Stewards' Reports Print MORTLAKE CUP Date: Saturday 2 November 2013 Track: Dead 4 Penetrometer: 5.64 Weather: Fine Rail: True Position Entire Circuit Stewards Panel: Mr J Hitchcock (Chairman), Mr F Beattie, Mr S Bettess, Mr J Rea Riding Changes / Jockey Information Race Horse Rider Replaced By Reason N/A Medical Certificate produced today: Nil Must produce Medical Certificate prior to riding again: Nil Did not attend meeting: Nil Other Comments / Explanations: N/A Race 1 EARTH AND WATER TECHNOLOGIES MAIDEN PLATE - 1600 metres: The start was briefly delayed due to an electronic malfunction with the barriers. This resulted in the race having to be started manually. De Lago Storm stood flat footed as the start was affected and was subsequently slow to begin (5L). Given the delays experienced at the start, connections were advised a warning would be issued against De Lago Storm for its starting manners. Passing the 1400m Princely Blaze shifted in to obtain a position closer to the rail and in doing so tightened Malcolminthemiddle that was steadied by its rider L Coombe. Malcolminthemiddle has then commenced to over race and shifted in tightening Reward The Faith that in turn that was taken in and inconvenienced Ask For Joe. Rider N McLean (Princely Blaze) was advised to exercise more care when shifting ground in similar circumstances. Rider L Coombe (Malcominthemiddle) was spoken to advisedly regarding her obligations when shifting ground. Windsor Spirit raced three wide through the early stages before being permitted to stride forward and obtain a position outside the leader passing the 1000m. Windsor Spirit raced greenly through the middle stages. Malcolminthemiddle commenced to give ground from the 700m and when placed under pressure shifted out to a three wide position. Malcolminthemiddle was eased down in the straight its rider L Coombe who reported it was her intention for Malcolminthemiddle to settle in a handy position with cover
circumstances permitting, however the gelding gave ground quickly from the 700m. A post race veterinary examination failed to reveal any abnormalities. Trainer M Williams indicated he would not be continuing with the preparation of Malcolminthemiddle. Given the uncompetitive performance, M Williams was advised Malcolminthemiddle would be stood down until performing competitively in an Official trial. Passing the 600m De Lago Storm had to be steadied away from the heels of Exford Lad. Shortly after passing the 200m De Lago Storm had to be checked when disappointed for a run between Ask For Joe that shifted in marginally and Windsor Spirit that shifted out. When questioned rider A Creighton stated De Lago Storm raced greenly and was reluctant to quickly improve into the run that presented near the 200m. Rider B Egan was questioned regarding his actions inside the final 100m and in particular the reason why he failed to fully ride his mount through to the finish. B Egan stated Exford Lad was under pressure and out of contention when he sat up. Whilst Stewards acknowledged his actions did not affect the placings, he was advised it would be expected in future he continue to ride his mounts hands and heels through to the finish. Trainer B Horton was fined $200.00 for failing to have in her possession the Thoroughbred Identification Card for The Ace that was having its first career race start. Race 2 MORTLAKE PRE MIX MAIDEN PLATE - 1100 metres: Yamanners shifted in marginally after the start and hampered Bigem that was steadied by its rider K Post. Racing Harada shifted out marginally after the start and hampered Night In Dubai. Act Of Freedom raced wide and without cover. Benray over raced through the middle stages. Trainer D Cannon was questioned regarding the tactics adopted upon Hang On Tight that led throughout and the seemingly improved performance of the mare. D Cannon stated it was his intention for Hang On Tight to be ridden forward at its most recent race start at Pakenham 21 October 2013 however on that occasion apprentice B Thornton was caught wide and attempted to restrain the mare which commenced to over race. D Cannon highlighted Ruby Road was obliged to race unnecessarily wide in that Pakenham event. D Cannon further advised Hang On Tight is best ridden from a forward position and it would be his intention for the mare to be ridden in that fashion in future. Race 3 THE STANDARD MAIDEN PLATE - 1300 metres: Upon arrival at the barriers Goodwill Lady underwent a veterinary examination at the request of rider B Egan. Goodwill Lady was passed fit to run. After being loaded in its barrier stall, Ruby Road became fractious and reared. Ruby Road underwent a pre race veterinary examination and was deemed fit to run. Ruby Road was slow to begin. Ruby Road over raced through the middle stages. Goodwill Lady raced wide without cover.
Passing the 700m Ruby Road when over racing, was checked off the heels of Little Missy and shifted out brushing Just A Chat. Goodwill Lady lay in under pressure in the straight. Just A Chat was held up passing the 200m before obtaining an inside run. Upon return to scales rider B Egan reported in his opinion Goodwill Lady felt uncomfortable in its action. A post race veterinary examination revealed the mare was lame in its near hind and also had a poor recovery. Trainer J McArthur was advised a veterinary certificate of soundness would be required prior to Goodwill Lady racing again. When questioned regarding the performance of Summer School, rider N McLean stated she was required to push the gelding along during the early stages to establish a position however when placed under pressure, the gelding failed to respond to her riding. Race 4 TE MANIA ANGUS BM64 HANDICAP - 1300 metres: The start was delayed approximately seven minutes after the Doctor and Ambulance Officers were required to assist an on course patron. Vetwrap was slow to begin. Tiger Jack over raced through the early stages when establishing a position outside the leader. Tiger Jack continued to over race approaching the 600m and strode forward to obtain the lead. Upon entering the home straight, Tiger Jack shifted out when being ridden along. When questioned regarding the performance of Hook Me Up, rider K Post reported the gelding dipped in the going rounding the home turn however appeared to pull up well. K Post added Hook Me Up was racing in winkers for the first time today after the blinkers had been removed. Race 5 SUNGOLD MILK 0-58 HANDICAP - 2000 metres: The Mighty Jungle that was fractious in the barriers, jumped away awkwardly contacting the inside of its starting stall. Goldstinger was slow to begin. The Mighty Jungle over raced through the early stages. Approaching the 1200m, Goldstinger that was inclined to over race, shifted out and improved its position three wide around the field before obtaining the lead passing the 1000m. Approaching the 700m The Mighty Jungle was steadied outwards to avoid the heels of Goldstinger. Pickme was held up behind the tiring Goldstinger rounding the turn and until the 300m. Crossed was under pressure from the 500m and weakened in the straight. Rider K Post suggested that Crossed may not have been suited by today s firmer track conditions. When questioned regarding the tactics adopted upon Goldstinger, rider N McLean stated she had ridden the gelding in a similar fashion when successful at St Arnaud 26 October 2013, however today
Goldstinger failed to respond to her riding. Trainer Q Scott confirmed the tactics that were adopted. A post race veterinary examination revealed the gelding to be experiencing a slow recovery. At the request of trainer Q Scott Yeahman underwent a post race veterinary examination that also revealed the gelding to be experiencing a slow recovery. Rider J Cartwright reported Just Call Me Bruce was inclined to lay in throughout. Race 6 MOYNE SHIRE MORTLAKE CUP - 2000 metres: Diamonds At Noon was marginally slow to begin before being hampered after the start by Luckzat which shifted in. Rider J Hill (Xavier) was severely reprimanded for permitting his mount to shift in when not sufficiently clear of Sunmaker passing the winning post on the first occasion. Xavier that initially settled outside the leader, improved to obtain the lead passing the 1400m. When questioned regarding the tactics adopted upon Xavier, rider J Hill stated it was his intention from the wide barrier draw to endeavour to obtain a midfield position however when unable to do so, he raced forward to settle outside the leader. J Hill highlighted Xavier was pulling and for this reason he improved to the lead. J Hill was further of the opinion the track was favouring horses ridden on the speed. His comments were noted. Sunmaker over raced through the middle stages. Diamonds At Noon commenced to improve three wide from the 800m. Xavier had a tendency to lay in under pressure in the straight. Passing the 200m Mister Cool was eased to the outside of Xavier due to that gelding being inclined to lay in. The eventual race winner Diamonds At Noon lay in under pressure in the straight. Rider J Hill (Xavier) was fined $100.00 under the provisions of AR.137A(5)(a)(ii) for his excessive use of the whip in a forehand manner on six occasions prior to the 100m. Race 7 MIDFIELD GROUP 0-58 HANDICAP - 1100 metres: Inner Clinch was marginally slow to begin. Upon return to scales rider L Meech reported after Inner Clinch was slow out, she elected to settle back in the field and ride for luck. Lubin Gin Fizz was marginally slow to begin. Tortured raced wide through the early stages before improving forward and obtaining the lead near the 700m. Indiella Miss raced wide and without cover. Approaching the 700m Irish Lute that was over racing, was steadied to avoid the heels of Kayeema Jay and shifted out taking Indiella Miss out off its course. Lubin Gin Fizz was held up rounding the home turn before shifting to the inside to obtain clear running passing the 200m.
Approaching the 50m Kaybee s Gem had to be steadied outwards to avoid the heels of Kayeema Jay that shifted out marginally under pressure. Rider D Holland reported Kayeema Jay failed to finish the race off despite his urgings after hitting the lead in the home straight. SWAB SAMPLES Pre-race blood for post-race analysis: Race 7 Irish Lute, Kaybee s Gem, Kayeema Jay Post race samples from following horses: Race 2 Hang On Tight, winner Race 6 Diamonds At Noon, winner Race 7 Tortured, winner Raceday Summary Race 1 B Horton, no id card, $200.00 Fines: Race 6 J Hill, excessive use of whip, $100.00 Severe Reprimands: Race 6 J Hill, shifting ground Race 1 De Lago Storm, warning, stood flat footed (5L) Horse Actions: Race 1 Malcolminthemiddle, uncompetitive, one Official Trial Race 3 Goodwill Lady, lame near hind, poor recovery, Vets Cert required