DOOMBEN REVIEW (WED, APR 22)

A review of the meeting held at Doomben on Wednesday, April 22.

Track - Dead 4. Rail - out 9.5m

Race 1:

3yo & Up Maiden Plate - 1650m
1st - Handy Hints; 2nd - Levi's Bid; 3rd - Lodging

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Stuart Bannan: “He is going well this prep. He’s been building up steadily. He is bred to stay, believe it or not, even though he is by Easy Rocking. So I’ve trained him like that, as opposed to training him like a sprinter in his first prep ... and we are reaping the rewards. I believe there is still some improvement in the horse. We wanted him off the pace. We didn’t think there was much pace in the race ... like last time he raced, they walked and that was his undoing, you know. He couldn’t pick them up. Today he got handy and it didn’t matter what the pace was. This is my first city winner. I’m very happy.”

Jockey Todd Pannell: “He was a little bit closer than I thought he would be. He was the first one out of the gates today. He showed a little bit of speed ... more than usual. I was quite happy to use the speed that he showed in the first hundred yards, but it went even better when they put a bit of speed on when we went around the first corner and I was able to get a nice trail into the run. He was travelling really good ... did nothing wrong. He got an uninterrupted run and just cruised up to them. About at the 500m, he was really just cruising along. I had them covered on the corner, mate, he was going that well.”

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Handy Hints): 3.20 out to 3.80.
Favourite (Lodging): 3.00 in to 2.00 out to 2.15. Finished third.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Cotham (A. Pattillo) was tightened for room on jumping away between Locheil Lad (S. Bogenhuber) and Flawless (J. Byrne), which jumped away awkwardly and shifted in. When the pace slowed approaching the 1100m, Locheil Lad shifted out, making contact with Cotham. My Space cast its near-fore plate near the 800m. J. Byrne, rider of the 5th placegetter, Flawless, was reminded of his obligations to ride his mounts right to the finish line.


Race 2:

3yo & Up F&M Maiden Handicap - 1200m
1st - Saint Minerva; 2nd - Owners Rule; 3rd - La Tomatina

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Alan Bailey: “She was always going to win like that. She is a very good filly. I said to Dan (Griffin), don’t worry about the draw. Just let her get back. She should have won here before when she ran into a lot of trouble and run third. She ran into all the touble in the world and couldn’t get a go at them. Then she had another run and we gave her a break. She’s been good. She’s come back a stronger horse. She is a very good filly. She’s been working with the likes of Tears’N’Cheers and Agnes Dream. I’ll aim her for the Oaks if we can get in. She’s good enough for that.”

Jockey Dan Griffin: “Alan (Bailey) just said I should ride her where she lands. If she began good, ride her forward. If not, ride her from where she is. She relaxed nice. She is a filly that is going to want to get over ground, so I didn’t want to bustle her. So I just left her where she was, nice and relaxed. She has got a quick turn of foot and she just quickened beautifully in the straight. She did want to run in a bit. She is still a little bit immature. She’ll come out of that. The day I rode her when she finished third (in the middle run of her first prep), she was inclined to run around a little bit. She’s just got that one little habit to get over now. They are going to have a lot of fun with her.”

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Saint Minerva): 6.00 out to 7.00 in to 6.00.
Favourite (Seqsational): 6.00 in to 4.00 out to 4.20. Finished fourth.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Uberwald (B. El-Issa) jumped away awkwardly and missed the start. Moonlight Zephyr and Over The Page (L. Rolls) both jumped away awkwardly and made contact. Uberwald (B. El-Issa) over-raced rounding the first turn. Leaving the 800m, La Tomatina (B. Evans) had to be steadied to avoid the heels of Seqsational (B. Stewart), which shifted in. Desire To Win (M. Hellyer) and Over The Page (L. Rolls) raced wide for the majority of the event.


Race 3:

3yo & Up CG&E Maiden Handicap - 1200m
1st - Surrounded By Sin; 2nd - Mr Nappy; 3rd - Colin's Choice

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Liam Birchley: “He’s been knocking at the door, obviously. We took the blinkers off. He just revved up a bit last time. He just got a little bit off balance at the top of the straight when looking for a run, so he took a bit longer to haul them in than I thought, but he got there in the end. He was strong at the line. That’s what you want. We’ve got no Carnival plans with him. We just going to let him go through the classes. He’s not a bad buy at all. We got him at a Magic Millions sale for $10 000.”

Apprentice jockey Brent Evans: “We really didn’t want to get that far back early, you know. Three back on the inside and I thought, what are we going to do here. But, I mean, he’s just popped off himself and went up outside the leader and I was just laughing the whole way from there. He had a tight run at the top of the straight, but it was granted. He only had one to run down from there and he did it well. Hit the line real good.”

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Surrounded By Sin): 1.80 out to 2.00.
The winner was the favourite.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Surrounded By Sin (B. Evans) and Tradies Hope (S. Drake) were tightened for room on jumping away between Coopers Comet (Michael Palmer), which jumped away awkwardly and shifted outwards, and Zaman (L. Cheshire), which jumped inwards. Cocorvada (J. Morris) and Little Shrewdie (Matthew Palmer) were both slow to begin. T. Treichel, rider of Colins Choice, was severely reprimanded for failing to take sufficient measures to straighten his mount shortly after the start, causing Lander (S. Scriven) to be inconvenienced and taken in on to Bootooloo (B. Stewart), which had to be checked to avoid the heels of Ruling Party (R. Goltz), which was racing to the inside. Tradies Hope (S. Drake), which was inclined to pull hard near the 800m, had to be steadied to avoid the heels of Bootooloo (B. Stewart), which shifted in. A post-race veterinary examination of Tradies Hope revealed the gelding had been galloped on and sustained an abrasion to the off-hind leg.


Race 4:

3yo Class 3 Handicap - 1200m
1st – Bretonneux; 2nd – Mazuka; 3rd - Gorm The Old

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Brian Wakefield: “Took the shortest way home. He got the breaks today, of course. He is one of those horses ... you know, he goes to sleep ... wherever you put him he’ll be happy. I noticed Scott (Seamer) had to give him a little stoke about 700m out. He was just starting to relax too much. As soon as he gives him a little push then he is straight back on the bridle again. There is still improvement in the horse, I think. He has had over a month off in-between runs, you know, so that’s a fair effort. As I said last time, he has had a good solid education and a good foundation, so hopefully he can reward everyone’s patience. The Guineas is our ultimate target with him, but we have to take care of the steps along the way and try to do enough to get into the race. We’ll be looking for a Saturday run for him now. He was entered for Saturday, but I just thought we’d take small steps at this stage. I’ve been that bloody toey about getting a good track. We got one, so we took it. Also there was probably a question mark with the 1400m on Saturday. With the month between runs it might just have been a bit too much for him. So we came here instead.”

Jockey Scott Seamer: “I did have to give him a reminder, because he relaxes so well. The run came and he was able to take it. He finishes his races off. A lot of the time you get the run but the horse is not able to take it. He’s an up-and-coming horse. When the run presents itself he can take it. He’s got a future.”

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Bretonneux): 4.20 out to 5.00 in to 4.80.
Favourite (Mazuka): 2.10 out to 3.50. Finished second.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Frozone (C. Whiteley) and Don’tstop Believin (B. El-Issa) were slow to begin. Zahite (K. Yoshida) was inclined to pull hard at the heels of Multire Music (B. Evans) approaching the first turn. Near the 300m, Zahite (K. Yoshida) shifted out to improve and made contact with Beyond The Limit (C. Reith).
Stewards questioned C. Whiteley as to his riding tactics on Frozone, particularly in the straight. C. Whiteley stated that on entering the straight he attempted to position the horse into a run between Don’tstop Believin (B. El-Issa) and Nikki Beach (D. Craven), however at the 300m was unable to proceed due to both horses shifting ground and he was then obliged to alter course to the inside. He added that over the latter stages of the race when clear Frozone finished the race off well despite being inclined to hang in. The explanation was noted.


Race 5:

F&M Class 3 Div 1 Handicap - 1110m
1st - Sherann; 2nd - Miss Maggie; 3rd - Celestafy

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Les Kelly: “She took no prisoners there. She is that good. We had to run her to get into the Silk Stocking (at the Gold Coast on May2). In her first run she spread her legs at the start and hurt a muscle in her shoulder. So that explains that poor performance. We gave her some time out after that run. Then she came back and won first-up at the Coast. She won pretty much the same way she did today. The difference was that when she won at the Coast, she didn’t really handle the heavy going down there. With the better going, we were a bit more confident today, but nobody else was. She is out of that good dam Elite Warrior. Elite Warrior is the dam of Borsha’s Warrior and Borsha’s Mark ... and now this one. She’s only had the three to race. This filly will go to the Silk Stocking now.”

Jockey Bobby El-Issa: “She is a good filly. She is going places. First - the Silk Stocking!”

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Sherann): 13.00 out to 14.00.
Favourite (Acquired): 2.80 out to 3.50. Finished sixth.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
As L Cassidy was to be overweight stewards permitted B El-Issa as the replacement rider for Sherann. L Cassidy was fined the sum of $100 under AR120(b). Mona Star (J. Byrne) was inclined to lay out in the middle stages of the event. Near the 600m, Arctic Echo (A. Taylor), which was inclined to lay out, made contact with Miss Maggie (M. Radecker), which had a tendency to shift in. Mona Star was inclined to hang out in the middle stages.
Apprentice A. Taylor, rider of Arctic Echo, pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding in that near the 250m she permitted her mount to shift in when not sufficiently clear of Canadian Poppy (R. Goltz), which resulted in Canadian Poppy having to be checked. A. Taylor was suspended from riding in races for a period covered by 7 meetings, to commence at midnight, 25 April and to expire at midnight, 6 May 2009.
A warning was issued to the connections of Miss Courtly, which appeared to attempt to savage Celestafy near the 650m.


Race 6:

F&M Class 3 Div 2 Handicap - 1110m
1st - Martha's Vineyard; 2nd - Falvalea; 3rd - Cicarelli/Brookie Babe

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer David Murphy: “That’s the way she has got to go. She has to go forward and try to dictate things. He rides her a treat that bloke. Bobby (El-Issa) rides her really good, you know. He suits that mare. She’s got a few problems. She’s got bad feet and that. This track today suits here. She had a problem her last start. She had five weeks between runs because she got an infection in her leg. We had to treat her with penicillin and stuff. So her training was interrupted. So she just wasn’t fit enough. Apart from that though, she has won three out of her last four starts.”

Jockey Bobby El-Issa (who completed a race-to-race double on the day): “She is a speed filly, mate. David (Murphy) does a good job with her. I think the further they go, the further she will with by. The last start ... well, she hadn’t seen the gates in for a couple of weeks but, once she is in front this filly, she dictates terms. She is a natural front-runner. She’ll take some catching over further.”

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Martha’s Vineyard): 6.00 out to 7.50.
Favourite (Brookie Babe): 3.50 out to 4.40. Finished in a dead-heat for third.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Moncalieri (S. Galloway) jumped away awkwardly and bumped the hind quarters of Cicarelli (A. Taylor). Chabeli (L. Cassidy) also jumped away awkwardly. Musically (T. Treichel) was slow to begin.
Passing the 800m, Miss Echelon (M. Radecker), which was inclined to pull hard, shifted out from behind the heels of Falvalea (D. Craven). Miss Echelon continued to pull hard and raced ungenerously and near the 600m shifted out, inconveniencing Slinky Chelle (R. Wiggins), which had to be eased as a result. Moncalieri (S. Galloway), which was following, was also inconvenienced. Cicarelli (A. Taylor) raced wide for the majority of the race. M. Radecker, rider of Miss Echelon, reported that, in her opinion, the mare pulled hard in running and choked down. A post-race veterinary examination of Miss Echelon failed to reveal any abnormalities.
When questioned regarding the seemingly disappointing performance of Moncalieri, S. Galloway stated that he was not entirely disappointed with the filly's run today as she had stepped up in class and he felt the filly was not entirely suited by the pattern of the race with the pace being slow in the early and middle stages.


Race 7:

CG&E Class 3 Handicap - 1110m
1st - Cat Eyes; 2nd - Snorkel; 3rd - Unsupervised

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Kelso Wood: “He’s been off quite a while (nine months). He had a problem with one of his feet. A bone was rotating. So we basically had to give him a lot of time so that his foot could grow properly. He was ridden to perfection today. From a good barrier you can run up behind the pace like that. He’s got a bit of gate speed you can use from a good draw. But this was fresh up after a rest, you know. He’ll get up to a mile quite comfortably.”

Jockey Danny Craven: “I sat just off the speed and ... yeah, I had their measure most of the way. I always had them covered. Just when he got to the front he sort of half wanted to wait for them. He pulled up waiting for the second horse to skip up and then he got going again. He did it easy. It was just too good for them. Kelso Wood trains them that way.”

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Cat Eyes): 6.00 out to 7.50.
Favourite (Nicolo Sequalo): 4.80 in to 3.70 out to 3.80. Finished tenth.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Sword Of Damocles (R. Goltz) was inclined to lay out rounding the first turn. Approaching the 600m, Sword Of Damocles, which was inclined to over-race, improved up on to the heels of Zdarsky (K. Banks). Rounding the home turn, Cat Eyes (D. Craven) shifted out to improve, forcing Zdarsky wider on the track. On straightening, King Of Spirit (M. Hughes) attempted to shift out from behind the heels of Zdarsky, making contact with Sword Of Damocles, resulting in that horse shifting out on to Unsupervised (C. Reith) and Mr Standfast (S. Seamer), forcing those two runners wider on the track. M. Hughes, rider of King Of Spirit, was instructed to exercise more care when attempting to shift ground. Snorkel (Michael Palmer) was held up in the early stages of the straight. Near the 100m, Ponche Soto (S. Bogenhuber) had to be steadied when improving onto the heels of the tiring Nicolo Sequalo and shifted in to obtain clear running.
When questioned regarding the performance of Nicolo Sequalo, J. Byrne stated that the gelding, which was resuming from a spell, was inclined to over-race and as a consequence did not finish the race off as expected. A post-race veterinary examination of Nicolo Sequalo failed to reveal any abnormalities.
A post-race veterinary examination of Unsupervised revealed the gelding to be exhibiting an abnormal respiratory noise. A veterinary clearance will be required for the gelding prior to its next race start. The veterinary surgeon also reported Zdarsky had sustained a minor laceration to the off side nostril.


Race 8:

Class 4 Handicap - 1650m
1st - Frisco's In Charge; 2nd - Showciti; 3rd - Raincoat

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Frank Phillips: “He was ridden upside-down today - but we still got the result. I don’t exactly know why that happened, but the horse seemed very fresh walking around here before the race and I think he ran accordingly.”

Jockey Jason Taylor: “Yeah, he was ridden upside-down. There didn’t look to be too much pace in the race and the horse began probably a little bit better than I thought he would and he got travelling a little bit stronger than I thought he would. So we were naturally closer than I thought I thought we would be. He just wanted to pull a bit through the race. I had to go a touch early too, which didn’t help. But he survived that pressure in the finish. He just kept fighting.”

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Frisco’s In Charge): 6.00 out to 8.50.
Favourite (Raincoat): 2.70 out to 3.50. Finished third.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
As L Cassidy was to be overweight stewards permitted S. Seamer as the replacement rider for Starelie. L Cassidy was fined the sum of $100 under AR120(b). Starelie (S. Seamer) and Hike (S. Scriven) were tightened shortly after the start between Raincoat (L. Rolls), which shifted out, and Showciti (A. Pattillo), which shifted in. When the pace slowed passing the 1200m, Hike (S. Scriven) raced ungenerously and had to be checked off the heels of Frisco’s In Charge (J. Taylor). Hike then shifted inwards on to the rails, forcing Starelie to be checked and strike the running rail. Magique Mine (B. El-Issa) and Cassardi (A. Taylor) and Lucky Toss (K. Banks) were all hampered and forced wider. Showciti was held up for clear running for some distance rounding the home turn and until near the 200m. Passing the 200m, Showciti was momentarily cramped for room when taking a narrow run between Frisco’s In Charge (J. Taylor) and Three Tenors (B. Evans), which shifted out. After passing the winning post, ShowcitiI shifted in, tightening the running of Three Tenors, causing Three Tenors to be checked. A. Pattillo, rider of Showciti, was advised to exercise more care.


Race 9:

Class 6 Handicap - 1350m
1st - Manic Monday; 2nd - Silvern; 3rd - Superfly

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Paul Nolan (Jnr): “This was overdue. She just had to bring her Saturday form here. She’s just been busting to win one. She hasn’t had much luck her last five or six runs. Continually draws bad alleys. She drew a decent alley today, for her ... but, yet again, just a brilliant ride from Bobby (El-Issa, you know ... and another El Moxie. This whole combination has been working well for us in recent times. I feel she really deserved that win and it was a good thing for us because we are going to breed from her later this year. She is probably best around this sort of distance. The key to her is getting enough pace on and there was nice pace on there today. So, yeah, probably around that distance, but, who knows, if she got into a 1400m or 1500m with pace on, she probably would still hit the line good. She is going to find it hard now in the Winter, but if she can strike the right Class 6 with a bit of pace on, she might be some chance. Either way, we are going to stay clear of the Fillies and Mares Listed races and things like that. ”

This result gave jockey Bobby El-Issa his third winner on the day.

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Manic Monday): 5.00 out to 7.00.
Favourite (Black Morgan): 2.40 in to 2.30 out to 2.35. Finished fifth.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Apprentice L. Rolls was fined $100 for accepting an engagement on Calumet when he held an engagement on Black Morgan. Black Morgan (L. Rolls) was held up rounding the home turn and had difficulty gaining clear running in the straight. Jacaranda Leader (S. Galloway) raced wide throughout.

STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY EXTRACT:
Summary of action concerning licensees:
Reprimands:
Race 3. Terry Treichel - Jockey - C/riding - AR137(a)*
Fines:
Race 5. L Cassidy - Overweight $100 AR120(b)
Race 8. L Cassidy - overweight $100 AR120(b)
Race 9. Luke Rolls - A/jockey - Dual engagement - $100 - AR85B*
Suspensions:
Race 5. Amy Taylor - A/jockey - C/riding - 7 meetings, m/n 25.4.09 to m/n 6.5.09

Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses:
Horses swabbed:
All winners, Silvern, Snorkel, Mr Nappy, Levi's Bid, Surrounded By Sin, Mazuka, Falvalea
Warning:
Race 5. Miss Courtly - Attempt to savage

SUNSHINE COAST REVIEW (SUN, APR 19)

Before moving on to the Sunday review, a brief word about what could be an important winner at the Saturday night meeting at the Sunshine Coast on April 18.

The Bruce and Jason McLachlan trained Facile Tigre scored by 7.50 lengths on debut at the Cushion Track meeting. The manner in which the son of Catbird announced his arrival on the scene attracted plenty of attention. Most importantly, jockey Eddie Wilkinson, who has the experience and know-how to be able to label a good horse when he sees one, was in awe of the two-year-olds performance. For the record, this is what trainer and jockey had to say about Facile Tigre’s superb start to his career.

WINNER FEEDBACK
Jockey Eddie Wilkinson: “He is a superstar. That’s all I can tell you. He is exciting. We won by seven and we still had plenty up our sleeve. He is a special horse. He will be going straight to town and he’s probably ... not probably ... he is a carnival horse. He is an absolute professional. He jumped. He went. I said, come back. He came back. He just did it all.”

Co-trainer Jason McLachlan: “He is a very nice horse. He has always shown us plenty. Unfortunately he didn’t get a run in town. He was the fifth emergency. He’s got a long way to go yet. He’s only won a two-year-old Maiden, but I wouldn’t swop him for too many.”

Now to the review of the meeting held at the Sunshine Coast on Sunday, April 19.

Track - Heavy 8. Rail - Out 6m.


Race 1:

3yo & Up Maiden Handicap - 1600m
1st - Will Impress; 2nd - Dave The Dude; 3rd - Markhee Miss

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Pat Duff: “He was always going to go forward (from the wide barrier). He’s raced in that pattern most of his races. He’s been racing very consistently. He deserves the win. I think he is a horse that has got some sort of future. He probably not a very mature horse at this stage. He is a well-bred horse. He is bred to get over 1800m to 2000m. I think, as he gets a bit of age on him, that is just what he will do. Kenny (Pope) rode him well, but I really think it was just an easy race for the horse today.”

Jockey Ken Pope: “Just went forward from the draw. We had a lovely run in front. One came with me, but it really didn’t faze him, you know. The other one didn’t fire us up or anything. We were going the speed we wanted to go ... and my horse had enough to keep going. He was just too strong for that field.”

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Will Impress): 4.80 out to 5.50.
Favourite (Dave The Dude): 2.10 out to 2.50 in to 2.00. Finished second.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Miss Mazaratti (Apprentice M. Millford) and Dave The Dude (L. Cassidy) were slow to begin. Stalwart Garza (Apprentice J. Piper) began awkwardly, shifted out and made contact with I’m All Yours (Apprentice O. Turpin), then a short distance later shifted in and made contact with Well Kept Secret (Apprentice R. Hinricks). Morgan Factor (R. Wiggins) raced wide in the early stages At the 1350m Stalwart Garza (Apprentice J. Piper) had to be steadied off the heels of I’m All Yours (Apprentice O. Turpin), which shifted in. Near the 1200m Markhee Miss (Apprentice M. Hellyer) commenced to over-race, laid out and made contact with I’m All Yours (Apprentice O. Turpin). Markhee Miss continued to lay out for the remainder of the race and again at the 500m hung out and made contact with I’m All Yours. At about the 1000m Morgan Factor (R. Wiggins) shifted in resulting in Lala La Vin (E. Wilkinson) having to steady momentarily to avoid that horse's heels. Leaving the 500m Interest (A. Pattillo) improved up onto the heels of I’m All Yours (Apprentice O. Turpin), which was tiring, and had to be steadied. Flamboyance (S. Galloway) and Well Kept Secret (Apprentice R. Hinricks) raced wide until rounding the home turn.
When questioned as to the reason for Dave The Dude travelling back in the field, Jockey L. Cassidy explained that this was the first occasion on which the horse had raced with blinkers. He said that it had been his intention to race just off the speed, however Dave The Dude did not begin well, raced very greenly and failed to respond to his riding. He added that he then elected to settle the horse where it was racing comfortably during the event. Stewards noted the explanation.


Race 2:

3yo Maiden Handicap - 1200m
1st - Duke Of Danes; 2nd - Chicken Dinner; 3rd - Acting Up

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Jockey Davin Green: “He goes nice this horse. I didn’t think he would win that easy ... but I thought he would win, yeah. He’s bred to handle the wet and the soft going – and he did that. He is still a little bit green. He was running around a touch down the straight. I was on him in his previous start. He was unlucky not to win that day. At the 300m I got squeezed up, you know, quite badly. He’s probably given the winner about four or five lengths at that stage and he only ended up getting beaten by two. It wasn’t that far. He’s hopefully going to keep improving.”

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Duke Of Danes): 4.80 out to 5.00 in to 3.50.
The winner was the favourite.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
After being placed in the barriers Itsa Punt (S. Richardson) broke through, was quickly recaptured, examined by the Club's veterinary surgeon and passed fit to take its place in the field. Trainer Ms L. Thomson was advised that a warning had been placed on the gelding's barrier manners. In the early and middle stages Red Bullet (Apprentice B. Evans), Century Rock (W. Clasohm) and Hudsons Hornet (A. Merritt) raced wide. Duke Of Danes (D. Green) was slow to begin. At the 750m Rubydoobydoo (Apprentice A. Taylor), which was racing ungenerously, shifted in, resulting in Cubby House (Apprentice M. Hughes) having to steady momentarily. Leaving the 500m Itsa Punt (S. Richardson) and Hudsons Hornet (A. Merritt) were tightened for room when Cubby House (Apprentice M. Hughes) rolled in. Near the 50m Itsa Punt (S. Richardson) had to steady off heels.


Race 3:

3yo Maiden Plate - 1200m
1st - Happy Rhythm; 2nd - Hudson Grey; 3rd - Altissimo

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer John Petersen: “He was second-up here. The first run gave us a hint he was on the job. With the races that have been called off, he had virtually five weeks between runs, you know. He was favourite at Ipswich on Wednesday (that meeting was abandoned). He only had to handle the ground today to win. I was never worried about the wide barrier. I was only worried about the ground.”

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Happy Rhythm): 2.50 in to 2.00 out to 2.10.
The winner was the favourite.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
After being placed in the barriers Flower Chariot broke through, dislodging Jockey P. Wolfgram and completing a circuit of the track. Stewards ordered the withdrawal of Flower Chariot at 12.45 p.m. Connections were advised that a barrier certificate must be provided prior to Flower Chariot being permitted to race again. Connections of Hudson Grey reported that the horse returned with lacerations to its off-hind .This was confirmed by a Veterinary Inspection, which revealed that the injury was superficial. At the start Tarmons (B. Stewart) shifted out and made heavy contact with Hudson Grey (S. Galloway). Billkay (R. Wiggins), Happy Rhythm (T. Pannell) and Altissimo (L. Cheshire) were slow to begin. In the early and middle stages Billkay (R. Wiggins) and Happy Rhythm (T. Pannell) raced wide. Leaving the 50m Because I Am (Apprentice R. Hinricks) was tightened for room between Billkay (R. Wiggins), which shifted out, and Sequalora (Apprentice M. Hellyer), which shifted in. Stewards advised Jockey R. Wiggins to exercise more care in similar circumstances. Apprentice M. Hellyer was reprimanded for permitting his mount to shift in when insufficiently clear of Because I Am. Apprentice Hellyer was also reminded of his obligation under A.R. 137(b) to ride his mount to the finish.


Race 4:

4yo & Up Maiden Plate - 1200m
1st - Once More Brother; 2nd - Dai Kon; 3rd - Road From Heaven

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Jockey Kenji Yoshida: “He deserved to win. Last start was on the Cushion Track. He just never handled the Cushion Track. You know, two starts ago (when first-up) his form was pretty good. He didn’t like the soft going that much today, so he will be better on top of the ground.”

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Once More Brother): 5.00 steady.
Favourite (Dai Kon): 2.00 out to 2.50. Finished second.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Whilst parading behind the barriers Road From Heaven reared, dislodging its rider, Apprentice N. Yamada. Road From Heaven after travelling a short distance was examined by the Club's veterinary surgeon and passed fit to start. At the start Mega Mountain (R. Hurley) shifted in and made contact with Costplus (Apprentice R. Hinricks). On jumping Dai Kon (E. Wilkinson) and Tekke Bokhara (S. Galloway) were tightened for room between Tabooba (M. Radecker), which shifted out, and Genuine Sin (Apprentice G. Butler), which shifted in. In the early and middle stages Alfindo (Apprentice M. Hughes) and Dai Kon (E. Wilkinson) raced wide. Approaching the 700m Genuine Sin (Apprentice G. Butler) raced wide for some distance. Leaving the 700m Alfindo (Apprentice M. Hughes), which was racing wide on the track, rolled in and tightened Costplus (Apprentice R. Hinricks), which was racing to its inside. Near the 300m Alfindo (Apprentice M. Hughes), rolled in and made contact with Once More Brother (K. Yoshida), which was racing to its inside. A post-race veterinary examination of Alfindo (Apprentice M. Hughes) revealed that the horse was sore in the offside fore-leg. Connections were informed that they must furnish a veterinary certificate of fitness prior to Alfindo being permitted to race again.


Race 5:

Class 1 Handicap - 850m
1st - Crazy Woman; 2nd - King Of The Kongo; 3rd - Crystal Rocket

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Bill Trimble: “Isn’t she just so consistent? Seven starts and she has got a cheque every time. Might not have had many wins (two), but she is a real consistent filly. She has got a couple of little problems. She just spits the bit out after she straightens up. It’s cost us the last ... probably four races. But hopefully we’ve got her over it. We’ve decided now that as soon as she straightens up she’s got to have a few put around the bum, to wake her up and keep her mind on the job. Yeah, she did move around a little bit in the straight. That was under the stick. Once you pull the stick and put a few around her ... as soon as she starts to take off, she’ll move, but then she’ll keep straight after that. She deserved her win.”

Apprentice jockey Jana Piper: “I gave it a couple around the arse out of the gates – when they opened – just to get her mind right and get her galloping. There is no room for error over the 850m. You have got to get them running. Bill (Trimble) took the blinkers off her the start before and I said, just put them straight back on. So we put the blinkers back on and I just fired her right up. In the straight she wanted to lay in towards the inside, so I put the whip in the other hand. She finished off strong.”

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Crazy Woman): 5.00 out to 5.50.
Favourite (Sweet Cherub): 2.00 in to 1.95 out to 2.35.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Marjo (Apprentice M. Hellyer) jumped awkwardly and was slow to begin. At the start Crazy Woman (Apprentice J. Piper) shifted in, taking Sweet Cherub (Apprentice A. Taylor) in onto Cometapappa (Apprentice B. Evans). At about the 800m Sweet Cherub (Apprentice A. Taylor) had to steady away from the heels of Crazy Woman (Apprentice J. Piper) and in doing so rolled in and made contact with Cometapappa (Apprentice B. Evans) which was also steadied. At an inquiry into the incident stewards reprimanded Apprentice J. Piper for allowing her mount to shift in when insufficiently clear. At the 400 metres King Of The Kongo (M. Wood) laid in.
Stewards opened an inquiry into the apparent disappointing performance of Sweet Cherub (Apprentice A. Taylor). After taking evidence from Apprentice Taylor and Trainer Mr B. Baldwin, stewards adjourned the inquiry to a time and date to be fixed. A post-race veterinary examination of Sweet Cherub revealed that the horse was slightly lame in the off-foreleg.


Race 6:

Class 6 Handicap - 1000m
1st - Abirra; 2nd - Wigndove; 3rd - The Boxer

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Robert Wilson: “That was a good effort with that weight ... with 58kg. We don’t give Jason (Taylor) any instructions. He knows the horse so well. He’s ridden the horse on a number of occasions. We didn’t take a claim. We wanted to give Jason the ride and then see where we were with him, you know. We respect his opinion a fair bit. He knows the horse, so we wanted to see where we were with him at the moment. We’ll see what Jason says and then we’ll decide where we’ll go next. There are plenty of races out there for him. It is just a matter of how high we step him up.That was originally our plan this preparation ... to give him a couple of lesser class races and then sort of go for the bigger one ... and then drop back again. It’s more about winning prize-money. He’s unbeaten this prep, so it’s good isn’t it?”

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Abirra): 2.70 out to 4.20.
Favourite (The Boxer): 4.60 in to 3.60. Finished third.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Courtyard Circle (Apprentice N. Yamada) and True Flyer (K. Yoshida) were slow to begin. The Boxer (Apprentice M. Speers) was slow to begin. In the middle stages Fleeting Echo (Apprentice S. Bogenhuber) raced wide.


Race 7:

Class 1 Handicap - 1400m
1st - Stawell Dash; 2nd - Dispurser; 3rd - The Lording Dragon

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Steven O’dea: “He was impressive when he won his Maiden (at Doomben, two runs back) and last start at Ipswich he made nice ground to the line and wasn’t really tested. I was pretty keen about him today. The bigger track suits him and he handled the slight step up in distance on a heavy track. I think he will probably get further as well. As I’ve said before, he is a horse that has taken a long time to switch on and put it all together. He used to do a lot of things wrong. He was a very immature horse, but his last three runs he’s put it all together and he’s starting to show some potential. Yeah, Ryan (Wiggins) and I are travelling well together at the moment. He comes to the track and rides a bit of work for me ... puts in the work ... so I am only too happy to reward him with rides. It’s a two-way street. Things are going well.”

Jockey Ryan Wiggins: “I’ve been having a bit of luck with Steven. He’s horses are going well. The horse was always in charge today. He was a bit unlucky last start. He’s a nice horse. I think he can go to town and win on a Saturday. I ride a fair bit of work for Steve. Since he has moved here permanently I’ve been starting to ride work for him. I think I’ve had about five rides for him for three winners and two seconds.”

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Stawell Dash): 3.00 out to 3.20 in to 3.00.
The winner was the favourite.

STEWARDS REORT EXTRACT:
Debraith (Apprentice J. Piper) was declared a late scratching, at 3.11 p.m.) by order of the stewards acting on veterinary advice. Dispurser (B. Swanton) was slow to begin. On jumping Stawell Dash (R. Wiggins) and The Lording Dragon (Apprentice M. Hughes) made contact. Leaving the 900m the saddle on Fantastic Carat (N. Thomas) slipped, placing Jockey N. Thomas at a disadvantage in riding his horse, obliging him to ease his mount to the outside of the field and retire it from the event. Near the 600m The Lording Dragon (Apprentice M. Hughes) improved up onto the heels of Sweet Addiction (A. Pattillo) and had to be steadied.


Race 8:

Class 1 Handicap - 1400m
1st - Yamarjie; 2nd - Timecall; 3rd - Renegade Dancer

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Apprentice jockey Laura Cheshire (who made the most of a pick-up ride in the absence of Bobby El-Issa): “The horse is just a natural back-marker. She hasn’t got a lot of early speed so I thought, if I could give her a bit of a dig out of the gates she might stay in contact. We ended up in a good enough spot ... I was three wide early, but then I managed to get in one-off. Coming around the turn, I’ve sort of been a bit tight for a gap and I’ve gone for a gap that’s been pretty marginal. She’s only a small horse, but I knew if I didn’t get through that gap I wasn’t going to win the race, so we took it on. We got through and then she fought hard to the finish. She is a good little horse. She is only a tiny horse but she does try hard. I ride her in all her work and I’ve ridden before in races, so I do know her well. I rode her last time at Ipswich and then they said, well we’ll put Bobby on next start. Bobby didn’t show up, so I got her back!”

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Yamarjie): 7.00 out to 8.50.
Favourite (Winxaarheart): 5.00 steady. Finished fourth.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
At the start Lucky Landing (A. Merritt) jumped in onto Electric Lass (S. Galloway), which was taken in on to Lee Kova (T. Treichel) which was inconvenienced. In the early and middle stages Diamond Del (Apprentice B. Evans), Timecall (L. Cassidy) and Black Dakota (K.Yoshida) raced wide, then approaching the 800m Black Dakota commenced to over-race and shifted out. Optimist Prime (Apprentice J. Piper) raced erratically from the 600m. Near the 350m Yamarjie (L Cheshire) when attempting to take a tight run between Optimist Prime (J. Piper), which was tiring and racing awkwardly, and Renegade Dancer, made contact with Renegade Dancer (K. Pope), turning that horse outwards, and in turn rolled out and made contact with Optimist Prime. After inquiring into the incident stewards took no direct action other than to note it as a racing incident. At the 150m Iglesia Fair (Apprentice O. Turpin) rolled out and made contact with Lucky Landing (A. Merritt), which had to be steadied. Shortly after this incident Apprentice Turpin directed his mount to the inside to avoid Optimist Prime (Apprentice J. Piper), which was racing erratically. Stewards interviewed the connections of Optimist Prime and advised them that the horse must perform to the satisfaction of the stewards in an official barrier trial and that following such trial they must furnish a veterinary certificate to verify the soundness of the horse to race. At the 100m Lee Kova (T Treichel) broke down and was subsequently euthanased on humane grounds. Optimist Prime (Apprentice J. Piper), which was following, took evasive action to avoid the injured horse .


Race 9:

Open Handicap - 1400m
1st - Crowning Force; 2nd - Noreil; 3rd - Morning Colours

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Bevan Johnson: “I only watched the two races before this and they were making up ground on the inside, so we kept the rail as an option. We had to go where we got the room, but we were happy to look for an inside run and that was handed to us. They gave us plenty of room and he killed them in the end. He had very good country form in New South Wales before we got him. He came to me mid-last year. We ran him a bit and then he was just ready for a blow. There were no issues or anything. He just needed time out. So we gave him a blow and this was his fourth run back.”

Jockey Shannon Apthorpe: “I thought the fence ... the fence didn’t feel any worse than the outside of the track. They were still getting home on the fence. We had the opportunity to get the run there. I felt pretty confident once we got to about the 500m. We were travelling nice. We just needed to get that run, so we rode for a bit of luck I suppose, but they ended up leaving the rail open for me. The horse still had to put in the effort, but he felt really good all of the way. He turned around after pulling up after the race and he wanted to take off coming back in, so he was really feeling good. He was my only ride for the day. That made it worthwhile. I went to Brisbane for one yesterday and it run last, so this result made up for yesterday.”

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Crowning Force): 15.00 steady.
Favourite (Morning Colours): 1.50 out to 1,70. Finished third.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
At the start Longstreet (T. Treichel) had to be steadied when crowded for room between Crowning Force (S. Apthorpe) and Chance Bay (Apprentice L. Rolls), which jumped inwards. In the early and middle stages Lusting (Apprentice B. Evans) raced wide. At the 300m Noreil (L. Cheshire) rolled in and tightened Lusting (Apprentice B. Evans), which was racing to its inside, and a short distance later Noreil rolled in again and tightened Morning Colours (L. Cassidy).


Race 10:

Class 2 Handicap - 1200m
1st - Laurels; 2nd - Spanish Kiss; 3rd - Bumper Harvest

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Apprentice jockey Michael Hellyer: “Bryan (Guy) wanted me third, one-off the fence. When the gates opened he just sort of sat there and was a bit flat-footed. So I didn’t get there early. I didn’t panic. I sat a bit worse than midfield. But then, I tell you, he was the luckiest horse that ran around because all the runs just came when he needed them. Coming into the straight I was up behind the leaders and I was just waiting to see what Mandy (Radecker) was doing on her horse (Licence To Steal) and she pulled off and went straight off the fence. Bryan did tell me the horse was probably just a bit fat still – probably just a little bit underdone – but they were confident of him putting in a good result. We saved the ground and he really let down. He showed a real nice turn of foot to get to the front, then wacked away and got there.”

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Laurels): 4.00 steady. Equal favourite.
Equal favourite (Ladros): 3.80 out to 4.00. Finished thirteenth (last).

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Rothera was a late scratching at 8.15am. Trainer Mr M. Currie will be asked to explain the reason for the late withdrawal of the horse. Laurels (Apprentice M. Hellyer) was slow to begin. Bonza Bronze (S. Galloway) began awkwardly and shortly after the start was tightened for room and taken out onto Topkapi Palace (R. Wiggins) by Navigation (P. Wolfgram), which jumped outwards. Near the 1000m Gold Rating (Apprentice N. Yamada) had to be steadied when tightened for room when racing to the inside of Midnight Surprise (Apprentice R. Hinricks), which was taken in by Laurels (Apprentice M. Hellyer), which in turn was taken in by Topkapi Palace (R. Wiggins), which commenced to over-race and shifted in abruptly. Stewards opened an inquiry into the incident, however took no action other than to advise Apprentice R. Hinricks and Apprentice M. Hellyer to exercise more care in similar circumstances. From leaving the 500m until rounding the home turn Ladros (J. Bowditch) lugged out and consequently took no competitive part in the race. Stewards interviewed connections and advised them that Ladros must trial to the satisfaction of the stewards before being permitted to race again. A post-race veterinary examination of Ladros revealed that the horse was sore in both fetlocks and slightly lame in the near-foreleg. Connections were further informed that they must furnish a veterinary certificate of fitness prior to the horse being permitted to race again.

EAGLE FARM REVIEW (SAT, APR 18)

A review of the meeting held at Eagle Farm on Saturday, April 18.

Track rating - Slow 7. Slow 6 (after race 3). Rail - out 3m.

Race 1:

1MW Handicap - 2100m
1st - Mister Tivoli; 2nd - Dawns Queen; 3rd - Winmara

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Rex Lipp: “That was a good run that day when he was second to Hume two runs back ... and it was a very good run at Dalby (last time) under the big weight. All I was worried about today was actually the three weeks break. He loves the soft going. It was close today, it was a bob of the head, and we were lucky to get the bob in. I guess I’ll have to lift his (Tony Pattillo’s) suspension now. I suspended him. I haven’t had him on for a while.”

Jockey Tony Pattillo: “It was a beautiful win. I’ve been having a run of outs for Rex (Lipp). Just having no luck. So he suspended me. It’s never ever a definite thing. He’s one of my luckiest trainers. Yeah, it was good to get back on for him. First ride back from a suspension and you’re on winner. It’s good. The horse loved the extra ground today. He had a little bit left in the tank ... a little bit. He’s still got a bit of improvement in him.”

Apprentice jockey Owen Turpin, rider of Winmara (who finished third) lodged an objection against the winner, so the action moved from the track to the Stewards Room.

Apprentice Owen Turpin (giving grounds for his objection): “At the 350m and then again at approximately the 250m, I was forced to stop riding my horse on two occasions and then pull my horse around Tony Pattillo’s heels as he came across, drifting in to obtain my run – which I had. My horse came home very strongly. Without that interruption in the run and without having to stop riding it and pull back on two occasions, I feel I would have won the race."

Jockey Tony Pattillo (questioning Owen Turpin): I’d like to know at what point you had to pull back?”

Owen Turpin: “Once at the 250m and once at the 350m.”

Tony Pattillo: “What was your reason for having to pull back?”

Owen Turpin: “I was at jockey Jim Byrne’s heels. His horse was to the inside and your horse was laying in on top of my horse, so therefore I had to try and keep off Jim Byrne’s heels to stay up.”

Frank Phillips (trainer of the third-placed Winmara – making his statement): “I go along with what Owen Turpin said until the 250m, and I feel the way the mare finished the race off after the second time she was squeezed, to be only be beaten by a half-length, maybe a long-neck, we would have won the race had we not been restricted in our run.”

Jockey Tony Pattillo (making his statement): “I believe on straightening, Owen Turpin shifted out and made illegal contact with me ... and pushed me a little ... a touch wider on the track. He then proceeded to have a run between me and Jim Byrne (on Blue Ego). I believe Jim Byrne has shifted out in the order of a quarter of a horse which put Owen Turpin on a backward motion. Further down the track, yes, my horse does shift over, but it doesn’t have any bearing on it, because it is the initial shift from Jim Byrne that puts the mare in restricted room ... that sort of puts her in a backward motion. I don’t believe Owen Turpin has ever had to pull back. In-between that little squeeze when Jim Byrne shifted out, yes, it has made things very, very tight, but I don’t ever see Owen actually pulling back on the horse. From then on, down the track, I’m clear of him when I shift over in front of him. He has to ... sort of have to control his horses steering, what have you, but, there is never ever a point where my movement has on the bearing of the race. I really think that Owen Turpin and Mr. Phillips have failed to see the inside horse shift.”

Owen Turpin (questioning Tony Pattillo): “You’re saying that you believe the shift was from the inside runner to keep me out of the run?”

Tony Pattillo: “You’re in the run!”

Owen Turpin: “I was in the run.”

Tony Pattillo: “If you have a look, Jim Byrne comes out a quarter of a horse, which in turn puts you out, which in turn knocks me out half a horse.”

Owen Turpin: “So you’re saying that your horse hasn’t shifted in, say, three or four horses?”

Tony Pattillo: “I’m saying further on down the track, but you’re already on a backward motion from Jim Byrne’s check. There is no possible hope in the world that my shifting over in front of you has any bearing on the result, because you’re already back behind me.”

Owen Turpin: “I believe you have tried to hold me in for a run there. Then on the second occasion, I’ve actually had to stop riding again and wait for his heels to get out of the way before I could come around and actually ask my horse for its full ability. You saw the way my horse came home very strongly. If I wasn’t being pushed in onto heels I would already have been asking my horse, but I didn’t have an opportunity to do that.”

Rex Lipp (trainer of Mister Tivoli): “Jockey Turpin said we were pushing him in. He was actually trying to come out ... and Jimmy’s horse did roll out when Owen went for the gap.”

Tony Pattillo: “What you’ve also have to look at is that we made our runs at the same time. It just hasn’t had a bearing on the result.”

The protest was dismissed.

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Mister Tivoli): 13.00 out to 14.00.
Favourite (Rabbit Nagina): 4.00 in to 3.80. Finished fourth.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Acting on veterinary advice that Derivative Receipt was found to be sore in the near-hind leg, stewards declared the horse a late scratching at 11.47 a.m. Trainer K. Hiscox was advised that a veterinary certificate of fitness must be provided prior to the horse starting again. Intheway (B. Calkin) raced wide in the early stages.
Stewards considered an objection lodged by apprentice O. Turpin, the rider of 3rd placegetter Winmara, against Mister Tivoli (A. Pattillo) being declared the winner, on the grounds of alleged interference near the 300m and the 150m. After taking evidence from all parties and viewing the patrol footage stewards found that near the 300m Winmara had to be steadied when tightened between Blue Ego (J. Byrne), which shifted out, and Mr Tivoli, which shifted in. It was further established that near the 150m Winmara had to be eased away from the heels of Mr Tivoli which shifted in. After considering all the evidence, stewards were not comfortably satisfied that the interference suffered to Winmara as a result of the incident at the 150m had a material effect on the placings and dismissed the objection.


Race 2:

2yo QTIS Handicap - 1200m
1st - One Lickety Split; 2nd - Ready To Venture/Our Moscato (dead heat)

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Gordon Yorke: “He’s a nice pony, yeah. I’ve just got a hunch that he has a big future this horse. It was an impressive win at Grafton. I was just talking to the owner beforehand and I said he’s done everything right, yet people would be looking and saying he’s only had one start. That’s one win from one start, but he’s also had three barrier trails - he’s had two this prep ... and he’s just learning and learning and he’s every bit a professional, you know. I said to young Luke (Cumberland), just settle him and if you get shuffled back, don’t care. I said, all I want you to do is balance him in the straight, take your time, aim him and then let him go because it’s not over till his done. That’s what Luke did. The owner bred him, did a great job with him. They were going to geld him and I said, don’t geld this horse, he’s just brilliant as he is. I don’t know how good he is on the dry. My plan has been to avoid the dry because it jars two-year-olds up. I said to him before the Slipper, I could qualify this horse. He said, would you run it? I said no - so he said, don’t bother. It’s not about one race. It’s about a career and, like I say, I think he’s got a big future.”

Apprentice jockey Luke Cumberland: “It was a very good win. It was never travelling at any stage. He struggled the whole way through the going. As soon as I gave him a dig at the top, he found two extra gears, no worries. He just let down. A gap opened up. He found another gear. He’s definitely a good race horse this one.”

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (One Lickety Split): 4.00 in to 3.40 out to 3.50.
The winner was the favourite.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Arc Of Light (B. Evans) and Maraetai(S. Seamer) jumped away awkwardly. Femina Fashion (R. Goltz) made contact with Our Moscato (L. Rolls) on jumping away. Duel Show (J. Bowditch), Femina Fashion, Arc Of Light and Captain Clayton (L. Cassidy) raced wide throughout. Mr Tracey (C. Reith) laid out under pressure in the straight.
When questioned concerning his riding tactics on Duel Show, jockey J. Bowditch stated that he had been under no specific instructions, however as the horse had jumped well he elected to ride the horse in a forward position. He added that whilst racing forward the horse was then caught three wide without cover and did not finish the race off as expected. Trainer P. Duff confirmed that he had offered no specific instructions given the horse's wide barrier. A post-race veterinary examination of Duel Show failed to reveal any abnormalities.


Race 3:

Class 6 Handicap - 1300m
1st - Pit Lane; 2nd - Worth Doing: 3rd - Palace Lover

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Bryan Guy : “He’s come up (from Victoria to join the Guy Stable) in good order. His first-up run was good.” (Pit Lane finished second when resuming, only going down to Carry On Doctor by a neck). “This was his second-up run, and ... probably second-up was my only main worry. But, he’s worked really good the horse. He worked great on Tuesday morning and I thought he would win today. I didn’t give any instructions how he should be ridden from the wide barrier. I just left it to Jimmy (Byrne). You don’t have to tell them much and they don’t listen to you anyway. It worked out well. He went good.”

Jockey Jim Byrne: “He bounced pretty quick, he had a bit of a bad gate ... but he bounced pretty quick and put himself in the race. He put the writing on the wall after his last run. He was a bit unlucky his last run because he never really handled the track. Albeit he’s won on wet tracks before, but he doesn’t really get through them that well. I think he is better on top of it. He’s always got that bit of a bad leg so the soft track will always help him a little bit.”

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Pit Lane): 7.00 in to 5.00.
The winner was the favourite.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
At the 1000m Shooting Scene (L. Rolls) and Lennon (A. Taylor) were both hampered and raced in restricted room as a result of Pit Lane (J. Byrne) shifting in and away from Palace Lover (B. Evans).
Jockey S. Scriven, the rider of Deception Bay, was found guilty of a charge of careless riding in that leaving the 1100m he permitted his mount to shift in when not sufficiently clear of No Technique (O. Turpin), resulting in that horse being taken in on to Tears’N’Cheers (J. Bowditch), resulting in that horse having to be checked when tightened for room between Teary Eyed (L. Cassidy) and No Technique. S. Scriven's licence to ride in races was suspended for a period of 7 meetings, with the term of suspension to commence at midnight on Wednesday, 22 April, and expire at midnight on Sunday, 3 May 2009.
Jockey K. Pope, the rider of Ulladulla, was found guilty of a charge of careless riding in that he permitted his mount to shift in near the 900m when insufficiently clear of Lennon (A. Taylor), which was taken in on to Release Me (Michael Palmer), which was severely crowded and had to be steadied. K. Pope's licence to ride in races was suspended for a period of 6 meetings, with the term of suspension to commence at midnight on Sunday, 19 April, and expire at midnight on Friday, 1 May 2009.
Jockey S. Galloway, the rider of Malandrina, was found guilty of a charge of careless riding in that near the 800m he permitted his mount to shift in when insufficiently clear of Ulladulla, resulting in that horse being taken in on to Lennon, which shifted in resulting in Release Me having to be checked to avoid the heels of Lennon and losing its rightful position. S. Galloway's licence to ride in races was suspended for a period of 7 meetings, with the term of suspension to commence at midnight on Wednesday, 22 April, and expire at midnight on Sunday, 3 May 2009.
When questioned as to the disappointing performance of Rocklet, rider S. Seamer stated that although the horse had raced wide it was under pressure approaching the home turn and tired considerably thereafter. Trainer K. Kemp also expressed his disappointment in the performance of Rocklet and undertook to advise stewards of anything which may come to light in the following days which may explain the mare's performance. A post-race veterinary examination of Rocklet (S. Seamer) failed to reveal any abnormalities.
Following the running of this event the track was upgraded to Slow 6.


Race 4:

3yo Fillies Princess Stakes Plate (Listed) - 1600m
1st - Moulin Lady; 2nd - La Bella Luisa; 3rd - Returntosender

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Alan Bailey: “She got back a bit on top of the ground today. She’s a big, heavy filly and I think, even though she gets through the slow, I think she is better when she gets on top of the ground. She stepped up in distance today. She is by Reset, you know, so she was going to get over the journey. It was good. She got a hit in the eye the other day and we had to put something on her to help her a bit.” (Referring to the gear changes). “She’s got a bit of a spot in her eye, so we had to put something to cover it over. We couldn’t do anything about that.” (Moulin Lady had winkers off for the first time and pacifiers on for the first time). “But she’s a nice filly this. Just the other day (in her last start on a heavy track) Tony (Pattillo) went back on the inside and that track had no bottom to it so she got bogged down. She’s a big, heavy filly. Today, we got her back on top of the ground and it made the difference. Joe (Bowditch) said they were getting a bit of grip on the track today, whereas the other day they were just going to the outside. A few more runs and she should be nice and fit and ready for the Carnival.”

Jockey Joe Bowditch: “I thought she was beat around the corner, but she ended up getting a nice run into the race. Just around the corner ... she’s a nice big filly ... she just struggled to get around the corner. She had a bit of pressure coming from horses inside her and she just struggled to get around and lost a bit of ground on the turn. Once she straightened and balanced up she hit the line good. She’ll probably get a bit further too. She’s got a bit of scope about her. She’s a lovely relaxed filly.”

Bowditch was injured before the first race in Adelaide on Easter Saturday. He certainly didn’t seem to be struggling with any after effects from that incident.

Joe Bowditch: “Yeah, I did hurt myself last Saturday. I had a suspected fractured fibula, but the x-rays all came back clear. There is just a bit a bruising and it’s a bit sore. It’s gone alright today. It’s a little bit tender, but I am getting away with it, so it is all good.”

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Moulin Lady): 9.00 out to 11.00.
Favourite (Strawberry Field): 3.50 out to 3.60. Finished seventh.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Player Run (B. Evans), Moulin Lady (J. Bowditch) and River Perfume (S. Drake) jumped away awkwardly. Seesawing (S. Scriven) and A Little Knowledge (T. Chambers) bumped on jumping away. Lilleelavee (B. Stewart) and Little Pumpkin (T. Treichel) made contact on jumping away. Leaving the 1400m River Perfume (S. Drake) had to be steadied when tightened for room by Tunes of Gold (A. Pattillo) which shifted in. A short distance later River Perfume again had to be steadied when tightened for room by Tunes Of Gold which was taken in by La Bella Luisa (S. Galloway). Both A. Pattillo and S. Galloway were reprimanded and advised to exercise more care in similar circumstances. When the pace steadied leaving the 1200m Player Run improved up on to the heels of Moulin Lady and when being restrained shifted out resulting in Lilleelavee having to be restrained to avoid that horse's heels. At the same stage La Belle Luisa (S. Galloway) and A Little Knowledge had commenced to over-race and near the 1100m Tunes Of Gold (A. Pattillo) had to be steadied when A Little Knowledge (T. Chambers) shifted in despite the efforts of its rider. Lillelavee, Little Pumpkin and Strawberry Field (J. Parr) raced wide throughout.
Stewards sought an explanation from apprentice A. Taylor, the rider of Sharjah, in relation to her decision to restrain that mare when it was over-racing near the 1200m and relinquish the position outside the leader to Cashelot (Matthew Palmer). This then resulted in Sharjah being obliged to improve forward three wide as a result of its continued tendency to over-race. A. Taylor explained that she had attempted to settle Sharjah as she was of the opinion that the filly was suspect at the 1600m, however the horse resented being restrained and raced ungenerously. A. Taylor further added that when it became apparent to her that Sharjah would not settle, she then elected to improve forward three wide and assume the lead. Stewards noted the explanation.


Race 5:

Members Handicap (Quality) (Listed) - 1600m
1st - Sam's Express; 2nd - Eleda; 3rd - Humma

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Mick Nolan: “The fact it was wet probably helped him a little bit today. We put him up in distance the other day (over 2020m), but he just didn’t run it out, you know. We thought we’d just come back to the mile. This is the race we targeted and we just freshened him up. Brent (Evans) was told to lead and then when he let one around him that was Brent’s decision. He won pretty easy there. It just panned out nice. I’d love to know how many winners Brent has ridden for me. That’s his second win out of three rides on this horse.”

Apprentice jockey Brent Evans: “We always knew there wasn’t going to be too much speed in it and he’s a horse that goes that good. He can get racing pretty strongly though, but once we found the front I found that he relaxed under me nice. I let one go around me at the 1000m, half mile there, which made him relax that little bit more and have a breather. I thought I would just take a sit on it. The leader was on and off the fence, you know, summing up his options and I knew he was always going to come off and the run was always going to be granted. So I just waited, waited, waited. As soon as I straightened and let him down he was right. He showed a nice turn of foot and just sprinted. They were never going to catch him. They brought him back in distance. He’s definitely a stronger miler.”

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Sam’s Express): 9.00 in to 8.00.
Favourite (Eleda): 3.50 out to 3.90. Finished second.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Riva San (S. Seamer) jumped in the air as the start was affected and lost ground. Doug’s Mate (J. Byrne) and Eleda (L. Cassidy) jumped awkwardly. Near the 1200m Imvula (J. Parr) and Nellie Got There (D. Browne) were forced to race in restricted room to the inside of Sam’s Express (B. Evans), which shifted in when not clear. Apprentice B. Evans was reprimanded under AR. 137(a). Humma (Matthew Palmer) raced wide in the early stages. Hard To Catch (B. Stewart) raced wide throughout. Imvula over-raced for a short distance leaving the 1200m. Leaving the 1000m Vietnam (S. Scriven) shifted in of its own accord and made contact with the running rail. Near the 700m Scattergun (S. Galloway) improved on to the heels of Fulmonti (J. Bowditch) and had to be checked.
When questioned regarding the poor performance of Scattergun, jockey S. Galloway stated that he felt the pace of the race did not suit Scattergun and added that the horse gave the impression that it may not have backed up after its last start in the heavy going. The explanation was noted.
Post-race veterinary examinations of Hard To Catch and Scattergun failed to reveal any abnormalities.


Race 6:

Dr. John Power Handicap (Quality) (Listed) - 1200m
1st - Rampant Lion; 2nd Simplest; 3rd - Nuclear Medicine

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Lindsay Gough: “He had a setback in training probably a month ago, maybe six weeks. He ate alright the night before Shane (Scriven) rode him in work. Shane came back and said, mate he’s buggered. I don’t think anything happened in the gallop. I don’t know how he got the injury. I’d say he got cast or something. I tell you I’ve never seen a horse so sore. I walked him back from the end of the gallop to the stables and he literally groaned all the way. I had a tear in my eye, you know. I thought that was the end.
“You must understand that setback came when he was coming back from a spell after his Melbourne campaign. We went to Melbourne (in October, November last year). It was a nightmare. He got an abscess in his foot in Melbourne. It was a nasty foot abscess and it just come at the wrong time. Taking on the type of opposition we were facing down there, you had to be one-hundred and ten percent fit, not ninety percent which we were. You know, we struggled and struggled ... and because we were away from home I suppose, we probably made a few mistakes. At one stage he was in a really bad way. Then to bring him back from that – and everything was going alright – and to have a second major setback was quite devastating.
“After that training mishap, the vet pretty much scanned every part and bone of his body. He sort of discovered a little bit of a lump on his neck. He said, I want to scan that and he found it was inflamed. There was inflammation there. It wasn’t a big, bulky lump or anything. He just said, I’m just worried about this part of his neck. Whether he got cast or whether he hurt himself rolling, I don’t know, but he scanned it and, sure enough, there was inflammation there. That’s where the pain was coming from. So he treated that and we just nursed him ... nursed him back. The vet said we should just relax and take it easy. He said we’d eliminated everything else and that was all we could put our finger on, but I kept saying to myself, I don’t think it can be that simple. But anyhow, that’s what it was.
“Having said that I thought it might have been the end of the horse’s career when I walked the horse back that day when he was groaning, once his neck had been diagnosed as the problem, we then knew what we were dealing with. So from there we didn’t really consider retiring him after that because we now knew it was something that was treatable. He was hypersensitive for quite some time – not just the shoulder, but all over really. I guess he must have strained himself with that gallop on the day. We gave him time off. The vet treated him. We walked him for a week. Then we got him back up again. He worked brilliant on Tuesday morning, but we probably never thought he would win today. You know, an eight-year-old distance horse first-up over 1200m, after all his problems ... well, winning wasn’t exactly the main point on our radar. So yeah, it is quite an emotional win.
“He ran second in the Doomben Cup last year. We were hoping to run him in the Doomben Cup again, but because of the injury we are behind the eight-ball. We are not going to make it in time. We just can’t get there. It is only four weeks away. He’ll run in the Prime Ministers’s Cup in a fortnight over 1300m. Two weeks after that there is a mile race, a Weight For Age race on Doomben Cup day and then ... well, that’s the fork in the road. We’ll see where we go from there. Whether we go to the staying races or whether we freshen him up and consider the Stradbroke, which might not be out of the question.Like I say that will be the fork in the road. We’ll know more then and be able to make a decision.”

Jockey Shane Scriven: “He’s a freak of a horse. He was nearly dead six months ago. He didn’t pull up real good in Melbourne. We were leaving Melbourne (where Scriven rode the horse in all four starts in his Victorian campaign) when we got the news from the vets saying he was in a really bad way. I don’t know what it was exactly. We thought we might lose him. But Lindsay (Gough) got him home safely and the vets went over him. They umm-ed and ahh-ed about retiring him. He was in ... and then he was out. Then he had another setback in training. He was so sore. I’ve never heard a horse groan like that. So he was gone again. For the second time, we thought that was it. The vet had to go over him again and he found something wrong in his shoulder. From there we just had to wait it out. We had to be careful because the horse will just go for it. I mean he will run through a brick wall for you. He just won’t give in. So he needed to be given time. Then, when he thought the horse was ready, Lindsay bit the bullet and decided to put him in a race just to see what happens and then he comes out and does something like that. When I saw that Simplest had kicked away from him, I didn’t want to be knocking him around. I was just giving him a few back-hands and he just took up the challenge himself and like cantered in. It’s quite amazing. I’ve got a history with the horse. He is special. He’ll go on ... he’ll go on from here.”

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Rampant Power): 15.00 out to 16.00.
Favourite (Simplest): 3.50 out to 3.90. Finished second.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Main Vein (L. Rolls) jumped away very awkwardly and lost ground. Vocalic (A. Pattillo) and Mr Hornblower (M. Cahill) raced wide for the majority of the event. Leaving the 100m Bareena (J. Byrne) shifted in under pressure resulting in its rider having to stop riding and straighten that mare. A post-race veterinary examination of Deacon (C. Reith) failed to reveal any abnormalities.


Race 7:

JUANMO FILLIES & MARES HANDICAP (Quality) (Listed) - 1200m
1st - Russeting; 2nd Hurl; 3rd - Calchris

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Donald Baker: “The other day at Dalby she beat nothing ... I don’t want to say nothing, she beat a fair few horses, but nothing like today. This was a big test. This is my first Listed race win. She is due to go to the sales in June. I’ll talk to the owner and see if he is still going to sell her ... to just see what he is going to do. I might be able to hold him off. A lot of credit for this win has to go to Ronnie (Goltz). Ronnie does a lot of work on her. He’s such a reliable jockey. If he says he is going to be there to ride work at 4am, he is there at ten to four. So all credit to him.”

Jockey Ron Goltz: “The first run back (in Dalby) was more of a fitness thing. There were no trails coming up for her so he gave her a run out there. It’s five weeks between runs. She’s been going really good. She got a great run from a good barrier. I hadn’t moved on her until inside the two hundred, so I was quite positive that she was going to hold them off. She finished off good. The 1200m has been her best distance last time in. She has run third over 1300, but I think she’s best over 1200m.”

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Russeting): 9.00 out to 10.00 in to 9.00.
Favourite (On The Fridge): 2.80 out to 3.30. Finished ninth.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
A Little Dabl Doya (J. Bowditch) and Go Johemma (T. Treichel) were tightened for room on jumping away between Momentously (A. Pattillo), which shifted out, and Colonial Lass (Matthew Palmer), which shifted in slightly. Seething Duck (C. Reith) and On The Fridge (L. Cassidy) jumped away awkwardly. Michelle Cafea (D. Craven) raced ungenerously and got its head up for a short distance rounding the first turn. Approaching the 600m Seconde (B. Evans) was momentarily crowded for room between She’s Meaner (S. Scriven) and On The Fridge (L. Cassidy), which shifted in. Near the 300m Seconde shifted out hampering On The Fridge. Leaving the 200m Seconde shifted out inconveniencing Colonial Lass (Matthew Palmer). A post-race veterinary examination of Decibella (S. Galloway), which finished a distant last, failed to reveal any abnormalities.
When questioned regarding the performance of On The Fridge, jockey L. Cassidy stated that the mare began only fairly and was obliged to race wide during the event. He added that in the circumstances On The Fridge, in his opinion, finished the race off reasonably well. A post-race veterinary examination of On The Fridge failed to reveal any abnormalities.
A post-race veterinary examination of Michelle Cafea (D. Craven), which compounded after racing wide throughout, failed to reveal any abnormalities.


Race 8:

3yo Handicap - 1000m
1st - Leapfrog; 2nd - Zahas Pride; 3rd - Bruleur

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Bruce Hill: “He went back to 1000m. I just wanted to give him another run because I have got him entered in the Gold Coast Guineas. We missed a run on Monday (when Eagle Farm was abandoned) so we put him into this. He’s been going terrific the horse. We felt really confident going into the race because he worked with Calchris on Tuesday and he just went sensational, you know. He rides him good too, young Luke. Yeah, it got real close. All that matters is that it is your number that goes up.”

Apprentice jockey Luke Rolls: “I’ve had four rides on him three wins now. We dropped back in distance today. We just missed a few runs with races being called off. We had to run him today before the Guineas. It was a big effort today over the 1000m, because we thought it would be too short for him. He is a 1200m to 1400m horse. The only reason we ran him today is to get him ready for the Guineas.”

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Leapfrog): 9.00 out to 11.00.
Favourite (Zero Rock): 2.00 out to 2,50 in to 2.20. Finished fourth.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Rothera (R. Goltz) and Alphonse (J. Byrne) jumped away awkwardly. Express Air (B. Evans), which jumped away awkwardly, had to be steadied shortly after the start between Rhodamine (J. Taylor), which shifted out, and Zero Rock (D. Browne), which shifted in. Lots Of Allure (K. Pope) and Little Raptor (S. Galloway) made heavy contact on jumping away.
Jockey D. Browne, the rider of Zero Rock, pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding under AR. 137(a) in that approaching the 800m he permitted his mount to shift in when insufficiently clear of Little Raptor (S. Galloway), resulting in that horse being taken inwards on to Lots Of Allure (K. Pope), which had to be checked when tightened for room between Little Raptor and Kirra Lyn (A. Pattillo). D. Browne's licence to ride in races was suspended for a period of 6 meetings, with the term of suspension to commence at midnight on Wednesday, 22 April, and expire at midnight on May 2, 2009.
Near the 350m Gundy Son (J. Bowditch) shifted out slightly obliging Leapfrog (L. Rolls) to shift wider to obtain clear running. In doing so Leapfrog came into contact with Zero Rock. Approaching the 200m Gundy Son shifted out taking Leapfrog out on to Zero Rock. Meet George (A. Taylor) was unable to secure clear running over the concluding stages.
When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of Express Air, B. Evans stated that the horse began only fairly resulting in it getting back further in the field than anticipated. He added that when he placed Express Air under pressure near the 600m it failed to respond to his riding and tired over the concluding stages.

STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY EXTRACT:
Summary of action concerning licensees:
Suspensions:
Race 3. S. Scriven - careless riding - 7 mtgs (m/n 22.4.09-3.5.09) - AR. 137(a)
Race 3. K. Pope- careless riding - 6 mtgs (m/n 19.4.09-1.5.09) - AR. 137(a)
Race 3. S. Galloway - careless riding - 7 mtgs (m/n 22.4.09-3.5.09) - AR. 137(a)
Race 8. D. Browne - careless riding - 6 mtgs (m/n 22.4.09-2.5.09) - AR. 137(a)

Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses:
Horses swabbed pre-race:
Returntosender, Strawberry Field, Lilleelavee, Walk In The Park, Seesawing, Malandrina, Pit Lane, Hopeson, Kilkenny Queen, Rabbit Nagina, Derivative Receipt, Deception Bay, Go Johemma, Hurl, Russeting, Fire Hazard.
Horses swabbed post-race:
All winners and 2nd placegetters in Races 1, 3, 4, 6 and 7.
Warnings/bars:
Derivative Receipt - vet certificate prior to starting.