3 minute read

Racing and Sports have scanned the stewards’ reports to find the key information punters need to know from Australian racing on Saturday January 14.

Randwick:

Menari (Race 1): slow to begin. Commenced to race keenly in the middle stages. Held up for clear running in the early part of the straight.

Piracy (Race 1): rider J Doyle stated that his mount was very keen in its preliminary and then soon after arriving behind the barriers it was placed into the gates, whereby it was agitated and after beginning well was quickly into stride. He added, whilst the instructions were to endeavour to find cover on the colt, his mount was able to lead without being pressured and was comfortable in front and he therefore elected to maintain that position rather than restrain. J Doyle further stated that over the final 100m Piracy gave ground quickly and made an abnormal respiratory noise, which continued upon pulling up. A post-race veterinary examination revealed the colt to be displaying a poor post-race recovery, respiratory distress and heat stress. Trainer Mr J O'Shea advised that the colt being keen in its preliminary may have contributed to the disappointing performance. Mr O'Shea undertook to report back to the Stewards on the future race plans for Piracy, however he indicated consideration would be given to spelling and gelding the colt. Rider J Doyle was spoken to relative to his obligations under AR140(aa) to notify any pre-race occurrence which may affect the performance of his mount in a race and in similar circumstances he should convey his concerns to the starter for notification to the Stewards.

Pienkna (Race 2): slow to begin and then shortly after the start was crowded for room between Raiment and Sangiovese, which shifted out. Rider A Hyeronimus expressed some concern with the action of his mount in the straight and consequently did not test it fully to the finish. A post-race veterinary examination revealed the mare to be lame behind. Stable representative Mr G Thompson was asked to provide a veterinary clearance for Pienkna prior to its next race start.

Reach For Heaven (Race 3): after being slow to begin and making contact with the hindquarter of Ebenos, was then crowded for room when Ebenos shifted in. Held up rounding the home turn and for some distance near the 300m raced in restricted room to the inside of Ghostly.

Treviso (Race 3): raced keenly in the early and middle stages and refused to settle when caught wide without cover. Making the home turn was hampered when taken wider when Pumpkin Pie shifted out to improve. Rider C O'Brien stated his mount pulled hard in the run and refused to settle and, after being hampered making the home turn, failed to finish the race off. A post-race veterinary examination revealed the gelding to be displaying a poor post-race recovery.

Al Cubana (Race 4): raced keenly in the middle stages. When questioned regarding his riding in the straight, G Schofield stated that shortly after jumping his saddle shifted back on the gelding, placing him at a disadvantage throughout the run. He said soon after straightening his mount commenced to lay out and his safety and control was somewhat compromised due to the saddle shifting and he allowed his mount to shift out. G Schofield added that, after applying some pressure to Al Cubana near the 200m, his mount commenced to shift in and again he was placed at a significant disadvantage when testing his mount due to his saddle continuing to shift with him and for this reason he was not able to test his mount fully to the finish of the race. Trainer Mr B Cavanough confirmed that on return to the enclosure the saddle was found to have shifted back significantly. Rider G Schofield stated he would ensure that ne now applies a breast plate to the gear of the gelding when he rides it again. A post-race veterinary examination did not reveal any abnormalities.

L'elu (Race 4): over the concluding stages was crowded for room between Zuzzudio (App. J Innes Jr), which after shifting in away from Cogliere (App. A Adkins), was taken in by that runner. After passing the winning post L'elu had to be steadied by its rider when its ground was taken from it. Both App. J Innes Jr and App. A Adkins were reprimanded and advised they must stop riding and straighten their mounts when they commence to shift ground.

Hardern (Race 6): slow to begin. Tightened for room near the 500m between Admiral Jello and Burning Energy, which shifted out slightly. Rider D Moor stated he endeavoured to take up a trailing position in the early stages, however was hampered on the first turn when Zatopaz improved to his inside and he elected to come back in order to settle back behind that runner. He added his mount travelled satisfactorily throughout the event, but was disappointing in its failure to finish the race off. A post-race veterinary examination did not reveal any abnormalities.

Zatopaz (Race 6): an inquiry was opened into the tactics adopted by rider L Roche on the gelding throughout the event. After taking evidence from L Roche, the matter was adjourned to a date to be fixed. A post-race veterinary examination did not reveal any abnormalities.

Invincible Knight (Race 7): knuckled on jumping. Shortly after the start raced in restricted room when Metallic Crown shifted in. Near the 1200m struck the heels of Arigold when crowded for room between Choice We Had and Arigold which, after initially being taken in by Invinzabeel, then shifted in away from that runner. The Stewards found that J Ford, rider of Arigold, had endeavoured to correct his mount as soon as the pressure to his mount was relieved and despite his efforts Arigold continued to shift in, which resulted in Invinzabeel striking the heels of that runner. App. B McDougall was cautioned in relation to his riding of his mount in the early stages where he continued to hold a position to the inside of Arigold, whereby in the opinion of the Stewards his best option in the circumstances would have been to take up a trailing position behind that runner. A post-race veterinary examination revealed a wound to the front of the near-fore pastern.

Machinegun Jubs (Race 8): slow to begin. Leaving the 1000m had to be steadied when crowded between Top Striker and Encostanati, which was taken in by Badajoz (J Doyle). J Doyle was advised that in similar circumstances he would be expected to leave sufficient room for runners to his inside. Stewards took into consideration that Top Striker had shifted out and contributed to the crowding of Machinegun Jubs.

Quantrill (Race 8): a post-race veterinary examination revealed the gelding to be displaying a poor post-race recovery and heat stress. Trainer Mr M Smith was advised a veterinary clearance would be required prior to Quantrill racing again.

Flemington:

Emptor (Race 1): began awkwardly and made contact with the left hand side of the gate then knuckled shortly after and lost ground. Weakened from the 400m; apprentice rider Regan Bayliss stated that after knuckling at the start his mount began to over-race and this may have been detrimental to its overall performance. A post race veterinary examination revealed the colt had a lacerated off fore heel and endoscopic examination detected a degree of internal exercise induced pulmonary haemorrhage that may have affected its racing performance and a veterinary clearance is required prior to racing again.

Hell Or Highwater (Race 2): raced keenly in the early and middle stages. Rider Jordan Childs stated his mount raced too keenly in front with the blinkers on which was detrimental to its performance. A post race veterinary examination revealed the mare to be lame in the off hind leg and will require a veterinary clearance prior to racing again.

Deja Blue (Race 3): held up and unable to obtain clear running from straightening until passing the 250m where it steadied and shifted to the outside of Essence Of Terror to improve. Stable representative Mr Don Healy reported that the mare was not suited by the run of the race at its last start at Flemington on January 1st, when forced to race wide and having to be steadied at the 200m when crowded for room. He added the mare had trained on well and they had expected it to perform well today.

Ma Jones (Race 3): rider Dean Yendall stated his mount wasn’t suited to today’s track conditions. A post race veterinary examination revealed the mare to be lame in the off foreleg and will require a veterinary clearance prior to race again.

General Truce (Race 5): rider Andrew Mallyon was of the opinion his mount may be at the end of its preparation. A post race veterinary examination revealed the gelding to be lame behind and will require a veterinary clearance prior to racing again.

Hale Soriano (Race 5): held up for clear running from the 600m until passing the 300m. Near the 150m was steadied to avoid the heels of Double Bluff (IRE) which was carried inwards by Oncidium Ruler.

Lord Aspen (Race 7): when over-racing approaching the 1200m was steadied and shifted out to avoid the heels of Grande Rosso (Regan Bayliss) which after shifting in when not quite clear, steadied the tempo; Regan Bayliss was severely reprimanded and advised to exercise more care. Rider Luke Nolen could offer no explanation for the performance. A post race veterinary examination failed to reveal any abnormalities.

Airalign (Race 7): rider Ben Thompson could offer no explanation for the performance. Post race endoscopy detected a degree of internal exercise induced pulmonary haemorrhage that may have affected its racing performance and a veterinary clearance is required prior to racing again.

Galaxy Raider (Race 8): approaching the 1000m steadied and shifted out to avoid the heels of Goldstream (ITY) when the pace slackened and as a result raced wide without cover for the remainder of the event. Over the concluding stages was awkwardly placed close to the heels of Master Of Arts (NZ) which shifted in slightly and as a result was unable to be fully ridden out to the line.

Master Zephyr (Race 8): raced in restricted room for a short distance passing the 300m when attempting a narrow run between Dandy Gent and Prima (NZ) which shifted out slightly. Passing the 100m was steadied and shifted to the inside of Chance To Dance (IRE) to continue to improve.

Flying Light (Race 8): led and began to weaken passing the 200m; rider Regan Bayliss stated his mount resented the strong head wind in the straight. A post race veterinary examination revealed the gelding to have the thumps, heat stress and was lame in the off foreleg and will require a veterinary clearance prior to racing again.

Update your Racing and Sports black book.