Racing and Sports have scanned the stewards’ reports to find the key information punters need to know from Australian racing on Saturday August 20.
Randwick:
Mr Entertainer (Race 1): When questioned regarding his riding rounding the home turn and in the early part of the straight and particularly the reason his mount shifted to a one off position which allowed the eventual winner Super Tycoon to improve to his inside, App. A Adkins stated that prior to the running of the event he had walked the track with a number of riders and formed the view that the ground closer to the running rail was inferior. He said for this reason in pre-race discussions with trainer Mr G Allard he indicated that he would endeavour to shift off in order to secure firmer ground. He added that Mr Entertainer was able to travel comfortably in the lead and, although he was not aware the eventual winner and favourite, Super Tycoon, was positioned directly behind him, he complied with the pre-race intention and shifted off in an endeavour to find better ground. Near the 200m Pera Pera and Mr Entertainer brushed.
Torgensen (Race 1): over the final 50m could not be tested when held up on the heels of Pera Pera.Elusive Runner (Race 2): refused to jump with the field and lost ground (5L). Trainer Mr J Sargent was advised the gelding must trial to the satisfaction of the Stewards prior to its next race start.
Major Major (Race 2): could not be fully tested over the concluding stages when awkwardly placed close to the heels of Paragon.Richard Of Yorke (Race 2): rider H Bowman stated that his mount was inclined to hang in for the majority of the race and, after initially following Major Major when that runner went forward approaching the 700m, he desisted from doing so when his mount became immediately under pressure. He added he then elected to follow Dowdstown Charlie in an endeavour to improve to its inside as his mount had continued to hang in and then in the straight proved somewhat difficult to ride out due to its racing manners. A post-race veterinary examination did not reveal any abnormalities. Trainer Mr C Waller stated it would now be his intention to experiment with gear on Richard Of Yorke to attend to its racing manners. Mr Waller undertook to report back on the condition of the gelding subsequent to the race.
Squidensquizz (Race 3): approaching the 600m improved up onto the heels of Destined To Win and then shifted out to endeavour to improve to the outside of that runner and in doing so made solid contact with Bootlegging, resulting in both Bootlegging and Squidensquizz (M Cahill) becoming unbalanced. M Cahill was advised to exercise more care. Squidensquizz was held up for clear running in the early part of the straight and approaching the 200m had to be steadied when disappointed for a run between Bootlegging and Destined To Win. In this incident Bootlegging became unbalanced. Squidensquizz was then held up for some distance after this on the back of Destined To Win.Thronum (Race 4): inclined to lay in under pressure in the early part of the straight and near the 200m made contact with the running rail and became slightly unbalanced.
Pound Sterling (Race 4): rider B Avdulla stated the only excuse he could offer for the disappointing performance was that the colt had not backed up from its first up run on a Heavy (10) when successful at Warwick Farm on 3 August 2016. A post-race veterinary examination did not reveal any abnormalities.
Manaya (Race 5): slow to begin. When questioned regarding the performance, rider G Schofield stated that the filly was somewhat stirred up behind the barriers due to the late scratching of Calliope. He added, that whilst he was able to obtain cover behind Baracella in the early stages, when Omei Sword shifted out slightly and Bacarella was able to obtain cover behind Zelady's Night Out, his mount was then left exposed four wide without cover. G Schofield further stated, that irrespective Manaya was somewhat disappointing in its failure to run on in the straight. A post-race veterinary examination revealed the filly had aggravated a speedy cut to the near-hind pastern. Trainer Mr M Costa advised the Stewards that subsequent to having a three week spell after its win at Scone on 14 May 2016, Manaya had a slight setback when it had a minor viral infection, which it was treated for and had resolved itself after a few days. He added that since then Manaya had pleased the stable in its work and in particular had trialled well at Warwick Farm on 12 August 2016. Mr Costa further stated that the filly is still quite immature and the stable would now assess its further race plans and report back to the Stewards. He also undertook to report back to the Stewards the results of a full veterinary clearance in the days subsequent.Vashka (Race 5): rider J McDonald stated his mount travelled well in the run, but after striking a softer section of the track near the 600m dipped on a number of occasions and failed to run on from that point. A post-race veterinary examination did not reveal any abnormalities. Trainer Mr J O'Shea advised that Vashka had raced disappointingly previously at Randwick, which he attributed to the shifting surface. He indicated he would now look to place the gelding away from the track. Mr O'Shea undertook to report back to the Stewards on the progress of Vashka subsequent to the race.
Satya (Race 8): rider C Reith stated the instructions issued were preferably to ride the mare quiet, however if it did jump well the option was given to take up a forward position. He added, after beginning fairly, he elected to go back to the tail of the field where he followed Elle Lou in the run. When questioned as to whether there was an opportunity to improve from the 600m, C Reith stated he was reluctant to leave a trailing position behind one of the fancied runners, Elle Lou, and consequently he elected to follow that mare into the straight. He further stated that when Elle Lou sprinted he was left flat-footed and took some time to pick up, whereby it finished the race off fairly over the final 200m.Glenbawn Dame (Race 9): began awkwardly. Rider B Shinn stated his mount was a little slow to begin and, after riding forward, was unable to cross Freeze The Charges when that runner held its position to his inside. He added as a consequence Glenbawn Dame raced four wide without cover and consequently gave ground in the straight. B Shinn further stated that the mare may not have appreciated the seven day backup. Trainer Mr P Robl indicated Glenbawn Dame would now be retired to stud.
Moonee Valley:
Au Revoir (Race 1): weakened from the 400m; rider Beau Mertens reported that it did not suit his mount when being taken on for the lead mid-race. A post race veterinary examination revealed the horse to be lame in the off foreleg and will require a veterinary clearance prior to racing again.Caprese (Race 2): rider Damien Oliver explained he was obliged to go forward when caught wide in the early stages however overall was disappointing and could offer no excuse other than the gelding had come to the end of its preparation. A post race veterinary examination revealed a slower than normal recovery and co-trainer Mr Troy Corstens confirmed the gelding would now be spelled. A swab sample was also taken for analysis.
Refuse To Lose (Race 3): led and weakened from the 300m; rider Jake Bayliss could offer no explanation for the performance. A post race veterinary examination failed to reveal any abnormalities other than a slower than normal recovery.Monkey Magic (Race 4): led and weakened from the 300m. When questioned regarding the tactics adopted today, in particular from the 800m when his mount raced one horse off the fence, rider Damien Oliver explained that his assessment of the track and the manner in which it played in earlier races, he was of the opinion the track was racing superior wider out and therefore it was a conscious decision by him to remain off the fence. He added it was not his intention to lead but was left with no other option after jumping well and confirmed his assessment of the track and his intentions with the connections prior to the race. He was also of the opinion the filly was up in class today. The instructions were confirmed with trainer Mrs Wendy, Kelly who added that the filly is not one that can be restrained and that track bias had been discussed pre-race. After viewing the Stewards footage, Mrs Kelly indicated that given all the circumstances she was satisfied with the ride and the filly would now be spelled. Stewards noted that the first 600m was run in 37.8 seconds, as opposed to the last 600m being 35.5 seconds. A post race veterinary examination failed to reveal any abnormalities.
Verstappen (Race 5): raced wide without cover. Rider Damien Oliver could offer no explanation for the performance, which was below market expectations. A post race veterinary examination revealed the colt to be lame in the off foreleg and will require a veterinary clearance prior to racing again.Baffert (Race 5): post race endoscopy detected a degree of mucus that may have affected the colt’s racing performance and will require a veterinary clearance prior to racing again. Trainer Mr Mick Price advised the colt may now be gelded and will be spelled.
Tooleybuc Kid (Race 6): performed below market expectations; rider Craig Williams could offer no explanation and a post race veterinary examination revealed a slower than normal recovery.Le Bonsir (Race 9): connections advised would be ridden forward; settled mid-field and raced wide without cover throughout. When questioned regarding the tactics apprentice Beau Mertens explained he understood the instructions to be that whilst he was told to go forward from the barrier, that mid-field with cover would have been a satisfactory position. He added he was unable to carry out those instructions without causing interference and hence raced wide without cover.
Rough Justice (Race 9): held up for clear running from the 300m until straightening.