NZ Metropolitan Trotting Club Inc

Prkd,ld 1450,trld 650,tried hard

CONAN - lay inwards final bend striking track markers.

Slw,wd rear 1450,prkd 900,faded out

CONAN - raced wide through the middle stages. Gave ground from the 400m finishing a distance from the field. When questioned regarding the performance, driver S O'Reilly advised that, in her opinion, the gelding had not appreciated having to work hard through the middle stages of the race after being required to improve its position and that exertion during the middle section of the event had taken its toll. A post-race veterinary examination revealed a slow recovery.

Eased,5bk inr,rear tn,battld inr

CONAN - hung inwards and struck a track marker near the 1050m which was dislodged.

8th,4bk otr,3wd 600,wdst tn,sound

11th otr,5-bk,wd cvr 700,no pick-up

CONAN - hung inwards final bend and throughout the run home.

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.

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.

1x1,shfld,wd cvr,prkd,ld,clr,cut bk

Brk,tacked on,chkd 9th,wd cvr,solid

POSEIDON - broke at the start losing ground. Hampered near the 850m.

Slw,9th or,wd,prkd bell,ld top,cght

POSEIDON - slow to begin. Lay outwards near the 150m having to be corrected by driver G Smith.

Eased,4bk inr,chkd 800,3bk,sound

ROSARIO - paced roughly in the score up and was out of position at the start. A warning was placed on the barrier record of the gelding. Hampered by a breaking runner near the 850m.

Wd,prkd,ld 1500,hdd 200,fght well

6th,1x1,3bk otr,wd cvr tn,steady

ROSARIO - hampered by an inside runner and obliged to race wider on the track near the 1300m.

8th otr,5-bk,wd 1100,prkd,wknd out

ROSARIO - weakened in the run home.

Found 1x1,cartd bk 500,forgive

ROSARIO - hampered by a weakening runner near the 500m. Lay inwards final bend striking track markers when weakening.

Gate spd,ld,trld,3bk,1-paced inr

Nice trip otr,rough,off,no late zip

FLYING HOLME - paced roughly throughout. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no obvious abnormalities.

4th,up,led 1300,kickd,fght hrd,cght

Across to trail early,thru,bold fin

FLYING HOLME - hung outwards throughout the running.

3-bk mrks,held up,off,steady effort

Up,trld,3bk inr 1300,waitd,rough

FLYING HOLME - over-raced middle stages.

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

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.

1x1,prkd,1x1 1150,battled away

WHATA IMPACT - co-trainers G & B Hope were issued a warning for presenting the gelding to race without the notified pacifier which was fitted prior to the start.

Rough & brk early,out of commission

WHATA IMPACT - paced roughly over the initial stages. Broke rounding the first bend losing ground. Broke again shortly after losing all chance. A warning was placed on the racing record of the gelding.

Brk wd 6th,12th otr,wd 450,wdr,game

WHATA IMPACT - broke at the start losing ground. Broke again racing into the first bend losing ground. Stood down to trial to the satisfaction of Stewards on one occasion prior to resuming. Authorisation of 4th placing was withheld until Stewards were satisfied the gelding had complied with the Breaking Horses Regulation during the running.

5th inr,brk,into 1x1,flat 5th,plggd

WHATA IMPACT - paced roughly and broke rounding the first bend hampering outside and trailing runners losing ground. A warning was placed on the racing record of the gelding. Driver G O'Reilly reported that one hopple shortener had failed to activate after becoming entangled.