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Manawatu Harness Racing Club Inc

Thursday, 9 April 2026

Stipendiary Stewards Report

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

General

General
Nil

Supplementary

Manawatu HRC - Tuesday, 7th April 2026
Race 5 - RACING AGAIN THURSDAY 9TH MOBILE PACE
Stewards concluded their investigation into the manner in which driver M Hay (GOTTA ELECT BILL) used his whip over the concluding stages of the event. In assessing the matter, Stewards reviewed all available race footage and carefully considered the explanations and submissions provided by Mr Hay. After giving due consideration to all of the evidence, Stewards determined that no further action was warranted in the circumstances. However, Stewards did take the opportunity to remind Mr Hay of his obligations under the Rules in relation to the use of the whip.
Stewards conducted a follow-up with trainer C Garlick (HE'S TOUGH), who reported that the gelding had come through its recent run in good order and had recovered well however, upon consideration, he elected not to start the gelding at tonight's meeting. Mr Garlick further advised that HE'S TOUGH will no longer continue to race from his stable.

Summary

Swabbing
ORDAINED, I CAN TOO, MANAVUE, MR MIKI, FRANCO MIKI
Protests
Nil
Suspensions
Nil
Fines
Nil
Warnings
Race 1M Hay (KINK)
[Rule 859(2)] - Started wider on the track than allocated position.
Race 1B Wilkins (MANCHESTER IN TIME)
[Rule 859(2)] - Started wider on the track than allocated position.
Race 3S Dickson (CEE WHATABET)
[Rule 869(2) and Whip & Rein Regs] - Using whip in a continuous manner.
Epistaxis
Nil
Horse Action
Race 2GOTTA ELECT BILL - Warned Mobiles
Race 3EASTWOOD ADMIRAL - Warned Mobiles
Race 3SHEZABONNIELASS - Ineligible Mobiles - Stood Down 1 Trial
Race 3TACT FRANCO - Warned Racing Manners
Medical Certificate
Nil
Driver Changes
Nil
Late Scratchings
Race 4WHO'S YOUR DRAGON - At 5.25pm on Veterinary advice
Scratching Penalties
Ineligible from 10/04/2026 until 14/04/2026 inclusive (5 days):
EASY DOES IT, HE'S TOUGH, WHO'S YOUR DRAGON

Race Comments

Race 1   GO JOHNNY WHO HANDICAP TROT
SCOOTS - slow to begin.
KINK - started wider on the track than its allocated position. Driver M Hay was issued with a warning. Trotted roughly final bend. When questioned regarding the performance Mr Hay advised the gelding had hung inwards and he was unable to fully drive the horse out.
MANCHESTER IN TIME - started wider on the track than its allocated position. Driver B Wilkins was issued with a warning.
Race 2   HAPPY BIRTHDAY HOBBSY MOBILE PACE
STEALERS WHEEL - over-raced middle stages. Held up final bend. Lay in and raced inside a track marker exiting the final bend. Weakened over the concluding stages.
DREAM ON LOU - held up early stages of the run home.
GOTTA ELECT BILL - out of position at the start despite the efforts of driver W House. A warning was placed on the barrier record of the gelding.
MIKI'S MOMENT - lay in and brushed a track marker exiting the final bend.
Race 3   MASONIC HOTEL MOBILE PACE
CEE WHATABET - driver S Dickson was issued with a warning for using his whip in a continuous manner in the home straight.
CANNED HEAT - crowded MAGIE DO approaching the 900m. Driver P Ferguson was advised to exercise greater care when shifting ground.
MAGIE DO -crowded approaching the 900m having to be steadied by driver S Abernethy.
MAJOR NIGHTMARE - driver B Towers advised that only one sliding blind had activated despite his efforts.
SHEZABONNIELASS - broke in the score up and was out of position at dispatch. Stood down to trial to the satisfaction of Stewards on one occasion from a mobile prior to resuming. Inconvenienced by a breaking runner near the 700m. Paced roughly rounding the final bend.
EASTWOOD ADMIRAL - paced roughly and had to be restrained in the score up being out of position at dispatch. A warning was placed on the barrier record of the gelding. Lost contact with the field approaching the 900m. Weakened final bend.
TACT FRANCO - hung outwards and broke near the 700m inconveniencing SHEZABONNIELASS which in turn inconvenienced RUTHERFORD, with that runner racing wider on the track as a result. A warning was placed on the racing record of TACT FRANCO.
VISCOUNT BANNER - Stewards lodged an information alleging junior driver B Wilkins had used her whip in a continuous manner in the home straight. Due to Miss Wilkins not having a senior horseman available to assist her the matter was adjourned sine die by the Adjudicator.
RUTHERFORD - inconvenienced by a breaking runner near the 700m and raced wider on the track.
Race 4   SUPPORT POPPY DAY MOBILE PACE
THE ELITE ATHLETE - over-raced through the middle stages.
UPTON - raced greenly when being restrained contacting track markers passing the 1300m. Over-raced through the middle stages. Weakened over the concluding stages. When questioned regarding the performance driver M Hay advised the filly had not been suited to doing work through the early stages. A post-race Veterinary examination revealed no abnormality.
WHO'S YOUR DRAGON - late scratching on Veterinary advice at 5.25pm.
Race 5   RACING AGAIN 28TH APRIL MOBILE PACE
INDISPOSED - inconvenienced by a weakening runner final bend. Finished towards the rear of the field. When questioned regarding the performance driver M Hay advised the gelding had not been suited to the fast early tempo, then raced further back in the field than anticipated and was unable to run on to any extent after being inconvenienced.
ESTER LUCY - inconvenienced by a weakening runner final bend.
IM ALL IN - weakened final bend inconveniencing ESTER LUCY and INDISPOSED.
BUGALUGS - held up early stages of the home straight.
FRANCO MIKI - lay inwards exiting the final bend placing an inside runner in restricted room.
FEAR THE DIVA - placed in restricted exiting the final bend when an outside runner lay inwards.
CLAP FOR THE WOLFMAN - raced wide early stages.
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