Riding Changes / Jockey Information

Nil

Race 1 – KENNETH LAYFIELD MAIDEN HANDICAP - 1150 metres:

At the start, Diaddison threw its head in the air, resulting in Mr G Brunsdon, rider of the gelding, becoming unbalanced.

Race 2 – MERTON STORE trophy race (2) handicap - 1000 metres: 

Prior to leaving the mounting yard, Mr Kane Harris, rider of Sweet Cent, was dislodged when the mare bucked. Mr Harris was examined by the Club’s doctor and passed fit to ride in the race. Ms Emma Lockhart, representing trainer Gerald Egan, was advised that the mare would need to trial to the satisfaction of Stewards at an organised trial, including a satisfactory display of mounting yard manners, prior to racing again.

The Last Gyr was slow to begin.

Near the 400 metres, Naturalizer, which was momentarily held up for a run, had to be steadied off the heels of Oscar’s Revenge, which was weakening.

Passing the 100 metres, Naturalizer, when making ground, had to be eased to avoid the heels of Sweet Cent.

Race 3 – tolmie tavern open trophy race handicap - 1150 metres:

Spinning Master was slow to begin.

Mr Rob Kirkpatrick, owner rider of fourth placed gelding Sue’s Force, lodged an objection against Barravore Lady (Mr John Fitzgerald) being declared the third placegetter, alleging interference between the 400 metres and the winning post. After taking evidence from both riders, and also Mr Graeme Glass, representative of trainer Sharon Glass, and after viewing the patrol film of the race, Stewards dismissed the protest and declared correct weight. It was established that rounding the home turn, Sue’s Force, which was laying in, had to be steadied when Barravore Lady shifted out slightly. Near the 150 metres, Sue’s Force, when laying in under pressure, had to be eased when Barravore Lady shifted out. Stewards advised both riders that although on this occasion both horses had contributed to the interference, they would each be expected to exercise more care when shifting ground in similar circumstances in future.

Passing the 200 metres, Here Comes Minna shifted in and brushed the running rail.

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

Watergate was slow to begin.

Near the 400 metres, Marquez, when being ridden along, dipped.

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

Mr Kane Harris, rider of the second placed gelding, All Our Troubles, lodged an objection against The Lion King (Mr Geoff Brunsdon) being declared the winner, alleging interference approaching the 600 metres. After taking evidence from both riders, and Ms Rita Burnett, trainer of The Lion King, and after viewing the patrol film of the incident, Stewards dismissed the protest and declared correct weight. It was established that after passing the 650 metres, All Our Troubles, which had taken a neat run between The Lion King and Bottle, was then hampered when taken out by The Lion King, which shifted out slightly when making the turn. Bottle which was racing to the outside of All Our Troubles, was also hampered and carried out wider on the track. Mr Brunsdon was advised that he needs to exercise the utmost care when racing under similar circumstances in future.

Race 6 – friends of merton open trophy race handicap - 1600 metres: 

In the early stages of the race, Lion Arc overraced and got its head in the air, then approaching the turn out of the straight, shifted out and hampered She’s Not Home.

Prior to correct weight being declared, Mr Craig Kirkpatrick, rider of Orchard Glory, the second placed mare, requested to view the patrol film of the race, with a view to lodging an objection. After viewing the film, Mr Kirkpatrick proceeded with an objection against She’s Not Home being declared the winner, alleging interference rounding the home turn and again near the 100 metres. After taking evidence from both riders, and Mr Robert Trewin, trainer of Orchard Glory, and after viewing the patrol film of the incident, Stewards dismissed the protest and declared correct weight. It was established that both horses rolled out when making the home turn, and upon straightening, both horses brushed slightly, and then near the 100 metres, Orchard Glory, which had a tendency to lay in, shifted in slightly, and as a result both Orchard Glory and She’s Not Home, raced tightly for some distance.

Subsequent to running of the race, a veterinary examination of Lion Arc, which performed poorly, revealed no abnorm,alities.

Swab Samples

Post race samples from following horses:

Race  4 – Jiminy Terror, winner.

Raceday Summary