Stewards' Summary @ Royal Randwick 26th January

Published: 26 Jan 2019

A summary of Royal Randwick for Saturday 26th January is shown below, including Vet Notes, Penalties and Fines. For the full report, visit the racingnsw.com.au website.

Vet Notes

Espaaniyah (Race 1) – A post-race veterinary examination revealed Espaaniyah to be slow to recover and to have shifted its off-hind plate.
Texas Storm (Race 2) – A post-race veterinary examination revealed Texas Storm to have sustained a laceration to the near foreleg.
Nicci’s Gold (Race 4) – A post-race veterinary examination revealed the mare to be lame (2/5) in the off-foreleg. Mr Portelli stated that in his view Nicci's Gold does not appreciate racing on firm surfaces and this was the main reason for its disappointing performance. Mr Portelli was advised that a veterinary clearance would be required prior to Nicci's Gold's next race start.
Burning Passion (Race 7) – A post-race veterinary examination revealed the gelding to have bled from both nostrils for the first time. Stable representative Ms. T. Carson was advised that, under the provisions of AR53A, Burning Passion must not race for a period of three months, cannot be exercised on a racecourse for at least two months and must trial or gallop 1000 metres in the presence of the Stewards prior to its next race start.
Religify (Race 7) – A postrace veterinary examination revealed Religify to be acutely lame in the near foreleg. Religify was transported to Randwick Equine Centre for specialist care. Trainer Representative Mr C. Duckworth reported that Religify had displayed no signs of lameness in the lead-up to today's race. Mr Duckworth was asked to provide the stable and veterinary treatment records for the gelding.
Only Tiger (Race 8) – A post-race veterinary examination revealed the gelding to be lame (3/5) in the offforeleg. Trainer Mr J. Sargent was advised that a veterinary clearance would be required prior to Only Tiger racing again.

Penalties & Fines

No penalties and fines

Summary of Races

RACE 1: Australian Turf Club Handicap 1000m:

Espaaniyah – When questioned regarding the performance, rider T. Clark advised that, from the inside barrier, he was required to make some use of the filly to take up a forward position. He added that with the strong early tempo of the event, Espaaniyah became under pressure approaching the 300m and was unable to finish the race off due to those factors in the early stages. He further stated that, in his view, as the filly had only one barrier trial in the lead-up to today's race, it would derive a fitness benefit from today's performance. A post-race veterinary examination revealed Espaaniyah to be slow to recover and to have shifted its off-hind plate. Co-trainer Mrs G. Waterhouse concurred with the views offered by rider T. Clark and added that in her opinion the filly was stepping up in grade after being successful in a restricted twoyear-old race at Moonee Valley on 27 October 2018. She added that Espaaniyah had pleased the stable leading into today's race and was expected to perform well. She undertook to report back to the Stewards if there was anything amiss with the filly subsequent to the race and advised that Espaaniyah would undergo a veterinary inspection by the stable veterinarian tomorrow.
Bivouac – began awkwardly.
Roman Wolf – raced greenly and was inclined to lay out in the early stages. Passing the 800m was shifted behind runners to obtain cover.
Aussie – began awkwardly and shifted out abruptly.
Colada – slow to begin. When questioned regarding his riding in the straight, B. Prebble stated that after straightening to the inside of the heels of My Fire Phoenix, his preferred option was to come to that runner's outside. He said that when My Fire Phoenix did not improve into the event as he anticipated, he was awkwardly placed to the inside of that runner and was unable to shift to its outside. He added that, as a result, Colada was badly held up and could not be tested when being checked to avoid the heels of the weakening Washington Towers. Near the 50m shifted to the outside of Pancho to secure clear running and hampered Washington Towers.
Dawn Passage – near the 600m was hampered when crowded between Bivouac and My Fire Phoenix, which shifted out.
Redicon – began awkwardly. Making the home turn was bumped, taken wider and became unbalanced when Bivouac (C. Reith) shifted to the outside of For Love to improve. C. Reith was reprimanded and advised that he must ensure that there is sufficient racing room to improve in similar circumstances.
Washington Towers – under pressure in the straight was inclined to lay out.
My Fire Phoenix – approaching the 600m was steadied to avoid the heels of Aussie (H. Bowman), which shifted in when not quite clear. H. Bowman was advised to exercise more care. Making the home turn was hampered when racing in restricted room between Pancho, which was inclined to lay out slightly, and Bivouac. In the straight raced in restricted room between Washington Towers and For Love, and was unable to secure clear running until near the 200m.
Estrado – began awkwardly and then, on jumping, was hampered by Aussie, which began awkwardly and shifted out abruptly. Overraced in the middle stages and leaving the 600m became awkward on the heels of Colada.
For Love – Rider J. Ford stated that his mount was caught wide and without cover in a fast run event and, as a consequence, was not able to finish the race off. A postrace veterinary examination did not reveal any abnormality.
Sylvia’s Memory – raced wide and without cover throughout the event. Making the home turn was hampered when carried wider by Redicon, which was inclined to lay out. A post-race veterinary examination did not reveal any abnormality other than the filly had lost its off-fore plate.
Zouriana – slow to begin.

RACE 2: TAB Highway Handicap 1100m:

I Am Magnificent – reared as the start was effected and lost ground (3L).
I Am Capitan – raced wide and without cover throughout.
Highway Sixtysix – was examined by the Club's veterinary officer and was found to have a small ulcer in the offside nostril, which occurred as a result of the mare being fractious in the float en route to the course. Acting on veterinary advice, Highway Sixtysix was deemed suitable to race. Slow to begin and, shortly after the start, was crowded between Pierino and She's Spicy, which shifted out.
She’s Spicy – after shifting to the inside of Acton Shale near the 200m, raced in restricted room to the inside of that runner for some distance thereafter.
Texas Storm – shortly after the start shifted out and, from its wide barrier, was shifted behind runners in the early stages. Rider T. Clark stated that, from the wide barrier, he was obliged to settle back in the field in order to find cover. He said that Texas Storm is still somewhat immature and raced on the wrong leg for the majority of the event. He added that in his view the gelding would be better suited by being stepped up in distance as he was encouraged by the manner in which it finished off the last 100 metres of the event. A post-race veterinary examination revealed Texas Storm to have sustained a laceration to the near foreleg.
Zardoro – had some difficulty obtaining clear running until near the 250m.
Exceed The Night – began awkwardly, shifted in making contact with Acton Shale and became unbalanced.
Acton Shale – Stewards permitted App. B. Owen to ride the gelding ½ kilogram over its allotted weight. Shortly after the start was bumped and became unbalanced when Exceed The Night shifted in.

RACE 3: 2019 Membership Handicap 1100m:

Star Fall – rider L. Meech stated that the colt travelled strongly outside the leader and, as a consequence, did not run out the 1100 metres today. She added that, in hindsight, it may have been best to allow the colt to stride forward and cross Syd's Footprints in the early stages rather than endeavouring to restrain her mount. A post-race veterinary examination did not reveal any abnormality. Co-trainer Mr C. Maher stated that he was satisfied with the colt's progress leading into today's race and added that Star Fall had pleased him following its last start win at Randwick on 12 January 2019. He added that he was disappointed with the performance of Star Fall as it did not perform up to the form of its recent races, and he undertook to report back to Stewards on the postrace condition of the colt and future race plans.
Sylvia’s Mother – overraced for some distance in the middle stages and near the 600m was restrained from the heels of Star Fall. Held up for clear running until near the 200m.
Wonderbabe – on jumping was bumped on the hindquarters by Nuke, which shifted out, resulting in the filly becoming unbalanced and being taken wider. Raced wide and without cover throughout the event.
Exceltic – began awkwardly, making contact with the nearside of its barrier. Exceltic then failed to muster speed in the early stages.
Nuke – shifted out at the start making contact with Wonderbabe. From a wide barrier was then shifted behind runners in the early stages.

RACE 4: Summer Racing Handicap 1600m:

Nicci’s Gold – slow to begin (3L). The barrier manners of Nicci's Gold were brought to the attention of Trainer Mr G. Portelli. When questioned, App. R. Dolan stated that, after missing the start, Nicci's Gold raced flat and, with its big weight today, was unable to make up ground in the straight. A post-race veterinary examination revealed the mare to be lame (2/5) in the off-foreleg. Mr Portelli stated that in his view Nicci's Gold does not appreciate racing on firm surfaces and this was the main reason for its disappointing performance. Mr Portelli was advised that a veterinary clearance would be required prior to Nicci's Gold's next race start.
Extreme Bliss – Rider A. Mallyon advised that from the inside barrier today his mount commenced well and was able to take up a more forward position. He stated that in the early stages he was reluctant to restrain his mount as it has a tendency to overrace, and for this reason he allowed it to settle comfortably in the run.
My Psychiatrist – after beginning only fairly, was crowded between Extreme Bliss and Toryjoy, which shifted in.
Missybeel – When questioned regarding his riding, A. Hyeronimus advised that his instructions were to go forward but not specifically to lead. He stated that in the early stages he rode his mount forward, but when he formed the view that Missybeel did not have sufficient pace to cross Luskintyre Lass and Toryjoy near the 1400m, he elected to position the mare behind those runners. He added that when Strome held its position to his inside he was obliged to race three wide without cover for the remainder of the event. A post-race veterinary examination did not reveal any abnormality. Trainer Representative Mr J. Bruce confirmed that the intention was to have Missybeel race in a forward position but, depending on the positioning of the two expected pace runners, he had the option of sitting outside the lead or obtaining cover behind those runners. Mr Bruce undertook to report to the Stewards on the future race plans for Missybeel.
Strome – slow to begin.

RACE 5: Happy 18TH Birthday Tom Norris Handicap 2000m:

Berdibek – slow to begin and, from a wide barrier, was shifted behind runners in the early stages.
Vaucluse Bay – Rider H. Bowman stated that Vaucluse Bay travelled comfortably outside Tahsin throughout the middle stages of the event, but he was reluctant to pressure Tahsin from the 1200m as he felt it was not in his horse's best interests to do so. He stated that when Tahsin endeavoured to quicken the tempo from the 700m Vaucluse Bay immediately became under pressure and did not finish the race off from that point. A post-race veterinary examination did not reveal any abnormality.
Mutarakem – slow to begin and, from a wide barrier, was shifted behind runners in the early stages.
Tahsin – App. R. Dolan stated that his instructions were to take up a forward position and he anticipated sitting outside the leader Mercurial Lad. He stated that in the early stages, bearing in mind that his mount was stepping up to 2000m for the first time, he elected to not make use of his mount to hold a position close to Mercurial Lad and to allow his mount to finish the race off as best as possible. He said that from the 1200m, when Mercurial Lad established a sizeable break on the field, he felt that his mount was not travelling well enough to attempt to improve and maintain a position closer to Mercurial Lad and it was not until the 700m where he commenced to place Tahsin under pressure, however, the gelding did not respond to his riding as he would have liked.

RACE 6: tab.com.au Handicap 1100m:

King River – slow to begin. Raced wide and without cover throughout the event.
Taniko – after being slow to begin, shifted in making contact with Oriental Runner and became unbalanced. When questioned regarding his riding rounding the home turn and in the early part of the straight, H. Bowman stated that the fast tempo of the race did not suit the mare, which consequently settled back in the field. He said that making the home turn Taniko dipped and, as the ground at this section of the track was in his opinion becoming worn, he did not place his mount under full pressure on straightening so as to keep it balanced. He further said that near the 300m he was able to fully test Taniko, once balanced, whereby the mare ran on well. H. Bowman added that as Taniko commenced to make ground over the concluding stages and improved to the inside of Oriental Runner, he then was not able to fully test the mare over the concluding stages as he became positioned close to the heels of Junglized and when he had So Spirited racing tight to his outside.
Sei Stella – When questioned regarding his riding, J. Ford stated that, although his mount commenced well, when Happy Mo improved to his inside in the early stages he was content to allow that runner to hold the lead with a view of sitting to its outside. He stated that when Happy Mo did not continue to press forward at a pace he had expected, this resulted in Junglized improving to his inside and Sei Stella being caught wide. He stated that with Sei Stella being suspect at 1100m he was reluctant to make too much use of his mount in the early stages and therefore elected to cross Junglized, which obliged him to race slightly in advance of Happy Mo. He stated that he was content to race in advance of Happy Mo rather than cross that runner in order to allow Sei Stella the best chance to run out a strong 1100 metres.
Happy Mo – began awkwardly and shifted out abruptly. Close to the finish line Happy Mo shifted out and became close to the heels of Sei Stella and, as a result, had to be steadied.
The Lion – after being slow to begin was then checked on jumping between King River and Happy Mo, which shifted out.

RACE 7: Carrington Stakes 1400m:

Endless Drama – As the start was effected, Endless Drama simultaneously became fractious, made contact with the offside of its barrier and lost ground (4L). Over the final 200m laid in under pressure.
Burning Passion – A post-race veterinary examination revealed the gelding to have bled from both nostrils for the first time. Stable representative Ms. T. Carson was advised that, under the provisions of AR53A, Burning Passion must not race for a period of three months, cannot be exercised on a racecourse for at least two months and must trial or gallop 1000 metres in the presence of the Stewards prior to its next race start.
Religify – when being steadied to allow Flow to cross near the 1000m, commenced to race keenly. Stewards opened an inquiry into the breakdown of the gelding during the running of the race. Rider J. Ford stated that, near the 600m, the gelding's head carriage became low and, as he was concerned that there may be something amiss, he took hold of his mount, but soon afterwards Religify improved in its action and he continued to allow the gelding to compete in the race. He said that in the straight Religify did not respond to his urgings but felt free in its action until approaching the winning post where it blundered, and he immediately eased the gelding down. A postrace veterinary examination revealed Religify to be acutely lame in the near foreleg. Religify was transported to Randwick Equine Centre for specialist care. Trainer Representative Mr C. Duckworth reported that Religify had displayed no signs of lameness in the lead-up to today's race. Mr Duckworth was asked to provide the stable and veterinary treatment records for the gelding.
Flow – Rider H. Bowman advised that it was not his intention to lead on the gelding but from the wide barrier, after commencing well, he allowed Flow to stride forward when runners to his inside did not show any intention of holding the lead.
Tom Melbourne – raced keenly in the early stages. Laid in in the straight.
Handsome Thief – Stewards permitted T. Marquand to ride the gelding ½ kilogram over its allotted weight.
Tangled – near the 350m was bumped slightly by Tom Melbourne (B. Shinn), which shifted in. Tangled then shifted in and away from Tom Melbourne and became awkwardly placed close to the heels of Penske. Near the 300m Tangled was steadied when crowded for room between Penske and Tom Melbourne, and was shifted to the outside of Tom Melbourne near the 200m to obtain clear running. B. Shinn was advised that he must ensure that he leaves sufficient racing room for runners to his inside.
Dark Eyes – from a wide barrier was shifted behind runners in the early stages.

RACE 8: #Theraces Handicap 1400m:

Plaisir – from the outside barrier was shifted behind runners in the early stages.
Only Tiger – from a wide barrier was shifted behind runners in the early stages. A post-race veterinary examination revealed the gelding to be lame (3/5) in the offforeleg. Trainer Mr J. Sargent was advised that a veterinary clearance would be required prior to Only Tiger racing again.
Reckless Choice – slow to begin.
Dealmaker – slow to begin. When questioned regarding his riding making the home turn, H. Bowman stated that he was under no specific instructions and, after following Prometheus into the race, he firstly endeavoured to improve to that runner's outside. He said that, as he attempted to do so, Prometheus was initially taken out by Wayanka near the 500m and, soon after, shifted further ground away from that runner, which resulted in Dealmaker being positioned behind Prometheus and close to that runner's heels. He further said that at this point Dealmaker became under pressure and for this reason, and in order to not be taken wider on the track, he elected to shift to the inside of Prometheus and committed to securing inside runs. He added that soon after straightening he was able to commence riding his mount along, but Dealmaker was one-paced and took some time to respond to his riding until near the 200m where it commenced to make ground. He further added that near the 100m he was disappointed for a narrow run between Wayanka and Brazen when Brazen was taken out by Sondelon and, as a consequence, he was obliged to steady his mount for a number of strides before being able to secure clear running inside the 50m. After considering H. Bowman's explanation, Stewards advised that in their opinion his best option was to continue to shift to the outside of Prometheus, however, having regard to his explanation, they found that his actions in endeavouring to secure running to his inside was not unreasonable in the circumstances.
Gitan – App. B. Owen advised that with the gelding settling back in the field he found it difficult to make up ground in the straight in a race that was dominated by on-pace runners. A post-race veterinary examination did not reveal any abnormality.

RACE 9: Rise Up At The Championships Handicap 1600m:

Rodrico – near the 200m was steadied when crowded between Organza and New Universe, which after improving into a narrow run between Rodrico and King Tomlolo was taken out slightly when King Tomlola (R. Freeman-Key) shifted out. R. FreemanKey was advised to exercise more care.
New Universe – slow to begin.
Onslaught – in the early stages raced keenly and near the 1000m was steadied from the heels of Gresham when that runner crossed to the rail.
Eagle Bay – slow to begin. A post-race veterinary examination of the gelding, which was obliged to race wide and without cover for the majority of the event, did not reveal any abnormality.
Devlann – Overraced in the early and middle stages. Near the 600m was placed in restricted room between New Universe and Eagle Bay. A short distance later Devlann became unbalanced and lost ground when reluctant to hold its position between those runners.