Stewards' Summary @ Flemington 22 December

Published: 26 Dec 2018

A summary of Flemington for Saturday 22nd December is shown below, including Vet Notes, Penalties and Fines. For the full report, visit the racing.com website.

Vet Notes

French Girl (Race 3)- a post race veterinary examination revealed the mare had bled from one nostril and must now gallop over the 1000m in the presence of a Steward prior to racing again.
Berisha (Race 4) - after the running of the race the RV veterinary surgeon reported that the gelding had heat stress.
So You Dream (Race 5) - A post race veterinary examination revealed the gelding had sustained a suspensory injury to its off foreleg and will require a veterinary clearance prior to racing again.
Tango Rain (Race 6) - A post race endoscopic examination detected a degree of internal exercise induced pulmonary haemorrhage and a veterinary clearance is required prior to racing again.
Kings Command (Race 7) - A post race endoscopic examination revealed a degree of mucus that may have affected the geldings racing performance and veterinary clearance is required prior to racing again.

Penalties & Fines

Ben Melham (Etymology) - pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding under the provisions of AR137(a), the carelessness being that near the 500m he rode his mount out to obtain clear running to the outside of Lycurgus, thereby making contact with Noumea (IRE) on two occasions and taking that gelding out off its course and onto Andrea Mantegna (USA) resulting in both horses being hampered and becoming unbalanced. Ben Melham had his licence to ride in races suspended for a period to commence at midnight December 28th, after the conclusion of the suspension he incurred at Caulfield on December 19th, and to expire at midnight January 4th, a total of eight race meetings (three metropolitan, five provincial). In assessing penalty Stewards took into account his guilty plea and record and that the carelessness was in the mid-range however made concessions so as not to make the term of his total suspension manifestly excessive.
Lamborghini (NZ) - apprentice Tahlia Hope was fined the sum of $700 under the provisions of AR137A(5)(a)(ii) for using her whip nine times prior to the 100m, which is four times more than permitted. Tahlia Hope was fined a further $200 under the provisions of AR137A(5)(a)(i) for using her whip for two consecutive strides prior to the 100m. In assessing penalty Stewards took into account her record and that she won the race.
Nothin Like Harry - apprentice Blaike McDougall was fined the sum of $200 under the provisions of AR137A(5)(a)(i) for using his whip for two consecutive strides prior to the 100m.

Summary of Races

Race 1 - Santas Workshop Plate - 1400m:

Ordell - slow to begin. Near the 200m, was steadied to avoid the heels of Covert Miss which was giving ground.
Birdwing (NZ) - slow to begin.
Notation - hung out in the home straight.
Covert Miss - rider Mark Zahra reported that in his view the filly did not run out the 1400m. A post race veterinary examination failed to reveal any abnormalities other than a slow recovery.

Race 2 - Christmas Raceday Trophy - 1200m:

Phaistos - underwent a veterinary examination after arriving on course and was passed suitable to race. Was hampered and became unbalanced at the 600m when being checked to avoid the heels of Magnossiva, which shifted out to avoid the heels of Poised To Strike, which in turn shifted out when being eased off the heels of Hawkshot, which had shifted out away from All In Brawl. Rider Dwayne Dunn could offer no explanation for the performance other than the colt may be looking for further ground. A post race veterinary examination failed to reveal any abnormalities.
Miss Scorcher - began awkwardly, shifted in and bumped Another Bit which also began awkwardly and shifted out.
Another Bit - began awkwardly and bumped with Miss Scorcher. Steadied near the 200m when tightened for room between Miss Scorcher, which shifted in slightly, and Otauto (Damien Oliver) which was hanging out; whilst accepting that the gelding was hanging, Stewards notified Damien Oliver that in future he would be expected to stop riding and straighten his mount sooner than he did on this occasion.
Hawkshot - raced keenly through the early stages.
All In Brawl - raced keenly through the early stages.
Magnossiva - became unbalanced near the 600m wen shifting out away from the heels of Poised To Strike.
Mischa - hung in throughout.
Otauto - hung out from the 200m.
There You Are - raced in restricted room passing the 100m between Hawkshot, which had been taken in slightly by Poised To Strike, and Robe De Fete which was shifting out under pressure. Continued to race in restricted room over the concluding stages between Hawkshot and Robe De Fete.
Robe De Fete - shifted out under pressure passing the 100m and became unbalanced when making contact with There You Are.

Race 3 - Nominate Now for the All-Star Mile - 1600m:

Miss Wahoo - connections advised would be ridden further forward from the wide draw; settled outside the leading horse.
Penny To Sell (NZ) - connections advised would be ridden further back; began awkwardly and shifted in abruptly then settled towards the rear of the field. Near the 1400m got its head up when being eased to avoid the heels of Tea For Choux (NZ).
Tea For Choux (NZ) - connections advised would be ridden mid-field with cover; settled back with cover.
Teodora - stood flat footed and was slow to begin (three lengths) and the mare must now obtain further approval in a jump out prior to racing again.
Shokora - raced three wide without cover.
Supre - held up for clear running from the 400m until the 200m.
Esposito Gold - checked at the 200m when weakening when tightened for room by Supre (Jye McNeil) which had attempted a run where there was barely sufficient room between Esposito Gold and Miss Wahoo (Regan Bayliss), which after having shifted out slightly then shifted back in away from Shokora (Fred Kersley), which had also shifted in slightly. After taking into account all of the circumstances, Stewards were not satisfied that any rider was sufficiently responsible to warrant a charge, however Stewards notified Jye McNeil, Regan Bayliss and Fred Kersley to exercise more care when racing in similar circumstances in future.
Diamond Bow - steadied approaching the finishing line when disappointed for clear running between Teodora and Penny To Sell (NZ) which both shifted ground slightly.
French Girl - a post race veterinary examination revealed the mare had bled from one nostril and must now gallop over the 1000m in the presence of a Steward prior to racing again.

Race 4 - Happy Holidays Handicap - 2500m:

Oncidium Ruler - began awkwardly. Rider Craig Williams reported that he settled further back than anticipated however in the straight he was not happy with the geldings action. A post race veterinary examination failed to reveal any abnormalities.
Noumea (IRE) - near the 500m was taken out off its course and onto Andrea Mantegna (USA) becoming hampered and unbalanced.
Andrea Mantegna (USA) - hampered and unbalanced near the 500m.
Azurite - was steadied near the 500m to avoid heels.
Pilote Dessai (GB) - apprentice Fred Kersley could offer no explanation for the performance and the stable will now consider the geldings racing future. A post race veterinary examination failed to reveal any abnormalities.
Andrea Mantegna - rider John Allen reported that in his view the gelding failed to run out the 2500m. A post race veterinary examination failed to reveal any abnormalities.
Berisha - after the running of the race the RV veterinary surgeon reported that the gelding had heat stress.
Ben Melham (Etymology) - pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding under the provisions of AR137(a), the carelessness being that near the 500m he rode his mount out to obtain clear running to the outside of Lycurgus, thereby making contact with Noumea (IRE) on two occasions and taking that gelding out off its course and onto Andrea Mantegna (USA) resulting in both horses being hampered and becoming unbalanced. Ben Melham had his licence to ride in races suspended for a period to commence at midnight December 28th, after the conclusion of the suspension he incurred at Caulfield on December 19th, and to expire at midnight January 4th, a total of eight race meetings (three metropolitan, five provincial). In assessing penalty Stewards took into account his guilty plea and record and that the carelessness was in the mid-range however made concessions so as not to make the term of his total suspension manifestly excessive.

The track was upgraded from Soft 5 to Good 4 at 2.57pm after the running of this race.

Race 5 - VRC Christmas Donation Appeal Trophy - 1400m:

The start of this race was delayed when repairs had to be made to a section of outside running rail near the winning post.

Souffrant - after leaving the mounting yard and making contact with a rail, underwent a veterinary examination behind the barriers and was passed suitable to race. Began awkwardly, shifted out and made contact with Fallen Empire.
Cincinnati Red (NZ) - began awkwardly. Apprentice Michael Poy explained that he was instructed to ride the mare back with cover, and that after being caught wide passing the 1100m, he elected to come back further and as a result the mare relaxed and he got further out of his ground than intended.
Rushard - began awkwardly, shifted in and brushed Midnight Cowboy and in doing so knuckled.
Midnight Cowboy - over-raced in the early and middle stages.
So You Dream - weakened from the 300m. A post race veterinary examination revealed the gelding had sustained a suspensory injury to its off foreleg and will require a veterinary clearance prior to racing again.

Race 6 - Festive Season Sprint - 1000m:

Carlingford - sprawled at the start.
Saint Valorem - began awkwardly.
Demolition - began awkwardly.
Tango Rain - began awkwardly and was then tightened for room by Gwenneth which shifted in abruptly. Rider Brett Prebble reported that his mount raced flat and may have come to the end of its preparation and the stable confirmed that the gelding would now be spelled. A post race endoscopic examination detected a degree of internal exercise induced pulmonary haemorrhage and a veterinary clearance is required prior to racing again.
Gwenneth - began awkwardly.
Prezado - began awkwardly, shifted out and made contact with Kyzamba. Raced keenly through the early stages.
Sir Donald - tightened for room shortly after start between Order Of Command and Kyzamba, which both shifted ground. Eased approaching the 400m when held up for clear running.

Race 7 - Yuletide Handicap - 1400m:

Mr Gustavo (NZ) - underwent a veterinary examination behind the barriers and was subsequently a late withdrawal on veterinary advice at 4.40pm. A post race veterinary examination revealed the gelding to have a laceration in its left nostril. All monies bet for a win and/or place and concession betting on Mr Gustavo (NZ) to be refunded. All successful bets on horses prior to 4.40pm are subject to the following deductions in the dollar from the face value of the ticket: win bets - 13 cents, place bets (for winner) - 12 cents, place bets (for 2nd) - 15 cents and place bets (for 3rd) - 10 cents.
Antah - after being fractious in its starting stall and hitting its head, underwent a veterinary examination behind the barriers and was subsequently a late withdrawal on veterinary advice at 4.42pm and the gelding must now obtain further approval in a jump out prior to racing again. All monies bet for a win and/or place and concession betting on Antah to be refunded. All successful bets on horses between 4.40pm and 4.42pm are subject to the following deductions in the dollar from the face value of the ticket: win bets - 12 cents, place bets (for winner) - 10 cents, place bets (for 2nd) - 13 cents and place bets (for 3rd) - 8 cents.
Kings Command - connections advised would be ridden further forward; reared at the start and landed awkwardly almost dislodging rider Michael Poy and as a result the gelding missed the start by several lengths and settled at the rear. During this incident M Poy was struck in the face by his mount.A post race endoscopic examination revealed a degree of mucus that may have affected the geldings racing performance and veterinary clearance is required prior to racing again.
Battlecamp (NZ) - raced wide without cover and raced keenly through the middle stages.
Kazio - near the 50m, shifted out towards the heels of Mr Money Bags and was steadied.
Lord Sundowner - weakened from the 300m; rider Jake Noonan could offer no explanation for the performance. A post race veterinary examination failed to reveal any abnormalities.

Race 8 - Summer On The Lawn Handicap - 2000m:

Prinz Hlodowig (FR) - severely hampered at the start when heavily bumped by Nothin Like Harry, which shifted out abruptly.
Golden Mane - slow to begin.
Creedence - held up for clear running from the 400m until the 250m.
Lamborghini (NZ) - apprentice Tahlia Hope was fined the sum of $700 under the provisions of AR137A(5)(a)(ii) for using her whip nine times prior to the 100m, which is four times more than permitted. Tahlia Hope was fined a further $200 under the provisions of AR137A(5)(a)(i) for using her whip for two consecutive strides prior to the 100m. In assessing penalty Stewards took into account her record and that she won the race.
Nothin Like Harry - apprentice Blaike McDougall was fined the sum of $200 under the provisions of AR137A(5)(a)(i) for using his whip for two consecutive strides prior to the 100m.
Top Prospect (NZ) - apprentice Stephanie Thornton reported that her mount travelled well until placed under pressure and was disappointing. A post race veterinary examination failed to reveal any abnormalities other than a poor recovery.
Friedensberg - rider Andrew Mallyon had no explanation for the disappointing performance other than the gelding raced a little keenly in the early stages. A post race veterinary examination failed to reveal any abnormalities.

Race 9 - Merry Christmas VRC Members Handicap - 1200m:

Usain Bowler - had to be re-plated behind the barriers which delayed the start of the race.
Beacon - began awkwardly and was then tightened between Onehundred Percent which shifted in and Kalashani Lad, which was taken out by Freehearted and Hay Bale.
Jesta Dream - began awkwardly.
Rox The Castle - began awkwardly.
Prairie Fire - began awkwardly.
Vainstream - over-raced in the early stages getting its head up. Steadied at the 300m when disappointed for clear running and then shifted in across heels.
Via Balciano - over-raced through the early and middle stages.
Freehearted - steadied at the 400m to avoid the heels of Brahmos.
Kalashani Lad - held up for clear running from the 300m and near the 150m was steadied when tightened for room between Brahmos and Blazejowski, which was taken out by Hay Bale which laid out away from Freehearted which was also shifting.
Comrade Ned - checked near the 150m when tightened for room by Bord De Gain, which shifted in abruptly before being straightened by its rider.