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Manawatu Harness Racing Club Inc

Thursday, 26 February 2026

Stipendiary Stewards Report

Club
Manawatu Harness Racing Club Inc at Manawatu Raceway
Weather
Fine
Track
Fast
Rail
Not applicable
Stewards
S Wallis (Chairman), S Mulcay, K Coppins, B Bateup
Veterinarian
Dr J Pires Do Prado
Logo

General

General
Pre-race blood testing was carried out.

Supplementary

Nil

Summary

Swabbing
RHAEGAL, MECHANICA, FEAR THE DIVA, BELL FIRE, MELTON MOGUL, ORDAINED, GWENDOLINE MARY
Protests
Nil
Suspensions
Race 1J Abernethy (RUN BLAZE RUN)
[Rule 869(2) Whip & Rein Regs] - Using whip with more than a wrist flicking motion (3 days).
Suspended from 28/02/2026 until 10/03/2026 inclusive.
Fines
Race 3B Wilkins (BUGALUGS)
[Rule 869(2) Whip & Rein Regs] - Using whip with more than a wrist flicking motion. Fined $300.
Race 4B Wilkins (BELL FIRE)
[Rule 858(1)(i)] - Out of position at the start. Fined $100.
Race 7K Coppins (WHO'S YOUR DRAGON)
[Rule 869(2) Whip & Rein Regs] - Using whip with more than a wrist flicking motion. Fined $300.
Warnings
Race 3S Doody (JAHI)
[Rule 869(2) Whip & Rein Regs 4.3] - Loose reining.
Race 5M Hay (THE BIG BANG)
[Rule 869(2) Whip & Rein Regs 4.3] - Loose reining.
Race 6M Hay (KINK)
[Rule 869(5)] - Half carting 1400m.
Race 7M Hay (INDISPOSED)
[Rule 869(2) Whip & Rein Regs] - Using whip in a continuous manner.
Epistaxis
Nil
Horse Action
Race 5THE BIG BANG - Ineligible Mobiles - Stood Down 1 Trial
Race 6NAZARETH - Veterinary Clearance Required
Medical Certificate
Nil
Driver Changes
Nil
Late Scratchings
Nil
Scratching Penalties
Ineligible from 27/02/2026 until 03/03/2026 inclusive (5 days):
GENUINE IMITATION, CRIPPA MAX, TWO JULES

Race Comments

Race 1   MANAWATU ITM MOBILE PACE
RUTHERFORD - raced fiercely middle stages. Weakened in the run home.
RHAEGAL - lay inwards near the 250m, making contact with track markers. As a consequence, the trailing RUTHERFORD also contacted the markers, with one being dislodged.
RUN BLAZE RUN - lay inwards exiting the final bend. Driver J Abernethy admitted a charge under 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 replays and considering submissions on penalty the Adjudicative Committee suspended Mr Abernethy's driver's licence from the conclusion of racing on 27 February up to and including 10 March 2026 (3 days).
Race 2   NZB STANDARDBRED SUPPORTS N.I. BREEDERS HCP TROT
ALEX PEREIRA - weakened from the 500m.
EAGLE HANOVER - driver K Coppins reported that she did not activate the removable deafeners due to having the field covered.
Race 3   CARTOWN MOBILE PACE
FEAR THE DIVA - when questioned regarding the improved performance, Trainer S Doody advised that the mare had benefitted from the addition of blinds for tonight's engagement and from being able to dictate terms in front uncontested.
JAHI - Driver S Doody was issued with a warning for extending his hands in a manner that lengthened the reins, thereby allowing him to loose rein over the concluding stages.
BUGALUGS - Junior Driver B Wilkins, who declined assistance from a senior driver, admitted a charge under Rule 869(2) and the Whip and Rein Regulations in that she used her whip with more than a wrist flicking motion in the run home. After viewing replays and considering submissions on penalty the Adjudicative Committee imposed a fine of $300.
DREAM ON LOU - lay outwards at various stages.
Race 4   MANAWATU KNITTING MILLS LTD MOBILE PACE
IAMTHECAPTAINNOW - shifted outwards early in the run home before being corrected by Driver W House.
BELL FIRE - Driver B Wilkins was issued a $100 Minor Infringement Notice after restraining the gelding prior to the start being out of position at the dispatch as a consequence.
Race 5   HUGHES JOINERY MOBILE PACE
ALWAYS B SWEET - held up final bend and through the initial stages of the run home.
STEALERS WHEEL - over-raced middle stages.
THE BIG BANG - required assistance from the Clerk of the Course when parading in the pre-race circle. Due to it's most recent manners from behind the mobile the gelding has been stood down to trial to the satisfaction of Stewards on one occasion from a mobile start prior to resuming. Paced roughly approaching the 1300m having to be steadied. Driver M Hay was issued with a warning for extending his hands in a manner that lengthened the reins, thereby allowing him to loose rein over the concluding stages. Mr Hay advised the gelding would be turned out for a spell.
Race 6   DUNSTAN HORSE FEEDS HANDICAP TROT
HIGHVIEW ROCKN ROLL - lay inwards contacting a track marker near the 1150m. Trotted roughly passing the 1000m.
KAIPAKI JACK - over-raced middle stages.
NAZARETH - trotted roughly near the 900m, hampering a trailing runner and losing ground, and continued to weaken thereafter finishing a distance from the winner. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no obvious abnormalities. Connections were advised that the gelding has been stood down pending receipt of a veterinary clearance.
FORGIVENESS - weakened from the 500m.
KINK - Driver M Hay was issued a warning for half carting for a distance passing the 1400 metres. Broke passing the 200m losing ground. Authorisation of 3rd placing was withheld until Stewards were satisfied the gelding had complied with the Breaking Horses Regulation inside the final 200m.
MANCHESTER IN TIME - hampered near the 900m. Weakened from the 500m.
Race 7   WOODLANDS STUD MOBILE PACE
WHO'S YOUR DRAGON - raced wide in the early stages. Junior Driver K Coppins (assisted by Senior Driver A Poutama) defended a charge under Rule 869(2) and the Whip and Rein Regulations, alleging she used her whip with more than a wrist-flicking motion through the initial stages of the race. After considering the evidence presented by Stewards, along with submissions from Miss Coppins and Mr Poutama, and reviewing all available race films, the Adjudicative Committee found the charge proven and imposed a fine of $300.
CATHY FREEMAN - weakened in the run home.
INDISPOSED - Driver M Hay was warned for using his whip in a continuous manner in the run home.
TRES BONNE FILLE - over-raced middle stages.
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