Stewards' Summary @ Flemington 6th July

Published: 07 Jul 2019

A summary of Flemington for Saturday 6th July is shown below, including Vet Notes, Penalties and Fines. For the full report, visit the racing.com website.

Vet Notes

Ice Girl (Race 1) - A post-race veterinary examination revealed the mare to be lame behind. Trainer Tom Hughes was notified that a veterinary certificate will be required before the mare is accepted to race again.
Barry The Baptist (Race 2) - A post-race veterinary examination revealed the gelding to be lame in the off foreleg. Trainer Paul Jones was notified that a veterinary certificate will be required before the gelding is accepted to race again.
Asgard Massif (Race 3) - A post-race veterinary examination revealed a delayed recovery.
Dogmatic (Race 6) - A post-race veterinary examination revealed the gelding to be bilaterally lame in front. Trainer Richard Laming was notified that a veterinary certificate will be required before the gelding is accepted to race again.
Invincible Al (Race 7) - A post-race veterinary examination revealed the gelding to have a delayed recovery and was lame in the nearside foreleg. Trainer Patrick Payne was notified that a veterinary certificate will be required before the gelding can race again.
Smart Coupe (Race 7) - A post-race veterinary examination revealed an irregular heart rhythm. Co‑trainers Mathew Ellerton and Simon Zahra were notified that Smart Coupe must not start in any race until the Stewards have received a satisfactory veterinary report. The report must include the results of an ECG performed at rest and cardiac auscultation performed within 30 minutes of completing a satisfactory gallop of at least 1000 metres.
Halvorsen (Race 7) - Post-race endoscopy of Halvorsen detected a degree of internal exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage that may have affected the horse's racing performance. Trainer Robbie Griffiths was notified that a veterinary certificate will be required before the gelding is accepted to race again.
Hellova Street (Race 8) - A post-race veterinary examination revealed a small cut to its off fore fetlock.
Bad Wolf (Race 8) - A post-race veterinary revealed a delayed recovery.

Penalties & Fines

Ben Melham, Rider Observational (GB) was fined $750 under the provisions of AR132(7)(a)(ii) for using his whip 10 times prior to the 100-metre mark, which is five times more than permitted. In arriving at this penalty, Stewards took into account that it was a staying race, that he ran 3rd, and that Ben Melham's total whip use was only 12 strikes. Ben Melham was also severely reprimanded under AR132(7)(a)(i) for use of the whip in consecutive strides prior to the 100m.
Damien Oliver (Milwaukee) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding under the provisions of AR131(a), the carelessness being that near the 50 metres, he permitted his mount to shift in when not sufficiently clear of Sirius Suspect, thereby tightening that gelding in onto Crown Fontein which resulted in Sirius Suspect having to be checked and Crown Fontein being crowded for room. Damien Oliver had his licence to ride in races suspended for a period to commence midnight 6 July 2019 and to expire midnight 16 July, a total of 10 race meetings (2 metropolitan, 8 provincial). In assessing penalty Stewards took into account Damien Oliver's guilty plea, candid evidence, good record and that the carelessness was in the mid‑range.

Summary of Races

Race 1 LEILANI SERIES FINAL - 1400 metres:

Ice Girl Slow to begin. Jumped awkwardly, unbalancing its rider. A post-race veterinary examination revealed the mare to be lame behind. Trainer Tom Hughes was notified that a veterinary certificate will be required before the mare is accepted to race again.
Miss Mandito (NZ) Raced keenly through the middle stages and got its head up when being restrained passing the 1000m as the tempo eased.
El Questro When questioned regarding her tactics passing the 1000m when she relinquished the lead to Pria Eclipse, Nikita Beriman explained that after initially deciding to take the lead, due to the slow tempo she was then in two minds when Pria Eclipse raced to her outside, indicating that it was going to go forward and that El Questro could then comfortably take the sit. Nikita Beriman reported that in hindsight it would have been in the mare's interests to have maintained the lead inside Pria Eclipse and that she made an error of judgment in allowing Pria Eclipse to take the lead. Held up for clear running from the 400m until gaining a neat run between Pria Eclipse and Something Silver near the 150m.
Something Silver Became unbalanced near the 800m when brushed from the inside by Miss Mandito (NZ) which was over-racing.
Pria Eclipse Weakened from the 100m. Rider Jarrod Fry reported that the mare maybe better suited in races over a longer distance than today's event. A post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any obvious abnormalities.

Race 2 VRC-CRV CUP TOUR TROPHY - 2000 metres:

The Statesman (GB) Raced three wide without cover.
Masculino Apprentice Lachlan King reported that he got left in front sooner than he would have preferred at the 400m and for this reason felt he was left riding the gelding along sooner than desired.
Barry The Baptist Weakened from the 350m. Rider Jarrod Fry could offer no explanation for the performance. A post-race veterinary examination revealed the gelding to be lame in the off foreleg. Trainer Paul Jones was notified that a veterinary certificate will be required before the gelding is accepted to race again.

Race 3 SILVER BOWL SERIES FINAL - 1600 metres:

Naomi Stood flat-footed and was slow to begin.
Asgard Massif Began awkwardly. Weakened from the 300m. Rider Craig Williams reported that the gelding was disappointing and did not run out the 1600m. Lost its near fore plate. A post-race veterinary examination revealed a delayed recovery.
Heavenly Emperor (NZ) Raced three wide without cover.

Race 4 BANJO PATERSON SERIES FINAL - 2600 metres:

Last Week (GB) Change of tactics, to be ridden quieter. Settled midfield. Rider Jye McNeil stated that in his opinion the gelding failed to run out a strong 2600 metres.
Chouxting the Mob (NZ) Steadied at the start to avoid the heels of San Remo which shifted out abruptly. Rider Damien Oliver reported that his mount raced dour but was satisfied with how the gelding finished the event off. A post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any obvious abnormalities. A swab sample was taken for analysis.
Mawaany Machine (IRE) Tightened for room at the start between Beau Balmain (GER) and One For Later which both shifted ground. Weakened from the 300m. Rider Craig Newitt reported that after being inconvenienced at the start the gelding then hung out throughout the event. A post‑race veterinary examination failed to reveal any obvious abnormalities.
Beau Balmain (GER) Over-raced through the early stages. Got its head up when being restrained at the 1700m to avoid the heels of Mawaany Machine (IRE), then continued to race ungenerously before settling near the 1500m.
Observational (GB) Rider Ben Melham was fined $750 under the provisions of AR132(7)(a)(ii) for using his whip 10 times prior to the 100-metre mark, which is five times more than permitted. In arriving at this penalty, Stewards took into account that it was a staying race, that he ran 3rd, and that Ben Melham's total whip use was only 12 strikes. Ben Melham was also severely reprimanded under AR132(7)(a)(i) for use of the whip in consecutive strides prior to the 100m.
Future Score (IRE) Held up for clear running from the 400m until the 200m.

Race 5 TAJ ROSSI SERIES FINAL HANDICAP - 1600 metres:

Night Passage Change of tactics, intention to be ridden further back. Settled at the rear of the field.
Pancho Prior to correct weight, rider Craig Williams viewed the video of the start with the Stewards and it was established that as the starter released the field, the gelding raised his off hind leg onto the starting stall ledge and as a result jumped awkwardly. Stewards did not deem that Pancho was denied a fair start under the Rules.
Pontivy (NZ) Slow to begin.
Zoffmira Began awkwardly.
Edinburgh Raced three wide without cover.
Brunot Raced greenly throughout.
Cassius In the straight laid in.
Rubisaki Rider Jye McNeil reported that the filly did not handle the heavy weight of 59 kilos.

Race 6 THE MAHOGANY CHALLENGE FINAL - 2500 metres:

Igniter Bounded at the start and was slow to begin.
Peace Brother Got its head up when over-racing in the early stages.
Catalanic Hung out rounding the home turn and in the straight. Eased down from the 300m. Linda Meech advised that she was instructed to allow the filly to roll at a genuine tempo and lead, if able, as the filly was one-paced, had been trained to run the journey and had recently schooled over hurdles. Linda Meech added that after setting a strong tempo early, she then attempted to give her mount respite along the river side. A post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any obvious abnormalities.
Not A Single Cent Held up from the 400m until shifting out across heels approaching the 200m.
Dogmatic A post-race veterinary examination revealed the gelding to be bilaterally lame in front. Trainer Richard Laming was notified that a veterinary certificate will be required before the gelding is accepted to race again.
Predecessor Rider Remi Tremsal reported that the colt failed to run out a strong 2500 metres.
El Vincitore Eased down in the straight. Rider Michael Dee could offer no explanation for the performance. A post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any obvious abnormalities.

Race 7 - ALL VICTORIAN SPRINT SERIES FINAL - 1200 metres:

Correct weight was delayed while Stewards viewed the start of the race. It was established that Malibu Style lunged forward and momentarily broke open its front gates just prior to the start being effected. Stewards were satisfied that Malibu Style did not gain an unfair advantage, that no other runners were disadvantaged, and therefore correct weight was declared.

Invincible Al Slow to begin. Rider Craig Williams reported that his mount hung out throughout the event. A post-race veterinary examination revealed the gelding to have a delayed recovery and was lame in the nearside foreleg. Trainer Patrick Payne was notified that a veterinary certificate will be required before the gelding can race again.
Smart Coupe A post-race veterinary examination revealed an irregular heart rhythm. Co‑trainers Mathew Ellerton and Simon Zahra were notified that Smart Coupe must not start in any race until the Stewards have received a satisfactory veterinary report. The report must include the results of an ECG performed at rest and cardiac auscultation performed within 30 minutes of completing a satisfactory gallop of at least 1000 metres.
Halvorsen Performed below market expectations. Post-race endoscopy of Halvorsen detected a degree of internal exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage that may have affected the horse's racing performance. Trainer Robbie Griffiths was notified that a veterinary certificate will be required before the gelding is accepted to race again.

Damien Oliver (Milwaukee) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding under the provisions of AR131(a), the carelessness being that near the 50 metres, he permitted his mount to shift in when not sufficiently clear of Sirius Suspect, thereby tightening that gelding in onto Crown Fontein which resulted in Sirius Suspect having to be checked and Crown Fontein being crowded for room. Damien Oliver had his licence to ride in races suspended for a period to commence midnight 6 July 2019 and to expire midnight 16 July, a total of 10 race meetings (2 metropolitan, 8 provincial). In assessing penalty Stewards took into account Damien Oliver's guilty plea, candid evidence, good record and that the carelessness was in the mid‑range.

Race 8 VRC-CRV WINTER CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES FINAL - 1600 metres:

Waging War Change of tactics; to be ridden conservatively from the wide draw. Settled at the rear of the field after being slow to begin. Rider Craig Williams reported that he was disappointed in how the gelding finished the event off.
Mr Marathon Man (GB) Rider Damien Oliver 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 obvious abnormalities.
Hellova Street Rider Jason Maskiell could offer no explanation for the performance. A post-race veterinary examination revealed a small cut to its off fore fetlock.
Radipole (IRE) Held up for clear running from the 400m until the 250m.
Mamzelle Tess Raced three wide without cover.
Bad Wolf Rider Zac Spain reported that he felt there was something amiss with the gelding. A post-race veterinary revealed a delayed recovery.
Snipes Slow to begin. Rider Harry Coffey reported that the gelding settled further back than anticipated after having been slow to begin.

Race 9 RIVETTE SERIES FINAL - 1600 metres:

Camelle (NZ) Change of tactics, to be ridden more forward. Settled near the rear of the field.
Sure Knee Began awkwardly, making contact with the right-hand side of the starting stall. Raced three wide without cover. Rider Craig Williams reported that after his mount was slow to begin and in hindsight he should have been more conservative rather than permit his mount to race wide without cover.
Benitoite When making ground over the concluding stages was unable to be ridden out fully by its rider. Rider Michael Walker reported that he felt there was something amiss with the filly. A post‑race veterinary examination failed to reveal any obvious abnormalities.
Shamal Lass Raced wide in the early stages before being permitted to stride forward and sit outside the leading horse passing the 1200m. Rider Damien Oliver reported that the filly may have come to the end of its preparation. A post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any obvious abnormalities.
Great Duchess Raced keenly passing the 1200m and had to be steadied to avoid the heels of Sealed.