ALL TO COME MAIDEN PLATE (F & M) (For Maiden Fillies & Mares)

THE STARTER REPORTED: a) Fair start. THE STIPENDIARY STEWARDS REPORTED : a) PORT ADELAIDE (AUS) (G Wright) was hanging in from the 200m. b) SPARKLING FLAME (S Moodley) was hanging in, in the concluding stages. c) Apprentice D Geerthsen appeared before the Board and was questioned regarding the non-vigorous nature of his ride on LUCK OF THE IRIS between the 800m and the 400m. In this regard, Apprentice D Geerthsen's attention was specifically drawn to the fact that, at the 800m, he was alongside PORT ADELIADE (AUS) ( G Wright), however despite having sufficient room to manoeuvre his horse forward he allowed his mount to drift back through the field between the 800m and the 400m to such an extent that he fell behind PORT ADELAIDE (AUS) (G Wright) by more than 3 lengths and was positioned near last into the straight. Apprentice D Geerthsen assisted by Riding Master Mr M Ball, explained that he was of the view that the horses in front of him were racing at a pace that was too quick. Therefore, he elected to ride his mount conservatively until the later stages of the race. He also explained that he had not anticipated that his decision would result in him conceding the amount of ground that he did. Riding Master Mr M Ball on behalf of Apprentice D Geerthsen further explained that, Apprentice D Geerthsen was only having his 55th ride and had in this matter, been impaired by his inexperience. The Board noted the explanation of Apprentice D Geerthsen and Riding Master Mr Ball and has opened an Inquiry into this incident. d) PORT ADELAIDE (AUS) (G Wright), the winner, was selected for the taking of specimens for analysis. Assistant Trainer B Forster acting for Trainer W A Nel advised (ML). JOCKEY / EQUIPMENT CHANGES : a) SPIRIT OF NUNA was ridden by Jockey G Lerena (advised 17.11.21/9h46). RACE CARD CHANGES / OTHER : a) Nil. THE VETERINARY SURGEON REPORTED : a) ARION OF ADRAST : Blowing. THERE WERE NO SCRATCHINGS