A new record has been set with turnover from yesterday’s Methven Trotting Club meeting surpassing $1.7m.
A total of 11 races were held at the Mt Harding course with final figures for the meeting confirmed at $1,746,334. It’s the highest turnover at Methven since the current wagering data started in 2015-16.
The race that attracted the most interest was Race 10, the Staples and Kidd Pace, at $381,623. Interest in the race skyrocketed after the TAB announced it would guarantee a $150,000 First Four.
The day’s feature race the Group 3 Lazarus Methven Cup was next turnover-wise, with $240,915.
Overall the $1.74m was well ahead of last year’s total of $1.45m for 12 races.
“It was a fantastic day’s racing and the turnover reflects that,” says Harness Racing New Zealand Chief Executive Brad Steele, “and the Methven Club are to be congratulated for their efforts.”
“For it to be nearly $200,000 more than the previous record is a great result.”
The previous record was $1.586m from 12 races in 2015-16 while in 2020-21 the turnover was $1.574m from 12 races.
Methven’s next meeting is on Friday, November 1.
Mighty Looee wins competitive Group 3 Methven Cup
By Mike Love
Mighty Looee’s career earnings topped $300,000 with his upset win in yesterday’s Group 3 Lazarus Methven Cup.
The Sweet Lou seven-year-old, driven by Tim Williams, showed an impressive turn of foot, after settling five back the markers.
“He goes well when he relaxes. So it was good to see him do that and it paid off for him,” says co-trainer Robert Dunn.
It was only when a gap presented that Mighty Looee weaved through and knocked off runner up Here’s Herbie right on the post, clocking the final 800m in 58.6.
“He’s only just come off the unruly and he’s starting to go away better now.”
“Tim said he was travelling good all the way, and when he got the gaps he just took them.”
Favourite Pinseeker led for trainer-driver Jonny Cox but faded to ninth.
Mighty Looee looks set to target the intermediate grade races through the spring, with a race like the Junior Free For All at Addington Raceway on IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup day on Tuesday, November 12, in his sights.
The Methven Cup was the gelding’s 17th career win, with his lifetime earnings now at $306,656.
With the Dunns having already secured a spot in the IRT New Zealand Cup with Dalton Shard, they also have a chance to qualify another runner in Charlie Brown who currently sits 19th in the rankings with just a few more opportunities to climb the ladder.
“He will definitely be going to Kaikoura, and before that we may look at the Flying Stakes.”
“He’s just racing so well at the moment.”
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