NZ Metropolitan Trotting Club Inc

4-3-4bk otr,5bk 800,angld,smart wd

SPIRIT DOWNUNDER - over-raced middle stages.

5bk otr,wd rear tn,big dash wdst

Eased,rear otr,wd 600,wdst,bt slows

SPIRIT DOWNUNDER - raced wide early. Again raced wide from the 650m. When questioned regarding the performance driver R Close advised the gelding had been obliged to race wide on the final bend after being unable to improve in the middle stages due to the strong tempo and he was pleased with the effort.

Ld out,trld 1650,thru,breezed on by

SPIRIT DOWNUNDER - over-raced middle stages.

Held ld,eyed 700m,responded bravely

SPIRIT DOWNUNDER - lay outwards throughout the run home.

Soon prkd,3bk inr 750,waitd,sound

SPIRIT DOWNUNDER - over-raced when racing in the parked position through the early and middle stages. Held up early in the run home. Stewards questioned driver C Ferguson regarding the tactics he adopted near the 900m when electing to shift down to the marker line as opposed to remaining in the one one position. Mr Ferguson explained that he felt that his best option was to shift inwards and follow ROCKINGOOD and DEADLINE who were both favoured runners rather than remain in the one out line following NICKEL AND DIME which had improved quickly to race in the parked position through the middle stages as this would have resulted in him having to improve wide on the final bend. After considering the matter, Stewards were satisfied that Mr Ferguson's tactics were not unreasonable in the circumstances and took the matter no further.

1x1,3bk otr 1100,chkd 500,bt slows

SPIRIT DOWNUNDER - raced greenly near the 450m. Weakened leaving the final bend.

3wd,up,ld 900,askd tn,swallowd up

CAPTAIN COOL - lay outwards simultaneously to MALAKAI laying inwards resulting in both runners sulkies becoming awkwardly placed near the 1500m.

Soon 4bk otr,wd cvr tn,crept closer

Wd,made ld,trld 1350,thru,fght well

MALAKAI - the rein bar was removed prior to the start after warming up unfavourably. Lay inwards leaving the final bend striking track markers.

4-5bk inr,off rear tn,honest inr

MALAKAI - held up early and middle stages of the run home.

Gate spd,ld,trld 1500,fght hard inr

1x1,1x2 bell,3w cvr,wider,fair

MALAKAI - raced three wide with cover from the 800m.

Gt spd,led,joind,kickd hard

3bk otr,sent 3wd 500,kept coming

MALAKAI - lay inwards and paced roughly near the 1100m.

Trld,off,ld,trld 1900,off,led,held

MALAKAI - the boring pole was removed prior to the start due to warming up unfavourably.

4-3bk otr,3wd tn,swoopd,classy

BETTORS ANVIL - lay outwards in the run home.

Gate spd,ld,trld 1500,askd,honest

1x1,up,prkd,ld 900,kickd away,easy

8th otr,4-bk bell,wd 550,wdr,stout

Found ld,dictated terms,gunned dwn

ROY KENT - paced roughly near the 300m when becoming awkwardly placed to the sulky of BETTORS ANVIL after Driver T Herlihy activated the removable deafeners.

Wd,pressed to ld 1100,tckld,staunch

BETTORS ANVIL - raced wide early. Raced greenly and shifted outwards near the 1050m having to be straightened by Driver T Williams hampering trailing runners. Again raced greenly and shifted outwards in the run home despite the efforts of the driver.

Pshd thru to ld,3-bk 1200,stout fin

Wd,3-bk otr,wd 400,4w top,stout fin

BETTORS ANVIL - lay inwards in the run home.

5th,soon prkd,simply powerful

GOT THE CHOCOLATES - pre-race warmed.

3wd,prkd 1250,never gave up,brave

GOT THE CHOCOLATES - raced wide early and middle stages.

3bk otr,up,prkd 800,fght bravely

Lost ld dig,left prkd,flat 300,wknd

GOT THE CHOCOLATES - pre-race warmed. Commenced to weaken near the 300m placing an inside runner in restricted room. When questioned regarding the performance, Driver J Dunn advised that after unsuccessfully contesting the early lead and being forced to race outside the leader for the remainder of the event, the effort had taken its toll over the concluding stages.

Prkd,3-bk inr,prkd bell,ld top,game

GOT THE CHOCOLATES - pre-race warmed.

1x1,3-bk 1230,wd 600,sustained bid

GOT THE CHOCOLATES - raced wide from the 600m.

7th otr,wd 1450,ld 1200,gunned down

Gun run mrks,thru lane,strong claim

Gate spd,ld,trld 1200,waitd,fair

IRISH DREAM - lay inwards rounding the final bend striking a track marker. Held up in the run home before pacing roughly when in restricted room inside the final 50m with the horse striking track markers. Driver C DeFilippi advised he did not activate the removable deafeners in consequence. Mr DeFilippi defended a breach of Rule 869(3)(b) alleging he drove carelessly by anticipating a run to the inside of BAR LOUIE resulting in his horse racing over track markers late in the run home. After viewing the replays and hearing evidence from Stewards and Mr DeFilippi the Adjudicative Committee found the charge proved and Mr DeFilippi's driver's licence was suspended from the conclusion of racing on 7 September up to and including 14 September 2025 (2 days).

Wd cvr,pressed to ld 1400,too tough

NEXT LEVEL - over-raced when placed in restricted room shortly after the start when simultaneously shifting ground with an inside runner, hampering the trailing BAR LOUIE.

Gate spd,ld,trld 1200,thru,too easy

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

8th otr,3-bk,wd 900,ld 700,ran away

Wd,6th inr,1x1,prkd,ld bell,ran clr

BAR LOUIE - tangled away. Driver T Williams advised he did not activate the removable deafeners due to having the field covered.

Brk early wd,tailed off,not a hope

BAR LOUIE - broke rounding the first bend losing all chance. A warning was placed on the racing record of the gelding.

10th,6bk otr,wdst rear tn,massive

Gate spd,trld,ld 1200,fght,hdd 100

Fired to ld,got terms,too tenacious

RUBIRA - shifted down into the passing lane inside the 1200m before being corrected back out by Driver M Purdon with trailing runners losing some semblance of order briefly.

6th inr,off,wdst rear top,punishing

Thru,up,ld 1500,set terms,held well

MARKETPLACE - raced wide early.

Burnd to ld 1500,set terms,too good

Won early ld duel,dictated,ran away

Wd,eased,rear inr,off,wd 450,denied

MARKETPLACE - when questioned regarding his tactics Driver C Ferguson advised that after having gone forward early he had been left without cover after GOT THE CHOCOLATES shifted to the marker line rounding the first turn so elected to restrain to the rear after the early effort. Mr Ferguson further stated that he then felt that his best option was to remain at the rear as he considered that the lead, which was being held by BETTORS ANVIL, would not have been available and that racing without cover on a wet track may have been to his detriment. He then added that he had followed THE JOLLY ROGER when that runner commenced to improve without cover from the 1200m before then shifting three wide to improve from the 500m but MARKETPLACE had felt rocky when not handling the final turn as well as he would have liked and believed that the gelding may still have won but for this. After considering the matter Mr Ferguson's comments were duly noted.

Wd,made ld,trld 1200,thru,clinical

MARKETPLACE - raced wide early.

7th otr,wd cvr rear 400,belated wdr