Kaikoura Trotting Club Inc

Ld,trld,3bk 1600,waitd,game inr

Up,trld-3bk inr,thru,short bid inr

12th inr,5-bk,off,closed stoutly wd

Chkd,7th,3-bk otr 1400,wdst tn,bold

SMOKE ON THE WATER - hampered by a breaking runner in the early stages.

5th,1x1,3bk otr 600,steady mid

Brk,7-8-7bk inr,6bk,off,battld

SOONER THE BETTOR - broke briefly at the start hampering a trailing runner losing ground.

Ld out,trld 1300,thru lane,powerful

SOONER THE BETTOR - driver H Orange dropped his whip near the 700m when activating gear. Commenced to over-race for a distance from the 600m when MERLIN shied and shifted up the track causing Mr Orange considerable difficulty. Lay inwards striking track markers rounding the final bend.

Brk,wd,prkd,ld 1550,dictated,gritty

SOONER THE BETTOR - broke at the start losing ground.

Ld out,dictated,held on tenaciously

SOONER THE BETTOR - Driver H Orange was warned for allowing his runner to shift inwards rounding the final turn contacting track markers. Shifted out on straightening for the run home but was immediately corrected. Shifted in marginally approaching the 50m locking wheels briefly with an inside runner.

Ld out,trld 1450,strong fin on mrks

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).

Lost long ld dig,prkd,ld tn,run dwn

SOONER THE BETTOR - pre-race warmed. Over-raced middle stages. Shifted ground marginally under pressure near the 150m placing MERLIN and MO'UNGA in restricted room momentarily.

Ld out,trld 1200,thru,whacked away

SOONER THE BETTOR - pre-race warmed.

4-bk mrks,off,3-bk otr,off,plggd on

1x1-4bk otr,5bk 700,tiring by tn

The start was delayed due to AMERICAN ME laying inwards and crowding VESSEM with all runners being turned out of line. A warning was placed on the barrier record of the gelding.

6th inr,6-bk,prkd 850,stuck gamely

8th,4bk otr,angld wd,handy mid

AMERICAN ME - hampered by a breaking runner shortly after the start.

2nd,trld,askd 350,no extra inr

Up,trld 2400,waitd,went close inr

Up,ld 2300,set terms,fght,hdd 100

Prkd,1x1,wd,ld 1700,held on bravely

Eased,wd cvr rear 750,postd,kept on

AMERICAN ME - over-raced early when being restrained to the rear. Continued to over-race middle stages. Raced wide from the 700m. When questioned regarding his tactics Junior Driver H Orange, assisted by S Phelan, advised he had elected to go back early from a wide draw given he expected SEACLUSION to go forward to lead. Mr Orange further advised he had attempted to improve passing the 1400m but was unable do so because MANTRA BLUE improved forward off him with KEVIN KLINE then shifting out to lead up the running line but not progressing forward as he expected. He also added the gelding hadn't handled the bends well but was nevertheless pleased with the effort given how the race was run.

Quickly thru to ld,set terms,too gd

4th,up,ld,trld 1400,thru,honest

AKUTA - the required veterinary clearance was received.

7th,up,prkd 1200,askd,felt pinch

AKUTA - when questioned regarding the performance co-trainer/driver M Purdon advised he was disappointed with the gelding's effort despite racing parked for a distance. Mr Purdon further added that not having raced for nearly one month may have been a contributing factor. A post-race veterinary examination including an endoscopy at the request of connections detected a degree of internal exercise induced pulmonary haemorrhage that may have affected the horse's performance. A veterinary clearance will be required prior to racing next.

Soon parkd,levelled up trn,classy

Slow,7th,3wd cvr,postd,prkd,hdd

AKUTA - broke briefly at the start.

Into trail early,off prkd 600,tough

BETTER KNUCKLE UP - checked racing into the first bend when AKUTA shifted down to trail the leader resulting in the horse losing ground.

Wd,1x1,prkd 1300,tried hard,denied

Rear inr,off,wd cvr,posted,2nd,game

AKUTA - raced wide from the 1200m until crossing to the parked position near the 600m. Co-trainer/Driver M Purdon advised he was satisfied with the performance given the 30m handicap, the mid-race effort to get handy and the prevailing track conditions.

Led,brk 1200,ld,tackld,fght,cght 30

AKUTA - broke briefly when leading near the 1200m after its near hind leg became caught in the hopple shortener cord hampering trailing runners.

Rear otr,wd 1000,wd cvr,no pick-up

DOUBLE TIME - raced wide from the 1000m.

Cght 3wd,prkd,1x1 700,off,no punch

DOUBLE TIME - raced wide early.

8th,4bk otr,shuffld bk tn,battled

DOUBLE TIME - weakened leaving the final bend.

8th,8-bk inr,1x1,3-bk,wd top,solid

3-4-5th,still 5th 400,kept giving

DOUBLE TIME - broke briefly at the start.

Rear otr,wd cvr 1800,prkd,fght hard

Led,trld 2200,thru,tried hard inr

3-4bk inr,waitd,off,sound mid

DOUBLE TIME - hampered by a weakening runner final bend.

3-5bk otr,6bk 700,angld,tidy,peakd

Rear otr,swept to ld 1300,reeled in

SOONER THE BETTOR - driver H Orange dropped his whip near the 700m when activating gear. Commenced to over-race for a distance from the 600m when MERLIN shied and shifted up the track causing Mr Orange considerable difficulty. Lay inwards striking track markers rounding the final bend.

6th otr,1x1 1550,wd 350,bold effort

MERLIN - Co-Trainer B Purdon advised Stewards that it was connections' intention to drive the entire for one run given he was first up after a lengthy spell and the 20m handicap. This information was passed on to the Commentator for public dissemination. When questioned regarding the performance Driver Z Butcher stated that although he had received a good run when trailing on the outer, he had been further back off the leader when the tempo increased than he would have liked after COLD CHISEL hadn't taken him forward as he had hoped. Mr Butcher added that he was satisfied with the manner in which MERLIN had finished the event off given the circumstances.

Eased,rear,3-bk inr,off,blkd,fin on

SOONER THE BETTOR - pre-race warmed. Over-raced middle stages. Shifted ground marginally under pressure near the 150m placing MERLIN and MO'UNGA in restricted room momentarily.

Wd cvr,prkd,cvr 1200,3rd,stout mrks

MERLIN - raced wide early and middle stages before crossing to the parked position near the 1400m.

8th otr,wd cvr 400,wdr top,bold fin

MERLIN - pre-race warmed. Driver Z Butcher was questioned in relation to an incident near the 1100m where KANGO was able to shift away from the marker line. Mr Butcher stated that Driver D Butcher (KANGO) had been clear to commence the shift with MERLIN then improving to be outside that runner's wheel before he was able to steady the entire back down into the running line. Mr Butcher also advised that the off side shortener pin had released prematurely prior to him activating the remaining shortener pin near the 1000m.

Up,led,trld 1500,thru,faded on inr

3-4-5bk inr,3bk otr,angld,honest

MO'UNGA - when questioned regarding the performance trainer R Todd advised he was not disappointed given the quick sectionals of the race.

5th,5bk inr 1850,held up tn,fair

MO'UNGA - held up final bend. When questioned regarding the performance driver R Close advised the race had not been run to suit and he was not overly disappointed given the closing sectionals.

3bk otr,7th,3-4bk otr,wd,flew,just

Slow,9th,5bk otr,inr tn,held up,gd

MO'UNGA - hampered by a breaking runner at the start. When questioned regarding the performance driver B Butt advised he was satisfied with the effort given the manner in which the race unfolded with a fast closing last sectional. Mr Butt further advised the gelding had lost momentum when held up briefly leaving the final bend after electing to shift back to the inside to save ground.

6th otr,1x1,3-bk 1050,wd 350,stout

3-bk mrks to trn,thru 200,strng bid

Beaut trip otr,off,fght tight qtrs

SOONER THE BETTOR - pre-race warmed. Over-raced middle stages. Shifted ground marginally under pressure near the 150m placing MERLIN and MO'UNGA in restricted room momentarily.

Eased,9th inr,4-bk,off,sound,no gap

MO'UNGA - held up late in the run home.

6th,into 1x1,peeld 400,solid

MACANDREW AVIATOR - driver H Douglas reported that only one hopple shortener had released due to the cord breaking.

Gt spd,denied lead,trail,solid innr

MACANDREW AVIATOR - a post-race veterinary examination and endoscopic procedure at the request of connections revealed the gelding to have a high respiratory rate and poor recovery. Follow up blood tests will be conducted on MACANDREW AVIATOR and connections undertook to notify the Stewards of any findings.

Led,soon trail,tidy bid lane

3rd,3bk inr,held up tn,imprvd inr

13th otr,wd 1500,prkd,stuck gamely

Bk otr,brk brfly,parkd,1x1,

MACANDREW AVIATOR - broke briefly entering the first bend hampering a trailing runner.

Last,3w,parkd,fght strongly

Gate spd,ld,trld 1150,smart,nabbd

MIKI KNOWS - over-raced and became awkwardly placed close to the sulky of HARRISON JOHN near the 1200m before breaking losing all chance and hampering a trailing runner after there was a slight easing of the pace when MACANDREW AVIATOR was restrained to obtain cover when BEACH BALL progressed forward to lead. After speaking to drivers R Close (MIKI KNOWS) and M Williamson (MACANDREW AVIATOR) and viewing replays Stewards were unable to apportion blame to either driver or horse and took the matter no further.

5-7bk inr,5bk 700,off 350,steady

RAKERO ROCKET - hampered by a breaking runner at the start.

Made ld,trld 2700,thru,did best inr

RAKERO ROCKET - over-raced middle stages.

9th,5bk otr,wd rear tn,useful wd

4bk inr,3bk tn,few gaps,tidy mid

RAKERO ROCKET - shifted outwards rounding the first bend briefly locking wheels with PINSEEKER. Had some difficulty obtaining clear racing room in the run home.

Prkd,3bk inr 1900,4-bk,off,late dig

RAKERO ROCKET - held up early stages of the run home.

Sped to ld,trld 2150,off,bttld well

Gun run mrks,held up,bold late inr

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.

1x1,shffd 5-bk,wdst rear tn,bt slws

3-5bk inr,4-3bk,imprvd up inr

The start was delayed due to AMERICAN ME laying inwards and crowding VESSEM with all runners being turned out of line. A warning was placed on the barrier record of the gelding.

4-5th,1x1 1000,off,tried hard wd

VESSEM - broke briefly at the start losing ground.

Soon trld,sweet trip,went on by 100

VESSEM - junior driver O Thornley, who declined assistance from a senior driver, defended a breach of Rule 869(2) and the Whip and Rein Regulations alleging she used her whip in a continuous manner in the early stages. After viewing the replays and hearing evidence from Stewards and Miss Thornley the charge was found proved and the Adjudicative Committee suspended Miss Thornley's driver's licence from the conclusion of racing on 14 May up to and including 1 June 2025 (6 days) and imposed a fine of $200.

3bk otr,up,prkd 1200,flat tn,brave

VESSEM - hung inwards passing the 100m having to be corrected by driver J Cox.

3wd,prkd 1300,4th,off,kept giving

VESSEM - raced wide early and middle stages.

Brk,3rd,3bk inr,up tn,honest mid

VESSEM - broke briefly at the start.

4bk otr,3wd,prkd 1200,too brave

VESSEM - over-raced middle stages.

6th,1x1-3bk otr,off,warmed up wd

Soon prkd,1x1 950,tight,no gaps,ok

6th,1x1-3bk otr,imprvd thru inr

HERE'S HERBIE - driver C DeFilippi advised he was unable to activate the sliding blinds due to the cord becoming entangled.

3wd,prkd 2000,4th tn,folded up

HERE'S HERBIE - raced wide until reaching the parked position near the 2100m.

Prkd,into ld 2000,dictated,cut down

Wd,prkd,ld 2200,attckd,kicked,stoic

HERE'S HERBIE - raced wide early. When questioned regarding the improved performance co-trainer/driver C DeFilippi advised the gelding had been suited by being able to lead and dictate terms throughout.

Trld out,4-bk bell,sound effort inr