NZ Metropolitan Trotting Club Inc

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

RENALDO - over-raced middle stages. Held up early in the run home.

Trld,3-bk 1650,off,closed boldly wd

1x1-4bk otr,5th tn,handy mid

Eased,4bk otr,3wd cvr 500,useful wd

Thru,tight,1x1,up,prkd,too classy

RENALDO - crowded and checked when an outside runner shifted inwards racing into the first bend with driver R May being badly unbalanced and unseated in the sulky for some distance. Mr May advised he sustained a punctured sulky tyre in this incident.

Eased,5-6bk otr,wd rear tn,handy

Soon left parkd,fght on well

1x1-5bk otr,3wd 700,chkd wd 250

RENALDO - paced roughly in the early stages. Checked by a breaking runner rounding the final bend.

Green,detachd,rear inr,faded bk

RENALDO - paced roughly in the score up and was out of position at the start. Weakened from the 600m. Driver K Butt advised the gelding had felt indifferent in its action. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no apparent abnormalities. Connections advised they will be making adjustments to the shadow roll for the second day.

Up,prkd,1x1 800,tried hard mid

Soon 3bk inr,urgd,off tn,useful wd

Eased,rear,4bk inr,held up,off,tidy

MIKI B - raced wide early. Held up early in the run home.

3bk otr,1x1,3-4bk otr,angld,flew wd

Connections advised Stewards on 29 March that MIKI B has had its hocks treated since last racing.

Trld the trip,waited,steady inr

Eased,5th,1x1 900,off,kept coming

4-5-4bk otr,off,chased hard wd out

1x1,up,prkd,ld 900,kickd away,easy

8th otr,4-bk bell,wd 550,wdr,stout

Found ld,dictated terms,gunned dwn

ROY KENT - paced roughly near the 300m when becoming awkwardly placed to the sulky of BETTORS ANVIL after Driver T Herlihy activated the removable deafeners.

Wd,pressed to ld 1100,tckld,staunch

BETTORS ANVIL - raced wide early. Raced greenly and shifted outwards near the 1050m having to be straightened by Driver T Williams hampering trailing runners. Again raced greenly and shifted outwards in the run home despite the efforts of the driver.

Pshd thru to ld,3-bk 1200,stout fin

Wd,3-bk otr,wd 400,4w top,stout fin

BETTORS ANVIL - lay inwards in the run home.

6th,prkd,1x1 1100,off,solid mid

DEMON BLUE - briefly locked wheels with BETTORS ANVIL racing into the first bend. Had to be steadied after becoming awkwardly placed to the inside of BETTORS ANVIL near the 1300m.

Gate spd,prkd 1400,fght,bestd 100

3-4bk inr,waited,handy thru inr-mid

Bk otr,3w train,wide,ran on late

ARTFUL BROMAC - raced three wide with cover from the 800m.

Soon 5pegs,weaved,ran on,no rm late

ARTFUL BROMAC - held up over the concluding stages.

Eased,5bk otr,wd rear,useful wdst

Prkd,1x1,3wd,prkd 700,kept giving

Eased,4bk otr,3wd 650,no extra

ARTFUL BROMAC - forced to race wide from the 800m.

Eased,4bk inr,3bk tn,steady inr

Follwd 1x1,slight chk str,nice late

ARTFUL BROMAC - hampered by a breaking runner near the 200m.

To pegs,6bk inr,waitd,sound,tight

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

4th,up,ld 1800,set terms,comfy

Gate spd,ld 1700,kickd,quite comfy

Ld,trld 1800,thru,chased hard inr

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.

Soon trld,thru,led 150,just cght

DEADLINE - hampered by an easing of the pace near the 1400m.

Gate spd,trld-3bk inr,held up,ok

DEADLINE - held up leaving the final bend.

Gate spd,ld,trld 1250,askd,sound

DEADLINE - lay inwards and struck a track marker near the 1100m.

3bk otr,up,prkd 800,fght bravely

Lost ld dig,left prkd,flat 300,wknd

GOT THE CHOCOLATES - pre-race warmed. Commenced to weaken near the 300m placing an inside runner in restricted room. When questioned regarding the performance, Driver J Dunn advised that after unsuccessfully contesting the early lead and being forced to race outside the leader for the remainder of the event, the effort had taken its toll over the concluding stages.

Prkd,3-bk inr,prkd bell,ld top,game

GOT THE CHOCOLATES - pre-race warmed.

1x1,3-bk 1230,wd 600,sustained bid

GOT THE CHOCOLATES - raced wide from the 600m.

7th otr,wd 1450,ld 1200,gunned down

Gun run mrks,thru lane,strong claim

9th,3wd,prkd 1100,askd,fght,fdd

GOT THE CHOCOLATES - paced roughly as the start was effected losing ground.

Soon trld,waited,thru,smartest

3wd,easd,6bk otr,detachd tn,battld

AMERICAN BLAZE - raced wide early. Over-raced rounding the first bend.

Eased,wd rear bell,prkd,outfinished

3-4bk otr,3wd cvr,off,imprvd mid-wd

Fired to ld,dictated,held on gamely

Soon prkd,no cvr,fght hard in str

Wd,prkd 1750,3wd 650,up,fght well

AMERICAN BLAZE - raced wide from the 600m.

Wd cvr,1x1 1400,3-bk,3 & 4w tn,bold

AMERICAN BLAZE - raced wide early.

Gt spd,parkd,led 400,v brave

4bk otr,3bk 800,off,useful bid wd

AMERICAN BLAZE - hampered by a breaking runner near the 850m.

5th,5bk inr 800,3bk tn,lockd wheels

MANDALA - shifted inwards marginally early in the run home and locked sulky wheels with AMERICAN BLAZE with both sulkies remaining locked until after the finish line. Following the race, driver W House (AMERICAN BLAZE) placed 5th, lodged a protest against 4th placing being awarded to MANDALA (T Williams) alleging interference in the run home. After viewing replays and hearing evidence from Stewards and both drivers the Adjudicative Committee upheld the protest and relegated MANDALA to 5th placing with AMERICAN BLAZE promoted to 4th placing. After considering the matter Stewards elected to take no action against Mr Williams due to the minimal inwards movement of his horse.

4bk otr,sent 3wd 400,steady bid wd

STRIKEM - over-raced middle stages.

Gate spd,ld,joind 700,hdd,fght,hdd

STRIKEM - lay outwards throughout the run home.

8th otr,5-bk 1200,6w top,plggd away

STRIKEM - when questioned regarding the performance driver S Ottley advised that after starting from a wide draw the gelding had difficulty making ground from the rear of the field due to the strong tempo of the race throughout.

Prkd,up,ld 1550,kickd,too smart

5-4th,4bk inr,angld wd,kept coming

STRIKEM - hampered by an easing of the pace near the 1400m. Over-raced middle stages.

Eased,7bk inr,5bk otr,warmd up wd

STRIKEM - over-raced middle stages.

3wd,5th,up,prkd 650,ld tn,hdd 80

Prkd,ld 1500,kickd,fght,cght 80

Trld-3bk inr,keen,waitd,fair inr

FIVE CROWNS - when questioned regarding the performance driver B Butt advised the gelding had over-raced with the effort taking its toll.

Gt spd,led,strong tempo,powerful

FIVE CROWNS - paced roughly rounding the first bend.

Easd,4bk otr,wd rear,held up,gd inr

FIVE CROWNS - over-raced middle stages. Hung inwards final bend when attempting to shift wider on the track and paced roughly.

Last,3w,led 1000,kept trucking

FIVE CROWNS - lay inwards early stages of the run home having to be straightened by driver B Orange.

1x1,up,ld,trld,ld 1100,kickd,easy

COMMANDER JOE - Stewards investigated a perceived breach of the Push Out Rule near the 1600m after COMMANDER JOE briefly raced wider on the track when FIVE CROWNS shifted ground outwards. After speaking to driver M Williamson (COMMANDER JOE) and viewing the replays it was established driver B Orange (FIVE CROWNS) had commenced his outward movement prior to COMMANDER JOE reaching his sulky wheel and no further action was deemed necessary.

Trld,off,up,ld 1200,hdd tn,fght hrd

FIVE CROWNS - paced roughly rounding the first bend. Lay inwards and struck a track marker rounding the final bend.

6th,1x1 1300,off tn,unleashd mid

FIVE CROWNS - driver B Orange advised he did not activate the removable deafeners due to having the field covered.

Eased,5bk inr,3wd,bk inr,imprvd inr

Gate spd,prkd,urgd 350,tired inr

FIVE CROWNS - paced roughly passing the 1600m when being restrained in an attempt to obtain cover. Driver S Thornley was issued a warning for the manner in which he drove when placing an inside runner in restricted room and over a track marker near the 1600m before being corrected. Over-raced middle stages. Weakened final bend.

Prkd,into ld 1650,dictated,run down

Gate spd,trld,askd 3rd tn,tired 150

SACETAS - when questioned regarding the performance driver R May advised the gelding had travelled well but had failed to respond when placed under pressure inside the final 400m and had proved disappointing.

Wd,up prkd 1250,fght on tenaciously

SACETAS - raced wide early.

Gate spd,led,hassled,far too classy

SACETAS - trainer T Bagrie was warned for the late notification that the gelding would be racing with a pacifier.

3rd,3bk inr,4bk 1000,off,honest inr

Gate spd,ld,held ld,fght,grittiest

3bk otr,held up tn,honest mid

SACETAS - slow to leave the pre-race formation and attempted to buck early in the score up. A warning was placed on the barrier record of the gelding. Held up final bend.

1x1,3bk otr 800,off,short bid mid

Soon,1x1,3pegs,nice when clear

FLASHPOINT - lay inwards on the first bend.

Gt spd,led,trail,nice bid lane

3-4-5pegs,last,3w cvr,ran on,peakd

FLASHPOINT - hampered by a breaking runner near the 700m.

Gt spd,trail,awkward trn,best innr

Gt spd,soon brk,parkd,loomd,brave

FLASHPOINT - paced roughly before breaking rounding the first bend hampering trailing runners and losing some ground. A warning was placed on the racing record of the gelding. Underwent a post-race veterinary examination after returning to the birdcage with blood present on the near front leg and received treatment for a slight laceration above the hoof.

Gate spd,ld,trld 1500,fght hard inr

1x1,1x2 bell,3w cvr,wider,fair

MALAKAI - raced three wide with cover from the 800m.

Gt spd,led,joind,kickd hard

3bk otr,sent 3wd 500,kept coming

MALAKAI - lay inwards and paced roughly near the 1100m.

Trld,off,ld,trld 1900,off,led,held

MALAKAI - the boring pole was removed prior to the start due to warming up unfavourably.

6bk otr,up,prkd 1100,fght,bestd 100

6bk otr,3wd,postd 700,weakened

MALAKAI - hampered by a breaking runner near the 1500m. Raced wide from the 1000m.

Gate spd,ld,joind 800,hdd 700,gone

MALAKAI - lay outwards when being restrained near the 900m and then weakened from the 650m hampering trailing runners. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no abnormalities.

Burnd to ld 1500,set terms,too good

Won early ld duel,dictated,ran away

Wd,eased,rear inr,off,wd 450,denied

MARKETPLACE - when questioned regarding his tactics Driver C Ferguson advised that after having gone forward early he had been left without cover after GOT THE CHOCOLATES shifted to the marker line rounding the first turn so elected to restrain to the rear after the early effort. Mr Ferguson further stated that he then felt that his best option was to remain at the rear as he considered that the lead, which was being held by BETTORS ANVIL, would not have been available and that racing without cover on a wet track may have been to his detriment. He then added that he had followed THE JOLLY ROGER when that runner commenced to improve without cover from the 1200m before then shifting three wide to improve from the 500m but MARKETPLACE had felt rocky when not handling the final turn as well as he would have liked and believed that the gelding may still have won but for this. After considering the matter Mr Ferguson's comments were duly noted.

Wd,made ld,trld 1200,thru,clinical

MARKETPLACE - raced wide early.

7th otr,wd cvr rear 400,belated wdr

Soon led,set terms,not tested str

Sizzled,ld 1600,trld 1000,did best

The start was delayed due to MARKETPLACE requiring a change of sulky after sustaining a punctured sulky tyre in the preliminary.