Waikato Bay of Plenty Harness Inc

Wd,1x1,prkd 1500,unable to stick on

Eased,wd rear 400,6w,closed boldly

OHOKA ACHILLES - when questioned regarding the performance Driver M Ranger stated the gelding had been unsuited to the tempo of tonight's race and was best suited when driven for one run however after having gone back from the wide draw failed to receive a trail into the race as hoped.

Wd,eased,5-bk inr,off,1x1,wd,stout

Ld untested,walked them,held nicely

6th otr,1x1 1600,wd cvr,2nd,kept on

OHOKA ACHILLES - over-raced early stages.

Nice trip otr,peeled 400,tried hard

Wd,eased,wdst rear tn,punishing fin

OHOKA ACHILLES - raced wide early before being restrained to the rear. Authorisation of this runner's 1st placing was withheld to enable Stewards to view the replays of the run home and to question Junior Drivers K Coppins (JACCKA OPA), assisted by R Lawson, and M Ranger (OHOKA ACHILLES), assisted by S Abernethy, in relation to an incident passing the 100m where JACCKA OPA (3rd place) paced roughly when to the inside of OHOKA ACHILLES which shifted inwards so as to ascertain whether there were grounds for a protest. It was established that there was not a full run available for JACCKA OPA to improve prior to OHOKA ACHILLES shifting inwards with Stewards electing not to proceed with the protest. The connections of JACCKA OPA also elected not to proceed with a protest against OHOKA ACHILLES's first placing with placings then being duly authorised. Ms Ranger was issued a charge under Rule 869(3)(b) on the grounds that she drove carelessly in this incident and indicated that she would be defending the charge. The matter was adjourned until the Waikato BOP Harness meeting to be held on the 10 July 2025.

Brk,5th inr,4bk,off,keen,3&4w,solid

OHOKA ACHILLES - paced roughly at the start. Over-raced middle stages.

Gun run mrks,thru lane,outkicked

OHOKA ACHILLES - Driver O Gillies was warned for using his whip with more than a wrist flicking motion in the run home. When questioned regarding the performance Trainer/Driver O Gillies advised that the gelding wasn't suited to the tempo of the race.

Ld,trld,3-bk 1500,off,held up,stout

OHOKA ACHILLES - held up final turn and throughout the home straight.

Left prkd,into ld 850,gunned down

SOCIAL DISTANCING - broke early in the score up however was in position at the candy pole. Paced roughly rounding the final turn.

Wd,1x1 1700,off,ran home stoutly

Across to trail early,held up,solid

SOCIAL DISTANCING - held up final bend.

Made ld,trld,4bk,off,wdst rear,tidy

SOCIAL DISTANCING - over-raced for a distance passing the 1100m and was then hampered when there was a slight easing of the pace near the 900m and continued to over-race.

Sped to ld,set terms,gathered in

Across to trail,rough/chkd 400,done

SOCIAL DISTANCING - broke early in the score up but was in position at the candy pole. Over-raced middle stages. Lay out and paced roughly leaving the back straight the final time before locking wheels with an outside runner passing the 400m hampering a trailing runner and losing ground. A warning was placed on the gelding's racing manners. When questioned regarding the performance Driver T Herlihy confirmed that he encountered steering difficulties rounding the final turn but added that this runner had received every opportunity.

Left prkd,jostled,chall 200,fght on

SOCIAL DISTANCING - over-raced middle stages when outside the leader.

Wd,3-bk inr 1600,held up rear,sound

SOCIAL DISTANCING - raced wide early. Over-raced middle stages.

Trld,3-bk 1450,chkd badly 800,done

SOCIAL DISTANCING - over-raced middle stages. Checked passing the 800m losing considerable ground and was not persevered with.

Trld,4bk inr 1000,brk 800,fading

SOCIAL DISTANCING - paced roughly rounding the first bend. Again paced roughly passing the 900m before breaking near the 800m hampering a trailing runner losing ground. Weakened final bend. Driver B Beckwith advised the gelding had been striking a knee.

Eased,rear otr,3-bk,wd top,bt slws

7th otr,3-bk,wd 500,brk,pulled up

ALWAYS B AN ANGEL - broke near the 400m after contacting the sulky of FIFTH AND FINAL, which shifted out from the running line, losing its chance and was retired from the event. Stewards held an investigation into this incident. After hearing evidence from Junior Driver F Schumacher (ALWAYS B AN ANGEL) who declined the assistance of a senior driver, Junior Driver J Dunn (FIFTH AND FINAL) assisted by R Lawson and viewing the replays it was established that Mr Dunn had conducted his outward movement in a gradual and acceptable manner. However ALWAYS B AN ANGEL had thrown wide with its near hind outside its sulky confines contributing to the contact being made. Given the circumstances Stewards took the matter no further. A post-race veterinary examination revealed a laceration to the left hind which was treated.

3 &4-bk mkrs,flat 500,dropped away

ALWAYS B AN ANGEL - weakened final turn. A post-race endoscopy detected a degree of mucus that may have affected the horse's racing performance. A veterinary clearance will be required prior to racing again. Stewards will follow up with Trainer J Teaz in the coming days.

6th otr,4th inr tn,off,stout in mid

ALWAYS B AN ANGEL - held up early in the run home.

Prkd,into ld 1400,dictated,powerful

Soon ld,dictated,kicked 400,ran clr

5th otr,3-bk,wd 1100,prkd,fght well

Cut breeze thru'out,keen,outfinishd

Eased,6-bk inr,off,blkd,late dab wd

BARBAROSSA - had to shift ground outwards to obtain clear running in the home straight.

6th otr,4-bk,wd 350,lacked a punch

Eased,rear otr,wd,prkd,ld,trld,fght

CYCLONE REBEL - held up final bend and throughout the run home. When questioned regarding his tactics during the middle stages Driver M White advised that after having worked hard to secure the lead near the 1400m he felt it was his best option to take a trail on the improving BARBAROSSA near the 1000m rather than risk receiving more pressure as he expected that runner to maintain the lead as it had performed well when driven aggressively prior. Mr White further stated that CYCLONE REBEL was racing with a notified gear change of the removal of blinds after having trialled earlier in the week but did not feel as sharp when warming up and during tonight's event in what was the gelding's first race in a month. After considering Mr White's explanation Stewards were satisfied his decision to surrender the lead was not unreasonable given the circumstances and took the matter no further.

4th,4-bk inr,1x1 1050,wd 400,no zip

6th otr,3-bk bell,wd 450,strong bid

WORDS - over-raced middle stages when leading. Shifted outwards rounding the final turn and then again passing the 100m hampering outside runners. Stewards lodged a protest under Rule 869A(2) against 1st placing being awarded to WORDS (Junior Driver E Johnson assisted by J Abernethy) on the grounds of alleged interference to the outside runners 2nd placed MUCHACHO (Junior Driver H Orange assisted by Trainer Z Meredith), 3rd placed BARBAROSSA (Junior Driver B Wilkins assisted by B Butcher) and 4th placed MELODY BANNER (Junior Driver J Dunn assisted by B Hackett). After viewing the replays and hearing the relative evidence Stewards did not proceed with the protest in relation to the interference to the 3rd and 4th placed runners after it was established that they would not have beaten the winner. The Adjudicative Committee upheld the protest in relation to interference to the 2nd placed MUCHACHO and relegated WORDS to 2nd placing behind that runner. Stewards took no action against Driver E Johnson as they were satisfied that she had fulfilled her obligations in relation to the corrective action she took throughout the run home. A warning was placed on the mare's racing manners.

Nice trip otr,wd 800,failed to fire

Wd,up prkd 2400,attckd ldr,game bid

4th inr,3-bk,4-bk 1050,off,bttld on

ADJOURNMENT - paced roughly approaching the 200m after having been shifted wider on the track by BARBAROSSA hampering outside runners. Weakened in the run home.

Trld,off,ld,trld 1550,thru,bttld on

BARBAROSSA - lay outwards through the middle stages.

Brk,rear inr,off,1x1 top,no pick-up

MIDFREW LUCRE - broke at the start losing ground.

Eased,rear inr,beat stragglers mrks

Nice trip otr,wd 450,closed sternly

Eased,12th,rear inr,plggd away mrks

4th,1x1,3-bk 1050,failed to run on

Sped to ld,dictated,wouldn't relent

MIDFREW LUCRE - Driver J Kriechbaumer was issued a warning for allowing his gelding to shift outwards rounding the final turn when activating gear which forced TUGAWAR wider on the track. Authorization of 1st placing was withheld until Stewards were satisfied that there were insufficient grounds for a protest with connections of TUGAWAR also electing not to protest when given the opportunity.

9th otr,4-bk bell,wd cvr,useful wdr

MIDFREW LUCRE - over-raced middle stages.

4th,left prkd 1800,stuck on nicely

3rd,prkd,cvr 1750,wd 400,bttld well

8th otr,3-bk 1600,wd 600,no pick-up

3-bk mrks to trn,whacked away gap

6th otr,3-bk,wd 350,bttld on in gap

4th inr,4-bk,tyre problem,not in it

SAVARNA - weakened final bend. Driver R Fensom reported his sulky tyre deflated during the running.

3rd inr,3-bk,off,never clr,had more

SAVARNA - had to be steadied when becoming awkwardly placed to the sulky of TWO JULES near the 1150m.

Trld,3-bk 1700,off tn,closed boldly

Eased,wd rear 600,4w,too many guns

SAVARNA - Driver R Fensom had some difficulty activating the removable deafeners early in the run home.

Eased,rear inr,off,3&4w 375,up late

SAVARNA - Junior Driver J Dunn was issued with a warning for using his whip in a continuous manner in the run home.

Trld,3-bk 1400,fght,no gap,had more

SAVARNA - held up throughout the run home.

5th otr,3-bk bell,wd 400,strong fin

6th inr,1x1,4-bk,imp mid,blkd,stout

RAGNAR LOTHBROK - held up final turn and throughout the home straight when unable to obtain clear running.

5trh inr,off,wd rear 450,strong bid

Trld,off,ld,trld 1650,tried on mrks

SHAKE A LEG - was disappointed for a run to the inside of RAGNAR LOTHBROK in the passing lane early in the home straight and had to shift ground outwards to obtain clear running. Driver M Ranger reported that she did not activate the removeable deafeners as a result.

8th otr,3-bk inr 1300,ran on in gap

5th,5-bk inr,off,wd top,closed well

BETTOR REACTION - was strongly restrained near the 1200m after improving to the inside of RAGNAR LOTHBROK when Driver N Chilcott activated the hopple shorteners. Lay in and raced over track markers rounding the final turn.

6th inr,4-bk,off,4w top,chased best

RAGNAR LOTHBROK - raced in restricted room briefly passing the 200m.

6th,6-bk inr,off,1x1,wd,closed hard

8th otr,wd rear top,closed stoutly

5th otr,prkd,cvr bell,wd 400,stout

Eased,3-bk inr,4-bk,off,strong wdst

6th otr,4-bk 1200,held up,off,sound

SHAKE A LEG - raced wide early before being restrained to the rear. Lay in near the 1500m and contacted track markers when improving to the inside of BETTOR REACTION which also lay in.

Prkd,cvr,prkd 1350,bttld on solidly

3 & 4-bk mrks,whacked away on inr

Wd,eased,rear inr,3-bk,off,bttld on

BETTOR REACTION - was strongly restrained near the 1200m after improving to the inside of RAGNAR LOTHBROK when Driver N Chilcott activated the hopple shorteners. Lay in and raced over track markers rounding the final turn.

Cut breeze majority,fght on bravely

6th otr,3-bk bell,off,stout fin wd

Wd cvr,up prkd 1100,couldn't stick

BETTOR REACTION - raced wide early and middle stages. Weakened final bend.

5th inr,4-bk 1300,off,fght mid,blkd

BETTOR REACTION - held up late in the run home.

Brk,6th inr,off,wd tn,ran on nicely

BETTOR REACTION - broke at the start hampering a trailing runner, losing ground.

Nice trip otr,peeled top,stout fin

6th otr,wd 500,wdr top,breezed past

MUCHACHO - lay in and paced roughly passing the 400m after having been shifted wider by an inside runner.

Wd,pshd to ld 1700,eyed top,run dwn

MUCHACHO - raced wide early. Lay out rounding the final turn and throughout the run home.

1x1,wd,prkd,trld 400,off,bold(prom)

WORDS - over-raced middle stages when leading. Shifted outwards rounding the final turn and then again passing the 100m hampering outside runners. Stewards lodged a protest under Rule 869A(2) against 1st placing being awarded to WORDS (Junior Driver E Johnson assisted by J Abernethy) on the grounds of alleged interference to the outside runners 2nd placed MUCHACHO (Junior Driver H Orange assisted by Trainer Z Meredith), 3rd placed BARBAROSSA (Junior Driver B Wilkins assisted by B Butcher) and 4th placed MELODY BANNER (Junior Driver J Dunn assisted by B Hackett). After viewing the replays and hearing the relative evidence Stewards did not proceed with the protest in relation to the interference to the 3rd and 4th placed runners after it was established that they would not have beaten the winner. The Adjudicative Committee upheld the protest in relation to interference to the 2nd placed MUCHACHO and relegated WORDS to 2nd placing behind that runner. Stewards took no action against Driver E Johnson as they were satisfied that she had fulfilled her obligations in relation to the corrective action she took throughout the run home. A warning was placed on the mare's racing manners.

Bk otr,angld 400,ran on solidly

Bk otr,3w solo 800,dug in gamely

MUCHACHO - paced roughly shortly after the start. Raced three wide without cover from the 1000m. Lay out over the concluding stages.

5th,led 1800,trail,awkward,tidy fin

MUCHACHO - over-raced and lay outwards near the 1100m and was awkwardly placed close to the sulky of DECEPTIVE LEE when being steadied. Lay outwards rounding the final bend and in the early stages of the run home and was unable to utilise a run to the inside having to be steadied and shifted outwards. Stewards will speak with connections in the coming days regarding the performance of the gelding.

Bk otr,3w,led bell,flat turn,did ok

MUCHACHO - raced fiercely in the early stages causing driver B Williamson some difficulty and made contact with the sulky wheel of FIRST LIGHT near the 1900m with the tyre puncturing as a result. A warning was placed on the racing record of the gelding.

Soon parkd,green turn,faded away

MUCHACHO - hung outwards when weakening final bend. When questioned regarding the performance driver B Williamson advised the gelding had been striking a knee and was racing up in grade. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no abnormalities.

Mid otr,3w solo 800,4w 600,huge

MUCHACHO - raced wide from the 900m. Hung inwards and paced roughly near the 600m.

Soon 1x1,out 450,solid chase

7th inr,off,wd,prkd 1300,bttld well

Brk badly early in rear,out of play

NELSON'S BOY - paced roughly early and then broke approaching the first turn losing all chance. A warning was placed on the gelding's racing manners.

Chkd early,brk soon after,pulled up

NELSON'S BOY - checked shortly after the start by a breaking runner losing ground before breaking after 150m losing all chance and was retired from the event.

Slw,wd rear,ld 1450,hdd 200,kept on

NELSON'S BOY - lay in at various stages then lay in again and contacted a track marker passing the 250m.

Eased,wd rear,prkd 1100,gritty mrks

Tardy,tailed off,3-bk otr,no pickup

NELSON'S BOY - slow early losing ground.

Eased,wd cvr rear 1000,chkd,rough

NELSON'S BOY - paced roughly near the 1300m when at the rear. Paced roughly again near the 800m when being shifted wider on the track by an inside runner. Paced roughly on a further occasion rounding the final turn.

Rear 1x1,prkd bell,chal,dug deepest

Eased,rear inr,off,tidy effort mid

NELSON'S BOY - lay inwards at various stages.

Eased,rear inr,off,steady thru mid