Manawatu Harness Racing Club

At our last meeting on April 30, 2026, two new track records were set.

In winning the Royden Williams Manawatu Cup, the Arna Donnelly trained, Rough And Ready, from a standing start ran the 2500m off 20m in 3-03.5 mins, a mile rate of 1-58.1.

This being faster than the mobile record of 3-04.4 mins. set by The Big Dance, in 2023 .

The fastest trotter ever, going around the Manawatu Raceway is Rodney Dickson's, 7yo Love You gelding, Kink. After breaking the track record on Tuesday April 28th, for 2000m standing start, Kink and local driver Michael Hay, recorded 3-09.6 mins for 2500m off a 35m handicap. His winning mile rate of 2-02.0 being the best ever over any distance on the track by a trotter.

Attached record holders
Images:
Royden Williams presenting the Manawatu cup to Arna Donnelly stable representative Angela Bedwell
Rough and Ready with Kate Coppins
Kink with Michael Hay

The curtain closes on another fantastic season!

Congratulations to all our winners from the April 28th & 30th meetings 🎉

For more images of your winners see www.raceimages.co.nz

📸 - Jack McKenzie

Join us this week for the final meetings of the season. Tuesday racing kicks off at 4:11pm and Thursday 4:58pm (TBC). We will have a coffee cart on both evenings with food available in the members lounge (all welcome). Thursday sees the Manawatu cup and should be an exciting evening!

The House team have been a big part of harness racing in the Manawatu and we thank Michael for his continued support

The club wants to extend their congratulations to Wilson on his recent success at the NZ Rural Games in winning the young rural sports person of the year!

pictured is Wilson House with his award

And Martin Wrigley (Manawatu stable manager), Wilson House and Santana Mach

30th April – Manawatū Cup Night sponsors wanted
Final meeting of the season

This is one of the BIG nights on our racing calendar — and we’d love to have you involved.

We’re bringing the action with:
🐎 2 x $20,000 Cup Races
- One for the trotters
- One for the pacers
Plus a full 8-race card — it’s shaping up to be a seriously good night of racing.

And if you’re going to sponsor a race… you may as well do it properly

Join us in the Doug Bradley Painters Lounge — the place to be on Cup Night.

What’s included:
• Naming rights to a race
• On-track advertising (trackside TV + race book)
• Buffet dinner
• Drinks
• A ride in the mobile starting gate (yes, really)
• Premium seating with one of the best views in the house

Tables of 6 – Cup Night Special:
💰 $800 + GST

Bring your team, host clients, or round up your mates for a cracking night at the races.

📩 Bookings: [email protected]
📞 027 280 3201

Not looking to sponsor? No worries —
Individuals or small groups: $100 per person

⏰ First race: approx. 4:58pm
📅 Reservations close: midday, 24th April

Don’t miss the final hurrah for the season 🎉🐴

Racing kicks off tonight at 5:44pm, with the last at 7:27pm 🐴

Weather’s looking good, so it’s the perfect excuse to get out for a couple of hours and enjoy some racing.

Bar, food, and totes will all be running, and there’s plenty of seating inside if it gets a bit chilly.

Come down and join us!

Kate Coppins has four strong drives at Palmerston North tonight, but who does she think is her best chance? READ MORE 👇
https://bit.ly/3O8VzVB

Congratulations to all our winners and their connections for the 19th and 31st March!

We will be back racing this Tuesday 7th 5:12pm

For more images of your winner see www.raceimages.co.nz

📸- Jack McKenzie

We are back for day 2 tonight at 4:42pm!

The weather is looking fantastic so come on down with your picnic blanket and watch some action packed racing 🐴