Key pointers from the stewards’ reports at the metropolitan race meetings at Caulfield and Randwick last Saturday, October 21.

Caulfield:

Maurus (Race 5): The import was one of the hard luck stories of the day when held up for a run before hitting the line hard for third in the Coongy. Slow into stride, Maurus was warming up well in the straight when he was disappointed for clear running near the 200m for several strides. The gelding then had difficulty obtaining clear running to the finishing line and did a good job to finish 1.05 lengths away. He looks a horse better suited by the wide stretches of Flemington so there could be a race for Maurus during the Melbourne Cup carnival.

Super Too (Race 7): The speedy mare fought on well to run second in the Caulfield Sprint but the vet report added merit to her performance. Super Too led into the straight before finishing 2.25 lengths off the winner Snitty Kitty. A post race veterinary examination revealed the mare to be lame in the near foreleg and she will require a veterinary clearance before racing again.

Bonneval (Race 8): The Kiwi mare had spent much of the lead-up to the Caulfield Cup under a lameness cloud and came out of the race with a similar issue. One of the main fancies for the race all spring on the back of top weight for age form, Bonneval had thrown a spanner into her cup preparations when sixth in the Caulfield Stakes and required a vet clearance to take her place in the race. Drifting well back early from a wide gate and racing deep without cover, Bonneval never came into the race and was beaten more than 8L into 14th. She was found to be lame in the off foreleg and requires a vet clearance before racing again.

Sir Isaac Newton (Race 8): The import turned the Caulfield Cup on its head when bolting to the front and opening a huge lead in the middle stages but was a beaten horse before the turn, dropping out for a 20 length last. While instructed to lead, rider Katelyn Mallyon told stewards it was never her intention to open such a big margin but her mount took charge in the middle stages. Mallyon said the more she restrained her mount the more it resented it and refused to settle, seeing the gelding a spent force a long way from home. Sir Isaac Newton was cleared of any veterinary issues.

Randwick:

Peacock (Race 5): On this day last year Peacock was winning a stakes race in Melbourne but the gelding was a long way shy of that level when last at Randwick. A drifter in the market, Peacock was under pressure a long way from home and was beaten 5.7 lengths. Rider Josh Parr said the gelding travelled comfortably outside the lead but in the straight did not respond to his riding and weakened. The only excuse he could offer was that Peacock did not handle the soft track conditions with a veterinary examination revealing no abnormalities. Stewards deemed the performance of Peacock to be unacceptable and the stable was advised the gelding must trial to the satisfaction of stewards before its next start.

Diddums (Race 7): The Gerald Ryan-trained mare weakened badly after leading in the Nivison but a vet check revealed an excuse. The mare, who had won at stakes level on a heavy track before, was found to be lame in the off-foreleg. Despite her previous wet form, rider James Innes Jr said the mare also felt uncomfortable in the slow going. Ryan said Diddums had pleased the stable since her first up win and had not displayed any issues. She will be required to gain a veterinary clearance before racing again.

Zenalicious (Race 8): Les Bridge’s mare had been racing well with a Group 3 placing at her previous start but didn’t fire when beating only one home in the Benchmark 85. Rider Josh Parr said Zenalicious failed to respond to his riding in the straight and was making an abnormal respiratory noise. A veterinary examination did not reveal any abnormalities but Bridge said he had some concerns about the mare performing on wet tracks and highlighted she had raced with respiratory issues throughout her career, the reason for her wearing a tongue tie. He believed the condition had contributed to Zenaliciuous’ performance and she was ordered back to the trials before racing again.