NZ Metropolitan Trotting Club Inc

5th otr,1x1,wd 1150,prkd,cvr,no fin

Gate spd,trld 1750,thru,fght hard

VERDUCCI - driver J Young-Grant will be spoken to in the coming days regarding the manner in which she used her whip in the run home.

Gun run mrks,thru lane,lacked dash

3 & 4-bk mrks,held up,late thru mid

VERDUCCI - held up final bend. Driver J Young-Grant admitted a breach of Rule 869(2) and the Whip and Rein Regulations in that she used her whip with more than a wrist flicking motion in the run home. After viewing the replays and hearing submissions on penalty the Adjudicative Committee suspended Mrs Young-Grant's driver's licence from the conclusion of racing today up to and including 27 April 2025 (2 days).

Trld,3-bk 2100,thru,fght on solidly

Trld out,4-bk,3-bk 1400,off,fght on

VERDUCCI - broke early in the score up and was out of position at the start. A warning was placed on the barrier record of the gelding. Driver J Young-Grant was issued a warning for using her whip with more than a wrist flicking motion in the run home.

5th otr,1x1 1600,off,fght on nicely

Eased,5bk inr,angld wdr,honest

VERDUCCI - struck a track marker near the 1700m. Driver J Young-Grant was issued a warning. Held up early in the run home.

5bk otr,urgd/fading 700,heart prob

VERDUCCI - weakened final bend. When questioned regarding the performance driver J Young-Grant was unable to provide any explanation. A post-race veterinary examination revealed the gelding had suffered an atrial fibrillation. Stood down pending a veterinary clearance including the results of an ECG prior to completing one satisfactory trial before resuming.

Eased,rear otr,wd cvr 400,bold wdst

10th otr,3 & 4w cvr 850,fght nicely

EASY ART - when questioned regarding his tactics near the 500m when electing not to shift outwards and follow TUPPENCE into the race, trainer/driver R Holmes advised that the gelding had been hanging inwards and proving difficult to drive. Mr Holmes further explained that on previous occasions, the horse had failed to finish its races off when required to improve wide on the track. Stewards noted Mr Holmes' comments, including his intention to make gear changes prior to the horse's next start.

Eased,4bk otr,3wd cvr,bold bid wd

8th,4bk otr,weaved 400,sound mid

TUPPENCE - hampered by a weakening runner final bend.

Trld,3-bk 2100,held up,fght on inr

Eased,5bk inr 1300,4bk inr tn,tidy

TUPPENCE - hung outwards in the score up and was out of position at the start. A warning was placed on the barrier record of the mare. Held up leaving the final bend.

Eased,wd cvr rear 700,wdr,no pickup

TUPPENCE - over-raced middle stages.

5-4bk otr,wd rear tn,steady mid

5bk inr,6bk otr,3wd,4wd,steady

TUPPENCE - raced four wide from the 700m.

3bk inr,4bk 2000,held up,tight inr

TUPPENCE - had difficulty obtaining clear racing room in the run home. Briefly crowded by an outside runner near the 100m having to be steadied by driver G Thornley.

Made ld,trld 1550,thru,strong claim

1x1,3-bk bell,wd 800,ran on stoutly

FEAR GOGH - lay outwards late in the score up briefly crowding an outside runner. Over-raced middle stages.

1x1,held up 500--tn,sound in mid

3-bk mrks,held up,stout along inr

9th otr,4-bk,3-bk 800,held up,tidy

FEAR GOGH - held up early and middle stages of the run home.

9th otr,wd cvr,posted 3rd,outkicked

FEAR GOGH - raced wide from the 1000m.

Eased,rear otr,wd cvr 500,bttld on

4bk inr,off,angld wd 350,sound mid

FEAR GOGH - over-raced early stages. Hampered by a breaking runner rounding the final bend.

3bk otr,5bk 1000,3wd cvr,battld

FEAR GOGH - raced wide early.

3wd,4bk otr,driftd 800,pulld up

FEAR GOGH - raced wide early. Weakened from the 800m and was retired from the race. When questioned regarding the performance driver T Williams could offer no explanation. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no obvious abnormalities. Co-trainer P Robertson advised the filly had failed to handle the track conditions.

Prkd,brk,wd,prkd 1550,beaten by trn

EASY ART - jumped a mark on the track and broke after 150m losing ground. Over-raced middle stages. Weakened final bend.

Eased,rear,5-bk inr,off,beat slows

EASY ART - when questioned regarding his tactics near the 500m when electing not to shift outwards and follow TUPPENCE into the race, trainer/driver R Holmes advised that the gelding had been hanging inwards and proving difficult to drive. Mr Holmes further explained that on previous occasions, the horse had failed to finish its races off when required to improve wide on the track. Stewards noted Mr Holmes' comments, including his intention to make gear changes prior to the horse's next start.

Up,ld,trld 1650,held up,tidy inr

EASY ART - driver R Holmes was issued a warning for using his whip with more than a wrist flicking motion in the run home.

Made ld,dictated,hdd 550,bttld well

Across to trail,4-bk,off,blkd,sound

EASY ART - held up rounding the final bend.

Prkd,cvr,3-bk 1100,1x1 tn,fght,blkd

Wd,12th otr,5-bk,wd cvr 600,steady

EASY ART - raced wide early.

Brk start,tailed off,never a danger

SMOOTH SCOOB - broke briefly at the start. Lay inwards near the 1100m striking track markers. Weakened leaving the final bend.

5th otr,1x1 1100,wd 450,lacked dash

Chkd & brk early,tailed off,no hope

SMOOTH SCOOB - hampered and broke shortly after the start losing all chance.

Rough,5-bk mrks,off,bttld clsr mid

SMOOTH SCOOB - fractious prior to the start causing a delay. A warning was placed on the barrier record of the mare.

Slow,detachd,9th,5bk inr,battld

SMOOTH SCOOB - lay inwards in the early stages striking track markers losing ground. Driver R Anderson was issued a warning to start wider on the track when drawn unruly. Weakened early in the run home.

10th,5bk inr 1900,off,imprvd mid

SMOOTH SCOOB - Raced without the removable deafeners after warming up unfavourably. Underwent a post-race veterinary examination after having blood present in the mouth area which revealed a small abrasion to the tongue. Driver R Anderson admitted a breach of Rule 868(3) in that he failed to drive the mare out to the end of the race when having a reasonable chance of finishing 4th. After viewing the replays and hearing submissions on penalty the Adjudicative Committee suspended Mr Anderson's driver's licence from the conclusion of racing today up to and including 26 January 2025 (3 days).

Soon 4bk otr,wd cvr tn,no pick-up

SMOOTH SCOOB - underwent a pre-race veterinary examination and was cleared to start.

Trld,off to ld 1550,swamped 75m out

BEAUTIFUL CRAZY - lay outwards early in the run home.

Thru,up,led 1300,askd tn,bested

BEAUTIFUL CRAZY - lay outwards near the 300m and again in the run home having to be straightened by driver S Tomlinson.

Ld,trld,3bk inr,off 1x1 tn,sound

BEAUTIFUL CRAZY - hampered by an easing of the pace near the 1000m.

Wd cvr bk of mid,prkd,shfld,wd,bold

BEAUTIFUL CRAZY - raced wide early and middle stages.

Up,led,trld 1300,flat tn,steady inr

Led,trld,3bk 1200,waitd,no kick

Trainer T Yesberg advised Stewards on 19 December BEAUTIFUL CRAZY has been treated for a blood disorder since last racing.

6th otr,3 & 4w 400,strong fin,close

9th otr,5-bk,3 & 4w 850,prkd,gritty

HEAVEN FORBID - raced wide from the 900m.

Thru prkd,4bk inr,off,wd cvr,stout

HEAVEN FORBID - hampered by a weakening runner final bend.

5bk inr,4bk otr,3bk tn,hung,steady

HEAVEN FORBID - over-raced middle stages. Lay inwards throughout the run home causing driver R Cameron difficulty.

Soon 5bk inr,off rear,smart,held up

HEAVEN FORBID - fractious prior to the start and required assistance from a Starting Attendant. Hung in the score up and was out of position at the start despite the efforts of driver R Cameron. Placed on the unruly for future mobile starts. Held up throughout the run home.

Eased,6bk inr,off tn,imprvd inr

HEAVEN FORBID - broke briefly in the score up and was out of position at the start. A warning was placed on the barrier record of the gelding.

Slow,5bk otr 1850,wd cvr tn,steady

TACKER - lay outwards near the 400m and briefly locked wheels with HEAVEN FORBID.