Stewards' Summary

Published: 09 Jul 2016

A summary of Royal Randwick for Saturday 9th July is shown below, including Vet Notes, Penalties and Fines. For the full report, visit the racingnsw.com.au website.

Vet Notes

Quell (Race 9) – a post-race veterinary examination revealed the mare to be lame in the near foreleg, displaying a poor post-race recovery and respiratory distress. Mr S Perry, representing trainer Mr P Perry, was advised that the mare will require a veterinary clearance prior to being permitted to race again.

Penalties & Fines

App. J Innes Jr, rider of Thunder Road pleaded guilty to a charge under AR137A(5)(a)(ii). After considering all the circumstances, including that this was App. Innes' sixth offence under AR137A(5)(a)(ii) and fourth offence under AR137A(5)(a)(i), the nature of the breach and the fact that Thunder Road went on to win the event, App. Innes' permit to ride in races was suspended for a period of two weeks, to commence on Monday, 25 July 2016, following the expiration of a suspension incurred at Hawkesbury on 7 July 2016, and to expire on Monday, 8 August 2016, on which day he may ride. In addition App. Innes was fined the sum of $1000.
Dowdstown Charlie – as T Berry was overweight, Stewards permitted J Ford to be substituted as the rider of the gelding. T Berry was fined the sum of $200 under AR120(b).
B Avdulla, rider of Major Major – was fined the sum of $200 for returning to scale 1 kilogram overweight (AR145).

Summary of Races

RACE 1: TAB Rewards Handicap 1200m

Golden Organic – just prior to the start being effected became fractious, reared and momentarily got its right foreleg over the front gate. A post-race veterinary examination did not reveal any abnormalities.
Ocean City – fractious in the barriers and, consequently, was slow to begin.
Morton's Fork – near the 800m had to be steadied when awkwardly placed between Foxy Housewife and Dynamic Bid (App. D Panya), which shifted out slightly. App. Panya was advised to exercise more care. Morton's Fork then raced in restricted room for some distance between 800m and 600m, whereby leaving the 600m Morton's Fork lost its position and again had to be steadied when crowded between Dynamic Bid and Foxy Housewife, which was racing tight to the inside of Golden Organic.
Foxy Housewife – a post-race veterinary examination did not reveal any abnormalities.

RACE 2: Schweppes Handicap 1100m

Noble Joey – laid out under pressure in the straight.
Badajoz – laid out under pressure over the final stages of the race.

RACE 3: The Mick "Crusher" Kerr Memorial Handicap 2000m

Firebird Flyer – prior to the declaration of correct weight the Stewards viewed the official patrol films to ascertain if they would lodge an objection on behalf of the connections of the 2nd placegetter, Storm System, for a breach of AR137A(5)(a)(ii). After viewing the patrol films, the Stewards were not comfortably satisfied that the use of the whip on Firebird Flyer resulted in it finishing in advance of Storm System and, therefore, did not lodge an objection under AR168(2) and correct weight was declared. At a subsequent inquiry T Clark, rider of Firebird Flyer, pleaded guilty to a charge under AR137A(5)(a)(ii) in that he struck the filly on six occasions (one additional) prior to the 100m. Having regard to T Clark's exemplary record, which demonstrated one prior offence in his last 400 rides and seven offences throughout his career since the introduction of the whip rules in 2009.
Most Exalted – overraced in the early and middle stages.
Bon Equus – rider H Bowman stated that the only explanation he could offer for the disappointing performance was that the gelding was inclined to travel keenly in the run and, on today's heavy going and stepping up to 2000m for the first time, was left without a finishing effort. A post-race veterinary examination did not reveal any abnormalities. Trainer Mr J Pride explained that Bon Equus had pleased leading into today's race and expressed some disappointment with the performance, albeit in his view he felt it was not completely comfortable on the heavy track surface. Mr Pride advised that he now intended to assess the gelding in the days subsequent, before making a decision whether or not he continues with its campaign. Stewards will follow up with Mr Pride subsequent to the race.

RACE 4: TAB Highway Handicap 1400m

She's Invincible – the declaration of correct weight was delayed to allow B Avdulla, rider of second placegetter, She's Invincible, to view the official patrol films to ascertain if he had grounds for objection against Thunder Road being declared the winner for a breach of AR137A(5)(a)(ii). When B Avdulla declined to lodge an objection the Stewards then gave consideration to whether they would lodge an objection on behalf of the connections of She's Invincible for the same circumstances. When Stewards were not comfortably satisfied that the use of the whip on Thunder Road, at the section of the race which breached the rule, resulted in it finishing in advance of She's Invincible, they also declined to lodge an objection under AR168(2) and correct weight was declared. At a subsequent inquiry App. J Innes Jr pleaded guilty to a charge under AR137A(5)(a)(ii). After considering all the circumstances, including that this was App. Innes' sixth offence under AR137A(5)(a)(ii) and fourth offence under AR137A(5)(a)(i), the nature of the breach and the fact that Thunder Road went on to win the event, App. Innes' permit to ride in races was suspended for a period of two weeks, to commence on Monday, 25 July 2016, following the expiration of a suspension incurred at Hawkesbury on 7 July 2016, and to expire on Monday, 8 August 2016, on which day he may ride. In addition App. Innes was fined the sum of $1000. A reprimand was recorded for App. Innes' breach under AR137A(5)(a)(i). App Innes was reminded that the Riding Skills Panel is available if he requires their assistance regarding the use of the whip. Overraced in the early and middle stages.
Thunder Road – slow to begin. Made contact with Masking on jumping.
Masking – slow to begin. Made contact with Thunder Road on jumping. Near the 900m shifted in, brushed the running rail and became unbalanced.
Percivale – slow to begin. Tightened for room shortly after the start between Balycastle Pegasus and Masking, which was taken in by Thunder Road, which was in turn taken in slightly by She's Invincible.
Supreme Lad – near the 800m commenced to overrace and was checked to avoid the heels of Grand Rouge and, as a consequence, became unbalanced and lost ground.
Why Me Lord – a post-race veterinary examination did not reveal any abnormalities.
Attainment – App. A Adkins stated his mount, although able to take up a forward position, failed to travel at any stage of the even and was beaten on the home turn. He added the only excuse he could offer was that the gelding's two most recent runs had been on heavy going and this may have affected its performance today. Trainer Mr T Smart advised that, in his view, Attainment had raced a little flat, however, he would assess the gelding in the days subsequent, before deciding on its immediate racing future.
Tipta Tantivy – when questioned regarding the mare settling back in the field, H Bowman stated he was given no specific instructions and with the genuine tempo in the early stages, he allowed his mount to settle where comfortable and, consequently settled towards the tail of the field.

RACE 5: Myboycharlie @ vinery Handicap 1200m

Alart – slow to begin.
Grass Cutter – hampered shortly after the start when Painte shifted out. Overraced in the early and middle stages.
Grande Punto – hampered shortly after the start when Painte shifted out.
Cosmopol – a post-race veterinary examination of the gelding, which weakened in the straight, did not reveal any abnormalities.

RACE 6: ATC Heritage Society 6th Year Anniversary Handicap 2400m

Dowdstown Charlie – as T Berry was overweight, Stewards permitted J Ford to be substituted as the rider of the gelding. T Berry was fined the sum of $200 under AR120(b). Making the home turn was hampered when taken wider by Sapphire Of Patch, which shifted out.
Zatopaz – a veterinary examination of the gelding, which kicked out behind after being loaded into the barriers, passed it fit to start.
Four Carat – briefly held up on the home turn.
Defrost My Heart – held up on the heels of Sapphire Of Patch for a short distance near the 600m. Inclined to lay in for some distance after turning for home. H Bowman, rider of the 4th placegetter, was reminded of his obligations to ride his mounts out fully to the finish of the race wherever possible.
Lie Direct – raced greenly in the straight and proved difficult to ride.
Sapphire Of Patch – a post-race veterinary examination did not reveal any abnormalities.
El Novio – rider R Hutchings stated, in his view, the gelding failed to handle today's heavy track conditions. A post-race veterinary examination did not reveal any abnormalities. Stable representative Mr C Duckworth agreed that El Novio did not handle today's heavy track conditions and also did not run out a strong 2400m. Mr Duckworth confirmed the gelding would now be spelled and undertook to report back if there is anything amiss with El Novio subsequent to the race.
Major Major – rider B Avdulla was fined the sum of $200 for returning to scale 1 kilogram overweight (AR145).

RACE 7: Shoot Out Mile 1600m

Springbok Flyer – laid in under pressure in the straight.
Himalaya Dream – for some distance near the 100m raced in restricted room to the outside of Zayam, which was inclined to lay out.
Sebrina – rider K McEvoy stated that with the stronger than average early tempo he had to make some use of his mount in the early stages when Black Jag held the lead, however Sebrina was under pressure shortly after entering the straight and weakened over the final 100m. A post-race veterinary examination did not reveal any abnormalities. Trainer's representative Mr J Bruce agreed with the explanation of K McEvoy and added that, coming back in distance today, Sebrina was unable to sprint when the tempo increased from the home turn. Mr Bruce undertook to report back to the Stewards on the future race plans for the mare, at which point the Stewards will give consideration to the matter.

RACE 8: tab.com.au Handicap 1400m

Harlem Lady – slow to begin. App. R Hutchings was reprimanded for using the whip on six occasions (one additional) prior to the 100m (AR137A(5)(a)(ii)).
Tender – slow to begin. Overraced in the early stages and making the first turn ran out. In the middle stages commenced to pull obliging App. D Panya to allow her mount to stride forward.
Chosen Prayer – overraced in the early stages. Shortly after the start had to be steadied to avoid the heels of Tree Of Jesse (H Bowman), which shifted in when not quite clear. H Bowman was advised to ensure he is sufficiently clear when shifting ground. Soon after straightening was inconvenienced when Harlem Lady (R Hutchings) shifted out to improve. R Hutchings was advised to exercise more care.
Tree Of Jesse – rider H Bowman stated his instructions were not specific, other than with the mare racing first up today over 1400m and with a perceived lack of pace engaged in the race, he was given the option to be a little more forward if the mare jumped well. He added, after obtaining a trailing position in the early stages, when Tender improved to his outside Tree Of Jesse near the 800m his mount commenced to race fiercely and refused to settle throughout the middle stages. He said as a consequence Tree Of Jesse failed to respond to his riding in the straight. H Bowman further added, in his view, Tree Of Jesse would be better suited by being ridden quieter and coming back in distance. A post-race veterinary examination did not reveal any abnormalities. Stable representative Mr M Dilmi stated Tree Of Jesse had pleased the stable leading up to the race and agreed that it was disadvantaged by racing too keenly when Tender improved to its outside. He added the stable's intention was to now give the mare a let up and bring it back in distance for its next race start.
Elle Lou – App. K Jennings stated his instructions were to attempt to find a position midfield with cover. He added, when caught wide in the early stages with no cover, he elected to come back and take up a trailing position behind Chosen Prayer and consequently settled further back than he had intended so that he could comply with his instructions. He further stated that throughout the middle stages Elle Lou did not travel through the heavy conditions and, after improving to the outside of the track soon after straightening, was placed in restricted room for some distance to the outside of Harlem Lady. App. Jennings added that, once he was able to secure clear running near the 250m, his mount finished the race off reasonably. A post-race veterinary examination did not reveal any abnormalities.

RACE 9: Hyland Race Colours Handicap 1000m

Minnesota – bumped with Allez Chival near the 800m.
Allez Chival – bumped with Minnesota near the 800m. Near the 600m was awkwardly placed briefly on the heels of Minnesota.
Ever So Natural – held up for a short distance in the early part of the straight and when endeavouring to improve into a narrow run between Ms Wicked Wanda and Minnesota and made contact with Ms Wicked Wanda.
Ms Wicked Wanda – App. A Adkins stated the only excuse he could offer for today's poor performance was that the mare was pressured in the lead by Quell and was not completely comfortable on the heavy track. A post-race veterinary examination did not reveal any abnormalities. Trainer Mr R Milligan stated Ms Wicked Wanda had been working well in the lead up to today's race and a forward showing was expected. He added it is his intention to race the mare back in grade and undertook to report back to the Stewards if there is anything significant that may have affected its performance today.
Quell – a post-race veterinary examination revealed the mare to be lame in the near foreleg, displaying a poor post-race recovery and respiratory distress. Mr S Perry, representing trainer Mr P Perry, was advised that the mare will require a veterinary clearance prior to being permitted to race again.