1st Jan 2008 at Merton

MERTON AMATEUR TURF CLUB

Riding Changes / Jockey Information

Nil

Race 1 – BONNIE DOON EARTHMOVING MAIDEN HANDICAP - 1150 metres:

As no rider was available, Stewards ordered the withdrawal of Miracle Millie at 1.25pm. As betting on the race had not commenced, Stewards made no alteration to betting.

Russian Gypsy jumped away awkwardly and lost ground.

Passing the 800 metres, Red Heir was tightened for room by Russian Gypsy, which shifted in slightly. Banters Gold, which was racing to the inside of Red Heir, was hampered as a result.

Race 2 – Friends of merton – open trophy race handicap - 1600 metres: 

Due to a misunderstanding in relation to the scratching from this race of Black Sands, which was also engaged to run in Race 5 today, Stewards ordered the withdrawal of the gelding at 2.00pm.

In the early and middle stages of the race, Scold got its head up when being restrained while racing keenly.

Between the 1000 metres and the 600 metres, Honstar had a tendency to lay out, and raced wide on the track.

Rounding the home turn, Edenvale Lady had a tendency to lay out under pressure.

Race 3 – kenneth layfield trophy race (2) handicap - 1000 metres:

No report.

Race 4 – bob catherwood memorial maiden handicap - 1600 metres: 

As no rider was available, Stewards ordered the withdrawal of Carlton Game at 3.15pm. As betting on the race had not commenced, Stewards made no alteration to betting.

Running out of the straight the first time, Barravore Lady, which was over-racing, got its head up and shifted out abruptly.

Passing the 400 metres, Hasarni, which had a tendency to lay in, shifted in slightly and had to be steadied to avoid the heels of Barravore Lady. In the early part of the straight, Hasarni continued to lay in.

Race 5 – merton traders cup – open trophy race handicap - 1900 metres:

Shortly after the start, Black Sands threw its head in the air when being restrained.

Mr G Brunsdon, rider of Edenvale Lad, winner of the race, was fined the sum of $100 for making a celebratory gesture prior to the winning post. In arriving at this penalty, Stewards took into consideration the extravagant nature of the gesture.

Race 6 – tolmie tavern open trophy race handicap - 1150 metres: 

Our Sorsaledo Bay was slow to begin.

Over the concluding stages of the race, Mr K Harris, rider of Our Sorsaledo Bay, which when laying in under pressure shifted in, was accidentally struck on the arm by the whip of Ms C Pace, rider of Pick Pocketer.

Prior to the declaration of correct weight, Ms C Pace, rider of the second placed horse Pick Pocketer, requested to view the Stewards film of the finish of the race, as there was no photo finish available at the meeting. After viewing the film, Ms Pace was satisfied that the judges placings were correct, and Stewards declared correct weight.

Swab Samples

Post race samples from following horses:

Race 5 – Edenvale Lad – winner.

Raceday Summary