Terang - 6 November 2017
RACE 5 - THE O'KEEFFE
Philip Chircop, trainer of Reign Of Pain, has reported that blood tests conducted on the gelding revealed no abnormalities. Mr Chircop added that Reign Of Pain also underwent a veterinary examination subsequent to the race and was of the opinion that the gelding was backed up too quickly after its previous start at Bendigo on 31 October 2017 and was a bit flat as a consequence.
Bendigo – 10 November 2017
RACE 4 – HENRY MCDERMOTT MEMORIAL PACE FINAL
Catch Me If Youcan hung in and contacted marker pegs rounding the home turn on the final occasion. Driver Chris Alford explained that the horse travelled well throughout in the lead until being placed under pressure with approximately 600m to travel and from that point onwards proved disappointing. A post-race veterinary examination of Catch Me If Youcan revealed an extremely slow recovery rate and as a result, Catch Me If Youcan was treated and stood down from racing for 14 days on veterinary advice. It is the intention of stewards to contact connections of this horse in relation to its recovery subsequent to tonight’s meeting. Rodney Woods Snr trainer of Catch Me If Youcan advised the horse recovered well however would have blood tests conducted and he would give the horse a brief let up and added that Catch Me If Youcan may not have been suited to the 1150 metres of this event.
Tabcorp Park Melton – 11 November 2017
RACE 1 – DNR LOGISTICS PACE
Ascot Encounter, which improved into the race three wide during the middle stages however was left without cover over the latter stages, failed to run on when tiring to be beaten approximately 60 metres. When questioned regarding the performance of Ascot Encounter trainer Andy Gath explained the he considered that although the gelding was first up in a race since July 2017, the performance in his opinion was below expectations. Mr Gath added that Ascot Encounter had trialed well in preparation for this event. Stewards intend to follow up this performance in the ensuing days. A warning was issued against the performance of Ascot Encounter. Mr Gath advised the gelding had recovered well and finished 2nd in a trial at Melton on 14 November 2017 and would continue with the gelding’s campaign.
Lucky VC NZ tired over the concluding stages to be beaten approximately 65 metres. When questioned regarding the apparent disappointing performance of Lucky VC NZ, trainer/driver Joe Pace considered that as Lucky VC NZ was not in the initial speed of the race during the lead time and was then able to progress to the lead thereafter, in his view the gelding was disappointing when failing to run on over the concluding stages. Mr Pace added that the gelding had an elevated heart rate subsequent to the race. Stewards intend to follow up his performance with Mr Pace in the ensuing days. A warning was issued against the performance of Lucky VC NZ. Mr Pace advised that Lucky VC had recovered well and been treated by a chiropractor and blood tests conducted had revealed no abnormalities. He added that Lucky VC may not be suited to leading at this stage of his career and would continue with the geldings’ campaign.
RACE 2 – COGS PACE FINAL
Stratospheric, which improved to race in the position outside the leader, gave ground over the final stages to be beaten approximately 49 metres. A veterinary examination of that mare revealed no apparent abnormalities. Driver Sidney Van Den Brande confirmed in his view the mare was disappointing and acknowledged that two out of its three previous starts where the mare had won, Stratospheric had been able to obtain the lead and was required to race without cover outside the leader on this occasion. Stewards intend to follow up this performance with connections in the ensuing period. Trainer Emma Stewart advised that Stratospheric had recovered well and attributed the disappointing run to the gelding racing outside the leader and would continue with its current campaign.
St Arnaud – 12 November 2017
RACE 6 – HENDY TRANSPORT PACE
Shot To Stardom, which raced in a one out position, tired over the concluding stages to be beaten 61m. Connections of Shot To Stardom were at a loss to explain the horse’s performance in today’s race other than, the horse had worked hard during the week in trackwork which may have taken the edge off the horse prior to today’s race. A warning was placed on the performance of Shot To Stardom which was beaten 61m. Jody Woodham-Murdoch trainer advised that the mare had pulled up well and may be better suited in races over a shorter distance.
