Drivers Challenge highlights Methven card

By Mike Love

An exciting day of action will play out today at Mt Harding racecourse for the Methven trotting club with a twelve race card full of big even fields. 

The Roseland Racing Drivers Challenge will showcase some of the best driving talent New Zealand has to offer. Methven trotting club President Michael Heenan is hopeful of a positive day for both the club and industry as a whole. 

“We hope that the day is received well,” said Heenan.

“We are really happy with the drivers we’ve got and the support we have got.”

There are four teams in total that will battle it out. Team Ladies ($4.50) will have Crystal Hackett, Sheree Tomlinson and Samantha Ottley. Team Legends ($2.60) has Maurice McKendry, Ricky May and Tony Herlihy. Team Methven ($7.00) consists of Kimberly Butt, Gerard O’Reilly and John Morrison. While Team Premiership Leaders ($2.10) has Matthew Williamson, Blair Orange and John Dunn. 

“I’ve been looking at the fields and every field is so even, it should make for a good betting day.

“I slightly favour Team Premiership Leaders - I think they have the better drives,” tipped Heenan.

Drivers will be wearing their personal training colours or the colours of their employees.

Heenan will also line up two runners at today’s meeting. Maiden trotter Rondo Trouble ($31.00FF) will be top four chance in race one the Methven Resort & Opuke Hot Pools trot over 2400m with driver Ricky May. The four year old Superfast Stuart gelding has strung together a series of fourth placings recently, and Heenan is expecting more of the same today.  

“He’s a nice type and I think he’ll win a couple of races. But at the moment he’s big and a bit weak. He’ll be a rough show in a good big field.”

Troubleshooter ($9.00FF) will go around in race eight The Phat Duck Brew Bar & Kitchen (Invited Drivers) mobile pace over 2300m. The four year old Sunshine Beach mare has been in strong form recently and Heenan suggested another forward showing is likely. 

“She’s getting better. She’s probably not the most genuine horse i’ve ever trained but at the moment she’s going well. I think the one of John Morrison’s (Ocean Of Tears) will be hard to beat.” 

John Morrison has drawn the drive.

Outside of the drivers challenge, the feature race on the programme is race ten The Brown Pub Methven Mount Hutt TC Cup over 3000m for a $20,000 purse. The field features race favourite Renegade ($2.70FF) for trainer Brendon Hill and driver Craig Ferguson.

Also race eleven the Lather Up ‘Little Green Jug’ mobile pace over a mile also for a purse of $20,000 will see a field of ten run to the judge.

Currently there is a battle for favouritism between Strikem ($3.50FF) and Sacetas ($3.60FF).

Race one gets underway at an earlier start time of 11:35am.