NZ Metropolitan Trotting Club Inc

3wd,prkd,1x1,up,ld 700,too strong

SACETAS - raced wide early. Over-raced for a distance passing the 1000m. Driver J Dunn advised he did not activate the removable deafeners due to having the field covered.

4th inr,4-bk 1350,plggd away in gap

3bk otr,4bk 1250,off rear,steady

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.

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.

6th,prkd,1x1,chkd/brk 1100,done

BRUNTWOOD BRIGADE - checked and broke near the 1100m losing all chance.

4th,prkd,ld 2000,fght tn,held on

BRUNTWOOD BRIGADE - raced wide early. Hampered racing into the first bend when runners ahead locked wheels.

Brk,rear inr,off,wd,prkd,stuck well

BRUNTWOOD BRIGADE - broke at 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.

Wd,pressed on,lost ld dig,ld tn,big

BRUNTWOOD BRIGADE - raced wide early. Driver R Harrison advised she did not activate the removable deafeners due to having the field covered.

6th otr,wd,prkd,ld 900,kicked clear

Prkd,1x1 1400,off,green,got there

BRUNTWOOD BRIGADE - lay inwards on several occasions in the run home despite the efforts of driver J Dunn.

Nice trip otr,under pressure 500m

BRUNTWOOD BRIGADE - unable to hold the back of CAPTAIN SAMPSON near the 900m which enabled TYSON to shift down to fill the position. Weakened from the 500m.

Eased,rear otr,8th gap top,bt slows

BRUNTWOOD BRIGADE - weakened in the run home.

4th,prkd,cvr bell,chkd 400,bttld on

BRUNTWOOD BRIGADE - locked wheels with an inside runner passing the 400m losing ground.

Brk 2500,detachd,10th,5bk inr,wiltd

LONNEKERS - broke in the early stages losing considerable ground. Lay inwards when weakening leaving the final bend.

3bk inr,to 1x1 1900,up tn,unleashd

LONNEKERS - pre-race warmed.

4-5bk otr,3wd cvr 800,flew wdst

Last,3w,parkd bell,fght well

5th,5-bk inr,1x1 1600,wd 550,too gd

5th otr,left prkd 2100,ld top,tough

Trld,3-bk 950,thru,ran on,brk 250m

LONNEKERS - broke near the 300m when attempting to utilise the passing lane losing all chance. A warning was placed on the racing record of the gelding.

Soon trld,waitd,thru,smart inr

Wd,prkd,cvr 1600,3-bk,wd top,strong

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.

Cght 3wd,prkd 800,1x1,fading 500

WARRIOR CHIEF - raced wide early and middle stages. Hung inwards for a distance passing the 1100m. Weakened final bend hampering a trailing runner. A post-race veterinary examination revealed a slow recovery. Stewards will follow up with connections in the coming days.

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.

4bk otr,5bk 1000,wd trn,smart wd

TAKETHEPLUNGE - over-raced middle stages.

7th,to prkd 1050,felt pinch str

SLOTS - pre-race warmed. Weakened leaving the final bend. When questioned regarding the performance driver A Butt advised the gelding had been unsuited to the strong tempo when racing in the parked position.

Gate spd,ld 1700,kickd,run down 100

SLOTS - pre-race warmed.

Brk start,tackd on,always rear

SLOTS - broke at the start losing considerable ground. A warning was placed on the barrier record of the gelding.

Soon 1x1,peeld 500,no go

Brk start,deep pegs,always rear

SLOTS - stood on the mark as the start was effected then broke shortly after losing considerable ground.

Brk badly start,pulled up after

SLOTS - broke at the start hampering trailing runners losing all chance and was retired from the race. A warning was placed on the barrier record of the gelding.

Slow,thru,ld 1400,kickd,nabbd

SLOTS - broke at the start losing ground.

Gate spd,ld,trld 1550,thru,comfy

SLOTS - driver T Williams advised he did not activate the removable deafeners due to having the field covered.

3bk inr,4bk 1200,1x1 500,good,missd

Bk otr,angld widest,ran on ok

AMASS - broke at the start losing ground.

Last,always at rear,batld away

AMASS - tangled away.

Broke start,tackd on,batld rear

AMASS - hampered by a breaking runner at the start and broke in consequence losing considerable ground.

3wd,up,prkd 1000,led 300,easy

AMASS - raced wide early.

Gate spd,led,trld 1100,thru,strong

Brk,7-6-5bk inr,off,battld mid

AMASS - broke after 100m losing ground.

3wd,prkd,ld 1200,hdd 400,held up,ok

AMASS - raced wide early. Had difficulty obtaining clear racing room in the run home.

Trld-3bk inr,waited,chased gamely

4-6bk inr,5-4bk otr,askd,imprvd wd

AMASS - out of position at the candy pole and start. Driver P Vercruysse was issued a warning.

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

AMASS - broke after 100m losing ground. A warning was placed on the barrier record of the gelding.

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.

Ld out,trld 2100,off,ld 1500,cut bk

DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER - lay out throughout the run home.