NZ Metropolitan Trotting Club Inc

Prkd,3-4bk inr,off 500,faded back

LAST HONOURS - weakened final bend. When questioned regarding the performance driver J Dunn advised he was disappointed with the effort and was unable to provide any explanation.

Trld-3bk inr,held up,angld,tidy mid

LAST HONOURS - held up early in the run home.

Up,led 1600,joind tn,swampd 150

LAST HONOURS - weakened in the run home. When questioned regarding the performance driver J Dunn advised the gelding had been making abnormal breathing noises during the running. A post-race veterinary examination revealed a slow recovery.

Brk start,wd,made ld,trld 1600,bold

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

Slow,7th,3bk otr,off,chased gamely

LAST HONOURS - broke at the start losing ground.

Gate spd,ld,trld 1300,thru,fght inr

BELLA CIAO - over-raced middle stages. Driver R May advised the mare raced with only one hind shoe after losing one in the preliminary.

Brk,10th,6bk otr,wd,cheeky mid

BELLA CIAO - broke at the start losing ground. Hung inwards rounding the final bend having to be steadied.

Wd,up prkd,into trail 450,game mrks

Trld-3bk inr,held up tn-150,handy

BELLA CIAO - held up early in the run home.

3bk inr,4bk 1200,held up tn,handy

BELLA CIAO - held up rounding the final bend and early stages of the run home.

5th,to 1x1 1400,off tn,sound mid

4th,3bk inr,off tn,imprvd in mid

Wd,up prkd,into trail 500,fght hard

BELLA CIAO - hung inwards leaving the final bend and struck a track marker.

4th inr,3-bk 1600,4-bk,off,stout wd

BELLA CIAO - held up early in the run home.

Trld,3-bk 1600,off 300,bold in mid

Slow,11th,up,prkd 1500,fght,wiltd

SIDESTEPPER - driver J Dunn advised he did not activate the hopple shorteners due to the colt pacing roughly on occasions and he would be recommending adjustments be made to the hopple length for future starts.

5th inr,5-bk 1700,held up,sound gap

TAUMUTU MAJOR - held up early in the run home. Struck the final track marker prior to the passing lane. Driver S O'Reilly was issued a warning.

Eased,4bk otr,1x1 1000,battld inr

Wd,made ld,green/ran off 1200,p/up

TAUMUTU MAJOR - ran off the track when leading near the 1250m despite the efforts of driver S Thornley losing all chance and was retired from the race. Stood down to trial to the satisfaction of Stewards on two occasions prior to resuming.

Gt spd,led,soon trail,solid chase

Trld-4bk inr,held up,off,good wdst

POSEIDON - over-raced middle stages.

Thru,trld,3bk inr,off 350,big chase

POSEIDON - over-raced middle stages.

Trld the trip,off tn,chased,almost

POSEIDON - Stewards questioned driver G Smith regarding his decision not to utilise all available means to urge the gelding over the concluding stages, in particular his decision not to apply the whip. Mr Smith explained that, in his opinion, the gelding was giving its best effort while being driven with the reins and that, based on previous experience, it had resented being urged with the whip. He further stated that, given the vigour with which he was driving the gelding with the reins and his belief that it was already performing to its maximum, the use of the whip would not have improved its finishing effort. After considering Mr Smith's explanation together with their own observations, Stewards were satisfied that he had driven the gelding out in a competitive manner throughout the home straight. Mr Smith was further questioned regarding the necessity of carrying a whip if it was not intended to be used, noting that drivers are expected to utilise all available means, where appropriate, to obtain the best possible finishing position. Following discussion, it was agreed that a gear change would be implemented so that there would no longer be a whip carried in future starts. In addition, the gelding will race with the addition of removable deafeners.

5th,prkd,1x1 900,off,useful mid

POSEIDON - over-raced middle stages.

Brk,6th,3bk otr,held up 500,steady

POSEIDON - broke at the start losing ground.

Prkd,into ld 2050,dictated,hdd,wknd

POSEIDON - when questioned regarding the performance trainer/driver G Smith advised he was disappointed with the effort and would be having blood tests taken from the gelding in the coming days. Stewards will follow up the results.

8th otr,4-bk,wd cvr,prkd,prkd,solid

POSEIDON - trainer G Smith was issued a warning for being late to notify the gelding would be racing with blinds.

6-5th,1x1 1200,up 3wd,solid bid wd

LILACS LOCARNO - hampered by a breaking runner rounding the first bend. Lay outwards in the run home.

Trld-3bk inr,5bk 1200,imprvd at bk

LILACS LOCARNO - out of position at the start and paced roughly shortly after the start. Paced roughly middle stages.

Eased,5bk inr,4bk otr,honest wdst

LILACS LOCARNO - paced roughly after 150m.

11th pegs,5-bk 1200,couldn't run on

Trld-3bk inr 1300,held up,fair inr

ROSA SHARD - held up final bend. Lay outwards and paced roughly in the run home. When questioned regarding the performance driver O Thornley advised the filly had raced greenly and expected her to derive considerable benefit from the race.

1x1,3-bk,rough,failed to quicken up

A false start was declared due to COURAGE MACHETE breaking late in the score up checking a trailing runner. A warning was placed on the barrier record of the gelding. Driver S Thornley elected to remain in his allocated barrier position for the restart.