NZ Metropolitan Trotting Club Inc

Eased,rear inr,4-bk,off,tidy in mid

7th otr,3-bk,wd 1200,posted,outfin

BETA PREPARE - raced wide without cover from the 1200m.

7th otr,1x1,shfld,wd cvr rear,solid

BETA PREPARE - shifted up the track as the start was effected and broke briefly. Over-raced middle stages.

Quickly to ld,dictated,kicked,slick

8th,rear inr,off,wdst top,tidy late

6th inr,off,wd 1250,prkd,bttld well

5th,4-bk inr,prkd 1700,stuck gamely

Brk,prkd,brk,wd,prkd 1450,rough,fdd

BETA PREPARE - broke at the start losing ground. Broke again briefly near the 1550m and shifted out before being corrected by Driver S Abernethy. Paced roughly passing the 150m.

Ld out,trld 1600,thru,bttld solidly

BETA PREPARE - paced roughly near the winning post on the first occasion and then again entering the first turn. Paced roughly on a further occasion passing the 150m.

Brk,7th inr,off,wd rear,posted,wknd

BETA PREPARE - broke at the start losing ground. Raced wide from the 1300m.

Brk start,tackd on bell,did well

HACKSAW RIDGE - broke at the start losing ground. A warning was placed on the barrier record of the gelding. Lay in and stuck track markers near the 1300m. Driver J Morrison reported HACKSAW RIDGE had hung throughout.

Brk start,bk otr,batld rear

HACKSAW RIDGE - broke at the start losing ground. Over-raced middle stages. Lay in and proved difficult for driver B Barclay when weakening final bend.

8-9th,brk 2000,distanced after

HACKSAW RIDGE - hung inwards and broke near the 2100m checking a trailing runner losing all chance. A warning was placed on the racing record of the gelding.

10th,4-3bk otr,shuffled wd,pluggd

HACKSAW RIDGE - hung inwards for a distance through the middle stages. Hampered by a breaking runner near the 1200m.

Soon 3pegs,only batld innr

HACKSAW RIDGE - broke briefly at the start losing ground. Lay in final bend striking several track markers.

8th otr,wd 1600,prkd,cvr,no pick-up

LESTER - broke at the start losing ground. Held up early in the run home. Became awkwardly placed behind KISS THE GIRLS and contacted the sulky wheel when there was an easing of the pace near the 300m. Lay inwards near the 220m having to be straightened and then locked wheels with HACKSAW RIDGE momentarily near the 200m.

Brk,trld,off,ld 2300,set terms,cght

HACKSAW RIDGE - broke briefly at the start. Paced roughly in the early stages.

4-5-6pegs,weavd str,nice wn clear

Trail,3-4bk,thru mid,just ok

HACKSAW RIDGE - placed in restricted room near the 100m when an outside runner lay inwards.

6th inr,off,1x1,wd 300,chal,ld,game

Brk,tacked on,wd rear,prkd,outfin

ROUGH AND READY - broke briefly at the start.

6th otr,1x1 1700,wd 550,bttld away

ROUGH AND READY - swung inwards prior to the barriers being released hampering an inside runner. A warning was placed on the gelding's barrier manners.

Rear otr,3-bk,held up,useful in mid

ROUGH AND READY - Trainer A Donnelly was warned for presenting the gelding to race without the notified removable deafeners which were affixed prior to the start.

Rear inr,off,wd 550,4w,closed well

Brk,rear inr,off,wdst top,bold late

ROUGH AND READY - broke briefly at the start.

Tacked on,rear inr,prkd 1100,outfin

1x1,left prkd,ld 1450,hdd 250,stuck

ROUGH AND READY - shifted out near the 350m before being corrected by Driver K Coppins.

Rear inr,prkd 1100,wd,1x1,wd,strong

Brk,8th otr,3-bk,wd,ld 1450,too big

ROUGH AND READY - broke at the start losing ground.

1x1,to prkd 500,kept coming mid

IRON BRIGADE - over-raced middle stages.

9-8th,5bk otr,3wd,prkd 600,classy

4th inr,3-bk,off 350,purposeful fin

Eased,6th,prkd 1200,askd,game fght

3rd inr,off,ld,trld 1450,tried hard

10th otr,4-bk,wd 1000,prkd,powerful

IRON BRIGADE - paced roughly in the run home.

1x1,3-bk 900,4w 400,bttld away gap

Soon ld,dictated terms,gathered in

Prkd,ld,trld 1450,thru,chased hard

1x1,led 1900,flat turn,boxed on

ALWAYS DREAMING - broke at the start losing ground.

5th,innr 600,hld up,solid wn clear

ALWAYS DREAMING - pre-race warmed. Tangled away. Held up early stages of the run home.

Soon trail,3bk,ran on,no room late

ALWAYS DREAMING - pre-race warmed. Held up final bend and the majority of the run home only obtaining clear racing room inside the final 70m. Driver M Williamson advised he did not activate the removable deafeners in consequence.

Brk brfly,led,trail,3bk,off,tidy

ALWAYS DREAMING - broke briefly at the start losing ground.

3rd,led bell,eyeballd,fght gamely

ALWAYS DREAMING - pre-race warmed.

Out fast,1x1,led,joind,fght well

ALWAYS DREAMING - lay inwards over the concluding stages.

Out fast,soon led,cleared out str

ALWAYS DREAMING - driver M Williamson reported he did not activate the removable deafeners due to having the field covered.

Soon 3pegs,off 450,nice wd,brk gear

ALWAYS DREAMING - pre-race warmed. Broke inside the final 50m losing ground and failed to settle. Stewards lodged a protest against this runner's 3rd placing under Rule 870(5) alleging the gelding was in a break as it reached the finish line and lapped on by SEASIDE ROSE. After viewing the replays driver M Williamson did not contest the protest and ALWAYS DREAMING was relegated to 4th placing by Stewards. The breast plate broke rounding the final bend. The gear was inspected by Stewards and found to be in previously good condition.

Trail,3-4pegs,boxed on innr

3pegs,4pegs bell,nice clear late

DA VINCI - lay out for a distance passing the 1500m. Held up middle stages of the run home.

4th,into 1x1,angld,handy fin

5-6pegs,last,ran on ok innr

8th otr,5-bk,wd 450,wdr,bttld away

Brk,6th,wd rear tn,warmd up wd

DA VINCI - broke at the start losing ground. When questioned regarding the tactics adopted during the running, trainer/driver C Ferguson advised that the gelding is best driven for one run and is not suited to working during the running. Mr Ferguson further explained that he shifted outwards near the 700m in an attempt to secure a trail into the race. However, when this did not eventuate, he was left to improve wide from the rear of the field rounding the final bend. He added that he was not overly disappointed with the performance, considering the closing sectionals. Stewards noted Mr Ferguson's comments.

4-7bk otr,wdst rear tn,big zip wd

DA VINCI - had to be steadied near the 900m when there was an easing of the pace.

Soon prkd,duckd to trl 600,honest

BRUNTWOOD BRIGADE - over-raced middle stages. Raced in restricted room late in the run home.

Rear,6-bk inr,prkd 1400,ld 200,game

BRUNTWOOD BRIGADE - fractious prior to the start. A warning was placed on the barrier record of the gelding.

4th inr,off,into ld 1450,too gritty

8bk otr,3wd,prkd 1000,very staunch

Up,trld,off,ld,trld,thru,just there

BRUNTWOOD BRIGADE - raced inside a track marker racing into the first bend after being crowded by AMASS having to be restrained. Over-raced middle stages. Stewards questioned driver J Dunn regarding the tactics he adopted in the early stages. Mr Dunn advised that the horse had worked hard when attempting to hold the lead after the start and when being unable to do so felt his best option was to shift outwards rounding the first bend and obtain the lead from AMASS. Mr Dunn added he had then been challenged near the 1450m by SACETAS and was of the opinion that he would be better suited restraining his runner to receive cover rather than having to work hard again to maintain his position. After considering the matter, Stewards noted Mr Dunn's comments.

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.

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.

Brk start,bk otr,led 2000,sped hm

DREAMS ARE FREE - broke briefly at the start losing ground.

Slow,tackd on,last,nice fin wide

DREAMS ARE FREE - fractious prior to the start then tangled away losing ground. When questioned regarding the performance, driver N Williamson advised that after beginning slowly, he had worked hard to make up ground and given the fast closing sectionals was unable to improve further, adding he was not disappointed with the horse's effort.

Mid otr,1x1 1800,solid bid

Soon led,trail,solid chase

Brk brfly,5th,led 1400,fght ok

WAG STAR - broke at the start losing ground.

Pressd 2 lead,trail,3bk,tidy innr

Wd,pressd 2 lead,joind,dug in

Brk brfly,last,up 800,loomd,fght

WAG STAR - broke at the start losing ground.

4th,led,trail,dashd thru,naild line

WAG STAR - lay outwards near the 75m inconveniencing an outside runner before being straightened by driver C Ferguson.

Gt spd,led,kickd up bell,trail,ok

WAG STAR - held up early stages of the run home.

Soon parkd,1x1 bell,solid chase

WAG STAR - tangled away.

Last,followd 1x1,widr 600,batld

THE BIG LEBOWSKI - forced to race wide from the 700m.

Brk start,tackd on,batld rear

THE BIG LEBOWSKI - broke at the start losing considerable ground. Weakened final bend.

Last,3w,parkd bell,folded turn

THE BIG LEBOWSKI - weakened from the 700m. When questioned regarding the performance of a favoured runner driver B Barclay advised that having to work hard through the middle stages had taken its toll on the gelding. A post-race Veterinary examination revealed no abnormality.

Last,3w,led bell,in full control

5th,led bell,headd str,brave

THE BIG LEBOWSKI - inconvenienced near the 75m.

Deep pegs,angld mid,big fin

Slow,bk otr,fading by 600

THE BIG LEBOWSKI - over-raced middle stages. Weakened from the 700m. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no abnormalities.

Deep pegs,broke 1300,detached

THE BIG LEBOWSKI - placed in restricted room and raced over track markers when negotiating the crossing near the 1800m when an outside runner lay inwards. Broke when being steadied after there was a slight easing of the pace near the 1300m losing ground.

Eased,5-bk inr,off,nice effort mid

THE BIG LEBOWSKI - had difficulty obtaining clear racing room in the run home.

Soon 4th,4bk inr,no pick up at rear

AMERICAN ME - over-raced middle stages. Weakened leaving the final bend.

Soon led,trld 1300,thru,tried hard

8th inr,off,6-bk inr,prkd,cvr,solid

5th inr,1x1,3-bk,4w top,plggd away

3rd,3bk inr 600,held up,good mid

AMERICAN ME - tangled away.

Distant,tackd on otr 700,honest wd

Slow,dist 12th,5-6bk otr,bt slows

Bk otr,last,angld tn,batld

8th otr,wd cvr 1050,4w,ld 550,stoic

AMERICAN ME - raced wide with cover from near the 1100m before being forced four wide near the 650m.

5th inr,4-bk,off,wdst rear 600,game

5th,to 3bk otr 1000,felt pinch tn

SMOKE ON THE WATER - weakened final bend.

4th,to 1x1 600,off,1-paced mid

5th,deep pegs,off trn,ok chase

Rear otr,4-bk,wdst top,no final zip

SMOKE ON THE WATER - when questioned regarding the performance driver R Close advised the gelding had been unsuited by the tempo of the race after starting from a 40 metre handicap. Mr Close added that the horse had been unable to make up ground due to the fast closing sectionals of the race and considering this he was not disappointed with the effort.

Rear otr,5-bk,wdst tn,punishing fin

7th,4bk otr 1300,angld,swoopd,easy

7th,to 1x1 1200,off,swooped by

SMOKE ON THE WATER - hampered by a breaking runner near the 1100m. Driver R Close advised he did not activate the removable deafeners due to having the field covered.

8th,4bk otr,up,prkd,ld tn,fght,hdd

Eased,rear inr,6-bk,off,bttld away

6th,to 1x1 1300,off,strong bid wd

Trld gap,3-bk 1000,1x1 500,off,easy

IT'S TOUGH - hampered at the start. Driver J Dunn advised he did not activate the removable deafeners or sliding blinds due to having the field covered.

Trld,off,ld,trld,off,ld 1700,too gd

IT'S TOUGH - driver J Dunn advised he did not activate the sliding blinds due to having the field covered.

Trld,up,ld 1800,set terms,fght,hdd

IT'S TOUGH - driver R Harrison was issued a warning for looking around unduly during the running.

Wrkd to ld 1350,kickd tn,too tough

4th,up,ld 1450,tackld 250,fght best

7th otr,wd to ld 1800,never touched

1x1,3-bk 1350,wd 700,chall,thwarted

IT'S TOUGH - raced wide from the 700m.

Bad chk 2100,4-5bk inr,4bk otr,fair

HARRISON JOHN - raced wide early. A rein came adrift from the horse's bit near the 2200m resulting in the gelding shifting inwards checking IT'S TOUGH before shifting to the inside of the track and being captured by the Clerk of the Course. Co-trainers H & A Cullen admitted a breach of Rule 864(2)(d) in that they failed to ensure the rein was securely fastened so as not to come adrift and the Adjudicative Committee imposed a fine of $200.

Found trail,waited,tried hard inr

4th gap,off to ld 1000,hdd 125,fght

Broke badly start,detached

FRANCO SINATRA - broke at the start losing all chance. A warning was placed on the barrier record of the gelding.

Out fast,soon led,too big

FRANCO SINATRA - driver C Dalgety advised he did not activate the removable deafeners due to having the field covered.

Mid,led 2000,trail,nice chase

Soon ld,set terms,kickd,kept giving

FRANCO SINATRA - lay outwards early in the run home.

Trld-3bk inr,4-3bk,thru,honest mid

Bk otr,3w solo bell,parkd,fght on