MAREEBA TURF CLUB STEWARDS REPORT WEDNESDAY 26/12/01

STEWARDS PANEL: W.A.L. Abel (Chairman), A Green, H Warren (Asst.)

WEATHER –Fine TRACK – Good RAIL –

RACE 1: - MAREEBA TAXI MAIDEN HANDICAP – 1010 METRES

Jockey I Toward was unable to make the allotted weight on NEW YOUK ROCKET and was replaced by S Morris on 23/12/01. YEATS TANGO (K Brady) was slow to leave the starting stalls. THOMASETTE (Ms M Seagren) was slow into galloping action. BUNDURRA BOBBY (K Rockett) pulled hard in the early stages of the race. DANE TIP (Ms D Philpot) hung out and raced wide on the home turn. At the 500 metre position, EXSULTARE (J Lewis checked severely and lost ground when NEW YORK ROCKET (S Morris) shifted in whilst making up ground on the outside. App S Morris was found guilty of a charge of Careless Riding under the terms of AR 137 (b), in that he allowed his mount, NEW YOUK ROCKET to move in when insufficiently clear of EXSULTARE, causing that horse to check severely. App S Morris was suspended from riding in races up to and including 05/01/02.

RACE 2: - TAFFY’S BACKHOE HIRE CLASS 2 HANDICAP – 1010 METRES

BOMBARDIER reared in the starting stalls dislodging rider D Crossland. App Crossland was unhurt and remounted the gelding.

RACE 3: - L.M. ENGINEERING WEIGHT FOR AGE – 1210 METRES.

A pre race request by trainer T Prior to replace Ms D Philpot as rider of BULL ALLEN (NZ) by G Philpot was refused by the stewards.

RACE 4: - GRAHAM HOTEL REEF AND RAINFOREST CLASS 5 HANDICAP – 1210 METRES.

HEEL RUNON (E Kowald) was slow into galloping action.

RACE 5: - MAREEBA R.S.L.A. SERVICE CLUB CORAL CLASSIC 3YO CLASS 3 PLATE – 1123 METRES.

At the 200 metre position AMARANTE (G Philpot) which was hanging out, suddenly shifted out causing WOREE LAD (C Symons) which was following, to check, move in and lose momentum. REGULATE (S Morris) which was racing on the inside of AMARANTE, shifted ground when this incident occurred. Although no contact was made the opinion was held that the actions of REGULATE has some bearing on the abrupt move out of AMARANTE. No rider was deemed responsible for this incident.

RACE 6: - MAREEBA METAL MERCHANT CLASS 6 HANDICAP – 930 METRES.

A Protest was lodged by J Lewis rider of SING MY PRIASED placed 2nd by the Judges against DARK CRUSADER being awarded the race alleging interference at the 500 metre position and the Home Turn. After taking evidence from both parties, viewing the video patrol films of the race and acting on their own observations, the Stewards upheld the Protest, amended the positions to 1st SING MY PRIASES, 2nd DARK CRUSADER, 3rd EASY DRIVE.

At the 500-metre position, Jockey J Lewis was forced to restrain SING MY PRAISES and lost ground when DARK CRUSADER (S Morris) shifted in. Negotiating the home turn, DARK CRUSADER dictated to SING MY PRIASES causing that horse to race wide.

ALL WINNERS WERE SENT TO BE SWABBED.

GENERAL:

An error in the Race Bok concerning the weight carried by STRICTLY JEWELS (Race 5) was corrected and an announcement made.