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Methven Trotting Club Inc

Sunday, 12 April 2026

Stipendiary Stewards Report

Club
Methven Trotting Club Inc at Mt Harding Racecourse
Weather
Fine
Track
Dead
Rail
Not applicable
Stewards
M Sole (Chairman), M Szukiel, S Renault, R Butt
Veterinarian
Dr A A Corser
Logo

General

General
Pre-race blood testing was carried out.

Supplementary

Nil

Summary

Swabbing
JOHNNY TROTTER, SWEET BREE, QUICKER THE BETTOR, BUFFY NORTHSTAINS, HI HOPES, HUCKLEBERRY, RENA, SHEPHERDS DELIGHT, BETTOR GO VINNIE, HOLLY HIGHLANDER, JUKEBOX GYPSY
Protests
Nil
Suspensions
Race 11G Shand (ARTMORE)
[Rule 869(2) Whip & Rein Regs] - Using whip free of the rein in the run home (2 days).
Suspended from 13/04/2026 until 19/04/2026 inclusive.
Fines
Race 1S Thornley (IMPERIAL KNIGHT)
[Rule 870(1)(2)(a)] - Failed to take breaking runner clear of the field. Fined $200.
Race 7H Orange (TAUMUTU LAD)
[Rule 869(2) Whip & Rein Regs] - Using whip with more than a wrist flicking motion. Fined $400.
Warnings
Race 1L Dobbs (PHANTOM SPUR)
[Rule 869(2) Whip & Rein Regs] - Using whip with more than a wrist flicking motion.
Race 2K Barron (HARRY'S GIRL)
[Rule 452(2)] - Incorrect colours.
Race 3J Dunn (COULD BE KATY)
[Rule 869(2) Whip & Rein Regs] - Using whip with more than a wrist flicking motion.
Race 7R Houghton (KOTARE RATA)
[Rule 865(2)] - Presented without the notified blinds.
Race 8D & A Jones (KISS THE GIRLS)
[Rule 865(2)] - Presented with removable deafeners which were removed prior to the start.
Race 10L O'Reilly (BIRDY)
[Rule 867] - Driving with foot removed from sulky footrest in the run home.
Epistaxis
Nil
Horse Action
Race 1IMPERIAL KNIGHT - Ineligible Racing Manners - Stood Down 1 Trial
Race 2BIGANDQUICK - Ineligible Mobiles - Stood Down 1 Trial
Race 2BOY RACER - Unruly Mobiles
Race 2SELSEY MAE - Warned Mobiles
Race 3HARRY'S GOLD - Warned Stands
Race 5LOGAN ROCK - Warned Stands
Race 6CAPPAHA - Warned Racing Manners
Race 11MELTON ENFORCER - Veterinary Clearance Required
Medical Certificate
Nil
Driver Changes
Nil
Late Scratchings
Race 2BIGANDQUICK - Rule 213(1)(e) - Unsatisfactory manners prior to the start
Scratching Penalties
Ineligible from 13/04/2026 until 17/04/2026 inclusive (5 days):
CLEANEMUP, CONNIE GOLIGHTLY, BABY COME BACK, BORION, FEI LONG, FRANCO HUMBIE, THE TOWN OF LIGHT, DANCING N HEAVEN

Race Comments

Race 1   GARY MCCORMICK TRANSPORT LTD TROT
LAP IT UP - checked and locked wheels with IMPERIAL KNIGHT rounding the first bend losing ground.
IMPERIAL KNIGHT - broke racing into the first bend checking trailing runners and locked wheels with LAP IT UP losing ground. Stood down to trial to the satisfaction of Stewards on one occasion prior to resuming. Driver S Thornley was issued a $200 Minor Infringement Notice for failing to take his runner clear of the field when in a break. Switched to a pace then broke again in the run home losing all chance.
JOHNNY TROTTER - broke racing into the first bend losing ground. Authorisation of 1st placing was withheld until Stewards were satisfied the gelding had complied with the Breaking Horses Regulation in the early stages.
JUST CHARLIE - checked by a breaking runner racing into the first bend.
MAJESTIC FLYER - broke shortly after the start losing ground. Lay inwards and trotted roughly for a distance passing the 1100m.
RAZOR RAY - broke after 150m losing ground. Driver C Ford advised he was unable to activate the removable deafeners due to the cord breaking.
OVER DA MOON - stood on the mark and broke at the start hampering a trailing runner losing ground. Broke again rounding the first bend losing ground.
PHANTOM SPUR - lay inwards and broke rounding the first bend losing ground. Driver L Dobbs was issued a warning for using his whip with more than a wrist flicking motion in the run home.
WHATZ THE LUCK - checked by a breaking runner racing into the first bend. Trotted roughly over the concluding stages and was unable to be fully driven out by driver J Dunn.
A QUIET GIRL - hampered by a breaking runner at the start. Trotted roughly leaving the final bend.
GEORGIA TROUBLE - broke at the start losing ground.
Race 2   MEMORY FUNERALS ASHBURTON MOBILE PACE
SWEET BREE - held up early in the run home.
SELSEY MAE - out of position at the start despite the efforts of driver R May. A warning was placed on the barrier record of the mare. Held up early in the run home.
BOY RACER - out of position at the start despite the efforts of driver W House. Placed on the unruly for future mobile starts. Raced wide early. Raced greenly near the 1300m and shifted up the track despite the efforts of Mr House losing ground.
MAJOR MISS - awkwardly placed close to the sulky of SWEET BREE near the 1600m after a slight easing of the pace. Held up early in the run home.
HARRY'S GIRL - trainer K Barron was issued a warning for not having the correct colours available.
BIGANDQUICK - refused to score up losing all chance and was retired from the race. Declared a non-runner by Stewards under Rule 213(1)(e) due to unsatisfactory manners prior to the start. Stood down to trial to the satisfaction of Stewards on one occasion from a mobile start prior to resuming.
Race 3   THE PHAT DUCK BREW BAR & KITCHEN PACE
HARRY'S GOLD - broke at the start losing all chance and was retired from the race. A warning was placed on the barrier record of the gelding.
ENOKA - had difficulty obtaining clear racing room in the early and middle stages of the run home.
ERIN - broke at the start losing ground. Weakened in the run home.
COULD BE KATY - driver J Dunn was issued a warning for using his whip with more than a wrist flicking motion in the run home.
BETTOR DREAMS - held up middle stages of the run home.
PICK IT UP - hung inwards at various stages during the running causing driver L O'Reilly difficulty. Weakened in the run home.
Race 4   DOUG MCCORMICK MEMORIAL (INVITED DRIVERS CHALLENGE) TROT
MORRIE AFTON - broke at the start losing ground. Held up early in the run home.
GO HOME DENISE - weakened in the run home. When questioned regarding the performance driver S Ottley advised she was disappointed with the effort and was unable to provide any explanation.
MONARCH PRINCE - a saddle attachment broke shortly after the start with the overcheck coming adrift. This gear was inspected and found to be in previously good condition.
MAROUBRA - broke at the start losing ground.
DIAMOND HARBOUR - lay inwards and struck track markers near the 1300m. Held up early in the run home.
Race 5   MOUNT HUTT TROTTING CLUB (INVITED DRIVERS CHALLENGE) PACE
HI HOPES - broke at the start losing ground. Authorisation of 1st placing was withheld until Stewards were satisfied the mare had complied with the Breaking Horses Regulation in the early stages.
FLYAWAY - broke at the start losing ground. Lay inwards when held up early in the run home and struck a track marker.
HUGHES TWO ME - held up early in the run home.
COUNTRY GOLD - raced wide with cover from the 1200m.
AMICI - raced wide from the 1400m and was forced to race four wide from the 500m.
LOGAN ROCK - broke at the start losing all chance. A warning was placed on the barrier record of the gelding.
PENNY WEIGHT - raced wide early.
Race 6   SHEARMAC ALUMINIUM LTD (INVITED DRIVERS CHALLENGE) TROT
BARRYTOWN - tangled away.
WHAT THE BELL - trotted roughly in the run home.
BONNIE BAGRIE - broke at the start losing considerable ground. Weakened from the 600m.
SWITCH ON - over-raced middle stages.
CAPPAHA - held up early in the run home. Trotted roughly and broke over the concluding stages. A warning was placed on the racing record of the gelding.
Race 7   MAINLAND WOOL LTD (INVITED DRIVERS CHALLENGE) MOBILE PACE
KOTARE RATA - trainer R Houghton was issued a warning for presenting the mare to race without the notified blinds.
FAREWELL SPIT - lay inwards and struck a track marker near the 1800m.
NOT OVER - over-raced middle stages.
TAUMUTU LAD - junior driver H Orange (assisted by Z Butcher) 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 imposed a fine of $400.
CARRERA BANDIDO - held up early in the run home.
WOODLEA ROCKS - raced wide early.
MOUTON CADET - held up early and middle stages of the run home.
Race 8   'THE BROWN PUB METHVEN' MOUNT HUTT TC CUP (HCP PACE)
TANZANIA - broke briefly at the start.
TIMES ARE A CHANGIN - weakened final bend hampering a trailing runner.
SHEPHERDS DELIGHT - tangled away.
DESTINY'S DREAM - broke at the start losing ground. Raced wide early. Hampered by a weakening runner final bend.
KISS THE GIRLS - co-trainers D & A Jones were issued a warning for presenting the gelding to race with removable deafeners which were removed prior to the start. Broke at the start losing ground.
Race 9   SPEIGHT'S (INVITED DRIVERS CHALLENGE) MOBILE PACE
HENRY WINKLER - weakened in the run home. Trainer S Smolenski advised he would be making gear changes prior to racing next.
GOODOLDAYZ - driver H Orange advised he was unable to activate the removable deafeners due to the cord becoming entangled.
EVANGALIST - raced wide early. Held up middle stages of the run home.
TYPHOON TERE - had difficulty obtaining clear racing room in the middle stages of the run home.
SHARE A DREAM - over-raced middle stages. Held up early in the run home.
Race 10   OPUKE HOT POOLS (INVITED DRIVERS CHALLENGE) TROT
BIRDY - weakened final bend hampering a trailing runner. Driver L O'Reilly was issued a warning for driving with his foot removed from the sulky footrest in the run home. A post-race veterinary examination revealed a high heart rate and slow recovery. Stewards will follow up with trainer L McKay in the coming days.
BLUE COLLAR - broke racing into the first bend losing all chance.
FOUR WISE WOMEN - broke at the start losing all chance.
MM SUNSHINE - hampered by a weakening runner final bend.
OLIVER - trotted roughly in the run home.
KAIRAKI SPUR - broke near the 1100m losing considerable ground. Broke again near the 50m losing all chance.
PETITE TRIXTON - raced wide early. Broke rounding the first bend losing considerable ground. Hampered and broke rounding the final bend losing all chance.
Race 11   MID CANTERBURY OTA CANTY PLAINS CHALLENGE (HT 2) MOB PACE
ARTMORE - driver G Shand admitted a breach of Rule 869(2) and the Whip and Rein Regulations in that he used his whip free of the rein in the run home. After viewing the replays and hearing submissions on penalty, the Adjudicative Committee suspended Mr Shand's driver's licence from the conclusion of racing today up to and including 19 April 2026 (2 days).
BETTERWITHBLING - raced wide early.
MELTON ENFORCER - weakened final bend. When questioned regarding the performance and the tactics he adopted in the early stages when contesting for the lead, co-trainer/driver S Iremonger advised that due to recent performances and a better draw today, he elected to attempt to race in a more forward position however when he was unable to obtain the lead the horse had commenced to over-race with the effort taking its toll. After considering his explanation and the distance he had challenged for the lead which was not excessive, Stewards took the matter no further other than to remind Mr Iremonger not to drive in a manner which could leave him open to query. A post-race veterinary examination revealed a slow recovery and lameness in the right front leg. Stood down pending a veterinary clearance prior to resuming.
EVIDENTLY - raced wide early.
MOTOR MOUTH - over-raced early and middle stages.
RADIOACTIVE JAFFA - had difficulty obtaining clear racing room early in the run home.
JUKEBOX GYPSY - over-raced middle stages.
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