Stewards' Summary @ Royal Randwick

Published: 22 Aug 2015

A race-by-race summary of the Royal Randwick Stewards' Report for Saturday 22nd August is shown below. For the full Report, visit the Racing NSW website.

Suspensions

J McDonald's (Shards, Race 1) licence to ride in races was suspended for a period to commence on Wednesday, 26 August 2015 and to expire on Saturday, 5 September 2015, on which day he may ride. In assessing penalty, the Stewards took into account J McDonald's good record in the last 12 months and his guilty plea.

Vet Notes

Speak Fondly (Race 4)– which was fractious in the barriers, was a little slow to begin. A post-race veterinary examination revealed a minor trace of blood, due to a small wound at the tip of the nearside nostril.
Burbero (Race 6) – an inquiry was opened into the gelding breaking down in the near-hind leg near the 500m. Evidence was taken from rider App. R Hutchings and trainer Mr B Baker. Mr Baker stated that the gelding had pleased the stable since its win at this track a fortnight ago in the Missile Stakes and it had not had any soundness issues this preparation. Mr Baker was asked to produce the full veterinary history, plus treatment records for this preparation, which he advised he will forward to the Stewards by Wednesday of next week. The inquiry was adjourned pending the results of a necropsy report.

Race-by-Race Summary

RACE 1: Up And Coming Stakes (Group 3) 1300m

Cannyescent – correct weight was delayed when K O'Hara, rider of 5th placegetter, viewed the Stewards' patrol films relative to an incident approaching the 200m as to whether there were grounds for objection against Shards being declared the winner. When she was satisfied that there were no prospects of success and the Stewards were similarly satisfied, correct weight was declared. Held up for some distance rounding the home turn and in the early part of the straight. J McDonald, rider of Shards, pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding in that near the 200m he allowed his mount to shift out, which resulted in Cannyescent losing its rightful running when crowded for room between Shards and Man Of Choice. J McDonald's licence to ride in races was suspended for a period to commence on Wednesday, 26 August 2015 and to expire on Saturday, 5 September 2015, on which day he may ride. In assessing penalty, the Stewards took into account J McDonald's good record in the last 12 months and his guilty plea.
Sebring Sun – which was fractious in the barrier, jumped awkwardly and lost ground.
Land's End – overraced in the middle stages.
Inner Circle – a post-race veterinary examination, which weakened after overracing in the lead, did not reveal any abnormalities.

RACE 2: Toy Show Quality (Group 3) 1300m

Myamira – was a late withdrawal at 11.35am, acting on the advice of the Club's Veterinary Officer, after the mare sustained an injury to the nearside hip en route to the course. Trainer Mr R Northam was asked to provide a veterinary clearance prior to the mare's next start.
Two Blue - knuckled over on jumping. Rider B Shinn explained that he had to make use of the mare from its inside gate to maintain the lead so as to not allow Il Mio Destino to cross him in the lead. He added, as a result, he was obliged to work harder than he would have liked and Two Blue was a beaten horse on straightening. B Shinn further stated today's firm surface may not have been to the mare's liking. A post-race veterinary examination did not reveal any abnormalities. Trainer Ms K Buchanan agreed with B Shinn that the track conditions may not have assisted the mare today, particularly coming off a six week let up. She undertook to report back the results of a vet check, to be conducted on Monday, 24 August 2015, to the Stewards at the Gosford race meeting on Tuesday, 25 August 2015.
Echo Gal – blundered on jumping.
Kristy Lee – slow to begin.
Wine Tales – rider J McDonald was questioned regarding the tactics adopted on the mare from the 600m, particularly as to the reason he improved to the inside of Fine Bubbles approaching the home turn when there was an opportunity to improve to the outside and follow the eventual winner, Amicus. As a result Wine Tales was held up for clear running from the 300m to the 200m. Trainer Mr C Waller stated that his instructions were to get back on the mare, with a view to giving it room to make a run in the straight. The inquiry was adjourned.

RACE 3: TAB Rewards Handicap 1000m

Music Magnate – jumped awkwardly.
Grand Condor – at the entrance to the straight had to be steadied away from the heels of Lucky Meteor to shift back to that runner's inside. Laid out under pressure in the straight.
Shivarchi – held up in the early part of the straight.

RACE 4: Coolmore Silver Shadow Stakes (Group 2) 1200m

Italy – which was fractious in the barriers, bounded in the air on jumping and lost ground.
Speak Fondly – which was fractious in the barriers, was a little slow to begin. A post-race veterinary examination revealed a minor trace of blood, due to a small wound at the tip of the nearside nostril.
Kangarilla Joy – co-trainer Mr Paul Snowden stated that the filly will be spelled.

RACE 5: The Mostyn Copper Group Handicap 1400m

Harry Hotspur – knuckled very badly and sprawled, almost dislodging its rider, on jumping away. Trainer Mrs K Waugh was asked to report the results of a full veterinary check, to be conducted tomorrow, to the Stewards.
El Sasso – shifted out approaching the 100m and bumped Kurtley.
Kurtley – shifted in slightly approaching the 100m and bumped El Sasso.
Spy Decoder – rider J McDonald reported he had some concerns with the gelding's action following the event. A post-race veterinary examination did not reveal any abnormalities. Stable foreman Mr E Cummings was asked to report the results of a full veterinary check to the Stewards.
Marseille Roulette – rider J Cassidy explained that the horse went too keenly when improving in the lead and, despite his efforts to settle it, Marseille Roulette would not come back underneath him and, as a result, failed to finish the race off. A post-race veterinary examination revealed an abrasion to the off-fore bumper. Stable representative Mr M Newnham concurred with the thoughts of rider J Cassidy and undertook to report back to the Stewards on the progress of the horse subsequent to the event.
Himalaya Dream – a post-race veterinary examination did not reveal any abnormalities. Co-trainer Mr J Hawkes advised the gelding will be spelled.

RACE 6: Pro-Ride Warwick Stakes (Group 2) 1400m

Kermadec – slow to begin. Crowded shortly after the start between Complacent and Foreteller.
Complacent – jumped awkwardly. Approaching the 500m had to be severely checked away from the heels of Burbero, which broke down at that point and, as a result was taken extremely wide rounding the home turn and lost considerable ground.
Moriarty – bumped shortly after the start when Gust Of Wind shifted out.
Beaten Up – got its head up and overraced for some distance approaching the 1000m.
Burbero – an inquiry was opened into the gelding breaking down in the near-hind leg near the 500m. Evidence was taken from rider App. R Hutchings and trainer Mr B Baker. Mr Baker stated that the gelding had pleased the stable since its win at this track a fortnight ago in the Missile Stakes and it had not had any soundness issues this preparation. Mr Baker was asked to produce the full veterinary history, plus treatment records for this preparation, which he advised he will forward to the Stewards by Wednesday of next week. The inquiry was adjourned pending the results of a necropsy report.

RACE 7: Sky Thoroughbred Central Show County Quality (Group 3) 1200m

Howmuchdoyouloveme – rider J Cassidy stated that his mount, after being fractious in the barriers, missed the start and was obliged to race further back than intended. Trainer Mr C Karakatsanis agreed the intention had been to roll forward, however, once the gelding was slow to begin, it was not suited racing back in the field. He added he was not disappointed as to the way Howmuchdoyouloveme finished off the race, bearing in mind the gelding's normal racing pattern is to be on the speed. Mr Karakatsanis advised that the gelding will be freshened up with a view to being set for easier class races following the Spring Carnival.

RACE 8: Randwick City Mayor's Cup 2000m

Plutorius – near the 200m crowded for room between Scottish Border and Artibai (B Avdulla) which, after initially being disappointed for a run between Loophole and Zayam, shifted to the outside of the heels of Loophole when not sufficiently clear of Plutorius. B Avdulla was reprimanded and advised that he must exercise more care when attempting such manoeuvres.
Artibai – approaching the 300m was disappointed for a run between Loophole and Zayam.
Chastened – near the 200m commenced to improve into a narrow run, but was crowded between Tradtri and Zayam. It was established that initially Chastened made contact with the hindquarter of Zayam, turning that horse in. At that point Tradtri, which had shifted in to race close to the rail, stepped out, contributing to the tightening to Chastened. In assessing the actions of K O'Hara, the rider of Tradtri, the Stewards were mindful that she had endeavoured to correct her mount as soon as the gelding had shifted abruptly. When questioned regarding her mount racing more forward today, App. W Costin stated that her intention was to be preferably midfield with cover, however, from her wide gate, when the mare began particularly well, rather than being trapped wide going into the first turn, she allowed her mount to stride forward without being unduly pressured.
Casino Dancer – held up in the early part of the straight and then disappointed for a run between Zayam and Artibai near the 150m. Did not obtain clear running until passing the 150m.
Zayam – rider D Beasley could offer no tangible excuse for the disappointing performance of the gelding, other than it got further back than anticipated, was under pressure from the 700m and did not finish the race off. Trainer Mr M Smith stated that today's firm track, as opposed to the gelding's most recent starts on soft and heavy tracks, may have contributed to its performance. A post-race veterinary examination did not reveal any abnormalities. Mr Smith was asked however, to provide a full veterinary clearance for Zayam prior to its next start.