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Methven Trotting Club Inc

Sunday, 5 October 2025

Stipendiary Stewards Report

Club
Methven Trotting Club Inc at Mt Harding Racecourse
Weather
Showery
Track
Heavy
Rail
Not applicable
Stewards
N McIntyre (Chairman), P Williams, M Szukiel, K Carston
Veterinarian
D L Williamson
Logo

General

General
The mobile was tested prior to Race 1 and monitored with Starter R Donnelly throughout the day.

Trainer M House admitted a breach of Regulation 19.3(c) of the Conduct of Meetings Regulations in that he failed to notify several drivers by the required time at today's meeting. A fine of $50 was imposed.

Supplementary

NZ Metro TC - Friday, 26th September 2025
Race 8 - GREG & LEIGH AYERS LOOKING FORWARD TO CUP WEEK HCP TROT
Trainer C McDowell advised Stewards on 5 October ROYDON MUSCLE has had its joints treated since last racing.

Summary

Swabbing
YALDHURST FOLLY, KOWHAI SUNBURST, MAGICAL MAX, KAIRAKI SPUR, ROCKCENT, CANDY CANE, MILES AWAY, CARLIN, PRACTICAL MAGIC, WAG STAR, RAKERO ROCKET, PATIRO
Protests
Nil
Suspensions
Race 10C Ferguson (WAG STAR)
[Rule 869(2) Whip & Rein Regs] - Using whip with more than a wrist flicking motion (3 days).
Suspended from 11/10/2025 until 16/10/2025 inclusive.
Fines
M House
[Rule Conduct of Meetings Reg19.3(c)] - Late driver notifications. Fined $50.
Warnings
Race 5J Hay (CEE WHATABET)
[Rule 865(1)] - Presented with removable deafeners not notified.
Race 7K Ford & A Tomlinson (WHATS WANTED)
[Rule 865(2)] - Presented without notified blinds.
Race 8M Jones (MAJOR TORQUE)
[Rule 865(2)] - Presented without notified blinds.
Race 11W Stevenson (NOT OVER)
[Rule 452(2)] - Incorrect colours.
Epistaxis
Nil
Horse Action
Race 2EL GALLO - Ineligible Racing Manners - Stood Down 1 Trial
Race 2IMPERIAL KNIGHT - Warned Racing Manners
Race 2PONTIFF - Warned Stands
Race 4BONJOUR PARIS - Warned Racing Manners
Race 4GO HOME DENISE - Warned Racing Manners
Race 7CALL DUDLEY - Warned Stands
Race 8LESTER - Veterinary Clearance Received
Race 9MAVIS JONES - Cleared From Unruly Stands
Race 9MUSCLYNN - Warned Stands
Race 9SPOTLIGHT - Warned Stands
Medical Certificate
Nil
Driver Changes
Nil
Late Scratchings
Race 2THE GYPSY KING - Rule 213(1)(j) - Denied a fair start
Race 4FEAR AND FAITH - at 10.10am - track conditions
Race 4WITHOUT COMPARISON - at 10.10am - track conditions
Race 5SHE'S A LADY - at 11.15am - track conditions
Race 6CALORIEFREE - at 9.30am - track conditions
Race 8TREASURE COVE - at 9.30am - track conditions
Race 9ALDEBARAN CRYSTAL - at 11.35am - track conditions
Race 10AKUTA - at 10.05am - track conditions
Race 11BEACHBREAK - at 9.30am - track conditions
Race 11APATCHOFGOLD - at 9.30am - track conditions
Scratching Penalties
Ineligible from 06/10/2025 until 06/10/2025 inclusive (1 days):
LOUIS
Ineligible from 06/10/2025 until 08/10/2025 inclusive (3 days):
BRYCE'S MEDDLE
Ineligible from 06/10/2025 until 10/10/2025 inclusive (5 days):
MAROUBRA, NOTHING BUT YOU, VINCENT VEGA, GLITTERATI, GLIDING HIGH, SCARLETT'S LEGACY, SHE'S TOUGH
Exceptional Circumstances:
FEAR AND FAITH, WITHOUT COMPARISON, SHE'S A LADY, CALORIEFREE, TREASURE COVE, ALDEBARAN CRYSTAL, AKUTA, APATCHOFGOLD, BEACHBREAK, KOWHAI NUGGET

Race Comments

Race 1   TARA FAMILY TRUST MOBILE PACE
SAM SNEAD - weakened final bend hampering trailing runners.
SHADES OF ROBYN - weakened in the run home.
DREAM BOYZ - lay outwards when weakening near the 400m and was awkwardly placed and made contact with the sulky of ANTISOCIAL.
Race 2   RAKAIA SEED CLEANING TROT
EL GALLO - broke shortly after the start losing ground. Broke again rounding the final bend losing all chance. Stood down to trial to the satisfaction of Stewards on one occasion prior to resuming.
CASTLEISLAND - over-raced early and middle stages.
IMPERIAL KNIGHT - broke shortly after the start losing ground. Broke again near the 600m losing all chance. A warning was placed on the racing record of the gelding.
DELLA'S FELLA - trotted roughly after 100m having to be steadied.
MORRIE AFTON - broke shortly after the start losing ground.
BEYOND EXPECTATIONS - broke shortly after the start losing ground.
PONTIFF - connections advised the gelding would be racing without front shoes. Fractious prior to the start and was reluctant to take up its barrier position hampering THE GYPSY KING. A warning was placed on the barrier record of the gelding. Raced wide from the 900m.
SOMETHING ELSE - trotted roughly over the concluding stages.
B K MUMMA JAMIE - over-raced early and middle stages. Driver R May reported the mare had been making abnormal breathing noises during the running. Stewards will follow up with connections in the coming days.
THE GYPSY KING - hampered prior to the start by PONTIFF and was unable to take up its correct barrier position. Broke racing into the first bend losing ground. Declared a non-runner by Stewards under Rule 213(1)(j) due to being denied a fair start.
Race 3   'BOOK IN METHVEN' MOBILE PACE
FLYAWAY - held up middle stages of the run home and again over the concluding stages.
DELIGHTFUL DREAMS - held up over the concluding stages.
STAR ON THE ROCKS - paced roughly rounding the final bend.
Race 4   PAT & PAULINE O'REILLY MEMORIAL TROT
VAL THORENS - hampered near the 450m and broke shortly after losing all chance.
BONJOUR PARIS - broke after 150m and hung inwards hampering trailing runners losing ground. Broke near the 1700m and then again on several occasions losing all chance. A warning was placed on the racing record of the gelding.
SPANISH PRINCESS - broke briefly at the start losing ground. Raced wide without cover from the 700m.
GO HOME DENISE - hampered by a breaking runner after 150m. Broke near the 450m hampering a trailing runner losing all chance. A warning was placed on the racing record of the mare.
ROYAL ROCK - broke briefly at the start losing ground. Hampered by a breaking runner after 150m. Broke again near the 150m losing its chance.
ROSARY - trotted roughly when weakening rounding the final bend. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no abnormalities.
Race 5   STAPLES & KIDD PACE
CEE WHATABET - trainer J Hay was issued a warning for presenting the gelding to race with removable deafeners which had not been notified.
GOOD TIME BETTY - broke briefly shortly after the start. Over-raced middle stages. Weakened final bend.
Race 6   NUFARM MOBILE PACE
MIRACLE MEMPHIS - broke rounding the final bend losing all chance. Driver W House was spoken to regarding the manner he drove rounding the final bend.
WOODLEA ROCKS - raced wide early.
Race 7   OSCAR BONAVENA STANDING AT STUD HANDICAP TROT
CALL DUDLEY was fractious prior to the start causing a delay. A warning was placed on the barrier record of the gelding. Broke at the start losing ground. Broke again rounding the final bend hampering trailing runners losing all chance.
TAKE AFTER ME - hampered by a breaking runner rounding the final bend.
SILVESTER - hung inwards and broke rounding the first bend losing ground. Broke again rounding the final bend losing all chance.
WHAT THE BELL - lay inwards and struck a track marker near the 1700m. Hampered by a breaking runner rounding the final bend. Had difficulty obtaining clear racing room until inside the final 100m.
JASPRIT TROUBLE - began awkwardly hampering a trailing runner. Broke shortly after the start losing ground. Broke again racing into the first bend losing further ground. Trotted roughly rounding the final bend when weakening.
BRIAN BEATT - over-raced middle stages.
WHATS WANTED - co-trainers K Ford & A Tomlinson were issued a warning for presenting the gelding to race without the notified blinds. Hampered shortly after the start. Broke briefly rounding the first bend losing ground. Hampered by a breaking runner rounding the final bend.
Race 8   JA & G TRUDGEON PAINTERS & DECORATERS HANDICAP PACE
MAJOR TORQUE - trainer M Jones was issued a warning for presenting the gelding to race without the notified blinds which were fitted prior to the start. Held up middle stages of the run home.
CARLIN - broke at the start losing ground.
SHARD DE ARCH - broke at the start losing ground.
GOTTA ELECT BILL - broke shortly after the start losing ground. Broke again rounding the final bend losing all chance.
LESTER - the required veterinary clearance was received. Fractious prior to the start and broke briefly after breasting the barrier strand.
KISS THE GIRLS - broke at the start losing ground.
BLUE ROCK DANCER - over-raced middle stages.
Race 9   YABBY DAM FARMS FILLIES & MARES HCP TROT
SPOTLIGHT - refused to come up into its position causing a delay. A warning was placed on the barrier record of the mare. Broke shortly after the start losing all chance.
MUSCLYNN - broke at the start checking and hampering trailing runners losing all chance. A warning was placed on the barrier record of the mare.
BUFFY NORTHSTAINS - broke shortly after the start losing all chance.
HOLLY HIGHLANDER - reared as the barriers were released losing ground.
IT'S SO EASY - checked shortly after the start by breaking runners losing all chance.
TORQUAY STREET - checked when trying to avoid a breaking runner shortly after the start with driver J Morrison being dislodged losing all chance. Mr Morrison was examined by St John personnel and cleared of injury to fulfil his remaining driving engagement.
MAVIS JONES - cleared from the unruly for future standing starts.
HIGH INTENSITY - broke briefly near the 1100m losing ground. Weakened rounding the final bend.
TI AMO BELLE - checked by a breaking runner shortly after the start losing all chance.
RUSH - hampered by a breaking runner shortly after the start.
PRACTICAL MAGIC - driver M Williamson advised he did not activate the removable deafeners due to having the field covered.
MUSCLE SASS - weakened rounding the final bend.
Race 10   ALABAR METHVEN CUP (HANDICAP PACE)
HOMEBUSH LAD - began awkwardly.
WAG STAR - broke at the start losing ground. Shifted inwards having to be straightened near the 150m. Driver C Ferguson admitted a breach of Rule 869(2) and the Whip and Rein Regulations in that he used his whip with more than a wrist flicking motion in the run home. After viewing the replays and hearing submissions on penalty the Adjudicative Committee suspended Mr Ferguson's driver's licence from the conclusion of racing on 10 October up to and including 16 October 2025 (3 days).
FRANCO MAREK - broke at the start losing ground. When questioned regarding the performance driver J Morrison advised the gelding failed to handle the track conditions.
RAKERO ROCKET - over-raced middle stages.
Race 11   METHVEN PANEL & PAINT MOBILE PACE
EVIDENTLY - driver J Curtin advised he was unable to activate the removable deafeners due to the cord becoming entangled.
TROUBLESHOOTER - lay inwards early in the run home having to be straightened.
FRANCO SAILOR - raced wide early.
ONEROA - paced roughly passing the 900m when improving wide on the track. Again paced roughly entering the final bend. When questioned regarding the performance driver B Butt advised the mare failed to handle the track conditions when placed under pressure.
NOT OVER - trainer W Stevenson was issued a warning for failing to have the correct colours available. Over-raced middle stages.
RADIOACTIVE JAFFA - lay outwards over the concluding stages.
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