NZ Metropolitan Trotting Club Inc

4bk inr,buried inr tn,no pick-up

3 & 4-bk mrks,off top,punishing wd

NICKEL AND DIME - paced roughly early in the run home.

Prkd,1x1 1250,flat tn,no pick-up

NICKEL AND DIME - crowded by an outside runner after 150m. Weakened leaving the final bend.

4th,prkd,ld,trld 1100,thru,ld,slick

3-4bk inr,held up tn,good,tight

NICKEL AND DIME - held up throughout the run home.

Eased,wd rear 600,wdr top,no pickup

NICKEL AND DIME - raced wide from the 700m. Weakened in the run home.

7th otr,wd 1200,ld 1000,hdd top,fdd

Trainer M House was warned for both NICKEL AND DIME and SHEZABETTORGIRL being late on to the track.

Won early ld duel,dictated,clung on

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 otr,held up rear tn,good mid

COMMANDER JOE - held up early in the run home.

1x1,3bk otr 1200,off,imprvd mid

Wd,up prkd,cvr bell,chkd,off,ran on

COMMANDER JOE - raced wide early. Hampered by a breaking runner near the 1100m.

3bk otr,shuffld,3wd cvr,battled mid

COMMANDER JOE - over-raced middle stages.

4bk inr,off rear 600,got going wdst

Soon prkd,askd 350,felt pinch str

3-4bk inr,buried tn,tried hard inr

COMMANDER JOE - over-raced middle stages. Held up final bend.

Eased,5bk inr,off rear tn,imprvd wd

Prkd,no cvr,3bk inr 500,battld inr

COMMANDER JOE - over-raced middle stages.

Brk,10th inr,7-bk,failed to fire up

COMMANDER JOE - broke at the start losing ground. Hampered by a breaking runner rounding the final bend.

Blew the start badly,out of action

TO RI RUBY - broke at the start losing all chance. Placed on the unruly for future standing starts.

Brk start,10th otr,wd 400,no pickup

TO RI RUBY - broke at the start losing ground. A warning was placed on the barrier record of the mare.

1x1,prkd 2000,into ld 350,too tough

Brk,11th otr,4-bk,wdst top,no punch

TO RI RUBY - broke at the start losing ground.

Eased,6bk inr,off rear,very bold wd

TO RI RUBY - held up rounding the final bend.

Gun run mrks,thru lane,duly obliged

9th otr,wd bell,prkd,cvr,trld,tried

Eased,rear otr,held up top,bt slows

TO RI RUBY - raced wide early. Hampered by an easing of the pace near the 900m. Again hampered when EMMA SWAN shifted outwards rounding the final bend.

6th pegs,3-bk 1200,stout along mrks

3-4-5bk inr,well bk tn,battled mid

Led,trld 1200,on retreat from 400

CAUGHT THE EYE - over-raced middle stages. Weakened final bend hampering trailing runners. When questioned regarding the performance connections advised the filly may have choked down.

3bk otr the trip,to inr 200,pluggd

5-6bk otr,rear inr tn,held up,imprv

CAUGHT THE EYE - held up late in the run home.

Bk otr,last,drag up 400,nice wide

CAUGHT THE EYE - lay in under pressure throughout the run home.

3bk inr,held up tn,nvr found gaps

CAUGHT THE EYE - held up for the majority of the run home.

Trld,3bk inr 600,held up,sound late

CAUGHT THE EYE - hampered by a weakening runner final bend.

Soon prkd,1x1 800,off,dashd,just

6th,1x1 1400,off,just fair in mid

Found 1x1,3bk 700,held up,big wd

SONG SUNG BLUE - held up final bend and early in the run home.

8th,4bk otr,5bk inr,4bk otr,pluggd

Found 1x1,off tn,solid chase mid

1x1,prkd 1800-tn,kept giving mid

Trld,3bk inr 1500,tight,good,disq

SONG SUNG BLUE - held up early in the run home and raced inside and contacted track markers. Stewards lodged a protest against 4th placing being awarded under Rule 869(7B) alleging the gelding had gained an advantage by racing inside a track marker early in the run home. After viewing the replays and hearing evidence from Stewards and junior driver G Thornley (assisted by C Thornley), the Adjudicative Committee upheld the protest and SONG SUNG BLUE was disqualified. Miss Thornley admitted an associated charge in that she allowed her sulky wheel to move inside the marker line which gained an advantage. After considering submissions on penalty the Adjudicative Committee suspended Miss Thornley's driver's licence from the conclusion of racing on 1 February up to and including 8 February 2026 (3 days).

Bk otr,angld wide trn,brk late

SONG SUNG BLUE - attempted to jump a shadow on the track and broke late in the run home losing its chance. Driver G Thornley confirmed the gelding had tried to jump a shadow.

Trail,3-4pegs,off,ran on fairly mid

Trld-3bk inr,4bk 1000,held up,tidy

SONG SUNG BLUE - hampered by a weakening runner final bend.

Prkd-3bk otr,up 3wd tn,solid mid

Eased,4bk inr 1300,waitd,good,tight

WARRIOR CHIEF - held up late in the run home.

4-3bk otr,angld wd tn,sound wd

5bk otr,3wd cvr,postd 600,steady

WARRIOR CHIEF - raced wide from the 1100m.

Eased,6bk otr,rear inr tn,imprvd

9th,4bk otr,loomd tn,unleashd,just

WARRIOR CHIEF - when questioned regarding the improved performance trainer J Gameson advised that the gelding was unsuited to racing parked at its previous start and had appreciated the fast tempo of tonight's race over its preferred distance.

Thru,prkd 1650,1x1 700,felt pinch

Blew the start,out of commission

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

Brk,10th,5bk inr,solid inr,peakd

The start was delayed due to WILD WILLOW requiring farrier attention and WARRIOR CHIEF requiring a change of sulky.

Chkd,wd cvr rear 1000,wdr,no punch

WARRIOR CHIEF - out of position at the start. Driver S Hill was issued a $100 Minor Infringement Notice. Checked racing into the first bend losing ground. Raced wide from the 1000m.

4-6bk otr,3wd cvr 550,warmd up wd

4th,3bk inr 1400,off,shot thru,yes

NEXT LEVEL - when questioned regarding the improved performance connections advised the gelding had raced without luck at its last start which was its first start back from a spell. Connections added the horse had shown natural improvement from that race and had received an economical run tonight.

Rear,7-bk inr,off,passed stragglers

5th inr,4-bk 2100,bttld away,no gap

NEXT LEVEL - had difficulty obtaining clear racing room throughout the run home.

Slow,12th,7bk otr,imprvd out wd

Trld the trip,held up,off tn,fair

3wd,eased,8-7bk inr,held up,good

NEXT LEVEL - raced wide early before being checked near the 2100m. Continued to race wide until being restrained to the rear of the field near the 1400m. Hampered by a breaking runner near the 400m. Held up leaving the final bend.

3wd,lead bid,prkd,1x1 tn,fght well

3-4bk inr,held up tn,off,flew mid

DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER - lay inwards racing into the first bend striking track markers and paced roughly. Held up by a weakening runner final bend. Again held up middle stages of the run home.

3rd,up,led 1250,kicked,comfy

DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER - began awkwardly.

Wd,6-7-6bk otr,wd rear 400,wiltd

DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER - raced wide early. Had to be steadied near the 2100m when there was an easing of the pace. Hampered by a breaking runner rounding the final bend. Weakened early in the run home. Driver J Dunn accidentally dropped his whip near the 100m.

3wd,prkd-3bk otr,no gaps str,forgiv

DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER - raced wide early. Held up throughout the run home. Driver J Dunn advised he did not activate the removable deafeners or sliding blinds in consequence.

1x1,3-bk 1150,wd 800,posted,no more

DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER - co-trainers A & L Neal were issued a $50 Minor Infringement Notice for being late to notify driver T Mitchell. Raced wide without cover from the 800m. Weakened in the run home.

6th pegs,4-bk,off,rear,fght,no gaps

DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER - held up throughout the run home with Driver T Mitchell not activating the removable deafeners or sliding blinds as a result.

4th,prkd,cvr 1175,off,wore ldr down

Prkd,into ld 1300,tckld 150,run dwn

DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER - driver T Mitchell reported that the removable deafeners failed to activate despite his efforts due to the cord breaking. Mr Mitchell further advised that the mare had raced lethargically.

Soft trip mrks,thru lane,bttld well

DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER - lay in contacting track markers near the 900m and again near the 250m.

3wd,prkd,1x1 1300,2nd tn,toughest

TAKETHEPLUNGE - over-raced in the early stages when racing wide. Driver B Orange dropped both feet from the footrests early in the run home when activating gear.

9th,4bk otr,angld,smart wdst

TAKETHEPLUNGE - over-raced in the early stages when being restrained to the rear of the field.

Eased,6bk otr,3wd,prkd 700,fght,fdd

3wd,up,prkd 1200,tiring by 400

TAKETHEPLUNGE - raced wide until reaching the parked position near the 1250m. Weakened final bend. When questioned regarding the performance connections advised the gelding had been unsuited to racing parked on a strong tempo with the effort taking its toll.

Up,prkd,ld 1800,kickd tn,held best

TAKETHEPLUNGE - raced wide early.

Thru,3bk otr,4bk 700,off,useful

3bk otr,up,prkd 1150,askd,fght,fdd

5bk otr,up,prkd 800,ld tn,fght,cght

13th otr,wd cvr 600,failed to spark

TAKETHEPLUNGE - driver D Dolan reported the gelding had failed to handle the grass track today.

Up,prkd,ld 1350,kickd,held best

TAKETHEPLUNGE - raced wide early.

Thru,3bk inr,off tn,dashed up inr

LESTER - held up early in the run home.

8th otr,3-bk,4-bk,wd cvr 450,strong

Brk,4th,3bk otr 800,off tn,tidy mid

LESTER - broke at the start losing ground. Lay inwards throughout the run home.

7th inr,off,held up rear,stout late

LESTER - held up early in the run home.

Brk,9th inr,off,rear 400,blkd,solid

LESTER - broke at the start losing ground. Held up early in the run home. Became awkwardly placed behind KISS THE GIRLS and contacted the sulky wheel when there was an easing of the pace near the 300m. Lay inwards near the 220m having to be straightened and then locked wheels with HACKSAW RIDGE momentarily near the 200m.

7th inr,5-bk 2400,held up,sound mid

LESTER - held up middle stages of the run home.

7th,3bk otr,angld wd tn,short bid

1x1,3bk otr 1150,off,bold bid mid

3bk inr,held up 400,smart up inr

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

6th,1x1-3bk otr,up,prkd,ld,hdd 30

BRYCE'S MEDDLE - raced wide from the 800m.

Soon led,trld 1250,thru,honest inr

7th,3bk otr 1300,battld on inr

7th,4bk otr-inr,angld tn,solid mid

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

Wd,parkd,1x1,up trn,steady

6th inr,4-bk 2400,off,ran on nicely

DANCE TILL DAWN - raced in restricted room when MISTY BLUE lay inwards simultaneously to BRYCE'S MEDDLE shifting outwards near the 200m.

Brk,5th,prkd 1800-tn,weakened str

BRYCE'S MEDDLE - broke briefly at the start. When questioned regarding the performance driver J Dunn advised the gelding failed to handle the track conditions today.

Up,led,trld 1900,held up,good inr

Prkd,ld 2800,joind 500,fght,bested