Stewards' Summary @ Royal Randwick 16 February

Published: 19 Feb 2019

A summary of Royal Randwick for Saturday 16th February is shown below, including Vet Notes, Penalties and Fines. For the full report, visit the racingnsw.com.au website.

Vet Notes

Letter To Juliette (Race 3) - Trainer Mr G White advised that an endoscopic examination conducted on the mare on return to his stables revealed Letter To Juliette to have had an epiglottic entrapment. Mr White advised that the mare will undergo corrective surgery before racing again. Stewards will followup on the progress of the mare.

Penalties & Fines

No Penalties and Fines

Summary of Races

RACE 1: Pierro Plate 1100m

Garibaldi – Slow to begin, shifted in making contact with the hindquarters of Valdostana resulting in both horses becoming unbalanced
Jonah – Slow to begin. In the early part of the straight commenced to shift out to improve into a narrow run between Garibaldi and Intrepidacious. When Intrepidacious shifted in sightly Jonah was steadied when disappointing for clear running and as a consequence was held up until inside the 200m.
Covert Ops – When questioned rider B Prebble advised his mount raced keenly outside the lead and after laying out on the home turn was disappointing in its failure to finish the race off. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no abnormalities. Trainer Mr G Ryan could offer no explanation for the disappointing performance. Mr Ryan was advised that Covert Ops must barrier trial to the satisfaction of the Stewards prior to its next race start.
Powertrain – Raced wide and without cover from the 800m.
Rotator – Laid out making the home turn and in the straight.
Intrepidacious – In the middle stages was inclined to overrace. Near the 900m Intrepidacious was steadied when crowded between Fiery Red which shifted out slightly and Powertrain which was taken in when All Cylinders (S Clipperton) shifted in. S Clipperton was reprimanded and advised he must provide comfortable racing room to runners to his inside.
Tenley – Slow to begin and from the outside barrier was shifted behind runners in the early stages.
Icebath – Approaching the 100m became held up for clear running when endeavouring to obtain a run between Convert Ops and Fiery Red where there was not quite sufficient room. Fiery Red was then steadied to avoid the heels of All Cylinders (S Clipperton) which shifted out under riding when not clear of Fiery Red resulting in Fiery Red being taken out resulting in Icebath having to be checked when disappointed for clear running. Whilst Stewards established Icebath had not secured clear running at this point S Clipperton was reprimanded for permitting his mount to shift out when not clear of Fiery Red.
Valdostana – Bumped on the hindquarter on jumping and became unbalanced. Briefly held up making the home and for a short distance near the 150m was inclined to lay in away from Icebath.

RACE 2: TAB Highway Handicap 1800m

Nothin' Like Harry – When questioned rider H Bowman stated that he was advised that the gelding was one paced and for this reason after traveling well in the early stages he elected to apply some pressure to the early leader Trumbo in order to increase the tempo. He said that as he commenced to place his mount under pressure it did not respond as he had anticipated and in the straight was disappointed in its failure to respond to his efforts. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no abnormalities. Trainer Mr G Worsnop was not able to offer any explanation for the disappointing performance. Stewards ruled Nothin' Like Harry would be required to barrier trial to the satisfaction of the Stewards prior to its next race start. Mr Worsnop was asked to report back on the post-race condition of the gelding in the days subsequent.
Aragonese – Raced wide and without cover throughout the race.
Balansa – Was fractious in the barrier and was slow to begin. On the home turn was held up behind Pontmain and then in the early part of the straight raced tight between Weston and Tiara Road as it secured clear running between those runners. Near the 300m Nothin' Like Harry which was commencing to give ground shifted out slightly and made contact with Aragonese resulting in Aragonese shifting out, bumping Weston and taking Weston out across Balansa which had to be steadied. Stewards were satisfied that both Aragonese and Weston had significantly contributed to the interference suffered to Balansa and for this reason no action was taken.
Haames – Shifted in at the start and bumped Georgian Court resulting in both runners becoming unbalanced. Was held up for clear running in the straight and could not be tested until the 50m.
Tiara Road – When questioned regarding his riding J Ford advised that his intention was to be midfield, but the mare showed no pace in the early stages despite his efforts and consequently settled back in the field. He stated that Tiara Road failed to travel throughout the early and middle stages of the event and nearing the 800m he was able to position his mount behind Tobermory at which point Tiara Road commenced to travel well with him. He stated that when he observed Pontmain to be positioned in front of Tobermory he elected to remain behind that runner rather than shifting out and covering excess ground. He added that his decision to do so was influenced by the fact that he had been obliged to make some use of Tiara Road in the early and middle stages and in his opinion the mare would not be assisted by covering additional ground. He further added near the 400m he endeavoured to obtain clear running between Tobermory and Balansa but was disappointed when Balansa secured the run-in advance of him which resulted in Tiara Road being held up behind Tobermory for some distance before shifting to the outside of Fui San near the 200m whereby Tiara Road ran home strongly.
Georgian Court – Raced keenly in the middle stages.

RACE 3: Hurun Report Cup 2400m

Our Gravano – In the early part of the straight was inclined to lay in and was held up on the heels of Curata Princess.
Reneged – Near the 50m when commencing to make ground was steadied when Art Attack shifted out away from Our Gravano which in turn which was taken out by Curata Princess (A Adkins). A Adkins was advised to exercise more care.
Gayatri – When questioned regarding his riding H Bowman advised he had been instructed to ensure that the mare obtained cover as in previous race starts it had a tendency to race keenly and today's race on paper, appeared to be derived of any genuine tempo. He said accordingly from the outside barrier he elected to shift behind runners in the early stages where he established at a position at the rear of the field. He added that near the 2000m he allowed Gayatri to improve to this inside of Our Gravano whereby the mare travelled comfortably throughout the early and middle stage. He said that from the 800m he elected to improve to the inside of Reneged and follow the winner Curata Princess into the straight. He further stated that soon after entering the home straight he placed Gayatri under pressure as he attempted to secure a narrow run between Letter To Juliette and Curata Princess but when under pressure Gayatri was one paced, did not quicken and was inclined to lay in. He added that once Curata Princess then shifted out near the 150m Gayatri responded to his riding and finished the race off reasonably well.
Equipped – Held up for clearing running until near the 200m.
Resort – Raced wide and without cover in the early stages before being permitted to stride forward and race outside the leader near the 1800m
Curata Princess – When questioned regarding the improved performance of the mare trainer Cotrainer Mr R Price stated that following its disappointing performance at Warwick Farm on 28 January 2019 Curata Princess was found to be in season on return to the stable. He stated that as reported to the Stewards the blood count of the mare was slightly abnormal and as a consequence, he freshened up Curata Princess by providing it some beach work. He added that the blood count prior to running today had improved and consequently Curata Princess improved up to his expectations.
Letter To Juliette - Trainer Mr G White advised that an endoscopic examination conducted on the mare on return to his stables revealed Letter To Juliette to have had an epiglottic entrapment. Mr White advised that the mare will undergo corrective surgery before racing again. Stewards will followup on the progress of the mare.

RACE 4: Lunar New Year Handicap 1300m

Special Missile – Bounded on jumping and lost ground.
Don't Give A Damn – Slow to begin. When questioned rider K McEvoy stated that making the home turn the gelding blundered on several occasions and from that point lost confidence and did not respond to his riding in the home straight. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no abnormalities. Trainer Mr D Williams advised that in his opinion Don't Give A Damn was not suited to today's track conditions. He added that the gelding had trialled extremely well on a soft track in the lead up to today's race however a subsequent gallop on firmer surface was less impressive and for this reason he had some reservations of the horse performing well on today's track. After considering Mr Williams explanation, Stewards advised that Don't Give A Damn would be required to barrier trial to the statistician of the Stewards prior its next race start.
Karavali – Began awkwardly.
Bolero King – When giving ground inside the 200m was steadied to avoid the heels of Diplomatico (B Avdulla) which shifted out as it continued to improve into clear running. B Avdulla was advised to exercise more care. Rider S Clipperton stated that in the straight he had some concerns with the action of Bolero King and eased it down. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no abnormalities. Trainer Mr C Conners was advised that a veterinary clearance would be required prior to the gelding racing again.
Paret – From the outside barrier was shifted behind runners in the early stages.
King Lear – From a wide barrier was shifted behind runners in the early stages.
Gauguin – On the home turn shifted out away from Diplomatico which shifted out slightly. In the home straight laid out under pressure and as a result G Schofield changed the whip over into his left hand.
Tessera -Near the 900m was steadied to avoid the heels of Alart which was taken in by Bolero King (S Clipperton). S Clipperton was advised to exercise more care.

RACE 5: Southern Cross Stakes 1200m (Group 3)

Dreamforce – Was held up for clear running in the early part of the straight and near the 200m was steadied when disappointing for clear running between Brutal and In Good Time both of which shifted ground. Was then held up behind Brutal until near the 100m.
Noire – Got its off hind leg up on the running board, was examined by the club's Veterinary Officer and was deemed suitable to race. Slow to begin. In the early part of the straight was shifted to the outside of runners to obtain clear running.
Eckstein – Shifted behind runners in the early stages.
Albumin – Got its near hind leg up on the running board, was examined by the club's Veterinary Officer and was deemed suitable to race. Rider J Ford could offer no explanation for the disappointing performance of the gelding. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no abnormalities. Trainer Mr G Ryan undertook to report back on the post-race condition of Albumin.
Brutal – When questioned rider B Avdualla stated that his intention was to take up a position outside the leader however Brutal was standing awkwardly in the barriers and began only fairly. He stated when In Good Time showed superior speed in the early stages, he was unable to cross that runner and with no opportunity of obtaining cover behind that runner he was obliged to race three wide and without cover throughout the event. He added given the wide run the colt endured he felt that the performance of Brutal was full of merit particularly, racing first up today.

RACE 6: The Star Apollo Stakes 1400m (Group 2)

Tom Melbourne – When questioned rider G Schofield stated that when pressured from the 800m by Happy Clapper, Tom Melbourne raced keenly and for this reason did not finish the race off as strongly as anticipated. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no abnormalities.

RACE 7: TAB Light Fingers Stakes 1200m (Group 2)

Oohood – Was hampered on jumping by Sylvia's Mother which shifted in. When questioned regarding the performance rider T Clark stated that from a wide barrier, he was required to settle further back than he had anticipated in order to obtain cover. He said that from the 600m Oohood commenced to respond to his riding but in the straight he felt the condition of the filly gave out, resulting in it not finishing the race off. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no abnormalities.
Greysful Glamour – Raced wide and without cover throughout the race.
Miss Fabulass – When questioned rider K McEvoy stated that his instructions were to ride the filly conservatively from an awkward barrier. He said that after commencing fairly he was obligated to come back towards the rear of the field to ensure he obtained cover. He added that when under pressure making the home turn Miss Fabulass dipped on a number of occasions and in the early part of the straight took some time to balance up after this incident and near the 200m commenced to respond to his riding whereby the filly failed finished the race off fairly. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no abnormalities.
Pohutukawa – Slow to begin. Was held up for clear running from the 300m to the 200m and was then shifted to the inside of Nakeeta Jane to continue into clear running whereby the filly closed off the race strongly.
Sylvia's Mother – Began awkwardly.
Autumn – Rider S Clipperton advised the filly raced greenly and refused to settle throughout the early and middle stages.

RACE 8: Robrick Lodge Triscay Stakes 1200m (Group 3)

Princess Posh – Slow to begin.
Bella Martini – From a wide barrier was shifted behind runners in the early stages.
Siren's Fury – Held up on the home turn.
Sweet Scandal – Slow to begin and was crowded between Jorda and Invincible Gem which shifted in.
All Over Bosanova – When questioned rider R King stated that the mare travelled comfortably in the lead as is customary, albeit at a strong tempo. She stated that from the 400m All Over Bosanova did not respond to her riding and was most disappointing. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no abnormalities.
Jadentom – Slow to begin.

RACE 9: Chinese Festival Of Racing Handicap 1600m

Shalmaneser – Over the concluding stages could not be tested when racing tight to the outside of Cosmologist which shifted in slightly.
Cosmologist – Raced wide and without cover throughout the race.
Smartedge – Slow to begin and from a wide barrier was shifted behind runners in the early stages. Had difficulty obtaining clear running until near the 200m.
Girl Tuesday – Began only fairly. When questioned rider K McEvoy stated that with the delay behind the barriers when Brazen was being replated the mare became stirred up and throughout the event was inclined to race keenly. On the home turn Girl Tuesday blundered and then on straightening he was unable to secure clear running to the outside of Almost Court, when Harmattan shifted in to obtain that run and as a result his momentum was lost at that point. He added from that stage of the race Girl Tuesday finished the race off fairly. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no abnormalities. Trainer Mr C Waller concurred with the views of K McEvoy and undertook to report back on the postrace condition of the mare in the days subsequent.
Brazen – Lost its near hind plate enroute to the barriers. When that plate could not be replated, after consultation with rider J Ford and trainer Mr B Cavanough Brazen was permitted to race bare foot behind. Slow to begin. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no abnormalities.
The Avenger – Laid in under pressure in the early part of the straight. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no abnormalities.
Harmattan – Slow to begin.
Villardo – Slow to begin and from an outside barrier was shifted behind runners in the early stages.