Stewards' Summary @ Flemington 19th January

Published: 21 Jan 2019

A summary of Flemington for Saturday 19th January is shown below, including Vet Notes, Penalties and Fines. For the full report, visit the racing.com website.

Vet Notes

Free Of Debt (Race 1) - A post race veterinary examination revealed the colt to have a poor recovery and heat stress.
Hay Now (Race 6) - A post race veterinary examination revealed the mare to be lame in the near hind leg and an endoscopic examination detected a degree of internal exercise induced pulmonary haemorrhage and a veterinary clearance is required prior to racing again.

Penalties & Fines

Michael Dee (Khezerabad (FR)) - 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. Michael Dee had his licence to ride in races suspended for a period to commence at midnight January 26th and to expire at midnight January 31st, a total of six race meetings (one metropolitan, five provincial). In assessing penalty Stewards took into account his guilty plea and record, that it was a staying race, the gross breach of the rule and that he won the race.
John Allen, rider of Snitzcraft was fined the sum of $300 under the provisions of AR145 for returning to scale in excess of a half kilogram over his declared riding weight.
Apprentice Ben Allen, rider of Mr One Eleven was fined the sum of $200 under the provisions of AR137A(4)(c) for using his whip on a horse that was out of contention.
Chelsea MacFarlane, rider of Lucques pleaded guilty to a charge under the provisions of AR137A(4)(c) and AR137A(4)(d) for using her whip on a horse that was out of contention and showing no response. Chelsea MacFarlane was fined the sum of $500 and will be referred to the Riders Skills Panel for further tuition.

Summary of Races

Race 1 - VRC Member Duane Rogers Plate - 1200m:

Skiddaw - after being fractious in its starting stall was slow to begin. Rider Damien Oliver could offer no explanation for the performance. A post race veterinary examination failed to reveal any abnormalities.
Free Of Debt - when racing greenly approaching the 100m, shifted out after being struck with the whip and then shortly after this shifted in abruptly, became unbalanced and lost ground. Stewards notified trainer Chris Bieg that a warning will be placed on the colts record for being wayward. A post race veterinary examination revealed the colt to have a poor recovery and heat stress.

Race 2 - Voting Opens Monday for All-Star Mile - 2500m:

One For Later - marginally slow to begin.
Khezerabad (FR) - rider Michael Dee dropped his whip approaching the 100m.
Azurite - rider Jye McNeil stated that the gelding was not suited being back in the race with the slow tempo. A post race veterinary examination failed to reveal any abnormalities.
Lycurgus - rider Damien Oliver stated that the gelding may be better suited on a track with more give. A post race veterinary examination failed to reveal any abnormalities and a swab sample was taken for analysis. The stable indicated that the gelding would now be spell.

Michael Dee (Khezerabad (FR)) - 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. Michael Dee had his licence to ride in races suspended for a period to commence at midnight January 26th and to expire at midnight January 31st, a total of six race meetings (one metropolitan, five provincial). In assessing penalty Stewards took into account his guilty plea and record, that it was a staying race, the gross breach of the rule and that he won the race

Race 3 - VRC Member Michael Nicolson Handicap - 1400m:

Sabotage (NZ) - began awkwardly. Raced three wide without cover.
Dane Thunder - began awkwardly.
Astro Castro - near the 1300m was bumped by English Gambler which shifted out, resulting in both horses becoming unbalanced. Over-raced in the early and middle stages. A post race veterinary examination failed to reveal any abnormalities.
Domesday Warrior - near the 900m commenced to over-race and was steadied off the heels of Dane Thunder.
Paremuus Boy - raced four wide without cover.
Battlecamp (NZ) - was struck over the head by the whip of Liam Riordan (Paremuus Boy) near the 250m.
English Gambler - rider Mark Zahra was of the view that the gelding would be improved when up in distance and ridden off the speed. A post race veterinary examination failed to reveal any abnormalities.

Race 4 - Flemington Event Staff Handicap - 2000m:

The Patchie Kid - began awkwardly, shifted in and bumped Heir Of Tavistock (NZ).
Heir Of Tavistock (NZ) - bumped at the start.
Yulong September - slow to begin. Rider Mark Zahra was of the opinion that the gelding may have come to the end of its preparation. A post race veterinary examination failed to reveal any abnormalities.
Oceanex (NZ) - raced three wide without cover.

Race 5 - Inglis Dash - 1100m:

Ollivander - after being fractious in its starting stall, underwent a veterinary examination and was passed suitable to race. Rider Damian Lane could offer no explanation for the performance. A post race veterinary examination failed to reveal any abnormalities.
Mumbles - slow to begin.
Thorondor - rider Craig Williams reported that the colt would benefit from the run.
Du Well - rider Andrew Mallyon reported that when placed under pressure failed to respond and hung in. A post race veterinary examination failed to reveal any abnormalities.

Race 6 - Australian Cup nominations close Monday 21st Jan - 1400m:

Kings Command - connections advised would lead if it begins well; led.
Leodoro - slow to begin.
Mastering - began awkwardly and was therefore obliged to race wide when unable to find a position more forward with cover. Raced wide without cover. Rider Jake Noonan stated that although he raced wide for the majority of the event, the gelding was disappointing. A post race veterinary examination failed to reveal any abnormalities.
Heptagon (NZ) - over-raced in the early stages.
Mount Kilcoy - raced wide from the 800m.
Hay Now - raced four wide without cover. A post race veterinary examination revealed the mare to be lame in the near hind leg and an endoscopic examination detected a degree of internal exercise induced pulmonary haemorrhage and a veterinary clearance is required prior to racing again.
Bad Wolf - raced three wide without cover.
Rib Eye - was held up from the 400m and unable to gain clear running in the straight and went to the line not being fully tested.
Kaching - faltered behind near the 900m. steadied at the 200m when disappointed for clear running between Bad Wolf and Set To Sparkle (Luke Currie) which was shifting out under pressure; Luke Currie was advised to exercise more care when shifting ground.
Thunder Cloud - was held up for clear running from the 200m and went to the line not being tested.

Race 7 - Kensington Stakes (Listed) - 1000m:

Snitzcraft - began awkwardly and then knuckled after being brushed by Bullpit, which also began awkwardly and shifted in. Rider John Allen was fined the sum of $300 under the provisions of AR145 for returning to scale in excess of a half kilogram over his declared riding weight.
Bullpit - began awkwardly, shifted in and brushed Snitzkraft.
Champagne Cuddles - began awkwardly, shifted in and made heavy contact with Heart Of A Lion.
Heart Of A Lion - bumped at the start by Champagne Cuddles. Rider Joe Bowditch reported that gelding laid in. A post race veterinary examination failed to reveal any abnormalities.
Belwazi - trainer Jerome Hunter advised that the mare raced back from its wide barrier last start which did not suit.

Race 8 - Bitalli Handicap - 1800m:

Muphys Delight (IRE) - slow to begin.
Laure Me In - slow to begin.
Black Sail - laid inwards under pressure in the straight.
The Mighty Jrod (NZ) - when questioned regarding the improved performance, trainer Robbie Laing explained that gelding which normally races on the speed but was further back today, may now at this stage of its career be better suited ridden off the pace and in future would be ridden in a similar manner.
Mr One Eleven - apprentice Ben Allen was fined the sum of $200 under the provisions of AR137A(4)(c) for using his whip on a horse that was out of contention.
Amadeus - rider Craig Williams reported that the horse laid out under pressure in the straight.
Fastnet Latina (IRE) - performed below expectations and a post race veterinary examination failed to reveal any abnormalities.
Five Kingdom - apprentice Michael Poy reported that his mount raced flat. A post race veterinary examination failed to reveal any abnormalities.

Chelsea MacFarlane (Lucques) - pleaded guilty to a charge under the provisions of AR137A(4)(c) and AR137A(4)(d) for using her whip on a horse that was out of contention and showing no response. Chelsea MacFarlane was fined the sum of $500 and will be referred to the Riders Skills Panel for further tuition.

Race 9 - Victorian Owner Gold Card Handicap - 1200m:

Frankel My Dear - late withdrawal on veterinary advice at 4.13pm.
Barthelona - began awkwardly, shifted in and made contact with Langhro.
Langhro - bumped at the start.
Bord De Gain - began awkwardly.
Top Me Up - slow to begin.
Streets Of Avalon - was steadied approaching the 100m when tightened for room between Intuition which was taken in slightly by Well Sprung and Langhro which shifted out.
Exceltara - rider Luke Currie stated that he raced in restricted room however was disappointing late. A post race veterinary examination failed to reveal any abnormalities.
Tbilisi - rider Patrick Moloney was of the opinion that the gelding may not have handled racing down the straight. A post race veterinary examination failed to reveal any abnormalities.