NZ Metropolitan Trotting Club Inc

4th,5bk inr,to prkd 700,kept giving

7th,to 1x1 1500,angld,handy wd

WILD WILLOW - out of position at the start despite the efforts of driver J Cox. A warning was placed on the barrier record of the gelding.

Gate spd,ld 2400,no peace,fght,hdd

WILD WILLOW - driver J Cox was issued a warning for using his whip with more than a wrist flicking motion in the run home.

8th,3bk otr 1150,angld,strong wd

6th inr,7-bk,off,3-bk otr,no pickup

Eased,5bk inr,held up tn,imprvd inr

Dist 12th,6bk inr 1000,battld inr

The start was delayed due to WILD WILLOW requiring farrier attention and WARRIOR CHIEF requiring a change of sulky.

Slow,7th,up,ld,trld 1200,faded tn

RENEGADE - broke at the start losing ground. Struck track markers rounding the final bend when weakening hampering a trailing runner. Driver B Butt was issued a warning. When questioned regarding the performance Mr Butt advised that despite having to work hard through the middle stages to improve his position he was disappointed with the effort. A post-race veterinary examination revealed a slow recovery. Stewards will follow up with connections in the coming days.

3rd,up,led 1850-tn,fght,held on

RENEGADE - hampered by a breaking runner in the early stages. Raced with the hopple shorteners not activated throughout. Stewards questioned Junior Driver S Hill regarding the non-activation of this item of gear. Mr Hill advised that he had inadvertently failed to activate the hopple shorteners during the running. Stewards issued Mr Hill with a warning after taking into account his explanation. In determining this course of action, Stewards were mindful that RENEGADE was the winner of the event and that the failure to activate the hopple shorteners did not materially disadvantage the gelding.

Brk,1x1 2400-tn,off tn,dashd,cght

RENEGADE - broke at the start losing ground. Authorisation of 2nd placing was withheld until Stewards were satisfied the gelding had complied with the Breaking Horses Regulation in the early stages.

6th otr,1x1 1200,off,ran on stoutly

Cght prkd,no cvr,felt pinch from tn

RENEGADE - raced wide early. Weakened leaving the final bend.

8th,4-3-4bk otr,last tn,no fight

RENEGADE - broke briefly at the start before being checked by an outside runner with driver B Butt being unbalanced in the sulky. Stewards investigated a possible breach of the Push Out Rule near the 1500m when RENEGADE briefly raced wider on the track. After viewing the replays it was established that the field had been racing loosely and DON'T STOP DREAMING (S Ottley) had shifted outwards prior to RENEGADE reaching its sulky wheel and no further action was required. Weakened early in the run home.

Brk,7-6-7-8bk otr,wdst rear tn,good

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

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

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

3rd,up,ld,3bk,prkd,trld,best inr

BETTORS ANVIL - raced greenly when leading on occasions through the middle stages.

Gate spd,ld 1450,trld 800,thru,ok

Connections advised Stewards on 29 July that BETTORS ANVIL has been treated for a blood disorder since last racing.

Soon trld,waitd tn,tried hard inr

4bk inr,held up 700,off,imprvd mid

Trld-3bk inr,urgd tn,honest up inr

3bk inr,4bk 1200,waitd,sound inr

5th,3bk otr-1x1,off,strong mid

BETTORS ANVIL - driver T Williams advised a sulky tyre deflated late in the run home which was confirmed to be after racing over a shoe on the track.

Bk otr,3w,led bell,strong wrk

DREAMS ARE FREE - tangled away. Lay out rounding the final bend.

5th,off 3-4wd tn,got going in mid

Slow,6bk otr,3wd,postd,gone by tn

DREAMS ARE FREE - broke at the start losing ground. Raced wide from the 1100m.

Trail,led,trail,held up trn,rallied

DREAMS ARE FREE - tangled away. Shifted ground outwards in the early and latter stages of the home straight. Driver N Williamson was issued with a warning for failing to maintain a straight course in the run home.

4th,led bell,easy in straight

DREAMS ARE FREE - tangled away. Driver N Williamson reported he did not activate the removable deafeners due to having the field covered.

Soon led,trail,nice bid,nabd line

Up,led,trld-3bk inr,gone by 600

DREAMS ARE FREE - weakened from the 700m hampering a trailing runner. A post-race veterinary examination revealed a high heart rate and slow recovery. Stewards will follow up with the connections in the coming days.

3-4-3bk otr,off tn,1-paced in mid

4bk otr,3wd cvr 700,4th tn,tidy

DREAMS ARE FREE - hampered by a breaking runner near the 1150m.

7th,3wd cvr,ld 1200,kickd,swampd 80

MO'UNGA - hampered by a breaking runner at the start.

6th,wdst rear tn,warmed up wdst

MO'UNGA - when questioned regarding the performance driver R Close advised he was satisfied with the gelding's effort given the 50 metre handicap and the fast closing sectionals.

9th,4-3bk otr,angld wd tn,unleashd

Eased,rear otr,3-bk,wd top,tidy fin

3rd,3bk inr 1100,held up tn,no gaps

MO'UNGA - over-raced middle stages. Paced roughly leaving the final bend. Had difficulty obtaining clear racing room throughout the run home. Driver R Close advised he did not activate the removable deafeners in consequence.

Soon trld,3bk 1300,off 450,steady

Wd,into 1x1,wd 500,lacked final zip

Gate spd,ld-4bk inr,waitd,ok inr

Sped to ld,trld 2400,off top,strong

Ld out,trld 1850,thru,ld,stung late

THE LAZARUS EFFECT - trainer B Butt was issued a warning for the late notification of driver.

Wd,prkd,into ld bell,kickd 400,held

Ld out,trld 1900,thru,too many guns

WE WALK BY FAITH - had difficulty obtaining clear racing room over the concluding stages. Authorisation of placings was withheld until Driver M White had the opportunity to review the replays to ascertain if there was sufficient grounds for a protest against the 1st placing of THE LAZARUS EFFECT. After reviewing the replays Mr White elected not to proceed with the matter and all placings were authorised.

Gun run mrks,off top,cut ldr down

Gate spd,ld 1750,fght hard,nabbd

THE LAZARUS EFFECT - driver B Butt was issued a warning for using his whip with more than a wrist flicking motion in the run home.