerals Summoned Stakes (Group 3) - 1500m:

Pedrena - after being fractious and kicking out in its starting stall, underwent a veterinary examination behind the barriers and was subsequently a late withdrawal on veterinary advice at 5.57pm. All monies bet for a win and/or place and concession betting on Pedrena to be refunded. All successful bets on horses prior to 5.57pm are subject to the following deductions in the dollar from the face value of the ticket: win bets - 3 cents, place bets (for winner) - 6 cents, place bets (for 2nd) - 4 cents, place bets (for 3rd) - 6 cents and double bets - 3 cents.
Split Lip - underwent a veterinary examination behind the barriers and was passed suitable to race. Connections advised would be ridden further forward than last start; settled in a handy position.
Shrouded In Mist - slow to begin.
Aeecee Tong De - held up for clear running from the 450m until passing the 300m.
Seductive Miss - lost its near fore plate in running.
Lady Cromac - rider Noel Callow could offer no explanation for the performance.
Shoko - rider Linda Meech reported that the mare felt short in its action behind and for this reason she eased it down. A post race veterinary examination failed to reveal any abnormalities.