Waikato Bay of Plenty Harness Inc

Wd,1x1,3-bk 1200,wd 500,blkd,plggd

IRISH WHISPERS - broke early stages of the score up but was in position at dispatch. Placed in restricted room near 150m when an inside runner shifted ground and then weakened. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no abnormality. Driver D Butcher admitted a charge under Rule 869(2) and the Whip and Rein Regulations in that he used his whip with more than a wrist flicking motion on the home turn. After viewing the replays and hearing penalty submissions the Adjudicative Committee imposed a fine of $300.

4th inr,3-bk,chkd 250m,off,bttld on

IRISH WHISPERS - commenced to over-race leaving the back straight the final time and was then held up rounding the home turn before being hampered by the breaking OBADIAH DRAGON. When questioned Driver D Butcher stated the gelding had pulled hard during the running and had been unable to shift out from the marker line rounding the final turn before having considerable difficulty avoiding the breaking OBADIAH DRAGON losing momentum as a result. Mr Butcher further advised that his runner had then been unable to make up ground in the run home due to the fast closing sectional.

4th inr,4-bk,prkd 1600,stuck gamely

IRISH WHISPERS - tended to lay in rounding the turns.

Held ld,got terms,gunned down late

IRISH WHISPERS - shifted out early in the run home but was immediately corrected by Driver D Butcher.

Cut breeze thru'out,keen,stuck well

IRISH WHISPERS - when questioned regarding the performance Driver D Butcher stated that he was satisfied with the run after having been left without cover in what was the gelding's first race right handed.

Wd,prkd,cvr 1200,wd 500,tried hard

Sped to ld,set terms,too many guns

IRISH WHISPERS - Driver Z Meredith reported that he had not activated the deafeners due to having the field covered.

Eased,rear otr,made grnd mrks gap

IRISH WHISPERS - when questioned regarding the driving tactics adopted Junior Driver Z Meredith, assisted by P Brown, stated that it had been decided to go back from the wide barrier draw at the start and look for a trail into the race in what was the gelding's first run back from a lengthy spell. Mr Meredith further explained that this had not eventuated so he had elected to improve along the markers rounding the final turn and was satisfied with the manner in which this runner finished the event off. Mr Brown confirmed the instructions to go back early given the gate speed drawn to the inside and advised that he would expect the gelding to derive benefit from the first up run.

4th inr,3-bk 1800,stout fin on mrks

COLONEL LINCOLN - lay inwards rounding the final bend and was held up in the early stages of the run home.

11th otr,wd cvr rear 500,plggd clsr

Eased,wd cvr rear 600,bttld on wdst

COLONEL LINCOLN - raced keenly near the 1400m having to be steadied. Lay in rounding the final turn and early stages of the run home. When questioned Driver M McKendry stated that he was satisfied with the colt's performance as it was his first run back from a spell and given the fast final 400m.

Chkd,5th,5-bk inr,1x1 bell,no punch

COLONEL LINCOLN - hampered by a breaking runner approaching the first turn.

Lost ld dig,prkd,cvr 400,bttld well

POTTER - unsuccessfully contested for the lead in the early stages.

Lobbed trail,thru lane,too slippery

Trld,3-bk 1600,unable to quicken up

1x1,prkd,into ld 1550,hdd top,stuck

Sped to ld,allowed terms,too strong

Prkd,into ld 1700,dictated,run down

POTTER - lay in and paced roughly rounding the first turn when contesting the lead.

Speared to ld,trld 1500,thru,stout

5th inr,4-bk,off,fght mid,never clr

POTTER - held up throughout the run home.

Sped to ld,trld 1750,flat 400m out

POTTER - commenced to weaken near the 500m hampering a trailing runner and lay in racing over several track markers near the 300m. A post-race veterinary examination revealed mild inflammation of the airway.

4th inr,4-bk 1700,unable to quicken

Drppd to trail early,thru,best mrks

Ld out,dictated terms,mastered 50m

Prkd,urged to ld 1100,hdd 150m,wknd

ALWAYS B CHARLIE - lay inwards near the 1200m placing an inside runner in restricted room.

6th otr,1x1 1800,wd 300,stout fin

Cght wd,eased,wd rear 900,drppd out

ALWAYS B CHARLIE - raced wide early and middles stages before being restrained to the rear near the 1400m. Improved three wide without cover from the 950m before weakening final turn. A post race veterinary examination revealed no apparent abnormality.

Prkd,into ld 1850,too many barrels

Trld,off,ld,trld 1450,thru,outkickd

7th otr,4-bk,wd 800,loomed,wknd out

ALWAYS B CHARLIE - raced three wide without cover from the 800m. Weakened in the run home.

Eased,7th inr,off,wdst top,powerful

MURTLE THE TURTLE - Driver J Abernethy advised that he did not activate the removable deafeners due to having the field covered.