Auckland Trotting Club Inc

Fired to ld,dictated,reeled in 100m

6th otr,1x1,wd 450,fgjht on stoutly

ROCK BAND - the murphy blind was removed prior to the start after the gelding warmed up unfavourably. Over-raced middle stages and broke briefly near the 1550m when being restrained off the back of HUGOTASTIC. Continued to over-race badly before being taken out three wide without cover near the 1000m. Commenced to weaken near the 500m. Stood down to trial to the satisfaction of Stewards on one occasion prior to resuming.

7th inr,7-bk,off,wd cvr,sound wdst

Nice trip otr,peeled 300,fght hard

Fired to ld,set terms,held bravely

HUGOTASTIC - Driver S Abernethy reported that he had been unable to activate the deafeners due to the cord breaking.

Trld,3-bk bell,off 500,wd,stern bid

Held ld,dictated terms,held gamely

6th pegs,4-bk,off,rear,bttld closer

8th otr,wd 700,pshd wdr,sound gap

BLAZING LOUIE - raced four wide from the 600m. When questioned regarding the performance Trainer N Chilcott stated that she was satisfied with the run given the closing sectionals when the gelding was caught wide and the manner in which he had finished on over the final 50m.

Brk dispatch,tacked on,effort told

BLAZING LOUIE - broke shortly after the start losing considerable ground. A warning was placed on the gelding's barrier manners. Weakened in the run home.

Gate speed to ld,eyed 800,reeled in

Eased,rear inr,1x1 1600,off,no bite

HESASHORETHING - over-raced early stages when being restrained to obtain cover. Hampered and broke passing the 400m losing all chance after BLAZING LOUIE lay outwards when being steadied off the back of LOU BABY when that runner paced roughly.

Messed up the start badly,pulled up

HOORAY HENRY - stood on the mark hampering a trailing runner losing all chance. A warning was placed on the gelding's barrier manners.

Soon ld,dictated,hdd tn,fdd,flattie

SMOKE ON THE WATER - Driver M White admitted a charge under Rule 869(3)(b) in that he drove carelessly when striking and puncturing the sulky tyre of HOORAY HENRY near the 300m. After hearing submissions on penalty the Adjudicative Committee imposed a fine of $300.

Brk,5th inr,5-bk,failed to spark up

HOORAY HENRY - broke at the start losing ground. Lay in and contacted a track marker rounding the final turn.

3rd inr,4-bk,prkd,cvr,3-bk,no dash

HOORAY HENRY - weakened final turn. A post-race veterinary examination revealed a slow recovery. Stewards will follow up with Trainer D Butcher in the coming days.

Prkd,ld,trld 2150,off,fght well gap

HOORAY HENRY - fractious prior to the start.

Brk,6th inr,4-bk,off top,solid gap

HOORAY HENRY - broke at the start losing ground.

Trld,3-bk 2000,4-bk,off 300,fght on

Gun run mrks,thru lane,too polished

MY COPY - when questioned regarding the seemingly improved performance connections advised the gelding had been aided by a favourable run from a good barrier draw after getting too far back from wide draws in its previous two starts.

Eased,rear inr,off,3-bk otr,tidy wd

7th otr,3-bk 1400,held up,off,tidy

MY COPY - had some difficulty obtaining clear running early in the home straight.

Made ld,trld 1800,thru,fght soundly

7th otr,4-bk 1800,wd cvr 300,steady

Made ld,trld,offld,trld 1150,strong

ARTISAN - raced keenly for a distance when being restrained to take a trail racing through the front straight on the first occasion.

Beaut trip otr,wd 600,stout effort

Eased,8th otr,wd cvr,wdr,bttld well

ARTISAN - raced wide with cover from the 1000m.

Wd,up prkd,cvr 500,wknd,locked whls

MCKENDRICK - locked wheels with ARTISAN near the 300m losing all chance. Driver B Orange was questioned regarding this incident and advised that he had attempted to follow JOLIMONT when MIKI SHAN shifted wider passing the 400m but MCKENDRICK had lay in when in restricted room which resulted in the locking of wheels with the weakening ARTISAN. Given the circumstances Stewards took the matter no further other than to note the circumstances

3rd inr,3-bk,up prkd 900,stuck well

ARTISAN - Driver C Hackett, who declined the assistance of a senior driver, was issued with a warning for using her whip in a continuous manner in the run home.

Prkd,into ld 1400,dictated,defiant

ARTISAN - when questioned regarding the seemingly improved performance Driver C Hackett advised that the mare had benefitted from being able to set its own terms when leading.

Brk,5th inr,prkd,ld 1150,too strong

COASTAL BABE - broke at the start losing ground.

Wd,eased,6th otr,wdst top,tidy fin

COASTAL BABE - raced wide early before securing a position in the running line towards the rear.

Ld,trld 2450,off,fght nicely in mid

COASTAL BABE - a post-race veterinary examination at the Trainer's request revealed signs of a respiratory infection. Stewards will follow up with connections in the coming days.

Made ld,trld 1600,chkd,trld,fght on

COASTAL BABE - checked near the 1500m by a breaking runner.

Straight to ld,dictated,just enough

Eased,rear otr,1x1 1200,wd,bold fin