Stewards' Summary @ Moonee Valley

Published: 30 Dec 2018

A summary of Moonee Valley for Saturday 29th December is shown below, including Vet Notes, Penalties and Fines. For the full report, visit the racing.com website.

Vet Notes

Zou York (Race 2) - A post race veterinary examination revealed the gelding to have an upper respiratory issue and an endoscopic examination detected a degree of internal exercise induced pulmonary haemorrhage and a veterinary clearance is required prior to racing again.
Sora (Race 3) - A post race veterinary examination revealed the filly to be lame in the near hind leg and will require a veterinary clearance prior to racing again.
Stravain (Race 3) - A post race veterinary examination revealed the filly had sustained a laceration to its near fore fetlock.
Swizzle Sticks (Race 4) - A post race veterinary examination revealed the mare to be lame in the near hind leg and a veterinary clearance is required prior to racing again.
Savaju (Race 5) - A post race veterinary examination revealed the mare to have blood in one nostril which was attributable to external trauma.
Ice Girl (Race 5) - A post race veterinary examination revealed the mare to be lame behind and will require a veterinary clearance prior to racing again.
Yatta Izu (NZ) (Race 5) - A post race veterinary examination detected a degree of internal exercise induced pulmonary haemorrhage and a veterinary clearance is required prior to racing again.
Mazaz (IRE) (Race 7) - A post race veterinary examination revealed the gelding to be lame in the near foreleg and will require a veterinary clearance prior to racing again.

Penalties & Fines

Nathan Punch (Jay Jay Dar) - pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding under the provisions of AR137(a), the carelessness being that near the 400m he placed his mount between Dentara and Symphonette where there was insufficient room and in doing so made contact with Symphonette which then shifted out and had to be steadied to avoid the heels of First Diamond. Nathan Punch had his permit to ride in races suspended for a period to commence at midnight January 2nd and to expire at midnight January 12th, a total of eleven race meetings (three metropolitan, eight provincial). In assessing penalty Stewards took into account his guilty plea and record and that the carelessness was in the mid-range.

Summary of Races

Race 1 - Punters.com.au Plate - 1200m:

Battlecruiser - slow to begin. Eased at the 400m when following Crystal Beau, which broke down.
Maktabba - raced three wide without cover.
Crystal Beau - suffered a catastrophic racing injury near the 400m and was subsequently humanely euthanised. Rider Dylan Dunn was examined by the doctor and stood down from fulfilling his remaining engagements. The incident will be referred to the Equine Welfare Department and the colt was transferred to the Werribee Equine Hospital for an autopsy.
Three Legs In - severely hampered near the 400m when having to be restrained and taken out off its course by Crystal Beau which had shifted out abruptly. A post race veterinary examination failed to reveal any abnormalities.
Cathars - weakened from the 200m; rider Dwayne Dunn stated the colt would benefit from the addition of a tongue tie. A post race veterinary examination failed to reveal any abnormalities other than a slow recovery.
Yes Yes Yes - rider John Allen dropped his whip just prior to the finishing line.

Race 2 - The Junction Club Handicap - 1600m:

Zou York - began awkwardly, shifted in and made contact with Lucabelle. Rider Damien Oliver was of the view that his mount did not run out a strong 1600m with the 60.5kg impost and the gelding did not travel well from the 600m. A post race veterinary examination revealed the gelding to have an upper respiratory issue and an endoscopic examination detected a degree of internal exercise induced pulmonary haemorrhage and a veterinary clearance is required prior to racing again.
Lucabelle - hampered at the start when tightened between Zou York and Mahis Angel. Eased down when tailed off in the straight; apprentice Jack Martin reported that the gelding was making a respiratory noise. A post race veterinary examination failed to reveal any abnormalities other than a slow recovery.
Calendar Lad - slow to begin.
Subiaso - steadied shortly after the start when tightened for room by Chairmans Choice, which shifted out.
Mahis Angel - hampered shortly after the start when bumped on the hindquarters by Lucabelle. Laid in under pressure in the straight.
Lynch Mob - raced three wide without cover from the 1200m.
Welcome Stryker - hung inwards in the home straight.
Get Ya Kicks - when questioned, apprentice Liam Riordan advised that he was given no specific instructions other than to settle the gelding with cover where possible from the outside barrier. He added that after going forward he was unable to obtain cover and therefore elected to continue forward and sit outside the leading horse. Trainer James Fraser confirmed the instructions and added the gelding can settle closer after beginning well. A post race veterinary examination failed to reveal any abnormalities.

Race 3 - $99 Summer Membership Handicap - 1200m:

Sora - began awkwardly. Rider Craig Williams reported that the filly was hot and agitated pre-race and after having had a good run throughout failed to run on. A post race veterinary examination revealed the filly to be lame in the near hind leg and will require a veterinary clearance prior to racing again.
First Diamond - raced wide without cover. Steadied at the 300m to avoid the heels of Sora, after having been taken in slightly by Embrace Me (NZ) (Damien Oliver); Damien Oliver was notified to exercise more care.
Metronome - steadied at the 400m and shifted out to avoid the heels of Jay Jay Dar.
Symphonette - steadied to avoid the heels of First Diamond near the 400m.
Jay Jay Dar - near the 350m clipped the heels of Dentara when racing tightly between Symphonette which had shifted in off the heels of First Diamond, and Dentara which had shifted out slightly.
Irresistable Girl - approaching the finishing line, was steadied to avoid the heels of Embrace Me (NZ) due to both horses shifting ground.
Stravain - steadied on the line to avoid the heels of Irresistable Girl which had shifted in away from Embrace Me (NZ). A post race veterinary examination revealed the filly had sustained a laceration to its near fore fetlock.

Nathan Punch (Jay Jay Dar) - pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding under the provisions of AR137(a), the carelessness being that near the 400m he placed his mount between Dentara and Symphonette where there was insufficient room and in doing so made contact with Symphonette which then shifted out and had to be steadied to avoid the heels of First Diamond. Nathan Punch had his permit to ride in races suspended for a period to commence at midnight January 2nd and to expire at midnight January 12th, a total of eleven race meetings (three metropolitan, eight provincial). In assessing penalty Stewards took into account his guilty plea and record and that the carelessness was in the mid-range.

Race 4 - Ladbrokes Handicap - 1000m:

Swizzle Sticks - knuckled badly at the start and floundered, unbalancing rider Linda Meech resulting in the mare being slow into stride. When laying in at the 150m was steadied to avoid the heels of Caribbean Pearl which shifted out. A post race veterinary examination revealed the mare to be lame in the near hind leg and a veterinary clearance is required prior to racing again.
Crack The Code - slow to begin.
Circus Dancer - slow to begin.
Invisible Girl - began awkwardly and was slow into stride.
Our Gladiator - began awkwardly.
Beiwen - became unbalanced shortly after the start after being contacted by Swizzle Sticks which had floundered after beginning awkwardly.
Caribbean Pearl - held up for clear running from the 300m until the 200m.
Soul Star - apprentice Liam Riordan dropped his whip near the 100m.

Race 5 - Dean & McPherson Catering Handicap - 1600m:

Three Strykes - slow to begin.
Casa De Lago - slow to begin.
Savaju - hung out rounding the home turn. Steadied at the 300m to avoid the heels of Oceanex (NZ) which was taken out by Rosso Antico, which in turn had been taken out by Crimson Tears (JPN) (John Allen); John Allen was notified to exercise more care. A post race veterinary examination revealed the mare to have blood in one nostril which was attributable to external trauma.
Rosso Antico - steadied approaching the 100m when tightened for room between Crimson Tears (JPN) and Oceanex (NZ) which shifted in.
Ice Girl - rider Luke Nolen was of the view the mare would be better suited on a larger track. A post race veterinary examination revealed the mare to be lame behind and will require a veterinary clearance prior to racing again.
Yatta Izu (NZ) - a post race veterinary examination detected a degree of internal exercise induced pulmonary haemorrhage and a veterinary clearance is required prior to racing again.

Race 6 - Events @ The Valley Handicap - 2040m:

Strike Force - proved difficult to load and must now obtain further approval in a jump out prior to racing again.
Another Coldie - rider John Allen reported that his mount raced flat. A post race veterinary examination failed to reveal any abnormalities.

Race 7 - New Years Eve at Legends Handicap - 2500m:

Chapal - connections advised would be ridden more forward; settled behind the leading horses. Raced keenly through the early stages.
Annaman - connections advised would be ridden more forward from the inside draw; settled in a handy position.
Stormy Shore - reared at the start and knocked its head on the starting stall upright and after having travelled a short distance, rider Craig Williams eased his mount out of the race as he felt there was something amiss with the mare. A post race veterinary examination failed to reveal any abnormalities.
Goodwood Zodiac (IRE) - hung out rounding the home turn.
Pleasuring - briefly held up for clear running passing the 400m.
Mazaz (IRE) - hung inwards in the home straight. A post race veterinary examination revealed the gelding to be lame in the near foreleg and will require a veterinary clearance prior to racing again.
Khartoum - apprentice Jack Martin reported that the intention, if possible, was to be just behind the speed however after the gelding began well he took advantage of his good beginning and settled further forward than anticipated.
Azurite (IRE) - rider Jordan Childs could offer no explanation for the disappointing performance. A post race veterinary examination failed to reveal any abnormalities.
Diamond Grace - rider Beau Mertens reported that his mount raced keenly and did not finish off. A post race veterinary examination failed to reveal any abnormalities other than the mare had lost its near fore plate.

Race 8 - Ladbrokes Odds Boost Handicap - 1000m:

Belwazi - after becoming fractious and rearing in its starting stall, underwent a veterinary examination and was subsequently a late withdrawal on veterinary advice at 5.11pm. A post race veterinary examination revealed the mare to be lame behind and will require a veterinary clearance prior to racing again. All monies bet for a win and/or place and concession betting on Belwazi to be refunded. All successful bets on horses prior to 5.11pm are subject to the following deductions in the dollar from the face value of the ticket: win bets - 10 cents, place bets (for winner) - 8 cents, place bets (for 2nd) - 10 cents, place bets (for 3rd) - 13 cents and double bets 10 cents.
Kakanui - began awkwardly and was slow into stride.
Tbilisi - began awkwardly. Raced wide rounding the home turn.
Liberty Song - raced wide without cover.
Runsati - accidentally struck over the head by the whip of Liam Riordan near the 50m. Eased approaching the finishing line to avoid the heels of Miss Norway which was laying in under pressure.

Race 9 - Punters.com.au Handicap - 1000m:

Rocket Tommy - connections advised would be ridden off the pace with the blinkers off; restrained at the start and settled near the rear of the field. Rider Nikita Beriman explained that after initially restraining the gelding, it got its head up and overreacted, which meant she was unable to take up a more forward position and ended up further back than anticipated. Stable representative Mick Johnstone also gave evidence that it was not the stables intention for Rocket Tommy to settle so far back and that the horse did not react well to being restrained. A post race veterinary examination failed to reveal any abnormalities.
Thelburg - hampered at the start when tightened for room between Murphys Reward and Our Luca which both shifted ground. Stewards questioned Rider Stephen Baster regarding his riding of the gelding from the 200m. He explained that the gelding did not appreciate the cut track rounding the home turn and began to hang in and felt awkward in its action from that point. He added that he raced neatly between Thermal Current and Cashed passing the 200m and was then unable to come out off the heels of Thermal Current due to the gelding hanging in. He further added he was instructed to ride Thelburg neutral form the start to take up some cover and finish the race off. Trainer Saab Hasan gave evidence that Thelburg does not appreciate tracks with a shifting surface, and he also tendered evidence that he had strongly supported the gelding. Stewards noted Stephen Basters explanation. A post race veterinary examination failed to reveal any abnormalities.
Cashed - slow to begin.
Tildy Lad - raced wide without cover throughout.
Our Luca - apprentice Stephanie Thornton stated that the gelding, which has not raced for a month, would benefit from todays performance. A post race veterinary examination failed to reveal any abnormalities.