Kaikoura Race 9

ALABAR NZ KAIKOURA CUP (STAND PACE)

Stake: $100,000

Distance: 2400m
Class: FFA PACE
Track: Good
Weather: -
Surface: All Weather

Trackside Tips:

Matthew Cross Selects: 6. Merlin, 4. Akuta, 7. Mo'unga, 2. Sooner The Bettor, 9. Rakero Rocket

Smoke On The Water (Fr1) 54x63
Trainer: Matt Purvis (Woodend Beach)
Driver: Matthew Williamson
Prize Money: $155,189
Win / Place: 20% / 52%

5 yo Bay Gelding

Sire: Art Major

Dam: Left In The Dark

Dam's Sire: Fake Left

Owners: J L Purvis, G Mcmaster, D A Lawn

Rating

Stats

Career

44: 9-9-5

Distance

5: 1-1-0

Trk/Dst

1: 1-0-0

Track

1: 1-0-0

Season

2: 0-0-1

1st Up

7: 1-1-1

2nd Up

6: 1-0-2

3rd Up

4: 0-1-1

Mobile

21: 3-3-4

Standing

23: 6-6-1

All-Weather

35: 7-7-5

Slushy

2: 0-2-0

Grass

9: 2-2-0

Left Handed

43: 8-14

Right Handed

1: 1-0

Best Mile

1:56.50

Gear Changes

[Removable Deafeners]

Comments

Career-best run with 10 Oct 3rd. Likes a stand start. Add to First4 tickets.

Expected Settling Position: Leader

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Start	Surface	Barrier	Driver	Race Time	Mile Rate	Margin	SP	Days	Class	Prize	Prize Won	Result	Race Review
3rd of 7	10/10/25	NZ Metro	2600m	Standing	All Weather	Fr1	Samantha Ottley	1:58.4	1:58.4	1.90L	$49	14	4YO+ R75 & faster DiscrHcp PACE	$22,813	$2,375	1. Republican Party 2. Pinseeker 3. Smoke On The Water	Ld,trld,3bk 1600,waitd,game inr
6th of 10	26/9/25	NZ Metro	2600m	Standing	All Weather	Fr4	Samantha Ottley	1:58.5	1:58.5	3.72L	$73	201	3YO+ R70 & faster DiscrHcp PACE	$21,713	$394	1. We Walk By Faith 2. Renegade 3. Alta Meteor	Up,trld-3bk inr,thru,short bid inr
201 Day Spell
5th of 7	3/9/25	N Cnty TOA	2000m	Mobile		-	Gavin Smith	-	-	0L	$0.00	-	Trial	$0	-	1. Light Me Up 2. 3.	-
6th of 8	13/8/25	N Cnty TOA	2600m	Standing		-	Matt Purvis	-	-	0L	$0.00	-	Trial	$0	-	1. It's Tough 2. 3.	-
4th of 5	7/8/25	N Cnty TOA	2600m	Standing		-	Matt Purvis	-	-	0L	$0.00	-	Trial	$0	-	1. Lakelsa 2. 3.	-
4th of 16	9/3/25	Reefton	2500m	Standing	Grass	40m1	Matt Purvis	2:05.6	2:05.6	4.09L	$21	2	R50 & faster DiscrHcp PACE	$21,400	$1,200	1. Sinai Sermon 2. Kourtney Kardash 3. I'm Rockin	12th inr,5-bk,off,closed stoutly wd

Sooner The Bettor (Fr2) x1110
Trainer: Barry Purdon & Scott Phelan (Clevedon)
Driver: Scott Phelan
Prize Money: $644,315
Win / Place: 20% / 66%

5 yo Brown Horse

Sire: Bettor's Delight

Dam: Lucky Pocket

Dam's Sire: In The Pocket

Owners: Mrs K J Purdon, Montana Park Pty Ltd, R Cole, Mrs C Nausbaum, Mrs M Mckay, D J Tonks, B K Parker

Rating

Stats

Career

48: 10-15-7

Distance

1: 0-0-0

Trk/Dst

1: 0-0-0

Track

1: 0-0-0

Season

4: 3-0-0

1st Up

5: 4-1-0

2nd Up

5: 2-0-2

3rd Up

5: 2-0-1

Mobile

38: 6-14-5

Standing

10: 4-1-2

All-Weather

41: 10-15-7

Slushy

2: 0-2-0

Left Handed

18: 2-7

Right Handed

23: 8-11

Best Mile

1:53.50

Gear Changes

[Removable Deafeners, Blinds]

Comments

Rare mistake at Addington 17 Oct. Brilliant spring form prior. Worth a look.

Expected Settling Position: Pace

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Start	Surface	Barrier	Driver	Race Time	Mile Rate	Margin	SP	Days	Class	Prize	Prize Won	Result	Race Review
14th of 15	17/10/25	NZ Metro	2600m	Standing	All Weather	Fr1	Harrison Orange	1:58.9	1:58.9	13.01L	$12	14	FFA PACE	$63,150	$1,050	1. Republican Party 2. Don't Stop Dreaming 3. Alta Meteor	Brk,7-8-7bk inr,6bk,off,battld
1st of 8	3/10/25	Auckland	2700m	Standing	All Weather	Fr1	Harrison Orange	3:20.7	1:59.6	0.48L	$5.00	14	DiscrHcp PACE	$37,200	$22,000	1. Sooner The Bettor 2. Merlin 3. Better Knuckle Up	Ld out,trld 1300,thru lane,powerful
1st of 10	19/9/25	Auckland	2200m	Standing	All Weather	Fr5	Harrison Orange	2:45.6	2:01.1	0.48L	$4.10	14	R60 & faster DiscrHcp PACE	$38,600	$22,000	1. Sooner The Bettor 2. The Surfer 3. Merlin	Brk,wd,prkd,ld 1550,dictated,gritty
1st of 5	5/9/25	Auckland	1700m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr1	Harrison Orange	2:04.0	1:57.4	0.19L	$3.50	126	R72 to R87 MOB. PACE	$17,550	$11,000	1. Sooner The Bettor 2. Better Knuckle Up 3. Jeremiah	Ld out,dictated,held on tenaciously
126 Day Spell
2nd of 9	2/5/25	Auckland	2200m	Standing	All Weather	Fr2	Scott Phelan	1:58.4	1:58.4	1.49L	$9.90	21	DiscrHcp PACE	$94,750	$15,500	1. Republican Party 2. Sooner The Bettor 3. We Walk By Faith	Ld out,trld 1450,strong fin on mrks
7th of 8	11/4/25	Auckland	1609m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr2	Scott Phelan	1:51.6	1:51.6	5.20L	$20	14	FFA MOB. PACE	$93,000	$1,750	1. We Walk By Faith 2. Republican Party 3. Rakero Rocket	Lost long ld dig,prkd,ld tn,run dwn

American Me (Fr3) 38340
Trainer: Brent & Tim White (Ashburton Raceway)
Driver: Ricky May
Prize Money: $377,462
Win / Place: 15% / 45%

8 yo Bay Gelding

Sire: American Ideal

Dam: Bella Me

Dam's Sire: Presidential Ball

Owners: Merveber Ltd, K F Neville, Brennan 5 Syndicate, B Kouvelis, I R F Mckelvie, J J Jones, T L Rodewald, Scotts Ferry Syndicate

Rating

Stats

Career

105: 16-15-17

Distance

13: 0-0-0

Trk/Dst

3: 0-0-0

Track

3: 0-0-0

Season

6: 0-0-3

1st Up

9: 0-4-1

2nd Up

9: 1-0-2

3rd Up

9: 1-0-2

Mobile

52: 7-8-9

Standing

53: 9-7-8

All-Weather

94: 12-14-16

Slushy

3: 0-0-3

Grass

11: 4-1-1

Left Handed

94: 13-31

Right Handed

11: 3-1

Best Mile

1:58.60

Gear Changes

[Removable Deafeners, Sliding Blinds]

Comments

Shuffled back 17 Oct but well beaten after. Yet to win at this distance too.

Expected Settling Position: Leader

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Start	Surface	Barrier	Driver	Race Time	Mile Rate	Margin	SP	Days	Class	Prize	Prize Won	Result	Race Review
15th of 15	17/10/25	NZ Metro	2600m	Standing	All Weather	Fr5	Ricky May	1:58.9	1:58.9	14.01L	$104	12	FFA PACE	$63,150	$1,050	1. Republican Party 2. Don't Stop Dreaming 3. Alta Meteor	1x1-4bk otr,5bk 700,tiring by tn
4th of 8	5/10/25	Methven	3000m	Standing	Grass	10m1	Ricky May	2:22.3	2:22.3	1.41L	$8.40	16	R65 & faster DiscrHcp PACE	$37,200	$2,100	1. Rakero Rocket 2. Wag Star 3. Who's Delight	6th inr,6-bk,prkd 850,stuck gamely
3rd of 12	19/9/25	NZ Metro	2600m	Standing	All Weather	30m3	Ricky May	2:02.9	2:02.9	2.30L	$30	14	3YO+ R55 & faster DiscrHcp PACE	$20,000	$1,900	1. Arthur Shelby 2. Rubira 3. American Me	8th,4bk otr,angld wd,handy mid
8th of 9	5/9/25	NZ Metro	2600m	Standing	All Weather	Fr4	Gerard O'Reilly	2:00.3	2:00.3	3.79L	$31	14	FFA PACE	$37,900	$700	1. Alta Meteor 2. We Walk By Faith 3. Franco Marek	2nd,trld,askd 350,no extra inr
3rd of 9	22/8/25	NZ Metro	2600m	Standing	All Weather	Fr1	Blair Orange	2:01.2	2:01.2	0.30L	$9.10	14	DiscrHcp PACE	$37,900	$3,600	1. Mo'unga 2. Franco Marek 3. American Me	Up,trld 2400,waitd,went close inr
3rd of 11	8/8/25	NZ Metro	2600m	Standing	All Weather	20m3	Blair Orange	2:00.7	2:00.7	3.09L	$5.10	35	3YO+ R51 & faster DiscrHcp PACE	$24,563	$2,375	1. Alta Meteor 2. Franco Marek 3. American Me	Up,ld 2300,set terms,fght,hdd 100
35 Day Freshen-Up

Akuta (Fr4) 15163
Trainer: Mark & Nathan Purdon (Matamata)
Driver: Mark Purdon
Prize Money: $1,179,103
Win / Place: 48% / 81%

6 yo Bay Gelding

Sire: Bettor's Delight

Dam: Adore To Our Dreams

Dam's Sire: Christian Cullen

Owners: Cullen Breeding Limited, Mark Purdon, T F Shaw

100

Rating

Stats

Career

37: 18-6-6

Distance

4: 2-0-2

Trk/Dst

2: 1-0-1

Track

2: 1-0-1

Season

6: 2-0-2

1st Up

6: 3-2-1

2nd Up

6: 2-1-0

3rd Up

6: 3-0-2

Mobile

23: 12-4-3

Standing

14: 6-2-3

All-Weather

37: 18-6-5

Slushy

3: 2-0-1

Left Handed

25: 12-8

Right Handed

12: 6-4

Best Mile

1:51.80

Gear Changes

[Removable Deafeners, Blinds]

Comments

May have needed the Ashburton run. Won this race in 2023. Hard to beat.

Expected Settling Position: Off Pace

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Start	Surface	Barrier	Driver	Race Time	Mile Rate	Margin	SP	Days	Class	Prize	Prize Won	Result	Race Review
3rd of 11	27/10/25	Ashburton	2400m	Standing	All Weather	Fr2	Mark Purdon	1:57.3	1:57.3	4.39L	$7.30	17	FFA PACE	$58,950	$5,400	1. Republican Party 2. Alta Meteor 3. Akuta	4th,up,ld,trld 1400,thru,honest
6th of 7	10/10/25	NZ Metro	2600m	Standing	All Weather	25m2	Mark Purdon	1:58.4	1:58.4	4.20L	$3.00	26	4YO+ R75 & faster DiscrHcp PACE	$22,813	$438	1. Republican Party 2. Pinseeker 3. Smoke On The Water	7th,up,prkd 1200,askd,felt pinch
1st of 9	14/9/25	Oamaru	2600m	Standing	All Weather	Fr2	Mark Purdon	3:11.4	1:58.4	1.30L	$2.00	9	FFA PACE	$37,900	$22,000	1. Akuta 2. Dalton Shard 3. MacAndrew Aviator	Soon parkd,levelled up trn,classy
5th of 9	5/9/25	NZ Metro	2600m	Standing	All Weather	Fr1	Mark Purdon	2:00.3	2:00.3	1.90L	$2.70	14	FFA PACE	$37,900	$1,200	1. Alta Meteor 2. We Walk By Faith 3. Franco Marek	Slow,7th,3wd cvr,postd,prkd,hdd
1st of 4	22/8/25	Auckland	1700m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr5	Mark Purdon	2:06.6	1:59.9	0.71L	$1.60	14	R67 & faster MOB. PACE	$17,200	$11,000	1. Akuta 2. Jeremiah 3. Better Knuckle Up	Into trail early,off prkd 600,tough
3rd of 7	8/8/25	Auckland	1700m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr7	Brooke Wilkins	1:56.2	1:56.2	1.00L	$1.70	586	3YO+, R55 to R115 with cond. MOB. PACE	$18,250	$1,900	1. Treacherous Baby 2. You Little Beauty 3. Akuta	Wd,1x1,prkd 1300,tried hard,denied
586 Day Spell

Double Time (Fr5) 700x0
Trainer: Robert & Jenna Dunn (Woodend Beach)
Driver: John Dunn
Prize Money: $131,551
Win / Place: 18% / 36%

5 yo Bay Gelding

Sire: A Rocknroll Dance

Dam: Double Twist

Dam's Sire: Artsplace

Owners: V Inglis, Fitzgerald Family Syndicate, S C Taylor, Diamond Racing Stables Ltd

Rating

Stats

Career

44: 8-6-2

Distance

4: 1-2-0

Track

1: 0-0-0

Season

1: 0-0-0

1st Up

6: 0-0-0

2nd Up

5: 1-1-0

3rd Up

4: 2-0-0

Mobile

20: 3-0-1

Standing

24: 5-6-1

All-Weather

33: 5-5-2

Slushy

2: 0-1-0

Grass

11: 3-1-0

Left Handed

44: 8-8

Best Mile

1:58.07

Gear Changes

[Removable Deafeners]

Comments

Never emerged off 30m at Timaru. Starts on even terms, but needs to lift.

Expected Settling Position: Pace

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Start	Surface	Barrier	Driver	Race Time	Mile Rate	Margin	SP	Days	Class	Prize	Prize Won	Result	Race Review
13th of 15	26/10/25	Waimate	2850m	Standing	Grass	30m1	Ricky May	2:04.4	2:04.4	25.99L	$21	163	R51 to R80 SpecHcp PACE	$21,050	$350	1. Rock Band 2. Still Rockin 3. Hacksaw Ridge	Rear otr,wd 1000,wd cvr,no pick-up
163 Day Spell
4th of 6	16/10/25	N Cnty TOA	2600m	Standing		-	Robbie Close	3:20.20	-	0.82L	$0.00	-	Trial	$0	-	1. Chase A Dream 2. The Surfer 3. Radha	-
3rd of 4	9/10/25	N Cnty TOA	2600m	Standing		-	Bob Butt	3:27.10	-	0.32L	$0.00	-	Trial	$0	-	1. Radha 2. Action Major 3. Double Time	-
13th of 14	16/5/25	NZ Metro	1980m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr6	Riley Harrison	1:56.2	1:56.2	12.01L	$40	7	4YO+ G&E Up to & including R85 MOB. PACE	$50,000	$1,111	1. Sideshow Bruce 2. Hadron Collider 3. Wag Star	Cght 3wd,prkd,1x1 700,off,no punch
10th of 10	9/5/25	NZ Metro	2600m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr7	Matthew Williamson	1:55.5	1:55.5	20.00L	$58	12	FFA MOB. PACE	$57,900	$1,050	1. Vessem 2. Wag Star 3. Pinseeker	8th,4bk otr,shuffld bk tn,battled
7th of 11	27/4/25	Rangiora	2600m	Standing	All Weather	25m1	Ricky May	1:58.6	1:58.6	4.09L	$10	8	R55 & faster DiscrHcp PACE	$24,563	$438	1. Dance Till Dawn 2. Here's Herbie 3. Tanzania	8th,8-bk inr,1x1,3-bk,wd top,solid

Merlin (Fr6) 4x325
Trainer: Barry Purdon & Scott Phelan (Clevedon)
Driver: Zachary Butcher
Prize Money: $1,568,510
Win / Place: 48% / 83%

5 yo Bay Horse

Sire: Art Major

Dam: Imaginary Bet

Dam's Sire: Bettor's Delight

Owners: Montana Park Pty Ltd

Rating

Stats

Career

43: 21-8-7

Distance

3: 2-0-0

Season

3: 0-1-1

1st Up

6: 2-2-2

2nd Up

6: 4-1-1

3rd Up

6: 4-0-1

Mobile

35: 19-5-6

Standing

8: 2-3-1

All-Weather

38: 20-8-7

Left Handed

20: 10-7

Right Handed

18: 10-6

Best Mile

1:52.10

Gear Changes

[Removable Deafeners]

Comments

Couldn't sustain his run 17 Oct. Loves the mile and a half though. Each way.

Expected Settling Position: Midfield

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Start	Surface	Barrier	Driver	Race Time	Mile Rate	Margin	SP	Days	Class	Prize	Prize Won	Result	Race Review
5th of 15	17/10/25	NZ Metro	2600m	Standing	All Weather	Fr7	Zachary Butcher	1:58.9	1:58.9	4.31L	$4.40	14	FFA PACE	$63,150	$1,800	1. Republican Party 2. Don't Stop Dreaming 3. Alta Meteor	3-5bk otr,6bk 700,angld,tidy,peakd
2nd of 8	3/10/25	Auckland	2700m	Standing	All Weather	20m1	Zachary Butcher	1:59.6	1:59.6	0.48L	$1.90	14	DiscrHcp PACE	$37,200	$6,200	1. Sooner The Bettor 2. Merlin 3. Better Knuckle Up	Rear otr,swept to ld 1300,reeled in
3rd of 10	19/9/25	Auckland	2200m	Standing	All Weather	20m1	Zachary Butcher	2:01.1	2:01.1	2.60L	$2.30	161	R60 & faster DiscrHcp PACE	$38,600	$3,800	1. Sooner The Bettor 2. The Surfer 3. Merlin	6th otr,1x1 1550,wd 350,bold effort
161 Day Spell
4th of 8	11/4/25	Auckland	1609m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr8	Zachary Butcher	1:51.6	1:51.6	4.01L	$2.60	7	FFA MOB. PACE	$93,000	$5,250	1. We Walk By Faith 2. Republican Party 3. Rakero Rocket	Eased,rear,3-bk inr,off,blkd,fin on
3rd of 10	4/4/25	WaikBoP	2200m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr7	Zachary Butcher	1:52.3	1:52.3	4.31L	$12	7	FFA MOB. PACE	$1,000,000	$100,000	1. Leap To Fame 2. Chase A Dream 3. Merlin	Wd cvr,prkd,cvr 1200,3rd,stout mrks
2nd of 10	28/3/25	WaikBoP	1609m	Mobile	All Weather	Sr11	Zachary Butcher	1:51.4	1:51.4	2.01L	$2.20f	27	FFA MOB. PACE	$57,900	$9,300	1. Chase A Dream 2. Merlin 3. Pinseeker	8th otr,wd cvr 400,wdr top,bold fin

Mo'unga (Fr7) 61070
Trainer: Regan Todd (Yaldhurst)
Driver: Robbie Close
Prize Money: $237,604
Win / Place: 33% / 44%

6 yo Bay Gelding

Sire: Bettor's Delight

Dam: O Baby

Dam's Sire: Christian Cullen

Owners: Mrs G J Kennard, P I Kennard, Breckon Racing Syndicate, J A Gibbs Mnzm, Mrs A Gibbs, G A Woodham, Mrs K J Woodham, R W Todd, C J Kirkwood

Rating

Stats

Career

36: 12-2-2

Distance

3: 2-0-0

Trk/Dst

1: 1-0-0

Track

1: 1-0-0

Season

5: 1-0-0

1st Up

6: 2-0-0

2nd Up

6: 2-1-1

3rd Up

6: 2-0-0

Mobile

10: 3-2-0

Standing

26: 9-0-2

All-Weather

29: 9-2-1

Slushy

2: 1-0-0

Grass

7: 3-0-1

Left Handed

31: 12-2

Right Handed

5: 0-2

Best Mile

1:56.20

Gear Changes

[Removable Deafeners]

Comments

Easy winner of the 2024 Kaikoura Cup. Mixed spring form, but always a threat.

Expected Settling Position: Midfield

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Start	Surface	Barrier	Driver	Race Time	Mile Rate	Margin	SP	Days	Class	Prize	Prize Won	Result	Race Review
13th of 15	17/10/25	NZ Metro	2600m	Standing	All Weather	Fr10	Robbie Close	1:58.9	1:58.9	11.00L	$20	7	FFA PACE	$63,150	$1,050	1. Republican Party 2. Don't Stop Dreaming 3. Alta Meteor	Up,led,trld 1500,thru,faded on inr
7th of 7	10/10/25	NZ Metro	2600m	Standing	All Weather	10m1	Robbie Close	1:58.4	1:58.4	4.39L	$6.00	14	4YO+ R75 & faster DiscrHcp PACE	$22,813	$438	1. Republican Party 2. Pinseeker 3. Smoke On The Water	3-4-5bk inr,3bk otr,angld,honest
10th of 10	26/9/25	NZ Metro	2600m	Standing	All Weather	10m2	Robbie Close	1:58.5	1:58.5	6.39L	$6.80	35	3YO+ R70 & faster DiscrHcp PACE	$21,713	$394	1. We Walk By Faith 2. Renegade 3. Alta Meteor	5th,5bk inr 1850,held up tn,fair
35 Day Freshen-Up
1st of 9	22/8/25	NZ Metro	2600m	Standing	All Weather	10m1	Robbie Close	3:15.9	2:01.2	0.19L	$3.60	14	DiscrHcp PACE	$37,900	$22,000	1. Mo'unga 2. Franco Marek 3. American Me	3bk otr,7th,3-4bk otr,wd,flew,just
6th of 11	8/8/25	NZ Metro	2600m	Standing	All Weather	30m2	Bob Butt	2:00.7	2:00.7	6.28L	$5.30	98	3YO+ R51 & faster DiscrHcp PACE	$24,563	$438	1. Alta Meteor 2. Franco Marek 3. American Me	Slow,9th,5bk otr,inr tn,held up,gd
98 Day Spell
3rd of 6	30/7/25	NZ Metro	2600m	Standing		-	Robbie Close	-	-	0L	$0.00	-	Trial	$0	-	1. Franco Marek 2. 3. Mo'unga	-

Macandrew Aviator (Fr8) 67334
Trainer: Jeremy Douglas (Ascot Park)
Driver: Nathan Williamson
Prize Money: $168,536
Win / Place: 16% / 50%

8 yo Bay Gelding

Sire: Panspacificflight

Dam: Arts Mistress

Dam's Sire: Artsplace

Owners: Dr M J Reidie, J R Reidie, M R Reidie, A M Reidie, Kiwi Connection Syndicate

Rating

Stats

Career

56: 9-7-12

Distance

16: 3-2-3

Trk/Dst

1: 0-0-0

Track

1: 0-0-0

Season

5: 0-0-2

1st Up

7: 1-0-2

2nd Up

7: 1-0-2

3rd Up

7: 1-0-4

Mobile

23: 6-5-3

Standing

33: 3-2-9

All-Weather

51: 8-6-10

Slushy

3: 0-1-0

Grass

5: 1-1-2

Left Handed

56: 9-19

Best Mile

1:56.79

Gear Changes

[Removable Deafeners, Sliding Blinds]

Comments

Chased gamely in the Tuapeka Cup & form building OK this time in. Harder here.

Expected Settling Position: Off Midfield

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Start	Surface	Barrier	Driver	Race Time	Mile Rate	Margin	SP	Days	Class	Prize	Prize Won	Result	Race Review
4th of 7	26/10/25	Tuapeka	2700m	Standing	All Weather	30m1	Hayden Douglas	2:05.1	2:05.1	2.42L	$3.40	24	R50 to R80 SpecHcp PACE	$18,250	$1,200	1. Dreams Are Free 2. Share A Dream 3. Akatea	6th,into 1x1,peeld 400,solid
3rd of 6	2/10/25	Wyndham	1609m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr6	Hayden Douglas	1:53.1	1:53.1	2.08L	$2.40	18	3YO+ R55 to R75 MOB. PACE	$12,530	$1,330	1. Built For Glory 2. Always Dreaming 3. Macandrew Aviator	Gt spd,denied lead,trail,solid innr
3rd of 9	14/9/25	Oamaru	2600m	Standing	All Weather	Fr3	Matthew Williamson	1:58.4	1:58.4	1.49L	$20	9	FFA PACE	$37,900	$3,600	1. Akuta 2. Dalton Shard 3. Macandrew Aviator	Led,soon trail,tidy bid lane
7th of 9	5/9/25	NZ Metro	2600m	Standing	All Weather	Fr3	Matthew Williamson	2:00.3	2:00.3	2.60L	$67	19	FFA PACE	$37,900	$700	1. Alta Meteor 2. We Walk By Faith 3. Franco Marek	3rd,3bk inr,held up tn,imprvd inr
6th of 15	17/8/25	Kurow	2600m	Standing	All Weather	30m2	Matthew Williamson	2:00.8	2:00.8	1.90L	$20	112	3YO+ R50 & faster DiscrHcp PACE	$21,050	$350	1. Bar Louie 2. Franco Sinatra 3. Tabasco	13th otr,wd 1500,prkd,stuck gamely
112 Day Spell
9th of 9	27/4/25	Invcargill	2700m	Standing	All Weather	20m1	Matthew Williamson	2:00.2	2:00.2	11.00L	$7.30	10	R55 to R89 SpecHcp PACE	$37,900	$700	1. Double Jeopardy 2. Wag Star 3. American Me	Bk otr,brk brfly,parkd,1x1,

Rakero Rocket (Fr9) 5x710
Trainer: Tom Bamford (Rangiora)
Driver: Gavin Smith
Prize Money: $294,848
Win / Place: 33% / 55%

5 yo Brown Gelding

Sire: Rock N Roll Heaven

Dam: Motu Pocket O'Jewels

Dam's Sire: In The Pocket

Owners: R J Dawe, K A Dawe, Est R J Dawe

Rating

Stats

Career

27: 9-4-2

Distance

1: 0-0-1

Trk/Dst

1: 0-0-1

Track

1: 0-0-1

Season

3: 1-0-0

1st Up

4: 2-0-0

2nd Up

4: 1-1-1

3rd Up

3: 2-0-0

Mobile

17: 7-3-1

Standing

10: 2-1-1

All-Weather

24: 7-4-2

Slushy

1: 0-0-0

Grass

3: 2-0-0

Left Handed

24: 9-5

Right Handed

3: 0-1

Best Mile

1:53.70

Gear Changes

[Removable Deafeners]

Comments

Fair at Addington after his Methven Cup win. Placed here last year. Repeat?

Expected Settling Position: Leader

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Start	Surface	Barrier	Driver	Race Time	Mile Rate	Margin	SP	Days	Class	Prize	Prize Won	Result	Race Review
10th of 15	17/10/25	NZ Metro	2600m	Standing	All Weather	Fr11	Gavin Smith	1:58.9	1:58.9	8.22L	$35	12	FFA PACE	$63,150	$1,050	1. Republican Party 2. Don't Stop Dreaming 3. Alta Meteor	5-7bk inr,5bk 700,off 350,steady
1st of 8	5/10/25	Methven	3000m	Standing	Grass	10m3	Gavin Smith	4:25.5	2:22.3	0.48L	$10	16	R65 & faster DiscrHcp PACE	$37,200	$22,000	1. Rakero Rocket 2. Wag Star 3. Who's Delight	Made ld,trld 2700,thru,did best inr
7th of 12	19/9/25	NZ Metro	2600m	Standing	All Weather	30m2	Gavin Smith	2:02.9	2:02.9	3.72L	$8.00	133	3YO+ R55 & faster DiscrHcp PACE	$20,000	$350	1. Arthur Shelby 2. Rubira 3. American Me	9th,5bk otr,wd rear tn,useful wd
133 Day Spell
2nd of 6	26/8/25	N Cnty TOA	2600m	Standing		-	Gavin Smith	-	-	0L	$0.00	-	Trial	$0	-	1. Renegade 2. Rakero Rocket 3.	-
5th of 11	20/8/25	N Cnty TOA	2600m	Standing		-	Gavin Smith	-	-	0L	$0.00	-	Trial	$0	-	1. Arthur Shelby 2. 3.	-
5th of 10	9/5/25	NZ Metro	2600m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr5	Gavin Smith	1:55.5	1:55.5	4.01L	$4.20	7	FFA MOB. PACE	$57,900	$1,800	1. Vessem 2. Wag Star 3. Pinseeker	4bk inr,3bk tn,few gaps,tidy mid

Vessem (Fr10) 21x54
Trainer: Hayden & Amanda Cullen (Rolleston)
Driver: Olivia Thornley
Prize Money: $260,968
Win / Place: 31% / 53%

4 yo Bay Gelding

Sire: Vincent(AUS)

Dam: Imke B

Dam's Sire: Bettor's Delight

Owners: Mrs H Van Opzeeland, S W R Gillan, Mrs P P Gillan, P I Baken, J H Grainger, Mrs J A Grainger, Kirkwood Family Racing Syndicate

Rating

Stats

Career

32: 10-6-1

Season

2: 0-0-0

1st Up

5: 3-0-0

2nd Up

5: 3-0-0

3rd Up

4: 1-0-0

Mobile

26: 10-5-0

Standing

6: 0-1-1

All-Weather

30: 10-6-1

Slushy

2: 2-0-0

Grass

2: 0-0-0

Left Handed

28: 10-7

Right Handed

4: 0-0

Best Mile

1:55.23

Gear Changes

[Blinds]

Comments

Not bad along the markers at Addington. Still making mark in this grade. Upset.

Expected Settling Position: Leader

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Start	Surface	Barrier	Driver	Race Time	Mile Rate	Margin	SP	Days	Class	Prize	Prize Won	Result	Race Review
4th of 15	17/10/25	NZ Metro	2600m	Standing	All Weather	Fr3	Samantha Ottley	1:58.9	1:58.9	4.20L	$64	7	FFA PACE	$63,150	$3,150	1. Republican Party 2. Don't Stop Dreaming 3. Alta Meteor	3-5bk inr,4-3bk,imprvd up inr
5th of 7	10/10/25	NZ Metro	2600m	Standing	All Weather	10m2	Olivia Thornley	1:58.4	1:58.4	3.49L	$29	154	4YO+ R75 & faster DiscrHcp PACE	$22,813	$438	1. Republican Party 2. Pinseeker 3. Smoke On The Water	4-5th,1x1 1000,off,tried hard wd
154 Day Spell
2nd of 4	2/10/25	N Cnty TOA	2000m	Mobile		-	Olivia Thornley	2:30.20	-	0.19L	$0.00	-	Trial	$0	-	1. Jumal 2. Vessem 3. Chase A Dream	-
5th of 9	3/9/25	N Cnty TOA	2600m	Standing		-	Olivia Thornley	-	-	0L	$0.00	-	Trial	$0	-	1. The Lazarus Effect 2. 3.	-
6th of 6	20/8/25	N Cnty TOA	2000m	Mobile		-	Olivia Thornley	-	-	0L	$0.00	-	Trial	$0	-	1. We Walk By Faith 2. 3.	-
1st of 10	9/5/25	NZ Metro	2600m	Mobile	All Weather	Sr10	Olivia Thornley	3:06.7	1:55.5	2.01L	$10	14	FFA MOB. PACE	$57,900	$33,000	1. Vessem 2. Wag Star 3. Pinseeker	Soon trld,sweet trip,went on by 100

Here's Herbie (Fr11) 0x496
Trainer: Colin & Julie DeFilippi (Broadfield)
Driver: Colin DeFilippi
Prize Money: $153,335
Win / Place: 13% / 36%

6 yo Bay Gelding

Sire: Sportswriter

Dam: Just Rose

Dam's Sire: Sands A Flyin

Owners: Mrs J Defilippi

Rating

Stats

Career

58: 8-8-5

Distance

4: 1-0-0

Trk/Dst

1: 0-0-0

Track

1: 0-0-0

Season

3: 0-0-0

1st Up

6: 0-2-1

2nd Up

6: 0-1-3

3rd Up

6: 2-0-0

Mobile

23: 1-1-3

Standing

35: 7-7-2

All-Weather

46: 4-7-4

Slushy

1: 0-0-0

Grass

12: 4-1-1

Left Handed

58: 8-13

Best Mile

1:55.07

Gear Changes

[Removable Deafeners, Sliding Blinds]

Comments

Winner at the trials since steady 6th at Addington. Up against it today though.

Expected Settling Position: Leader

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Start	Surface	Barrier	Driver	Race Time	Mile Rate	Margin	SP	Days	Class	Prize	Prize Won	Result	Race Review
1st of 8	29/10/25	N Cnty TOA	2600m	Standing		-	Colin DeFilippi	3:28.70	-	0L	$0.00	-	Trial	$0	-	1. Here's Herbie 2. Girlshavtime 3. Seaside Pond	-
6th of 10	17/10/25	NZ Metro	1980m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr4	Colin DeFilippi	1:56.6	1:56.6	4.01L	$30	28	3YO+ R59 to R70, R71 to R76 with cond. MOB. PACE	$17,853	$324	1. Franco Sinatra 2. Hadron Collider 3. Esmeralda	6th,1x1-3bk otr,off,warmed up wd
9th of 12	19/9/25	NZ Metro	2600m	Standing	All Weather	10m3	Jim Curtin	2:02.9	2:02.9	5.61L	$36	14	3YO+ R55 & faster DiscrHcp PACE	$20,000	$350	1. Arthur Shelby 2. Rubira 3. American Me	Soon prkd,1x1 950,tight,no gaps,ok
4th of 8	5/9/25	NZ Metro	1980m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr3	Colin DeFilippi	1:55.0	1:55.0	4.20L	$51	105	4YO+ R60 to R70 MOB. PACE	$16,740	$1,080	1. Treacherous Baby 2. Arthur Shelby 3. Dreams Are Free	6th,1x1-3bk otr,imprvd thru inr
105 Day Spell
9th of 11	20/8/25	N Cnty TOA	2600m	Standing		-	Colin DeFilippi	-	-	0L	$0.00	-	Trial	$0	-	1. Arthur Shelby 2. 3.	-
12th of 16	23/5/25	NZ Metro	3200m	Standing	All Weather	Fr6	Colin DeFilippi	2:00.4	2:00.4	17.99L	$10	26	R50 to R120 SpecHcp PACE	$107,000	$1,750	1. Betterthancash 2. The Surfer 3. Pinseeker	3wd,prkd 2000,4th tn,folded up

Race Review Abbreviations

Brk: Broke, Blkd: Blocked or held up, 1 x 1: One-out, one-back, Prkd: Parked, 3bk otr: 3 back on the outer, 3bk inr: Same as above, but on the inside, trld: Trailed, Gt spd: Showed gate speed, 3wd: 3-wide postd: Caught wide without cover, Held up: Held up, no gaps or few gaps: If they don't see any clear air in the straight, Inr-mid-wd -position: On the inside, mid = 1-off, wd = 3-wide or wider, flew hm wd: Flew home wide, dashd inr: Sprinted well on the inside, Chkd: Checked, Slow: Slow away at the start, Wltd: Wilted or got tired, Fdd: Faded late, Urgd: If the driver's getting stuck in