NZ Metropolitan Trotting Club Inc

Gt spd,led thrghout,headed,dug in

1x1,prkd 1500,cvr bell,bttld away

5th otr,3-bk,wd 300,whacked away

Sped to ld,trld 1350,thru,fght well

Eased,4-bk inr,off,bttld away wdst

MILLION DOLLAR CHIC - over-raced middle stages.

Eased,wd cvr rear 400,wdst,ran on

MILLION DOLLAR CHIC - had to be steadied near the 1500m due to a slight easing of the pace. Over-raced middle stages.

Ld out,trld 1700,held up,slick mrks

Gun run mrks,thru lane,bold,denied

7th otr,3-bk,4w 400,ran on soundly

Prkd,4-bk inr 1700,off,wdst,strong

3-4bk inr,angld wd tn,sound wd

4th,to prkd 1150,brief fght tn,fadd

Trld.off,ld 1900,no peace,gone tn

ALWAYS BEE GEE - crowded by an outside runner racing into the first bend. Weakened final bend hampering trailing runners. When questioned regarding the performance driver S Thornley advised that despite working hard in the early stages he had been disappointed with the effort. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no abnormalities.

Ld,trld 2000,held up,off,handy inr

ALWAYS BEE GEE - held up by a weakening runner rounding the final bend.

Gate spd,ld,trld,thru,smart inr

Eased,6bk otr,3wd,brk 750,sound inr

ALWAYS BEE GEE - out of position at the start. Driver S Thornley was issued a warning. Broke near the 750m after being shifted wider by ANYTIME AT ALL losing all chance. After speaking to drivers S Thornley (ALWAYS BEE GEE), S Ottley (ANYTIME AT ALL) and viewing the replays no further action was deemed necessary other than to note the circumstances.

Brk dispatch,5bk inr,off,tidy inr

ALWAYS BEE GEE - raced roughly and broke shortly after the start losing ground. A warning was placed on the barrier record of the gelding. Held up for clear racing room late in the run home.

Rough,brk,7bk inr,off,gone 400

A false start was declared when ALWAYS BEE GEE (S Thornley) backed away and swung sideways just prior to the start and locked wheels with THE LAZARUS EFFECT (B Butt) with both drivers being dislodged. A warning was placed on the barrier record of the gelding. Prior to the restart both horses underwent a veterinary examination and were cleared of injury. Both drivers were cleared to drive by St John personnel. ALWAYS BEE GEE was sent to the unruly position by the Starter for the restart where the gelding will remain for future standing starts. The start was further delayed due to the Starter not being satisfied with the manner in which the field was addressing the barrier strand.

Gate spd,ld,3bk 1200,flat tn,wiltd

IRISH DREAM - hung inwards and contacted a track marker rounding the final bend.

5-6bk inr,off rear 700,brk 600

BETTORS ANVIL - hampered by a weakening runner near the 650m. Shifted outwards near the 600m resulting in IRISH DREAM being placed in restricted room and breaking shortly after. Held up throughout the run home. After questioning drivers S Tomlinson (IRISH DREAM) and T Williams (BETTORS ANVIL), Stewards issued Mr Williams with a charge under Rule 869(3)(b) alleging he drove carelessly when shifting outwards near the 600m when not clear resulting in IRISH DREAM being checked and breaking shortly after losing its chance. Mr Williams advised he would be defending the charge and the hearing was adjourned to the Methven TC meeting on 6 October 2024.

3bk inr,4bk 450,held up,handy wd

IRISH DREAM - fractious and reared prior to the first attempt at a start and was then hampered. A warning was placed on the barrier record of the gelding. Held up by a weakening runner final bend and in the early and middle stages of the run home.

Bk otr,3w,1x1,1x2,just fair

IRISH DREAM - raced four wide from the 500m. Briefly checked near the 200m when an outside runner hung inwards. When questioned regarding the performance driver S Tomlinson advised the gelding had cast a hind shoe early in the race, adding she was disappointed with the effort despite racing wide on the final bend.

Soon 1x1,1x2 800,soon peakd

BETTOR OFF - when asked to comment on the performance driver T Williams advised he was disappointed with the effort of the filly and in his opinion she may not have been suited to the smaller track.

Bk otr,3w,parkd 800,loomd,solid

BETTOR OFF - paced roughly under pressure in the early stages of the run home.

Wd cvr 10th,up prkd 950,ld tn,stppd

BETTOR OFF - raced wide early and middle stages. Weakened over the concluding stages. The near hind bandage came adrift during the running with no action taken due to the prevailing weather and track conditions. When questioned regarding the performance driver T Williams advised the filly had hung during the running causing him difficulty.

Wd,up prkd bell,ld 250,too powerful

BETTOR OFF - raced wide early.

10th inr,impr plegs,4th tn,bttld on

BETTOR OFF - lay inwards throughout the run home.

9th otr,4-bk,wd 600,sustained burst

Brk start,12th,rear,brk 650,detachd

BETTOR OFF - broke shortly after the start losing ground. A warning was placed on the barrier record of the filly. Broke again near the 650m losing all chance, A warning was also placed on the racing record of the filly.

1x1-3bk otr,up,ld 900,fght,cght 100

BETTOR OFF - hung outwards and paced roughly late in the score up and was out of position at the start. A warning was placed on the barrier record of the filly. Paced roughly for a distance after the start. Attempted to pull up near the 900m resulting in an easing of the pace hampering trailing runners. Lay outwards rounding the final bend and then shifted ground outwards having to be straightened near the 150m.

6-5bk otr,wd cvr tn,big dash wdst

BETTOR OFF - Authorisation of placings was withheld until Stewards had viewed the photo finish and confirmed the Judge's call of a dead heat for 1st place between ABSOLUTE BABE and BETTOR OFF after being unable to identify the nose of BETTOR OFF which was obstructed by the nose flap. Co-trainers S & A Telfer (represented by T Williams) admitted a charge under Rule 864(2)(a) and the Approved Gear Regulation after BETTOR OFF raced in unapproved gear due to the nose flap protruding past the horse's nose. After hearing submissions on penalty the Adjudicative Committee imposed a fine of $600.

Soon trld,flat tn,faded back in str

PARTNERS IN WINE - weakened final bend hampering trailing runners. When questioned regarding the performance driver C Dalgety advised he was not disappointed with the effort given it was the mare's first start in three weeks and would derive benefit from the race.

Gun run mrks,thru,ld 150,too gritty

Brk,5th,3bk otr 500,held up tn,tidy

PARTNERS IN WINE - broke at the start losing ground. Over-raced middle stages. Held up until late in the run home.

7th otr,3-bk,wd cvr tn,over the top

PARTNERS IN WINE - hampered by an easing of the pace near the 1600m.

3wd,4bk otr,wd rear tn,steady

PARTNERS IN WINE - raced wide early. Hampered by a breaking runner rounding the final bend.

Prkd,1x1 1000,held up,imprvd wd

PARTNERS IN WINE - over-raced middle stages.

Cght 3wd,prkd 1000,1x1 tn,honest

PARTNERS IN WINE - raced wide early and middle stages.

Trld,off,ld,3bk inr,off,tried hard

4bk otr,3wd cvr rear 400,imprvd mid

Soon trld,held up 500-tn,ok inr

Wd,prkd,cvr 1500,wd 300,breezed by

HARRY BELAFONTE - broke briefly in the score up however was in position at the start.

3 & 4-bk mrks,off,held up,plggd mid

HARRY BELAFONTE - held up early in the run home.

7th inr,3-bk 1500,plggd away in gap

Prkd,cvr,3-bk,1x1 900,peeled,steady

4bk otr,5bk 900,well bk tn,battld

Eased,8bk otr,rear inr tn,honest

Gate spd,trld 1800,off,solid mid-wd

Brk score-up,6bk inr,off,battld inr

HARRY BELAFONTE - broke in the score up losing ground. A warning was placed on the barrier record of the gelding.

3-4bk inr,off,held up,angld,handy

HARRY BELAFONTE - broke in the score up however was in position at the start. Held up early in the run home.

3wd,up,ld 1950,kickd,held best

HEAVEN'S MARK - raced wide early.

Trld-4bk inr,off 500,tried hard wd

Up,ld,trld 1700,thru,short bid inr

5bk otr,3wd 700,4th tn,gritty mid

HEAVEN'S MARK - hung inwards in the early stages causing driver J Morrison some difficulty.

Gate spd,ld,joind tn,fght,hdd 100

Thru,prkd,no cvr,trld tn,very brave

HEAVEN'S MARK - hung inwards on several occasions throughout the running.

Lost ld dig,trld 1700,flat top,wknd

BETTERTHANDIVA - weakened early in the run home.

Cght wd,up prkd 1300,cvr,no pick-up

BETTERTHANDIVA - raced wide early.

Fired to ld,trld 1700,thru,did best

BETTERTHANDIVA - when questioned regarding the improved performance caretaker trainer A Edge advised the mare has had a change of shoeing since last racing and had appreciated a different training environment as per the Horse Movement notification.

Wd,prkd,cvr 1550,3-bk,drifting 500m

BETTERTHANDIVA - raced wide early. Weakened final bend.

7th inr,off,prkd,cvr,wd 950,fdd out

BETTERTHANDIVA - raced wide from the 1000m. Weakened in the run home.

Wd,prkd,cvr,shffld,failed to run on

BETTERTHANDIVA - weakened final bend.

Mid-bk otr,angld trn,never in it

6th pegs,3-bk flat 500,dropped away

BETTERTHANDIVA - weakened final bend hampering trailing runners.

Parkd,1x1 1200,stayd in,ok in gap

Cght prkd,1x1 800,off,no kick str

6th,1x1 1500,rear tn,no kick mid

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

3bk otr,sent 3wd 600,ld 200,held

WHYAMIHERE - raced wide from the 800m.

7th otr,1x1,wd 1000,prkd,too strong

WHYAMIHERE - driver J Curtin had difficulty activating the removable deafeners early in the run home.

Wd mid,rolled to ld 1300,gunned dwn

WHYAMIHERE - raced wide early.

Gate spd,ld,joind tn,swallowed up

Trld 2300,flat 400,dropped out

LA CONCHA - over-raced middle stages. Weakened from the 500m. When questioned regarding the performance driver C Dalgety advised he was disappointed with the effort despite being fresh up from a spell over 2600m. A post-race veterinary examination revealed a high heart rate and slow recovery. Connections advised they will have blood tests taken from the gelding in the coming days and Stewards will follow up the results.

4th,led 1200,joind,fght hard

Gate spd,ld,trld 1300,thru,sprintd

LA CONCHA - lay outwards in the run home.

Trld-3bk inr,4-3bk,held up,smart

LA CONCHA - hampered by an easing of the pace near the 900m.

Trld the trip,held up tn,pluggd

LA CONCHA - over-raced middle stages.

5-6-7bk inr,wdst rear tn,sound wd

LA CONCHA - out of position at the start. Driver C Dalgety was issued a warning.

5th inr,4-bk 1800,off,no gap in mid

KELTIC TIGER - broke in the score up however was in position at the start.

8th otr,wd 625m,wdr top,plggd away

KELTIC TIGER - over-raced early stages.

Mid otr,flat turn,no impact

KELTIC TIGER - Stewards inquired into the tactics adopted by driver B. Williamson near the 800m when trailing a weakening runner. Mr. Williamson explained that the gelding had been under pressure to obtain the back of FORTY WIVES for some distance before the 900m mark. After securing this position, the gelding continued to race under pressure despite being behind a weakening runner. Mr. Williamson further stated that he elected to remain in for a short period in an attempt to encourage the gelding to race more competitively. However, upon shifting out to improve, the gelding was immediately under pressure again. After considering the circumstances, the Stewards were satisfied that Mr. Williamson's decision at the time was not unreasonable and determined that no further action was necessary.

Gt spd,trail,steady in strgt

Wd,prkd,into ld 1200,gathered in

Wide,pressd 2 lead,joind,dug in

KELTIC TIGER - raced wide early.

Bk otr,angld wide,ran on fairly

KELTIC TIGER - hampered by a breaking runner near the 1650m.

Brk badly,last,3w,parkd 1000,fair

KELTIC TIGER - broke at the start and shifted down the track despite the efforts of driver B Orange briefly hampering trailing runners and losing ground.

Up,ld 1900,fght hard,cght 20

KELTIC TIGER - lay outwards early in the run home.

4bk otr,up,ld 1050,fght,cght 100

KELTIC TIGER - over-raced early stages.

4th inr,4-bk 1550,held up,not in it

SOFIA ROSE - held up early in the run home.

Wd cvr,up prkd 1250,outfinished

SOFIA ROSE - raced wide early and middle stages.

5th otr,3-bk,chkd,5th,prkd,outkickd

SOFIA ROSE - checked by a breaking runner near the 1500m.

Prkd,3-bk inr 1700,fght tight qtrs

SOFIA ROSE - had difficulty obtaining clear racing room throughout the run home.

Gate spd,trld-3bk inr,waitd,steady

SOFIA ROSE - over-raced middle stages. Held up early in the run home.

Eased,7bk otr,imprvd thru mid str

SOFIA ROSE - held up over the concluding stages.

4th inr,5-bk 1900,off,never sparked

SOFIA ROSE - over-raced middle stages. Weakened rounding the final bend.

Prkd,1x1 1100,held up tn,no gaps

SOFIA ROSE - over-raced in the middle stages when being restrained to obtain cover. Held up early in the run home and again over the concluding stages.

4bk otr,thru rear mid tn,battld mid

SOFIA ROSE - weakened early in the run home. When questioned regarding the performance driver S Ottley and trainer M Purvis were unable to provide any explanation.