NZ Metropolitan Trotting Club Inc

Ld out,trld 1300,thru lane,powerful

SOONER THE BETTOR - driver H Orange dropped his whip near the 700m when activating gear. Commenced to over-race for a distance from the 600m when MERLIN shied and shifted up the track causing Mr Orange considerable difficulty. Lay inwards striking track markers rounding the final bend.

Brk,wd,prkd,ld 1550,dictated,gritty

SOONER THE BETTOR - broke at the start losing ground.

Ld out,dictated,held on tenaciously

SOONER THE BETTOR - Driver H Orange was warned for allowing his runner to shift inwards rounding the final turn contacting track markers. Shifted out on straightening for the run home but was immediately corrected. Shifted in marginally approaching the 50m locking wheels briefly with an inside runner.

Ld out,trld 1450,strong fin on mrks

WE WALK BY FAITH - begun awkwardly. Held up near the 150m and shifted outwards placing JOLIMONT in restricted room which had to be steadied and with CHASE A DREAM also being hampered. Hampered near 50m when an inside runner lay outwards and held up thereafter. Driver M White wished to view the films in relation to a possible protest being lodged against the 2nd placed (SOONER THE BETTOR) on the grounds of interference in the run home. After viewing the films Mr White declined the opportunity to protest and placings were duly authorised. Driver M White admitted a charge under Rule 869(3)(b) alleging he drove carelessly near the 150m when shifting ground outwards. After viewing the replays and hearing submissions on penalty the Adjudicative Committee suspended Mr White's driver's licence from the conclusion of racing on 10 May up to and including 23 May 2025 (4 days).

Lost long ld dig,prkd,ld tn,run dwn

SOONER THE BETTOR - pre-race warmed. Over-raced middle stages. Shifted ground marginally under pressure near the 150m placing MERLIN and MO'UNGA in restricted room momentarily.

Ld out,trld 1200,thru,whacked away

SOONER THE BETTOR - pre-race warmed.

4-bk mrks,off,3-bk otr,off,plggd on

3-4th,up,ld 1850,joind tn,fght,hdd

Soon ld,set terms,kickd,held well

ALTA METEOR - driver T Williams reported he became unbalanced in the sulky after his foot briefly slipped from the footrest passing the 100m.

7th,3bk otr,wd cvr tn,kept coming

ALTA METEOR - connections advised on 22 August the gelding has been treated for a respiratory infection since last racing.

1x1,prkd 2600,no cvr,felt pinch tn

ALTA METEOR - underwent a pre-race veterinary examination and was cleared to start. Weakened rounding the final bend.

Ld,trld,3bk 1250,off 250,solid mid

Prkd,ruff,ld,trld,thru,smart inr

ALTA METEOR - paced roughly rounding the first bend hampering a trailing runner.

Thru,trld,3bk inr 1300,held up,good

ALTA METEOR - held up early in the run home.

4-5th,1x1 1000,off,tried hard wd

VESSEM - broke briefly at the start losing ground.

Soon trld,sweet trip,went on by 100

VESSEM - junior driver O Thornley, who declined assistance from a senior driver, defended a breach of Rule 869(2) and the Whip and Rein Regulations alleging she used her whip in a continuous manner in the early stages. After viewing the replays and hearing evidence from Stewards and Miss Thornley the charge was found proved and the Adjudicative Committee suspended Miss Thornley's driver's licence from the conclusion of racing on 14 May up to and including 1 June 2025 (6 days) and imposed a fine of $200.

3bk otr,up,prkd 1200,flat tn,brave

VESSEM - hung inwards passing the 100m having to be corrected by driver J Cox.

3wd,prkd 1300,4th,off,kept giving

VESSEM - raced wide early and middle stages.

Brk,3rd,3bk inr,up tn,honest mid

VESSEM - broke briefly at the start.

4bk otr,3wd,prkd 1200,too brave

VESSEM - over-raced middle stages.

1x1,prkd-3bk otr,angld,sound wd

VESSEM - raced wide early.

6th inr,6-bk,prkd 850,stuck gamely

8th,4bk otr,angld wd,handy mid

AMERICAN ME - hampered by a breaking runner shortly after the start.

2nd,trld,askd 350,no extra inr

Up,trld 2400,waitd,went close inr

Up,ld 2300,set terms,fght,hdd 100

Prkd,1x1,wd,ld 1700,held on bravely

Eased,wd cvr rear 750,postd,kept on

AMERICAN ME - over-raced early when being restrained to the rear. Continued to over-race middle stages. Raced wide from the 700m. When questioned regarding his tactics Junior Driver H Orange, assisted by S Phelan, advised he had elected to go back early from a wide draw given he expected SEACLUSION to go forward to lead. Mr Orange further advised he had attempted to improve passing the 1400m but was unable do so because MANTRA BLUE improved forward off him with KEVIN KLINE then shifting out to lead up the running line but not progressing forward as he expected. He also added the gelding hadn't handled the bends well but was nevertheless pleased with the effort given how the race was run.

Quickly thru to ld,set terms,too gd

9-10th,3bk otr,off,strong bid wd

Soon 3pegs,just ok up innr

5th otr,1x1,prkd,cvr 1050,off,stout

4th,4-bk inr 2150,3-bk tn,off,stout

Wd,up prkd,3-bk 1200,flat 600,stppd

DON'T STOP DREAMING - raced wide early. Commenced to weaken near the 800m. When questioned regarding the performance Driver C Ferguson advised that working hard early had taken its toll. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no abnormalities.

11th otr,6-bk,imp mid 300,off,smart

Rear otr,swept to ld 1300,reeled in

SOONER THE BETTOR - driver H Orange dropped his whip near the 700m when activating gear. Commenced to over-race for a distance from the 600m when MERLIN shied and shifted up the track causing Mr Orange considerable difficulty. Lay inwards striking track markers rounding the final bend.

6th otr,1x1 1550,wd 350,bold effort

MERLIN - Co-Trainer B Purdon advised Stewards that it was connections' intention to drive the entire for one run given he was first up after a lengthy spell and the 20m handicap. This information was passed on to the Commentator for public dissemination. When questioned regarding the performance Driver Z Butcher stated that although he had received a good run when trailing on the outer, he had been further back off the leader when the tempo increased than he would have liked after COLD CHISEL hadn't taken him forward as he had hoped. Mr Butcher added that he was satisfied with the manner in which MERLIN had finished the event off given the circumstances.

Eased,rear,3-bk inr,off,blkd,fin on

SOONER THE BETTOR - pre-race warmed. Over-raced middle stages. Shifted ground marginally under pressure near the 150m placing MERLIN and MO'UNGA in restricted room momentarily.

Wd cvr,prkd,cvr 1200,3rd,stout mrks

MERLIN - raced wide early and middle stages before crossing to the parked position near the 1400m.

8th otr,wd cvr 400,wdr top,bold fin

MERLIN - pre-race warmed. Driver Z Butcher was questioned in relation to an incident near the 1100m where KANGO was able to shift away from the marker line. Mr Butcher stated that Driver D Butcher (KANGO) had been clear to commence the shift with MERLIN then improving to be outside that runner's wheel before he was able to steady the entire back down into the running line. Mr Butcher also advised that the off side shortener pin had released prematurely prior to him activating the remaining shortener pin near the 1000m.

Brk,7th inr,1x1 850,off,closed hard

WAG STAR - broke at the start losing ground. Shifted inwards having to be straightened near the 150m. Driver C Ferguson admitted a breach of Rule 869(2) and the Whip and Rein Regulations in that he used his 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 Mr Ferguson's driver's licence from the conclusion of racing on 10 October up to and including 16 October 2025 (3 days).

Brk,6bk inr,5bk otr,sound thru mid

WAG STAR - tangled away.

Brk brfly,bk otr,angld trn,nice wrk

WAG STAR - broke briefly at the start.

7-8bk otr,wdst rear tn,cheeky wdst

1x1-5bk otr,3-4wd 400,dashd wd

WAG STAR - raced wide from the 500m.

6bk otr,5-4bk inr,angld,big dash wd

6th,led 1700,fght on strongly

WAG STAR - hampered by a breaking runner shortly after the start and broke in consequence.

Last,deep pegs,off,angld,nice fin

WAG STAR - held up final bend.

Brk,rear inr,off,3-bk otr,no pickup

FRANCO MAREK - broke at the start losing ground. When questioned regarding the performance driver J Morrison advised the gelding failed to handle the track conditions.

5th,1x1-4bk otr,3-4wd tn,smart wd

Up,ld 2400,set terms,fght,just cght

Steppd,trld 2300,thru,ld 100,nabbd

8th early,3-bk otr,wd cvr,4w,no fin

FRANCO MAREK - weakened early in the run home. When questioned regarding the performance driver J Morrison advised he was disappointed with the effort and was unable to provide any explanation. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no abnormalities.

Trld-3bk inr,up,ld 1750,held best

FRANCO MAREK - tangled away.

Gate spd,ld,trld,thru,steady inr

3-4-5bk inr,3bk otr,angld,honest

MO'UNGA - when questioned regarding the performance trainer R Todd advised he was not disappointed given the quick sectionals of the race.

5th,5bk inr 1850,held up tn,fair

MO'UNGA - held up final bend. When questioned regarding the performance driver R Close advised the race had not been run to suit and he was not overly disappointed given the closing sectionals.

3bk otr,7th,3-4bk otr,wd,flew,just

Slow,9th,5bk otr,inr tn,held up,gd

MO'UNGA - hampered by a breaking runner at the start. When questioned regarding the performance driver B Butt advised he was satisfied with the effort given the manner in which the race unfolded with a fast closing last sectional. Mr Butt further advised the gelding had lost momentum when held up briefly leaving the final bend after electing to shift back to the inside to save ground.

6th otr,1x1,3-bk 1050,wd 350,stout

3-bk mrks to trn,thru 200,strng bid

Beaut trip otr,off,fght tight qtrs

SOONER THE BETTOR - pre-race warmed. Over-raced middle stages. Shifted ground marginally under pressure near the 150m placing MERLIN and MO'UNGA in restricted room momentarily.

Eased,9th inr,4-bk,off,sound,no gap

MO'UNGA - held up late in the run home.

3-bk mrks,held up,chkd 120m,rallied

CHASE A DREAM - locked wheels for several strides with MO'UNGA near the 120m.

Made ld,trld 2700,thru,did best inr

RAKERO ROCKET - over-raced middle stages.

9th,5bk otr,wd rear tn,useful wd

4bk inr,3bk tn,few gaps,tidy mid

RAKERO ROCKET - shifted outwards rounding the first bend briefly locking wheels with PINSEEKER. Had some difficulty obtaining clear racing room in the run home.

Prkd,3bk inr 1900,4-bk,off,late dig

RAKERO ROCKET - held up early stages of the run home.

Sped to ld,trld 2150,off,bttld well

Gun run mrks,held up,bold late inr

JOLIMONT - lay inwards contacting a track marker rounding the final bend resulting in the trailing RAKERO ROCKET also contacting a track marker. Weakened leaving the final bend.

1x1,shffd 5-bk,wdst rear tn,bt slws

Wd,pshd to ld 1200,run dwn 100m out

Brk,up,ld,trld 1600,off,honest mid

RENEGADE - broke at the start and then again shortly after losing ground.

Up,ld,trld 1850,thru,strong up inr

Out fast,led,joind,fght solidly

RENEGADE - lay inwards and struck a track marker near the 1500m.

8th,3-5bk otr,wdst rear tn,slick wd

RENEGADE - broke shortly after the start losing ground. Authorisation of 4th placing was withheld until Stewards were satisfied the gelding had complied with the Breaking Horses Regulation in the early stages.

5bk otr,angld inr-otr tn,steady wd

10th inr,off,4-bk otr,5w tn,fght on

The start was delayed due to RENEGADE requiring farrier attention.

14th,wd cvr,prkd,lost ld dig,outfin

12th otr,wd cvr 1800,ld 1250,too gd

6th,sent fwd,ld 1600,kickd,held thm

REPUBLICAN PARTY - pre-race warmed. Tangled away. Driver C Dalgety advised he did not activate the removable deafeners due to having the field covered.

8th,prkd 2100-tn,gritty bid,peakd

REPUBLICAN PARTY - pre-race warmed.

4th,prkd,into ld 1450,too many guns

REPUBLICAN PARTY - pre-race warmed.

Crossed,off to ld 2150,held bravely

REPUBLICAN PARTY - Driver C Dalgety advised that a corner of the dust sheet detached during the running.

7th otr,5-bk,wdst top,closed boldly

REPUBLICAN PARTY - pre-race warmed. Lay inwards and raced roughly having to be steadied near the 450m.

Wd,prkd,cvr,4-bk 1200,7th 400,bttld

REPUBLICAN PARTY - pre-race warmed.

Wd,up prkd 1800,outfinished 150 out

REPUBLICAN PARTY - pre-race warmed. Raced wide early. When questioned Driver C Dalgety advised that the early effort when wide and then being left without cover outside the leader when the front was not available had taken its toll

Eased,wd cvr rear top,closed boldly

REPUBLICAN PARTY - lay in near the 1300m. Lay in again rounding the final turn.

Trld,3-bk 2700,off,held up,stout wd

Trld-4bk inr,waitd,steady up inr

Soon 1x1,out trn,nice chase

4th,prkd-3bk otr,keen,tight,imprvd

DALTON SHARD - co-trainers R & J Dunn were issued a $100 Minor Infringement Notice for presenting DALTON SHARD and WHO'S DELIGHT with the incorrect saddlecloth numbers.

Prkd,5th,prkd,1x1 900,off,solid

Brk,10th,6bk otr,cheeky from bk

DALTON SHARD - broke at the start before being hampered by a breaking runner losing ground.

Gate spd,prkd,3bk 700,angld,sound

DALTON SHARD - raced wide early.

1x1,3bk otr 600,held up,honest

7th,4bk otr,to inr tn,handy inr

Brk,1x1 2200,off tn,unleashed best

WE WALK BY FAITH - broke at the start losing ground. Authorisation of 1st placing was withheld until Stewards were satisfied the gelding had complied with the Breaking Horses Regulation in the early stages.

6th,3wd,prkd,1x1 600,off,solid

WE WALK BY FAITH - over-raced for a distance passing the 1000m when driver B Orange attempted to restrain to obtain cover.

Trld,3-bk 1450,blkd,off,bold in mid

WE WALK BY FAITH - begun awkwardly. Held up near the 150m and shifted outwards placing JOLIMONT in restricted room which had to be steadied and with CHASE A DREAM also being hampered. Hampered near 50m when an inside runner lay outwards and held up thereafter. Driver M White wished to view the films in relation to a possible protest being lodged against the 2nd placed (SOONER THE BETTOR) on the grounds of interference in the run home. After viewing the films Mr White declined the opportunity to protest and placings were duly authorised. Driver M White admitted a charge under Rule 869(3)(b) alleging he drove carelessly near the 150m when shifting ground outwards. After viewing the replays and hearing submissions on penalty the Adjudicative Committee suspended Mr White's driver's licence from the conclusion of racing on 10 May up to and including 23 May 2025 (4 days).

Eased,prkd rear,3-bk 1600,4w,stout

6th otr,4-bk,sent 5w top,potent fin

Rear otr,3 & 4w 550,6w top,tidy fin

Eased,rear otr,wd 11th tn,tidy late

WE WALK BY FAITH - held up early final turn.