NZ Metropolitan Trotting Club Inc

1x1,4bk otr,3wd,prkd 600,held best

Trld-3bk inr,4bk,held up,big inr

FRANCO ANKARA - held up until late in the run home. Driver K Butt advised she did not activate the removable deafeners in consequence.

3wd cvr,up,led 1200,joind,fght,just

FRANCO ANKARA - co-trainers C & C Dalgety were issued a warning for presenting the gelding to race without the notified blinds. Raced wide early.

Brk handy & wd early,rear,no pickup

FRANCO ANKARA - broke near the 1600m losing ground. Driver C Dalgety advised the gelding had struck a knee causing it to break.

5th otr,3-bk,wd top,closed stoutly

4th,prkd 1600,urged tn,faded out

FRANCO ANKARA - lay inwards near the 900m and had to be straightened. Again lay inwards rounding the final bend when weakening placing an inside runner in restricted room.

3rd,prkd,ld 1200,hdd tn,felt pinch

FRANCO ANKARA - lay inwards having to be steadied rounding the first bend.

4-5bk otr,3wd cvr 600,4wd,sound wd

CLASSIE LINC - placed in restricted room and was checked passing the 150m when being shifted wider by CRUSHER LOU. After questioning drivers S Tomlinson (CLASSIE LINC), S Thornley (CRUSHER LOU) and T Williams (SPICEY LOU) and viewing replays it was established that CRUSHER LOU had attempted to shift CLASSIE LINC wider with sufficient advantage however both horses had been slow to react, with the quickly improving SPICEY LOU simultaneously laying inwards placing pressure to the outside of CLASSIE LINC. When considering these circumstances Stewards were unable to apportion blame to any one horse or driver and subsequently took the matter no further.

3pegs,only clear late,nice chase

SPICEY LOU - held up early stages of the run home.

Bk otr,3w,parkd 800,game bid

Thru,prkd,1x1 1200,off,swoopd 150

SPICEY LOU - paced roughly in the early stages.

Brk,7th,chkd,3-bk otr,wd,prkd,tough

SPICEY LOU - broke at the start hampering a trailing runner losing ground.

Gate spd,ld,trld 950,thru,led,just

BRILLIANT CHASE - struck and raced inside track markers near the 150m. Authorisation of 1st placing was withheld until Stewards were satisfied the gelding had not gained an advantage when racing inside track markers in the run home. Driver S Hill was issued a warning.

4th,up,led 1850,big ld tn,easy

BRILLIANT CHASE - crowded by an outside runner in the early stages. Driver B Butt advised he did not activate the removable deafeners due to having the field covered.

Trld the trip,held up,imprvd up inr

Eased,3bk otr 1500,last tn,no closr

BRILLIANT CHASE - weakened early in the run home. When questioned regarding the performance trainer/driver B Butt advised he was disappointed with the effort and will have blood tests taken from the gelding in the coming days. Stewards will follow up the results.

4bk otr,3wd,prkd,1x1,flat,fght well

Up,prkd,led 1300,kickd,too classy

Eased,4-bk otr,wd 650,fght on well

ASHLEY FRANK - raced wide from the 700m.

3wd,up,led 1200,kickd tn,held best

ASHLEY FRANK - out of position at the start despite the efforts of driver J Cox. A warning was placed on the barrier record of the colt. Raced wide early. Lay outwards in the run home.

1x1,prkd,ld 1800,joind,fght,held on

PERESTRELO - over-raced and was awkwardly placed to the back of ASHLEY FRANK near the 1600m. Weakened leaving the final bend hampering a trailing runner. When questioned regarding the performance driver C Dalgety advised the filly had over-raced through the middle stages with the effort taking its toll.

9th otr,4-bk,wd cvr 750,5th tn,bold

Prkd,into ld 1350,dictaed,bolted in

3bk otr-6bk 800,3wd cvr,solid wd

4bk otr,hookd wdr tn,steady wd

Cght wd,eased,rear otr,passed slows

FREEZE FRAME - raced wide early.

Wd cvr 8th,up prkd bell,outfinished

FREEZE FRAME - raced wide early and middle stages.

7th otr,3-bk bell,off top,stout fin

Prkd,into ld 1750,hdd top,no extra

Left prkd thru'out,struggling by tn

FREEZE FRAME - weakened over the concluding stages. When questioned regarding the performance Driver C Dalgety advised he was disappointed with the effort. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no abnormality. Stewards will follow up with connections in the coming days.

Soon 5bk otr,3wd 550,bold bid wd

Strght to ld,set terms,quite comfy

Up,prkd,doggd,led tn,too gritty

KOTARE RIMU - driver S Thornley admitted a breach of Rule 869(2) and the Whip and Rein Regulations in that he used his whip in a continuous manner in the run home. After viewing the replays and hearing submissions on penalty, the Adjudicative Committee imposed a fine of $300.

Soon trld,waitd,shot thru 150,held

1x1-5bk otr 800,3wd cvr,sound mid

4-5bk inr,off rear tn,tight,steady

KOTARE RIMU - held up early in the run home.

Prkd,ld 950,trld 800,too good (rel)

KOTARE RIMU - Stewards lodged a protest against 1st placing being awarded under Rule 869(7B) alleging the gelding had gained an advantage by racing inside the final track marker prior to the passing lane. After viewing the replays and hearing evidence from Stewards, driver S Hill and trainer R Houghton, the Adjudicative Committee upheld the protest and KOTARE RIMU was relegated to 2nd placing. Junior driver S Hill (assisted by A Butt) admitted an associated charge in that he allowed his runner to improve inside a track marker thereby gaining an advantage. After hearing submissions on penalty, the Adjudicative Committee suspended Mr Hill's driver's licence from the conclusion of racing on 17 May up to and including 29 May 2026 (3 days).

Wd,up prkd 1600,ouitkicked run home

KOTARE RIMU - over-raced when racing in the parked position through the middle stages.

Soon 3bk otr,3wd cvr 350,off,ok mid

Wd,4bk otr,3wd,prkd 800,too brave

EUN SOGNO - raced wide early.

Up,wd,prkd 1500-tn,led,nabbd 30

EUN SOGNO - driver K Butt was issued a warning for crowding an inside runner near the 1450m which struck several track markers.

9th otr,3-bk bell,unable to quicken

EUN SOGNO - required assistance from a starting attendant in the pre-race formation. A warning was placed on the barrier record of the gelding.

4th inr,4-bk,prkd,cvr 1100,off,fght

4th inr,4-bk,3-bk 1300,dropped away

EUN SOGNO - back from position at the start. Driver A Butt was issued a warning. Lay inwards under pressure rounding the final bend. Mr Butt advised the gelding had failed to handle the bends.

Soon 1x1,3w,led 1400,too big