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Manawatu Harness Racing Club Inc

Tuesday, 31 March 2026

Stipendiary Stewards Report

Club
Manawatu Harness Racing Club Inc at Manawatu Raceway
Weather
Fine
Track
Fast
Rail
Not applicable
Stewards
S Mulcay (Chairman), S Wallis, K Coppins, K Jillings
Veterinarian
Dr P Loh
Logo

General

General
Driver M McKendry supplied the required Medical Clearance to resume driving.

Supplementary

Methven TC - Sunday, 22nd March 2026
Race 3 - ACL CONTRACTING MOBILE PACE
Trainer W Stapleton advised Stewards on 30 March that ICY STARS has been treated for muscle tie-up since last racing.
Manawatu HRC - Sunday, 29th March 2026
Race 1 - DO YOU WANT ME / MARION HICKEY MOBILE PACE
Stewards reconvened the matter alleging that Driver B Wilkins failed to ensure ALWAYS B SWEET was in position at the start. After reviewing all available video footage, Ms Wilkins, with the assistance of senior horseman S Abernethy, defended a breach of Rule 858(1)(i) in that she failed to maintain her position prior to dispatch. After hearing evidence from Stewards, Ms Wilkins and Mr Abernethy along with viewing all available films the Adjudicative Committee dismissed the charge.
Race 2 - AUTO SUPPLIERS GROUP MOBILE PACE
Driver J Abernethy defended a charge under Rule 869(7A)(a), alleging that he failed to avoid contact with a track marker when exiting the final bend. After reviewing all available footage and considering evidence from both the Stewards and Mr Abernethy, the Adjudicative Committee found the charge proven and imposed a fine of $100.
Race 4 - CITY OF PALMERSTON NORTH FESTIVAL CUP MOBILE PACE
MIDFREW LUCRE - Driver J Abernethy was issued a warning for failing to maintain his position prior to dispatch.
BLUE CHIP LOU - lay out late in the score up and was back from position at dispatch. A warning was placed on the mare's barrier manners.

Summary

Swabbing
RUN BLAZE RUN, MANAVUE, MIKI'S MOMENT, BALTIC STAR, I CAN TOO, EAGLE HANOVER, BLUE CHIP LOU, MIDNIGHT MIKI
Protests
Nil
Suspensions
Nil
Fines
Nil
Warnings
Race 1D Towers (MAJOR NIGHTMARE)
[Rule 858(1)(i)] - Failed to maintain barrier position.
Epistaxis
Nil
Horse Action
Race 3COSMIC STAR - Warned Performance
Race 4ALWAYS B SWEET - Warned Mobiles
Race 4BECKER - Warned Performance
Race 5HIGHVIEW ROCKN ROLL - Warned Racing Manners
Medical Certificate
Nil
Driver Changes
Nil
Late Scratchings
Nil
Scratching Penalties
Exceptional Circumstances:
GENUINE IMITATION

Race Comments

Race 1   RACING AGAIN 7TH APRIL MOBILE PACE
MANAVUE - lay in rounding the turns. Held up final turn and early in the run home. Driver K Coppins reported she did not activate the deafeners as a result.
TACT FRANCO - raced wide early.
MAJOR NIGHTMARE - underwent a pre-race Veterinary examination which revealed a minor issue with a tooth with the filly being cleared to start. Back from position at dispatch. Driver D Towers (assisted by B Towers) was issued with a warning.
VISCOUNT BANNER - over-raced middle stages.
EASTWOOD ADMIRAL - paced roughly shortly after the start. Lay out and paced roughly before breaking briefly near the 1400m. Lay in contacting track markers near the 1350m. Over-raced middle stages. Continued to lay out and pace roughly at various stages. Held up final turn and until late in the run home. Driver H Orange advised he did not activate the deafeners as a result.
Race 2   MASONIC HOTEL MOBILE PACE
JAHI - held up final turn.
CLAP FOR THE WOLFMAN - pulled hard late in the score up. Over-raced when outside the leader racing down the back straight on the first occasion.
MIKI'S MOMENT - slow to score up. Held up final turn.
Race 3   HAPPY BIRTHDAY TEDDY BURCH MOBILE PACE
COSMIC STAR - weakened from the 500m. A post-race Veterinary examination did not reveal any abnormality. A warning was placed on the gelding's racing performance.
BENSON DUDE - held up final turn.
FEAR THE DIVA - raced wide early. Commenced to weaken final turn.
ESTER LUCY - raced wide early before being restrained to the rear.
RUN MASON RUN - underwent a pre-race Veterinary examination after a minor incident when being transported to the track and was cleared to start. Raced wide without cover for a distance in the middle stages.
Race 4   DOUBLE O BROS COFFEE MOBILE PACE
MAJOR MOONSHINE - hampered by a weakening runner rounding the final turn.
BECKER - weakened from the 1150m to finish distanced. A post-race Veterinary examination did not reveal any abnormality. A warning was placed on the gelding's racing performance.
ALWAYS B SWEET - slow to score up and was back from position at the candy pole. A warning was placed on the mare's barrier manners. Weakened from the 500m hampering a trailing runner.
DOCTOR TIM - raced wide early before being restrained to the rear. Raced wide without cover for a distance middle stages. Weakened approaching the final turn.
Race 5   HAPPY EASTER HANDICAP TROT
VALENTINA SHEVCHENKO - broke shortly after the start losing all chance.
CHESINOV - broke rounding the first turn losing all chance.
HIGHVIEW ROCKN ROLL - broke entering the first turn losing all chance. A warning was placed on the mare's racing manners.
ORDAINED - weakened final turn.
Race 6   PALAMOUNTAINS ANIMAL NUTRITION MOBILE PACE
MIDNIGHT MIKI - raced outside the leader throughout before weakening leaving the final turn. When questioned regarding the performance driver A Poutama could offer no explanation for the disappointing effort. A post-race Veterinary examination revealed no abnormality. Stewards will follow up with Trainer N Purdon in the coming days.
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