STEWARDS REPORT
ESK JOCKEY CLUB
SATURDAY, 21 JULY, 2001


WEATHER: FINE
TRACK: FAST
STEWARDS: D. AURISCH (CHAIRMAN)
C. CLIFFORD
W. GEGGIE

RACE 1 MAIDEN HANDICAP – 800 METRES (6 starters)

Stewards ordered the late withdrawal of TAHLULA at 12.37 pm after that filly became very fractious in the barrier stalls. All monies invested on TAHLULA were ordered to be refunded with deductions of 23 cents the win and 23 cents the place off the face value of all successful tickets. Trainer G. Livermore was advised that TAHLULA must obtain a further barrier certificate before the filly’s next race start.

AVON AVENUE and PLACID GLOW were both slow to begin.

RACE 2 CLASS 1 HANDICAP – 800M (6 starters)

COOLATAI LASS was very slow to begin.

Approaching the 700 metres, ROMANTIC BLUE had to be steadied when tightened for room by AMBIENCE which shifted in. A short distance later, VALENTE CORAGEM and DIDIER also had to be steadied when cramped for room by AMBIENCE which continued to shift in. G. Lynch (AMBIENCE) was issued with a severe reprimand and advised to be fully clear when shifting ground in future.

Stewards questioned rider R. Morris regarding the seemingly disappointing performance of ROMANTIC BLUE in today’s event. R. Morris stated that after being tightened for room after travelling a short distance, the mare never travelled well and did prove disappointing. He added that in his opinion ROMANTIC BLUE may have come to the end of her preparation.

RACE 3 CLASS 1 HANDICAP – 1200M (11 starters)

ALWAYS GOLD and CENTRE PIVOT were slow to begin. MANDA PANDA jumped awkwardly.

MANDA PANDA was forced to race wide in the early and middle stages of the event.

Inside the final 100 metres, O’SAVANA had to be checked off the heels of RAW COURAGE when attempting to take a run where there was doubtful room. App. S. Morris (O’Savana) was advised to ensure there was sufficient racing room when attempting narrow runs.

A post race veterinary examination of RAW COURAGE revealed the gelding to be lame in the near foreleg.

The veterinary surgeon also reported that RAW FORCE sustained a laceration to the off fore pastern.

RACE 4 MAIDEN HANDICAP – 1200M (11 starters)

HIT AND HOPE was slow to begin.

M. Crawford (TAFINAH) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding under AR137(a) in that he permitted his mount to shift in near the 900 metres when not clear of DIG DEEP (J. Bryant), which had to be checked and as a result shifted in and hampered STARRY AVALANCHE (G. Lynch). M. Crawford’s licence to ride in races was suspended for a period to be covered by 6 meetings, to commence at midnight 21 July, 2001 and expire at midnight 1 August, 2001.

Apprentice S. Morris (GO CREOLE) was found guilty of a charge of careless riding under AR137(a) in that near the 700 metres he allowed his mount to shift in when not clear of DIG DEEP (J. Bryant) which as a result had to be checked. S. Morris’ licence to ride in races was suspended for a period to be covered by 7 meetings, commencing at midnight 21 July, 2001 and expiring at midnight 2 August, 2001.

GO CREOLE was cramped for room approaching the home turn by BUSH DUCHESS which shifted in slightly. Whilst Stewards acknowledged that SPORTY DANE, which was racing to the outside of BUSH DUCHESS may have had a minor contribution to the incident, K. Sawyers (BUSH DUCHESS) was nonetheless advised to exercise greater care in similar circumstances.

RACE 5 CLASS 2 HANDICAP – 1460M (8 starters)

As S. Morris was stood down by the Club Doctor, Stewards approved M. Tarrant as the replacement on FOREVER GRAND.

FLYING SOVEREIGN was slow to begin.

ELOVENA shifted out at the start and made contact with CAMBIO. Approaching the first turn ELOVENA shifted out abruptly, forcing HYDRO’S BOY extremely wide on the track. Apprentice M. Kawaguchi (ELOVENA) was cautioned and advised to make more effort to prevent his mounts from shifting ground.

Rounding the first turn, FOREVER GRAND commenced to race fiercely and hung out for the remainder of the event, placing rider (M. Tarrant) at a distinct disadvantage. As a result of FOREVER GRAND racing erratically, HYDRO’S BOY and SECRET HEART were both inconvenienced. Trainer I. Livingstone was advised that FOREVER GRAND must perform satisfactorily in an official barrier trial prior to the gelding’s next race start.

All winners were sent to be swabbed.