NZ Metropolitan Trotting Club Inc

Eased,wd cvr rear 1400,beaten 600m

THE HIGHLANDER - raced wide with cover from the 1400m. Weakened from the 600m. When questioned regarding the performance driver B Orange advised that despite the gelding racing wide through the middle stages he was disappointed with the effort. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no abnormalities.

7th inr,4-bk 1250,off,held up,plggd

THE HIGHLANDER - held up early in the run home.

3rd inr,3-bk 1900,stout along mrks

Trld,3-bk 1700,held up badly,forget

THE HIGHLANDER - hampered by a weakening runner final bend.

Last,3w 1000,postd,fght well

FLYING FOR ME - over-raced early stages placing driver J Morrison in difficulty. Continued to over-race and was awkwardly positioned to the inside of BAUTISTA (B Williamson) near the 1250m when runners were racing loosely, resulting in driver B Orange (THE HIGHLANDER) electing to shift outwards to relieve the pressure to inside runners for safety reasons. Connections were advised FLYING FOR ME was stood down to trial to the satisfaction of Stewards on one occasion prior to resuming. Following the race driver B Williamson viewed replays and after hearing from Stewards elected not to proceed with a protest against 1st placing being awarded to FLYING FOR ME.

Eased,rear inr,made grnd along pegs

9th pegs,4-bk,off,fght on,never clr

THE HIGHLANDER - crowded by an outside runner near the 200m. Held up for clear racing room throughout the run home.

11th otr,wd cvr 1600,4w 450,fght on

7th pegs,5-bk 1300,off,never clear

Soon 5pegs,1 off run,warmd up late

Soon 3bk inr,held up,off,steady mid

5th otr,1x1,3-bk,wd top,lacked dash

Last,3w train,angld wd,fair fin

IMPRESSIVE SHARD - fractious prior to the start. Broke after a slight easing of the pace near the 1650m hampering trailing runners losing ground. Raced wide with cover from the 1050m and briefly raced wider on the track and paced roughly when an inside runner shifted outwards at this stage.

9th inr,off,wdst top,bt stragglers

IMPRESSIVE SHARD - paced roughly at various stages throughout. When questioned regarding the performance driver S Tomlinson advised the mare had been hanging during the running.

Wd cvr,prkd,cvr,3-bk,no final kick

IMPRESSIVE SHARD - raced wide early.

Gt spd,trail thrghout,no kick

Soon 1x1,boxed on in strgt

Slw,rear otr,bttld past beaten ones

Trainer B Mowbray advised Stewards on 3 December that IMPRESSIVE SHARD has had a hock treated since last racing.

Ld out,trld 1600,thru,too slippery

A false start was declared when IMPRESSIVE SHARD broke in the score up hampering a trailing runner. A warning was placed on the barrier record of the filly. Driver M Williamson elected to remain in his allocated barrier position for the restart.

6th otr,3-bk,held up,stout late mid

OFF THE EDGE - held up early and middle stages of the run home until improving into a run that was not fully established near the 100m. Driver C Wigg was issued a warning for anticipating a run. Ms Wigg advised she did not activate the sliding blinds due to being held up.

Trld,held up,off 500,3rd top,steady

OFF THE EDGE - lay inwards and struck a track marker rounding the final bend.

3-bk otr,wd cvr 450,4w,stout effort

OFF THE EDGE - out of position at the start. Driver A Edge was issued a warning.

Ld,attckd,trld 1500,held up,no dash

OFF THE EDGE - over-raced in the score up and became awkwardly positioned inside the gate having to be restrained. Attempted a marginal run to the inside of CHANGEFORTHEBETA near the 250m contacting that runner's sulky wheel and then struck the final track marker prior to the passing lane hampering DIDJASHOUTTHEBAR which had to be steadied and paced roughly for a distance. Driver A Edge was issued a warning for contacting a wheel and a $100 Minor Infringement Notice for contacting a track marker.

Found 1x1,urged,weakened 500

OFF THE EDGE - weakened from the 500m. When questioned regarding the performance driver J Cox advised he was disappointed with the effort and was unable to provide any explanation. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no abnormalities.

Trld,3-bk 1400,held up,angled,stout

OFF THE EDGE - held up early in the run home.

Prkd,4bk inr 1600,off,blkd,late mid

OFF THE EDGE - held up early in the run home.

Ld out,trld 1600,thru,bold bid mrks

OFF THE EDGE - struck and raced inside the final track marker prior to the passing lane. Driver A Edge was issued a warning.

1x1,prkd 1300,lead bid,ld tn,swampd

OFF THE EDGE - crowded after 150m by an outside runner having to be restrained. Stewards opened and adjourned an investigation into the manner in which Mr Edge drove from the 1000m when challenging for the lead for a distance.

Made ld,trld 2100,thru,stout effort

OFF THE EDGE - over-raced middle stages.

7th otr,4-bk 1300,off,held up,tidy

MIRACLE MEMPHIS - held up early in the run home.

Wd,up prkd 1700,fght well to line

Bk otr,alway at rear,batld

MIRACLE MEMPHIS - hampered by a breaking runner near the 350m.

Eased,rear inr,brk 375m,out of play

MIRACLE MEMPHIS - broke rounding the final bend losing all chance. Driver W House was spoken to regarding the manner he drove rounding the final bend.

Eased.wd rear bell,prkd,outfinished

Trld-3bk inr,waited,imprvd inr

Eased,4bk otr,stayd bk 500,battld

GIMMESOMELOVIN - weakened early in the run home.

Soon 5bk inr,buried tn,pluggd inr

4-3bk otr,flat rear tn,never lifted

7th otr,1x1 1300,off,ran on solidly

Soon 3pegs,up innr,solid

GIMMESOMELOVIN - held up early in the run home.

7th otr,3-bk,wd 400,no final punch

Eased,wd cvr rear,wdr top,no pickup

Wd,up prkd 1500,outfinished in str

GIMMESOMELOVIN - raced wide early.

Eased,rear,4-bk inr,beat stragglers

6th inr,3-bk bell,off,ran on in gap

CHEEKY RED - driver T Chmiel was issued a warning for using his whip with more than a wrist flicking motion early in the run home.

7bk otr,3wd 1400,postd,gone 600

CHEEKY RED - raced wide from the 1300m. Weakened from the 500m hampering a trailing runner. Driver T Chmiel was issued a warning for using his whip on a runner out of contention.

9th otr,4-bk bell,wd 600,wdst,solid

CHEEKY RED - out of position at the start despite the efforts of driver T Chmiel. A warning was placed on the barrier record of the gelding.

9th otr,wd cvr,4w 600,stout effort

Driver T Chmiel (CHEEKY RED) defended a breach of Rule 869(3)(b) in that he drove carelessly in the early stages by shifting ground inwards when insufficiently clear of CARRERA KAHU (S Tomlinson) which was checked and lost ground. After viewing the replays and hearing evidence from Mr Chmiel, Miss Tomlinson and Stewards, the Adjudicative Committee found the charged proved and suspended Mr Chmiel's driver's licence from the conclusion of racing on 6 May up to and including 10 May 2026 (2 days).

Eased,5-bk inr,held up,off,bt slows

CHEEKY RED - raced wide early. Hampered by a weakening runner near the 600m.

1x1,3-bk 900,wd 450,wdr,closed hard

Tardy,rear inr,5-bk,off,plggd away

CHEEKY RED - out of position at the start despite the efforts of driver T Chmiel. A warning was placed on the barrier record of the gelding. Mr Chmiel was issued a warning for using his whip with more than a wrist flicking motion in the run home.

Rear otr,9th top,plggd away in gap

CHEEKY RED - the required veterinary clearance was received. Cleared from the unruly for future standing starts.

Trppd wd mid,clsr bell,effort told

CHEEKY RED - raced wide throughout. Hung inwards on occasions through the running when attempting to progress forward. Weakened from the 500m. When questioned regarding the performance driver T Chmiel advised the gelding had hung throughout causing him difficulty. A post-race veterinary examination revealed lameness in the right front leg. Stood down pending a veterinary clearance prior to resuming,

Wd,1x1,prkd 1600,outkicked run home

Brk score-up,out of action after

ULTIMATE PERFECTION - broke in the score up losing all chance. A warning was placed on the barrier record of the gelding.

Blew the start,ouf of commission

ULTIMATE PERFECTION - broke at the start losing all chance. A warning was placed on the barrier record of the gelding.

Left prkd,cvr 1200,off,solid in gap

Bk otr,3w train,ok widest

Parkd,soon 1x1,honest chase

ULTIMATE PERFECTION - over-raced early stages.

Awkward,rear inr,off,wd cvr,sound

ULTIMATE PERFECTION - began awkwardly.

Last,3w train,widest,swept by late

ULTIMATE PERFECTION - raced wide with cover from the 900m. Cleared from the Unruly for future mobile starts.

Deep pegs,inside runs,batld

ULTIMATE PERFECTION - paced roughly final bend.

Eased,chkd,dist 6bk inr,battld inr

Soon broke,detached

A false start was declared when ULTIMATE PERFECTION broke in the score up checking a second line runner. A warning was placed on the barrier record of the gelding. Driver S Tomlinson elected to shift to the Unruly for the restart where the gelding will remain for future mobile starts.

Tardy,rear inr,never a serious hope

SHADES OF ROBYN - out of position at the start despite the efforts of driver K Butt. A warning was placed on the barrier record of the gelding.

Rough,rear inr,failed to quicken up

SHADES OF ROBYN - paced roughly shortly after the start. Continued to pace roughly at various stages throughout losing all chance. A warning was placed on the racing performance of the gelding.

Trld,3-bk,4-bk,3-bk,off,late in mid

4th,left prkd,cvr 900,rough,fdd out

SHADES OF ROBYN - out of position at the start despite the efforts of driver K Butt. A warning was placed on the barrier record of the gelding. Raced erratically from the 800m hampering trailing runners. A warning was also placed on the racing record of the gelding. Weakened from the 400m. When questioned regarding the performance driver K Butt advised the gelding had raced greenly throughout causing her difficulty. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no abnormalities.

11th otr,6-bk 1000,rough,wknd out

SHADES OF ROBYN - over-raced middle stages. Paced roughly for a distance passing the 800m. Weakened in the run home.

Eased,rear otr,failed to work close

SHADES OF ROBYN - out of position at the start despite the efforts of driver K Butt. A warning was placed on the barrier record of the gelding. Weakened leaving the final bend. Miss Butt reported the gelding failed to handle the track conditions.

Blew the start,out of commission

SHADES OF ROBYN - broke at the start losing all chance. A warning was placed on the barrier record of the gelding.

Wd,3bk otr,1x1 1500,wd 350,did best

SHADES OF ROBYN - raced wide early. When asked to comment on the improved performance trainer T Cross advised the gelding failed to handle the wet track at its last start after recovering well from a previous respiratory infection and added that today's race had been run to suit after receiving an economical run throughout.

9th otr,4-bk 1800,couldn't stick on

SHADES OF ROBYN - weakened in the run home.

Prkd,pshd to ld,trld 1300,gone 700m

SHADES OF ROBYN - weakened from the 700m. When questioned regarding the performance driver R Holmes advised he was disappointed and could offer no explanation. A post-race veterinary examination revealed the gelding to be showing signs of a respiratory condition. Stood down pending a veterinary examination including an endoscopic procedure prior to resuming.

Gt spd,led,trail,3bk,boxd on

Ld,trld,3-bk 1400,off,ran on in gap

Lost ld dig,trld 2100,thru,bttld on

Last,3w,parkd,folded up

WAVEWATCHER - fractious prior to the start. Hampered by a slight easing of the pace near the 1650m.

Followd 1x1,flat turn,batld away

Followd 1x1,out trn,only fair

Gt spd,soon trail,cartd out 500

WAVEWATCHER - held up and hampered by a weakening runner near the 600m. Again held up throughout the run home. Driver K Tomlinson reported she did not activate the removable deafeners in consequence.

7th pegs,shffld,rear,bt stragglers

10th inr,5-bk bell,whacked away gap

10th inr,4-bk bell,off,no final zip

DOCTOR TIM - weakened late in the run home.

6th otr,1x1 1650,off,ran on stoutly

Chkd & brk start,contained in rear

DOCTOR TIM - hampered by a breaking runner shortly after the start and was slow to begin losing all chance.

Eased,rear otr,wd cvr 400,stout fin

Eased,wd rear,prkd 1100,ld,cut down

Eased,wd rear 1600,posted,folded up

DOCTOR TIM - raced wide early before being restrained to the rear. Raced wide without cover for a distance middle stages. Weakened approaching the final turn.

4th inr,4-bk 1600,off,no final kick

DOCTOR TIM - contacted a track marker entering the first bend after being placed in restricted room to the inside of HA'PENNY (E Johnson), which had also been momentarily crowded when racing to the inside of STEALERS WHEEL (P Ferguson) and FREDASTAIRE (S Abernethy). After reviewing all available footage, Stewards were unable to attribute responsibility for DOCTOR TIM and HA'PENNY being placed in restricted room to any one horse or driver, and accordingly took the matter no further. Over-raced briefly through the middle stages. Shifted outwards near the 1250m, momentarily forcing BLUE CHIP LOU (H Orange) to race wider on the track. Stewards investigated a possible breach of the Push Out Rule and after viewing all available films established that driver M Hay had commenced his outward movement prior to BLUE CHIP LOU reaching his sulky wheel, and accordingly no further action was taken. Weakened leaving the final turn.

Brk,8th inr,4bk,blkd,tidy late(rel)

DOCTOR TIM - broke at the start losing ground. Held up early in the run home. Stewards lodged a protest against 4th 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 and driver O Thornley, the Adjudicative Committee upheld the protest and DOCTOR TIM was relegated to 5th placing. Miss Thornley admitted an associated charge in that she allowed her runner to improve inside a track marker in the run home thereby gaining an advantage. After hearing submissions on penalty, the Adjudicative Committee suspended Miss Thornley's driver's licence from the conclusion of racing on 29 March up to and including 4 April 2026 (3 days).

Chkd,12th otr,6-bk,wd cvr top,plggd

5th otr,1x1 1350,3-bk1x1,wd,no bite

LOUIS - had to be steadied racing into the first bend when crowded for racing room.

8th otr,4-bk bell,off,blkd,bttld on

LOUIS - held up throughout the run home. Driver R Cameron advised he did not activate the removable deafeners in consequence. Stewards questioned Mr Cameron regarding his decision not to improve into the three wide line prior to being covered by outside runners near the 500m. Mr Cameron advised that LOUIS is best driven when saved for one run and that the gelding had been under pressure for a short distance just prior to runners improving outside him. Mr Cameron further advised he believed the favoured LOGAN ROCK which he was following would improve into the race giving him the opportunity to shift into clear racing room in the run home however LOGAN ROCK had not improved as well as expected resulting in him being held up. After considering his explanation and viewing the replays, Stewards were satisfied his explanation was not unreasonable in the circumstances and took the matter no further.

Wd cvr,up prkd 1400,couldn't stick

LOUIS - raced wide early.

7th otr,4-bk bell,wd cvr rear,stout

Nice trip otr,off,ran home solidly

Wd,eased,wd cvr rear 1000,postd,fdd

LOUIS - raced wide from the 1000m.

Eased,6-bk mrks,off,no final punch

Brk,buried mrks,failed to emerge

LOUIS - broke shortly after the start checking a trailing runner losing ground. A warning was placed on the barrier record of the gelding. Weakened in the run home.

Blew the score-up,never a factor

HARRY BELAFONTE - broke in the score up losing all chance. Placed on the unruly for future mobile starts.

Brk at dispatch,tailed off,no hope

HARRY BELAFONTE - broke at the start losing all chance. A warning was placed on the barrier record of the gelding.

5bk inr,buried inr tn,battld away

HARRY BELAFONTE - held up final bend.

Wd,prkd,cvr,3-bk,wd top,closed well

Brk start,rear mrks,beat stragglers

HARRY BELAFONTE - broke at the start hampering a trailing runner losing ground. A warning was placed on the barrier record of the gelding. Over-raced final bend.

8th otr,3-bk 2200,wdst top,fght on

HARRY BELAFONTE - when questioned regarding the performance driver T Williams could offer no explanation and was disappointed with the effort. Stewards will follow up with connections in the coming days.

5-4bk otr,3wd cvr 650,off,smart mid

Prkd,into ld 2100,dictated,run down

11th otr,6-bk,wd cvr 700,wdst,bold