TROUBLE IN RUNNING

CITRON SPIRIT (T286)in the early stages was steadied to obtain cover - Race 758 WINNER'S WAY (A025)was slow to begin - Race 753 GOOD STANDING (B105)after the race, rider stated that after travelling satisfactorily throughout the early and middle stages, the horse did not quicken as anticipated and, in his opinion, was disappointing - Race 711 DOCTOR GEOFF (A409)after the 950M was crowded for room In the early part of the Straight raced with its head on the side and lay in After the 100M shifted out and bumped a runner and passing the 50M again shifted out The Stewards deferred the declaration of weighed-in as they were of the view that two incidents occurred over the final 100M which cast sufficient doubt as to whether the horse should be declared the winner It was found that passing the 100M the horse shifted out and bumped the 2nd placegetter It was further established that passing the 50M the horse again shifted out, resulting in the 2nd placegetter having to be shifted out away from heels Having regard to the margin between the two horses at the relevant stages of the race and at the end of the race, the Stewards did not believe that had the incidents not occurred the 2nd placegetter would have finished in front of the horse and therefore the matter did not proceed to a formal objection/protest hearing with weighed-in being semaphored on the Judge's placings - Race 721 HARMONY VICTORY (B405)at the start shifted out, made contact with a runner - Race 750 WORLD RECORD (V040)at the start was crowded for room and was shifted across behind runners Following the race, rider reported that although obliged to race three wide in the early stages, his mount had cover He said however that near the 700M when a runner shifted out to his inside, that forced his mount into a four wide position without cover which left it exposed some distance from the finish He said his mount consequently did not close off the race as expected and was disappointing Post-race vet inspection did not show any significant findings The next day was again examined by the vet who said the horse to be lame in its right front leg - Race 654