MERIT RATED 70 HANDICAP (Open)

THE STARTER REPORTED: a) AL MASHRIQ (M Josi) and MILL CREEK (R Satombo) were both withdrawn for delaying the start and are to be recertified. The Starting Stall Certificates for these horses have been withdrawn. b) JUSTADOREHER (N Takawira) and SCALA DEI TURCHI (M Thackeray) lost two lengths each. THE STIPENDIARY STEWARDS REPORTED: a) As the loading process commenced, MILL CREEK (R Satombo) in stall gate 3, broke through, was restrained by her rider, returned to the start, checked by the course veterinary surgeon, passed fit to race and re-loaded. Thereafter this mare became restless, and broke through on a second occasion. ` This mare proved reluctant to load and was subsequently withdrawn by the starter. b) As the loading process commenced AL MASHRIQ (M Josi) in stall gate 5 became restless, was removed from the stalls, checked by course veterinary surgeon, passed fit to race, and thereafter this gelding proved reluctant to load and was subsequently scratched by the starter. c) In view of the starter's reports with regard to AL MASHRIQ and MILL CREEK these horses have been suspended in terms of Rule 61.6.10 for a period of 7 days and until certified tractable loading into the Starting Stalls. Suspension dates from 28th January 2023 to the 3rd February 2023. Trainers V Birketoft and D Swanson have been advised. d) BATTLE OF SEATTLE, the winner, was selected for the taking of specimens for analysis. Trainer T Mason advised (AJ). JOCKEY AND/OR EQUIPMENT CHANGES: a) SCALA DEI TURCHI (M Thackeray) raced without steel shoes and equipped with alumites and raced with a compression mask on RACE CARD CHANGES / OTHER: a) Jockey N Takawira the rider of JUSTADOREHER, weighed out at 58.2kg. Jockey N Takawira, was charged with a contravention of Rule 55.4, in that he failed to weigh out at the correct carded weight on the horses MANVIR (Race 1) and JUSTADOREHER (Race 3), or at the higher weight confirmed in his engagements with the Trainer. Jockey Takawira signed an Admission of Guilt and was fined $50. THE VETERINARY SURGEON HAD NO REPORTS. SCRATCHED: a) ALMASHRIQ was withdrawn by the starter for delaying the start b) MILL CREEK was withdrawn by the starter for delaying the start.