Stipendiary Steward's Report 

Stewards: SC Ching, JM McLaughlin & MG Humphries

Horses Swabbed: LAST ROMANCE
Bleeders:  None
Barrier Blankets: None
 
Race Eight: 

REGGARD (D Bothamplay), DARLING HARBOUR (L Robinson), and LET’S FACET (J Bates) were all slow to begin. THE ITALIAN JOB (L Young) was slow over the early stages. Near the 300m REGAL GROSVE (J Bullard) had to ease due to MAOTAI (T Mosley) rolling outwards slightly after being brushed by RAINLINE (T Brett) who was taking evasive action to avoid SAXON SONG (K Selvan) who was giving ground quickly at this point. RAINLINE, favourite, raced midfield on the inner for the majority of the event, was held up momentarily by the tiring SAXON SONG but when clear ran on well to finish in sixth place. 

Race Reports

Albert: 

On paper yesterday's 7th looks fairly average, but there were a lot of good things to come out of the run.
 
She went into the barriers no problem at all and left alone in the running she got out of her ground, but relaxed beautifully. Still last with 600m to run, she started to work into it and into the short 250m straight she started to unwind strongly making up many lengths and doing her best work on the line.
 
The jockey was rapt and said she would have been right there on a bigger track. She ate up last night and so has taken no harm from the run and can step up to 2000m next start with some confidence.
 

This was the first time that Chrissie had seen Twiggy properly since the South Island Sales, and for me the first time since the first owners BBQ at the old Foxton stables. When she entered the paddock she looked very much a stayer, very long backed, angular although still very fine. Comparing her with the rest of the field she looked one of the few that would race over 2200m. Lisa Young mounted quickly and was led out onto the track, Ronnie had already left to go to stalls. She was led towards the stalls first and appeared to baulk briefly before going in and standing very still. Ronnie did a great job in keeping her settled and moved from his forward position just prior to the stalls opening.

The draw which for a change was favourable did not have impact, as she quickly decided the pace she would go past the stands and round the first bend, this pace could best be described as "lollopping". She stayed within 10-12 lengths from the leader until the 800m, when the group began to compact into 7 lengths at the 600m marker. 

This was when I thought Lisa should start her move as the straight was only 250m at best, sure enough she began to move past a few from her tail-end position, but never seemed to be flying, until the last 100-150m when she suddenly began to motor. She finished in seventh place which although not great was a better race than on several other occasions this season. Lisa appeared to get on quite well with her and I'm sure she learnt a lot about her. 

In my humble opinion she obviously needs a trip (on breeding, build and racing performances, which is why I was banging my head over the 1320m & 1400m, but we can call that an education). Hopefully she can back up this performance at Timaru on the 24th July. This will be important as she has failed to put in two good performances in a row.  

Summary: Slow early, headway 600m, nearest at finish.