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Methven Trotting Club Inc

Sunday, 22 March 2026

Stipendiary Stewards Report

Club
Methven Trotting Club Inc at Mt Harding Racecourse
Weather
Fine/Overcast
Track
Good
Rail
Not applicable
Stewards
M Sole (Chairman), S Renault, R Quirk, R Butt
Veterinarian
D L Williamson
Logo

General

General
Pre-race blood testing was carried out.

Prior to each race from race 9 onwards Stewards assessed the conditions of a controlled burn off in a nearby paddock however due to the prevailing winds Stewards in conjunction with the on course Veterinarian were satisfied the meeting could continue with no risk to horses or participants.

Supplementary

NZ Metro TC - Wednesday, 18th March 2026
Race 7 - SYNCROFLEX EXPRESS MOBILE TROT
Trainer J Gray advised Stewards on 19 March that BAFFLED has been treated for a virus since last racing.
Wyndham HRC - Thursday, 19th March 2026
Race 8 - HUNTER FAMILY HANDICAP PACE
Co-trainer A Telfer advised Stewards on 22 March that BAR LOUIE has been treated for a foot abscess since last racing.

Summary

Swabbing
FOLIEJON STAR, CHOCOLATE ANGUS, KOTARE RATA, HUGHES TWO ME, GO HOME DENISE, GET SEASIDE LUCKY, CARLIN, BLUE COLLAR, TIMES ARE A CHANGIN, IRON BRIGADE, SHEZA TRENDY ONE, PROSPERITY
Protests
Nil
Suspensions
Race 4J Young-Grant (BLASTFROMTHEPAST)
[Rule 869(3)(b)] - Shifting ground abruptly hampering outside runner 250m (2 days).
Suspended from 23/03/2026 until 29/03/2026 inclusive.
Race 9T Borcoskie (DESTINY'S DREAM)
[Rule 869(3)(b)] - Shifting ground when insufficiently clear first bend and striking a wheel (3 days).
Suspended from 26/03/2026 until 01/04/2026 inclusive.
Fines
Race 4D Williams (LAY ON MACDUFF)
[Rule 869(2) Whip & Rein Regs] - Using whip in a continuous manner. Fined $250.
Race 11R Todd (VALYRIAN)
[Rule 865(2)] - Presented with blinds not notified. Fined $100.
Warnings
Race 1A Tomlinson (HOPE FOR LOVE)
[Rule 869(2) Whip & Rein Regs] - Using whip with more than a wrist flicking motion.
Race 2S Payne (NEIL WILLIAM)
[Rule 869(2) Whip & Rein Regs] - Using whip with more than a wrist flicking motion.
Race 3H Douglas (ADELPHI STORM)
[Rule 869(4) and Home Straight Regs] - Maintain straight course in the run home.
Race 4R Cameron (HARRY'S GOLD)
[Rule 869(2) Whip & Rein Regs] - Using whip with more than a wrist flicking motion and in a continuous manner.
Race 7H Sail (ITZ ALL OVER ROVER)
[Rule 869(3)(b)] - Shifting ground crowding inside runner first bend.
Epistaxis
Nil
Horse Action
Race 1A BETTER JACKALACK - Warned Mobiles
Race 2CARMEN LUCIA - Ineligible Racing Manners - Stood Down 1 Trial
Race 2CARMEN LUCIA - Cleared From Unruly Stands
Race 2IMPERIAL KNIGHT - Cleared From Unruly Stands
Race 2LORDE FRANCO - Warned Racing Manners
Race 3ANTISOCIAL - Warned Mobiles
Race 4DELIGHTINGOLD - Veterinary Clearance Received
Race 4WHATSUPMAN - Warned Racing Manners
Race 4WISHING FOR U - Warned Stands
Race 5MAROUBRA - Warned Racing Manners
Race 5RUTHLESS EMMA - Cleared From Unruly Stands
Race 5SILVESTER - Warned Racing Manners
Race 7BETTERWITHBLING - Warned Stands
Race 8CALMBEFORETHESTORM - Cleared From Unruly Stands
Race 8HUNTER HILLS - Warned Racing Manners
Race 8MORRIE AFTON - Cleared From Unruly Stands
Race 8ZHUTEE - Cleared From Unruly Stands
Race 9RIPTIDE - Warned Racing Manners
Race 10PIONEER - Warned Stands
Race 11CAPPAHA - Warned Racing Manners
Race 12FLYING FOR ME - Unruly Mobiles
Race 12FLYING FOR ME - Ineligible Racing Manners - Stood Down 2 Trials
Medical Certificate
Nil
Driver Changes
Nil
Late Scratchings
Nil
Scratching Penalties
Ineligible from 23/03/2026 until 24/03/2026 inclusive (2 days):
STEELINTHEHEEL
Ineligible from 23/03/2026 until 26/03/2026 inclusive (4 days):
FRANCO HUMBIE
Ineligible from 23/03/2026 until 27/03/2026 inclusive (5 days):
BEYOND EXPECTATIONS, SAM SNEAD, WILLY AWAY, BAFFLED, BUACHAILL DANA, NASANA, LOGAN ROCK, LOUIS

Race Comments

Race 1   ODD JOB JOHNNY MOBILE PACE
HEY TONIGHT - retired from the race near the 700m after a front hopple carrier came adrift. This gear was inspected and found to be sufficiently taped with trainer B Ward deemed not to be at fault.
HOPE FOR LOVE - driver A Tomlinson was issued a warning for using her whip with more than a wrist flicking motion in the run home.
EVIDENTLY - raced wide early.
HES SANTAS EXCUSE - raced wide early.
TIMES LIKE THESE - raced wide early.
CARRERA BANDIDO - held up early in the run home.
A BETTER JACKALACK - broke in the score up and was out of position at the start. A warning was placed on the barrier record of the gelding. Over-raced middle stages. Held up early and middle stages of the run home.
PENNY WEIGHT - hung outwards and broke racing into the first bend losing considerable ground.
Race 2   RYAL BUSH TRANSPORT ASHBURTON TROT
HOOFN IT - hampered by a breaking runner near the 100m.
WOT UP TYRON - held up throughout the run home.
SHEEP - broke shortly after the start losing ground.
WHICH WAY - co-trainer D Iremonger advised the mare has had its joints treated since last racing.
LEARNING TO FLY - broke near the 100m hampering a trailing runner losing all chance.
CARMEN LUCIA - broke racing into the first bend losing all chance. Stood down to trial to the satisfaction of Stewards on one occasion prior to resuming. Cleared from the unruly for future standing starts.
BULLET - fractious prior to the start.
IMPERIAL KNIGHT - switched to a pace near the 200m having to be broken up by driver S Thornley losing all chance. Cleared from the unruly for future standing starts.
LORDE FRANCO - broke near the 900m losing ground. Broke again passing the 800m losing all chance. A warning was placed on the racing record of the mare.
NEIL WILLIAM - broke shortly after the start losing ground. Driver S Payne was issued a warning for using his whip with more than a wrist flicking motion in the run home.
Race 3   ACL CONTRACTING MOBILE PACE
SELSEY MAE - over-raced early stages. Lay outwards rounding the first bend.
ICY STARS - over-raced middle stages. Weakened in the run home. When questioned regarding the performance driver J Morrison advised that despite the horse racing keenly he was disappointed with the effort. A post-race veterinary examination revealed signs of muscle tie up. Stewards will follow up with connections in the coming days.
THE SEAMSTRESS - over-raced early stages.
ANTISOCIAL - required assistance from the Clerk of the Course in the pre-race formation. A warning was placed on the barrier record of the gelding. Over-raced middle stages.
ADELPHI STORM - lay outwards leaving the final bend and shifted up the track early in the run home. Driver H Douglas was issued a warning to make a greater effort to maintain a straight course in the run home.
EASY ART - held up early and middle stages of the run home.
Race 4   DONAGHYS 150TH YEAR CELEBRATIONS PACE
WISHING FOR U - broke at the start and shifted outwards abruptly checking an outside runner with a trailing runner also being hampered losing ground. A warning was placed on the barrier record of the gelding.
BORION - checked and broke at the start losing ground.
DELIGHTINGOLD - the required veterinary clearance was received.
BLASTFROMTHEPAST - held up early in the run home. Driver J Young-Grant admitted a breach of Rule 869(3)(b) in that she drove carelessly when shifting outwards near the 250m in an abrupt manner hampering an outside runner. After viewing the replays and hearing submissions on penalty, the Adjudicative Committee suspended Mrs Young-Grant's driver's licence from the conclusion of racing today up to and including 29 March 2026 (2 days).
HARRY'S GOLD - driver R Cameron was issued a warning for using his whip with more than a wrist flicking motion and in a continuous manner in the run home.
THERE HE GOES - hampered near the 250m when BLASTFROMTHEPAST shifted outwards.
WHATSUPMAN - broke near the 600m hampering a trailing runner losing ground. A warning was placed on the racing record of the gelding.
FOREMAN FOX - hampered by a breaking runner at the start.
LAY ON MACDUFF - hampered by a breaking runner near the 600m. Junior driver D Williams (assisted by S Tomlinson) admitted a breach of Rule 869(2) and the Whip and Rein Regulations in that she used her whip in a continuous manner in the run home. After viewing the replays and hearing submissions on penalty, the Adjudicative Committee imposed a fine of $250.
PICK IT UP - fractious prior to the start.
Race 5   BETAVET BUILDAGUT TROT
SILVESTER - broke rounding the first bend losing all chance. A warning was placed on the racing record of the gelding.
MAROUBRA - tangled away. Broke leaving the final bend losing all chance. A warning was placed on the racing record of the gelding. Driver C Ford advised the gelding had lost the right front shoe during the running.
JOANY BABY - weakened in the run home. When questioned regarding the performance driver S Tomlinson advised the mare had been unsuited to racing in the parked position. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no abnormalities.
SENIOR CONSTABLE LIZ - pre-race warmed.
TRANSTASMAN BUBBLE - broke briefly at the start. Had difficulty obtaining clear racing room in the middle stages of the run home.
RUTHLESS EMMA - slow to begin. Cleared from the unruly for future standing starts.
Race 6   WOODLANDS STUD LITTLE GREEN JUG (MOBILE PACE)
MATTIE NEVIN - had some difficulty obtaining clear racing room in the run home.
STUMBLIN IN - lay outwards when being forced wider near the 50m.
Race 7   G & R SEEDS (JUNIOR DRIVERS) PACE
The start was delayed due to the Starter not being satisfied with the manner in which the field addressed the barrier with all runners being turned out of line.
BLACKJACK - held up early in the run home.
ELEGANT DELIGHT - crowded by an outside runner racing into the first bend having to be steadied.
ITZ ALL OVER ROVER - raced fiercely through the middle stages. Weakened from the 600m. Driver H Sail advised the gelding had been striking his sulky wheels throughout. Mr Sail was issued a warning for the manner he drove racing into the first bend when crowding an inside runner.
NORMIE STEAD - raced wide early.
BETTERWITHBLING - broke at the start losing all chance. A warning was placed on the barrier record of the gelding.
ANYTIME AT ALL - held up early and middle stages of the run home.
Race 8   STEVE PARKINSON - ORTHOPAEDIC SURGEON TROT
CASTLEISLAND - over-raced middle stages. Held up early in the run home.
DIDN'T DI - held up until late in the run home.
HEZA COOL DUDE - crowded late in the run home when runners either side shifted ground marginally.
SPANISH PRINCESS - broke at the start losing ground.
MOA MOJITO - broke at the start losing ground.
JUST EASY - raced wide early.
HUNTER HILLS - broke near the 200m and continued on in a break losing all chance. A warning was placed on the racing record of the gelding.
CALMBEFORETHESTORM - cleared from the unruly for future standing starts.
ZHUTEE - cleared from the unruly for future standing starts.
MORRIE AFTON - over-raced middle stages. Broke leaving the final bend and struck track markers losing all chance. Cleared from the unruly for future standing starts.
Race 9   LIQUORLAND TINWALD MOBILE PACE
GOODOLDAYZ - hampered when DESTINY'S DREAM shifted inwards racing into the first bend.
STAR ON THE ROCKS - driver S Thornley reported he sustained a punctured sulky tyre racing into the first bend.
BETTER BE QUICK - hampered by a breaking runner near the 1100m. Held up early in the run home. Driver R Harrison advised she did not activate the removeable deafeners or sliding blinds. Stewards questioned Miss Harrison (assisted by J Dunn) regarding the manner in which she drove in the run home when not shifting wider to obtain clear running when the opportunity existed inside the final 200m. After considering her explanation, Stewards issued a charge under Rule 868(2) alleging that she failed to take all reasonable and permissible measures to obtain the best possible finishing place with the hearing being adjourned sine die.
RIPTIDE - broke near the 1100m hampering trailing runners losing ground. A warning was placed on the racing record of the gelding. Broke again leaving the final bend losing all chance and was retired from the race. A post-race veterinary examination revealed a high respiratory rate. Stewards will follow up with connections in the coming days.
DESTINY'S DREAM - junior driver T Borcoskie (assisted by J Dunn) admitted a breach of Rule 869(3)(b) in that he drove carelessly when shifting ground racing into the first bend when insufficiently clear of GOODOLDAYZ which was hampered before striking the sulky wheel of STAR ON THE ROCKS which punctured. After viewing the replays and hearing submissions on penalty, the Adjudicative Committee suspended Mr Borcoskie's driver's licence from the conclusion of racing on 25 March up to and including 1 April 2026 (3 days).
ZOOM X - hampered by a breaking runner near the 1100m. Raced three wide with cover from the 1000m.
COMMANDER JOE - raced wide early. Hampered by a breaking runner near the 1100m.
PATIRO - hampered by a breaking runner near the 1100m. Forced to race three wide without cover from the 1000m.
KOWHAI STAR - hampered by a breaking runner near the 1100m. Forced to race four wide from the 900m.
TAKE THE MIKI - hampered by a breaking runner near the 1100m. Raced three wide with cover from the 900m.
Race 10   DONAGHYS 150TH YEAR CELEBRATIONS HANDICAP PACE
FITZTHEBILL - lay inwards and struck track markers rounding the first bend.
TEMPO WARRIOR - weakened rounding the final bend.
MYSTERY BEACH - raced wide early.
PIONEER - broke at the start losing all chance. A warning was placed on the barrier record of the gelding.
SPIRIT DOWNUNDER - over-raced middle stages. Held up throughout the run home. Driver O Thornley advised she did not activate the removable deafeners or sliding blinds in consequence.
LAVRA ROSE - broke at the start losing ground. Held up for the majority of the run home.
IRON BRIGADE - paced roughly in the run home.
TANZANIA - broke at the start losing ground.
Race 11   RAKAIA RAILWAY HOTEL HANDICAP TROT
SILVERLININGS - broke at the start losing considerable ground.
MUSCLYNN - hampered by a breaking runner rounding the final bend.
VALYRIAN - trainer R Todd was issued a $100 Minor Infringement Notice for presenting the gelding to race with blinds which had not been notified. Held up throughout the run home.
ROYAL DEL - broke at the start losing ground. Hampered by a breaking runner rounding the final bend.
BEVRON - hampered by a breaking runner rounding the final bend.
AVEROSS MAJESTY - hampered by a breaking runner rounding the final bend. Lay inwards leaving the final bend having to be steadied by driver S Tomlinson.
CAPPAHA - broke rounding the final bend hampering trailing runners losing all chance. A warning was placed on the racing record of the gelding.
OUR PINOCCHIO - broke after 100m losing all chance.
Race 12   R AND R PRECISION SPREADING MOBILE PACE
FAREWELL SPIT - over-raced middle stages. Weakened in the run home.
PROSPERITY - driver R Close advised he did not activate the removable deafeners due to having the field covered.
FLYING FOR ME - broke after 150m and shifted ground abruptly severely checking surrounding runners. Placed on the unruly for future mobile starts and stood down to trial to the satisfaction of Stewards on two occasions prior to resuming.
ROVERT DECISION - checked by a breaking runner after 150m.
SALUTE - checked by a breaking runner after 150m.
LORD FANTASY - severely checked by a breaking runner after 150m.
KATYS SHADOW - severely checked by a breaking runner after 150m losing all chance and was retired from the race.
HI HOPES - severely checked by a breaking runner after 150m. Had difficulty obtaining clear racing room in the run home.
STYLE COUNCIL - checked by a breaking runner after 150m.
BETTOR GO VINNIE - checked by a breaking runner after 150m. Held up early and middle stages of the run home.
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