Harness briefs 9th April 2018

Young harness racing trainer Matt Purvis got his first training win at Rangiora yesterday when Machs Mareta won its first race for the stable after some tidy workout performances in the last couple of weeks.

27 year old Purvis had three starters engaged at Rangiora yesterday and as well as winning with Machs Mareta he also landed placings with his other two runners.

Miss Moppet was an unlucky second after galloping with 1000m to go, but staged a big recovery for driver John Dunn to run the winner Theodosia to a head at the line after a big finish in the straight.

John Dunn was also in the sulky for the win on Machs Mareta who despite being well back and wide at the turn was too good for the opposition winning easily by more than a length after a strong finishing burst.

Matt Puvis was in the sulky himself on stable first starter Fun In The Dark who ran home well for a good third earlier in the day.

Mach Mareta winning easily

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Amateur drivers Sue Blake and John McDermott have both been suspended for almost three months for failing to give their horses every opportunity to win at Rangiora yesterday.

Both drivers gave their horses a good run on the outer but never started a forward movement until well inside the 400m mark and both were then blocked by other runners in the straight.

Stewards questioned both drivers as to why they did not improve their positions when the opportunity was still available and instead remained in the two wide line where they were then unable to obtain clear racing room.

After considering their explanations stewards suspended Sue Blake from 09/04/2018 until 01/07/2018 inclusive and John McDermott was suspended from 14/04/2018 until 06/07/2018 inclusive.

The amateur race in where the suspensions occured.

Harnesslink Media