Auckland Trotting Club Inc
Friday, 17 October
Meeting: Metro Heats (METRO HEATS)
Last updated 17/10/2025 at 12:07 pm
- Race Number:
- Race 6
- Race Time:
VALE CHRIS GARRARD HANDICAP PACE
$20,000, R62 TO R86 DISCRETIONARY, 2200m
For R62 to R86 pacers. Please Note: This race has a maximum back mark of 20m.
| Notifiable Gear Changes: No Gear Changes for race |
- Breeding:
- 6 b m Bettor's Delight-Steel The Light(by Falcon Seelster) [Jett Star 7h(Bettor's Delight), Kourtney Kardash 5m(Bettor's Delight), Steel The Show 8g(Bettor's Delight), Upstage 4g(Sweet Lou)]
- Owners:
- Dr I S Bridge, Mrs R P Bridge, Mrs S E McKendry, D Curran, P Fisher, A Hassall, S Hassall, Nevele R Stud Ltd, Organ Donation Saves Lives Syndicate, Zinnycef Syndicate
- Breeder:
- Woodlands Stud (NZ) Ltd
- Comment:
- Couldn't wrestle the lead early a week ago and couldn't kick. Drawn to be handy.
Starts
48
Wins
11
Seconds
7
Thirds
7
Lifetime Stakes
$277,065
Winning Stakes
$160,050
Win Dividend
$0.78
Place Dividend
$0.87
| Starts | Wins | Placings | Starts | Wins | Placings | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Weather | 48 | 11 | 14 | All Weather Slushy | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Grass | 0 | 0 | 0 | Grass Wet | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Course | 36 | 10 | 11 | Distance | 20 | 5 | 7 |
| Favourite | 14 | 8 | 2 | 2nd Favourite | 14 | 2 | 4 |
| Mobile | 37 | 11 | 11 | Standing | 11 | 0 | 3 |
| Left | 12 | 1 | 3 | Right | 36 | 10 | 11 |
| Fresh90 | 5 | 1 | 2 | Fresh30 | 4 | 0 | 1 |
Wins:
Race Starts (Last 10)
M Ranger
7 days
4th up
3YO+ R53 to R64 MOB. PACE
2200m
Fast
2/2
Hooray Henry
MR:1-56.3
55.9
6.4L
Lost ld dig,prkd,cvr 600,plggd away
LADY OF THE LIGHT - when questioned regarding the performance driver M Ranger advised that the mare had to work hard in the early stages before racing parked for the remainder of the race which took its toll.
M McKendry
14 days
3rd up
DiscrHcp PACE Stand
2700m
Good
8/8
Sooner The Bettor
MR:1-59.6
55.7
7L
4th inr,4-bk 1300,failed to quicken
M McKendry
21 days
2nd up
R60 & faster DiscrHcp PACE Stand
2200m
Good
10/10
Sooner The Bettor
MR:2-01.1
56.2
5.7L
Trld,3-bk 1550,flat 350,plggd away
LADY OF THE LIGHT - struck and dislodged a track marking rounding the final turn. Driver M McKendry was issued a warning.
M McKendry
232 days
1st up
3YO+ R51 to R73 DiscrHcp PACE Stand
2200m
Good
2/2
Mantra Blue
MR:2-00.3
56.9
5.4L
5th,4-bk inr,3-bk,off,steady in gap
M McKendry
R59 & faster MOB. PACE
2050m
Fast
Jolimont
MR:2-02.9
57.2
M McKendry
R59 & faster MOB. PACE
2050m
Fast
Le Major
MR:2-07.0
58.4
S Abernethy
9 days
12th up
R52 & faster DiscrHcp PACE Stand
2700m
Fast
2/3
Miki Shan
MR:2-02.8
56.8
6.8L
6th inr,5-bk,off,wd 600,5w,no extra
LADY OF THE LIGHT - raced four wide from the 550m.
A Herlihy
11 days
11th up
FFA PACE Stand
3200m
Good
7/8
Republican Party
MR:2-00.7
55.8
14L
Wd,up prkd thru'out,couldn't stick
LADY OF THE LIGHT - raced wide early. Weakened final bend.
M Ranger
7 days
10th up
4YO+ R63 to R99 MOB. PACE
1609m
Easy
4/4
Jolimont
MR:1-54.9
55.8
5.4L
8th,4-bk inr 1250,held up,not in it
LADY OF THE LIGHT - held up throughout the run home.
- Breeding:
- 4 b g Bettor's Delight-Bare Knuckle(by Raging Bull) [Blazing Knuckles 3f(Bettor's Delight)]
- Owners:
- Mrs J V Stott, P A Stott
- Breeder:
- H A David, G David
- Comment:
- Bold runs behind Sooner The Better recently and from this alley looks very hard.
Starts
23
Wins
6
Seconds
2
Thirds
6
Lifetime Stakes
$306,767
Winning Stakes
$258,950
Win Dividend
$0.77
Place Dividend
$0.74
| Starts | Wins | Placings | Starts | Wins | Placings | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Weather | 20 | 6 | 7 | All Weather Slushy | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Grass | 0 | 0 | 0 | Grass Wet | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Course | 16 | 5 | 6 | Distance | 8 | 2 | 2 |
| Favourite | 4 | 3 | 1 | 2nd Favourite | 7 | 2 | 2 |
| Mobile | 21 | 6 | 7 | Standing | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| Left | 4 | 1 | 1 | Right | 16 | 5 | 6 |
| Fresh90 | 4 | 1 | 1 | Fresh30 | 3 | 2 | 0 |
Wins:
Race Starts (Last 10)
C Hackett
14 days
4th up
DiscrHcp PACE Stand
2700m
Good
3/4
Sooner The Bettor
MR:1-59.6
55.7
2.3L
Brk,6th inr,4-bk,off,3&4w 450,stout
BETTER KNUCKLE UP - broke briefly at the start losing ground. Over-raced early and middle stages.
C Hackett
14 days
3rd up
R60 & faster DiscrHcp PACE Stand
2200m
Good
3/4
Sooner The Bettor
MR:2-01.1
56.2
3.7L
Brk,9th otr,4-bk bell,wdst,did well
BETTER KNUCKLE UP - broke at the start losing ground.
C Hackett
14 days
2nd up
R72 to R87 MOB. PACE
1700m
Fast
3/3
Sooner The Bettor
MR:1-57.4
55.8
0.2L
Gun run mrks,thru,chkd,strong pegs
BETTER KNUCKLE UP - shifted out marginally approaching the 50m locking wheels briefly with an outside runner.
C Hackett
167 days
1st up
R67 & faster MOB. PACE
1700m
Fast
3/1
Akuta
MR:1-59.9
56.8
2L
Chkd,rear,3-bk inr,trld 600,fght on
BETTER KNUCKLE UP - checked racing into the first bend when AKUTA shifted down to trail the leader resulting in the horse losing ground.
C Hackett
R59 & faster MOB. PACE
2050m
Good
Jeremiah
MR:2-01.7
57.3
3rd
08 Mar 25
Overseas
Race
Mob.
1609m
7th
01 Mar 25
Overseas
Race
Mob.
1609m
4th
15 Feb 25
Overseas
Race
Mob.
1609m
C Hackett
R118 & faster MOB. PACE
2050m
Fast
Merlin
MR:2-02.4
57.0
C Hackett
14 days
10th up
3YO MOB. PACE
1609m
Easy
2/2
Duchess Megxit
MR:1-55.0
56.6
7.6L
Chkd,3 & 4-bk mrks,held up,chkd/brk
BETTER KNUCKLE UP - hampered racing into the first bend. Over-raced middle stages. Held up rounding the final bend. Awkwardly placed to the inside of IRON BRIGADE and broke when both runners shifted ground simultaneously when attempting to utilise the passing lane near the 150m. Stewards questioned drivers C Hackett and G Sugars regarding this matter and after hearing their evidence and viewing the replays Stewards were unable to apportion blame onto any one horse or driver and took the matter no further.
- Breeding:
- 4 b g Terror To Love-Key Operator(by Armbro Operative) [Girl Courage 13m(Courage Under Fire), Overarm 10g(Changeover), Rapid Response 6g(Gold Ace), Scared Stiff 8g(Terror To Love), Still Trying 7g(Stunin Cullen)]
- Owners:
- Est T K Piercy, Mrs A A Piercy
- Breeder:
- T K Piercy, Mrs A A Piercy
- Comment:
- Unlucky, 3 Oct in 2nd run back. Likes this trip and could knock over the faves.
Starts
24
Wins
6
Seconds
1
Thirds
3
Lifetime Stakes
$101,275
Winning Stakes
$57,475
Win Dividend
$1.75
Place Dividend
$1.14
| Starts | Wins | Placings | Starts | Wins | Placings | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Weather | 24 | 6 | 4 | All Weather Slushy | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Grass | 0 | 0 | 0 | Grass Wet | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Course | 13 | 2 | 3 | Distance | 12 | 5 | 2 |
| Favourite | 5 | 2 | 2 | 2nd Favourite | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Mobile | 20 | 5 | 3 | Standing | 4 | 1 | 1 |
| Left | 11 | 4 | 1 | Right | 13 | 2 | 3 |
| Fresh90 | 3 | 1 | 0 | Fresh30 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
Wins:
Race Starts (Last 10)
A Poutama
14 days
2nd up
DiscrHcp PACE Stand
2700m
Good
7/6
Sooner The Bettor
MR:1-59.6
55.7
2.4L
Trld,3-bk 1300,stout on inr,no gaps
A Poutama
127 days
1st up
R60 & faster DiscrHcp PACE Stand
2200m
Good
9/9
Sooner The Bettor
MR:2-01.1
56.2
4L
4th inr,4-bk 1550,off 350,ran on wd
A Poutama
R117 & faster Wk. PACE Stand
2500m
Fast
Merlin
MR:2-05.7
56.4
Z Butcher
13 days
16th up
R45 & faster DiscrHcp PACE Stand
2700m
Good
1/1
The Surfer
MR:2-01.9
56.5
2.1L
8th otr,4-bk bell,wd 700,wdr,chased
LITTLE SPIKE - raced four wide from the 500m.
C Hackett
7 days
15th up
R55 to R73 MOB. PACE
2200m
Good
1/2
Jeremiah
MR:1-59.9
55.8
3.9L
Eased,rear inr,off,wd 450,stout fin
LITTLE SPIKE - improved wide from the 450m.
C Hackett
14 days
14th up
FFA MOB. PACE
2700m
Good
9/7
Republican Party
MR:1-58.4
55.2
20L
5th,5-bk inr,prkd 1600,wilted out
LITTLE SPIKE - weakened leaving the final bend.
C Hackett
14 days
13th up
FFA MOB. PACE
1609m
Fast
8/8
We Walk By Faith
MR:1-51.6
54.8
5L
5th otr,3-bk,peeled 4w top,plggd on
LITTLE SPIKE - locked wheels with an inside runner briefly near the 200m.
C Hackett
7 days
12th up
FFA MOB. PACE
1609m
Fast
7/8
Chase A Dream
MR:1-51.4
56.2
145L
Chkd & brk early 6th,out of play
LITTLE SPIKE - checked and broke near the 1400m losing all chance.
C Hackett
7 days
11th up
FFA MOB. PACE
2200m
Fast
8/9
Don't Stop Dreaming
MR:1-54.5
57.1
3.1L
8th otr,5-bk bell,wdst top,bold fin
- Breeding:
- 4 bl g Lazarus-Flyover(by Live Or Die) [Better Fly 9m(Bettor's Delight), Flyaway 6m(Art Major), Fly High 2f(Bettor's Wish), Jordy 7g(Bettor's Delight), Snaps 3f(Captain Crunch)]
- Owners:
- Mrs K J Purdon, R Cole, Montana Park Pty Ltd, R E Johnson, Mrs C Nausbaum, B K Parker, Mrs M McKay, D J Tonks
- Breeder:
- Midhurst Holdings Limited, M P McDermott
- Comment:
- Stirring effort, 5 Sept before missing away 2 weeks later. Manners key to hopes.
Starts
19
Wins
6
Seconds
4
Thirds
3
Lifetime Stakes
$162,730
Winning Stakes
$56,100
Win Dividend
$0.63
Place Dividend
$0.93
| Starts | Wins | Placings | Starts | Wins | Placings | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Weather | 19 | 6 | 7 | All Weather Slushy | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Grass | 0 | 0 | 0 | Grass Wet | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Course | 15 | 5 | 6 | Distance | 10 | 5 | 3 |
| Favourite | 9 | 4 | 4 | 2nd Favourite | 4 | 2 | 1 |
| Mobile | 18 | 6 | 7 | Standing | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Left | 4 | 1 | 1 | Right | 15 | 5 | 6 |
| Fresh90 | 5 | 3 | 1 | Fresh30 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Wins:
Race Starts (Last 10)
J Dickie
14 days
3rd up
R60 & faster DiscrHcp PACE Stand
2200m
Good
6/5
Sooner The Bettor
MR:2-01.1
56.2
4.1L
Brk,rear inr,off,tidy mid tght qtrs
JEREMIAH - broke at the start losing ground.
C Hackett
R117 & faster Wk. PACE Stand
2500m
Fast
Merlin
MR:2-05.7
56.4
Z Butcher
14 days
2nd up
R72 to R87 MOB. PACE
1700m
Fast
1/1
Sooner The Bettor
MR:1-57.4
55.8
0.6L
Left prkd thru'out,fght resolutely
Z Butcher
112 days
1st up
R67 & faster MOB. PACE
1700m
Fast
2/2
Akuta
MR:1-59.9
56.8
0.7L
Made ld,dictated terms,gathered in
S Phelan
R59 & faster MOB. PACE
2050m
Good
Better Knuckle Up
MR:2-01.7
57.3
Z Butcher
133 days
1st up
R55 to R73 MOB. PACE
2200m
Good
2/1
The Surfer
MR:1-59.9
55.8
Soft trip mrks,off,chopped ldr down
Z Butcher
R59 & faster MOB. PACE
2050m
Fast
Seaclusion
MR:2-03.3
57.6
Z Butcher
R61 & faster MOB. PACE
2050m
Fast
Marketplace
MR:2-02.0
56.1
S Phelan
14 days
8th up
3YO MOB. PACE
1609m
Easy
3/3
Duchess Megxit
MR:1-55.0
56.6
1.3L
Wd cvr,up prkd 1100,stuck on gamely
JEREMIAH - raced wide early.
- Breeding:
- 5 br g Sweet Lou-Running On Faith(by Soky's Atom) [Beta Prepare 4g(Bettor's Delight), Bettorkeepthefaith 14m(Bettor's Delight), Ideal Faith 12g(American Ideal), Marathon Man 8g(Sweet Lou), Rakero Storm 6m(Bettor's Delight), Road Runner 7h(Bettor's Delight), The Faithful 13g(Bettor's Delight)]
- Owners:
- T Heptinstall, Ms N Cruickshank, J A Cruickshank, R C Campbell
- Breeder:
- Woodlands Stud (NZ) Ltd
- Comment:
- Proven performer and clear winning hope if he can get handy before the sprint.
Starts
39
Wins
10
Seconds
5
Thirds
2
Lifetime Stakes
$242,831
Winning Stakes
$158,900
Win Dividend
$0.62
Place Dividend
$0.78
| Starts | Wins | Placings | Starts | Wins | Placings | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Weather | 39 | 10 | 7 | All Weather Slushy | 5 | 1 | 2 |
| Grass | 0 | 0 | 0 | Grass Wet | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Course | 26 | 8 | 2 | Distance | 15 | 4 | 3 |
| Favourite | 11 | 7 | 2 | 2nd Favourite | 4 | 2 | 1 |
| Mobile | 29 | 8 | 6 | Standing | 10 | 2 | 1 |
| Left | 13 | 2 | 5 | Right | 26 | 8 | 2 |
| Fresh90 | 4 | 0 | 2 | Fresh30 | 3 | 3 | 0 |
Wins:
Race Starts (Last 10)
J Stormont
14 days
3rd up
DiscrHcp PACE Stand
2700m
Good
4/2
Sooner The Bettor
MR:1-59.6
55.7
5L
7th otr,3-bk bell,wd 400,bttld away
J Stormont
14 days
2nd up
R60 & faster DiscrHcp PACE Stand
2200m
Good
5/3
Sooner The Bettor
MR:2-01.1
56.2
3.1L
8th inr,5bk 1550,held up,off,useful
J Stormont
126 days
1st up
R72 to R87 MOB. PACE
1700m
Fast
4/4
Sooner The Bettor
MR:1-57.4
55.8
0.8L
1x1 in rear,off,closed strongly wd
The start was delayed due to the boring pole being removed from JOLIMONT.
J Stormont
R117 & faster Wk. PACE Stand
2500m
Fast
Merlin
MR:2-07.6
55.9
J Stormont
R59 & faster MOB. PACE
2050m
Fast
Lady Of The Light
MR:2-02.9
57.2
D Butcher
7 days
13th up
DiscrHcp PACE Stand
2200m
Good
7/8
Republican Party
MR:1-58.4
54.7
4.2L
7th inr,5-bk 1450,rear top,bttld on
WE WALK BY FAITH - begun awkwardly. Held up near the 150m and shifted outwards placing JOLIMONT in restricted room which had to be steadied and with CHASE A DREAM also being hampered. Hampered near 50m when an inside runner lay outwards and held up thereafter. Driver M White wished to view the films in relation to a possible protest being lodged against the 2nd placed (SOONER THE BETTOR) on the grounds of interference in the run home. After viewing the films Mr White declined the opportunity to protest and placings were duly authorised. Driver M White admitted a charge under Rule 869(3)(b) alleging he drove carelessly near the 150m when shifting ground outwards. After viewing the replays and hearing submissions on penalty the Adjudicative Committee suspended Mr White's driver's licence from the conclusion of racing on 10 May up to and including 23 May 2025 (4 days).
D Butcher
14 days
12th up
FFA MOB. PACE
2700m
Good
8/8
Republican Party
MR:1-58.4
55.2
4.1L
6th,6-bk inr,5-bk 1600,plggd on inr
A Herlihy
21 days
11th up
FFA MOB. PACE
1609m
Fast
4/4
We Walk By Faith
MR:1-51.6
54.8
9.2L
Pshd along to hold ld,hdd top,faded
JOLIMONT - lay inwards contacting a track marker rounding the final bend resulting in the trailing RAKERO ROCKET also contacting a track marker. Weakened leaving the final bend.
A Herlihy
7 days
10th up
FFA MOB. PACE
2200m
Fast
6/5
Don't Stop Dreaming
MR:1-54.5
57.1
13L
Prkd,cvr 1800,flat 400,dropped away
JOLIMONT - weakened rounding the final turn. When questioned Driver T Herlihy advised that the gelding had raced lethargically and been under pressure with a lap to run. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no abnormality. Stewards will follow up with Trainer A Donnelly in the coming days.