Manawatu Harness Racing Club Inc

3bk otr,up,prkd 800,askd tn,wiltd

SPIRIT DOWNUNDER - over-raced when racing in the parked position through the early and middle stages. Held up early in the run home. Stewards questioned driver C Ferguson regarding the tactics he adopted near the 900m when electing to shift down to the marker line as opposed to remaining in the one one position. Mr Ferguson explained that he felt that his best option was to shift inwards and follow ROCKINGOOD and DEADLINE who were both favoured runners rather than remain in the one out line following NICKEL AND DIME which had improved quickly to race in the parked position through the middle stages as this would have resulted in him having to improve wide on the final bend. After considering the matter, Stewards were satisfied that Mr Ferguson's tactics were not unreasonable in the circumstances and took the matter no further.

Wd,up prkd thru'out,fght on stoutly

NICKEL AND DIME - raced wide early. Hung inwards through the middle stages.

4-5bk inr,off rear tn,imprvd inr

NICKEL AND DIME - held up by a weakening runner final bend.

4-5bk inr,prkd 1400,brk 400

NICKEL AND DIME - broke rounding the final bend hampering trailing runners losing all chance. Stood down to trial to the satisfaction of Stewards on one occasion prior to resuming.

3-4bk inr,3bk 850,angld,handy wd

Prkd,1x1 1000,off,brk 250

NICKEL AND DIME - hung inwards and broke near the 250m losing its chance. A warning was placed on the racing record of the gelding.

Found 1x1,flat 450,weakened out

NICKEL AND DIME - weakened final bend. When questioned regarding the performance driver W House advised he was disappointed with the effort and was unable to provide any explanation. A post-race veterinary examination revealed a high heart rate and slow recovery. Stewards will follow up with connections in the coming days.

Soon 3bk inr,waited,steady mid

NICKEL AND DIME - out of position at the start. Driver W House was issued a warning.Paced roughly entering the first bend.

Eased,12th otr,wd cvr bell,wdr,fair

SKYS LEGACY - raced wide with cover from the 1000m.

3-bk mrks to trn,bttld away soundly

NEW KID IN TOWN - over-raced near the 1000m becoming awkwardly placed to the sulky of SKYS LEGACY and paced roughly for several strides before continuing to over-race for some distance. Held up early stages of the run home.

Wd,up prkd thru'out,tenacious bid

Ld out,trld 1400,fght solidly mrks

Prkd,cvr 1600,fght solidly thru mid

Sped to ld,trld 1550,failed to fire

4th otr,left prkd 1400,cvr 600,fght

Eased,wd cvr rear 550,beat slows

INDISPOSED - lay in near the 300m placing an inside runner in restricted room. Driver M Hay was warned for using his whip with more than a wrist flicking motion in the middle stages of the run home.

7th otr,3-bk,wd cvr 400,blkd,solid

INDISPOSED - underwent a pre-race veterinary examination after not having raced for a considerable period and was cleared to start. Held up final turn and early stages of the run home. Driver M Hay reported that the removable deafeners failed to activate despite his efforts.

Slow,rear inr,off,failed to fire up

INDISPOSED - back from position at dispatch. A warning was placed on the gelding's barrier record. Weakened from the 400m. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no abnormalities. Stood down to trial to the satisfaction of Stewards on one occasion.

5th,prkd 1750,4bk inr,brk,rear,done

INDISPOSED - briefly raced wider on the track near the 1400m when THE MAESTRO shifted ground outwards. Stewards investigated a possible breach of the Push Out Rule however after viewing replays it was established that Driver P Ferguson (THE MAESTRO) had commenced his outwards movement prior to INDISPOSED covering his sulky wheel with no further action required. Paced roughly and broke near the 1300m hampering an outside runner and lost ground. Weakened from the 600m. A post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any abnormality. A warning was placed on the gelding's racing performance.

7th,left prkd 1600,outkicked in str

INDISPOSED - Trainer N Delany was warned for presenting the gelding without the notified blinds. Weakened leaving the final bend.

6th,6-bk inr,off,unable to quicken

5th inr,4-bk 1400,off,ran on in mid

Eased,buried mrks,never sparked up

Eased,rear inr,unable to work close

WHITEBAIT DELIGHT - back from position at the start. Driver H Orange was issued a $100 Minor Infringement Notice. Lost ground rounding the final turn.

Eased,rear inr,failed to quicken up

Eased,rear inr,off,failed to stick

WHITEBAIT DELIGHT - weakened final turn. Trainer D Gale advised that the mare was displaying symptoms of muscle tie-up which will be treated with this runner being withdrawn from the second day.

4th pegs,3-bk 1600,off,tidy in mid

Tardy,4-bk inr,off,5th gap,no extra

WHITEBAIT DELIGHT - back from position at dispatch. Driver M Hay was issued with a warning.

Trld,3-bk 1200,whacked away in gap

Trld,3-bk 1300,unable to quicken up