History of the Club

The first race meeting ever to be held at the course was on January 1 1907, so the course is into its second century of use. The race meeting featured trots, gallops and hurdle races but also included races for humans. There were running races for married men and single men, first prize being one pound ($2). As well, boys raced for a prize of 5 shillings (50c) and girls raced for a box of tea.

The Methven Racing Club ran galloping events annually during the first few years of the course's existence. The racecourse land was originally owned by the Holmes family, but parts were bought during the early 1920's off the family. However early records suggest the Galloping Club over-committed themselves and a meeting was held in 1927 to disband the club. As this meeting was about to close, a group of trotting enthusiasts (including members of the Galloping Committee) suggested their code could make a go of it and consequently the Methven Trotting Club was formed.

At the first meeting 280 horses were nominated for eight races and the bright future of the Club was set in motion. The inaugural Methven Trotting Club president was Sam Holmes, who did a ten year stint. Over the years the presidents have proved great stayers. Indeed over the first 28 years there were only seven presidents.

The Holmes era was followed by the Harrison era with Tom Harrison senior filling the 'hot seat' for 18 years. Nearing the end of his stint they doubled the race meetings to two a year. The Club continued to make giant strides under the leadership of Jack H McKendry, John O'Connell, Allan Smith, Alec Milne and Bill Thomas. Club stalwart George Kelly was president from 1969-1971, his involvement began  in 1950.  George always donned his white racing cap and shouted the tote girls at the end of the day.

The second generation of Harrison's almost dominated the 1970's with three sons of Tom Harrison senior holding the president's role -   Harry (1971-74), Dudley ('74-'76) and Tom junior ('78-80'). The latter's son Kelvin is a leading trainer in the United States. Tom Harrison  harbours fond memories of committee meetings which were to become very 'social'. The catalyst to lengthy after-match proceedings was the standing rule of any committeeman owning a winning horse was expected to shout a bottle of whiskey.

The Harrison era was split by Jack B McKendry junior who was president for the 50th anniversary meeting in 1977. Every President since has made invaluable contributions. They were as follows-Ron May, Maurice McTigue, Tom Lemon, Don Anderson, Martin Nordqvist, Barry Molloy, John Stackhouse, Vic Lamb,David Isherwood and Neville Goodwin. Current committeemen who have more recently served as president are Gavin Saunders, Neil Owen,Cliff Dynes, Kerry O'Reilly,John McDonald and Bruce Harper. With a hard-working volunteer committee and their families, the Methven Trotting Club will continue to prosper.

Property Subdivision

Over the next decade , the town side of the track will see a residential subdivision and some will then enjoy a living room view of the day's harness racing proceedings.

In keeping with the equine aspect, the subdivision is named Equus Park.Street names in the subdivision will reflect the best Methven winning horses, based on results in major races. The first two stages will see sections in  Inky Lord Lane and Tactician Lane become available in late in 2020. Further on, NZ Trotting Cup winners in Morello,Loyal Nurse and Inter Dominion winner Fraggle Rock will have their names etched into this development.

Racing at Methven

The Methven Racing Club commenced meetings at the Mt. Harding Racecourse in 1915. Prior to this, picnic-style gatherings were held. The Trotting Club was formed in 1919 and the first non-betting meeting was held in 1920. October 1927 saw the first totalisator meeting with an eight race programme.

Currently, four Sunday meetings are held each year. The Club's calendar opens in spring, in the first week of September.

In 2010, the Club raced its September meeting the day after the historic 7.1 earthquake. Buildings were inspected, passed all clear  and the meeting proceded. It was a sombre affair  and there were stories aplenty,  but the racing took place  and the on course  turnover was  strong.

The Club's 2nd meeting of the year is the Methven Cup Meeting in early October. Click here for a list of Methven Cup Winners

In that same 2010 year, this meeting had descended, by the last race, into a snowstorm. The drivers all agreed to hold the race and that snowy blur, featuring race caller Mark McNamara at his best, was shown on television news clippings throughout the world!

In December each year  the Club's feature events are mile races. Some smart times have been recorded. The Methven 4 Square Supermarket sponsor the pacers event and each race attracts a class field.

The final meeting of the season is held in late March where the feature race is the Woodlands Stud Mt Hutt Trotting Cup.

Green miles

At our December Christmas meeting, mile racing is the feature.

In 2011 race records were created for both the pacers and the trotters in their respective events.

In the Methven Four Square Supermarket Green Mile, Ohoka Dallas driven by Grant Payne recorded 1.56.5

In the Trotters Green Mile, Clover Don driven by Colin De Filippi recorded 1.59.6

In 2012 in the trotters race Quality Invasion, trained by Bruce Graham and driven by Grant Archer led a merry dance and lowered the time to 1.58.6

 In December 2017 a warm fine day with little breeze saw both mile times lowered.

In the pacing section A.G's White Socks smashed the record in recording 1.55 flat. Driver Ricky May believing he could have gone even faster if needed.

Two races later it was the same combination again in Ricky May and the training pair of Greg and Nina Hope who won with Everybody Knows in 1.58.4. This trotter came from 5 places back on the fence to record a meritorious victory.

Both times are believed to be world record mile times on a grass track - Methven are proud of this benchmark as our track condition is always paramount.

In 2018 A G's White Sox became the 1st pacer to win the Green Mile two years in a row.

Grandstand

In March 2018 our 100 year old grandstand needed to be pulled down - it no longer met earthquake standards even though it had withstood all recent earthquakes without damage.

The committee will determine next steps for the area the grandstand once stood on.

Notable Achievements

Arethusa is the only three year old to have won the Methven Cup. Away back in 1930 having won three races at two, including the Sapling Stakes , she made it four in a row when winning the Methven Cup. A very special three year old filly.

The race record over 3200m is held by Rapa Boy who scored in 4.13.5 in 1994.

Arapaho reputedly landed some hefty bets when winning in 1971. He went on to win the NZ Cup.  

Morello,1936, went on to win the NZ Trotting Cup in 1938. 

In 2000 Miss Jo Herbert  became the first lady driver to win a Methven Cup with Chloe Hanover.

2006 NZ Trotting Cup winner Flashing Red started his winning run at Methven scoring at useful double figure odds, before repeating the dose three weeks later in the Ashburton Flying Stakes and then trumping it with a win in the NZ Cup. Flashing Red's time over the 3000m stand of 3.52.6 was the current race record over the 3000m distance  until lowered  by Supreme Gem to 3.52.3 when she  won the Hororata Cup in February 2014.   

The 2014 edition of the Methven Cup saw some very good pacers line up.Franco Ledger lowered the track record to 3,51.8 when he fought off the previous year's winner Jimmy Johnstone. Then in 2015 Messini, driven by Natalie Rasmusson won fresh up and in doing so, lowered the time to 3.51.7.

In 2016 Smolda made it 5 wins in the last 7 years for trainer Mark Purdon partnered with Natalie Rasmusson. Smolda then trekked over to WA in December and won the Interdominion Grand Final at Gloucester Park.

In 2018 Natalie Rasmusson struck again with fresh up runner Cruz Bromac recording a race record time of 3.51.3. In 2019 Cruz Bromac won the NZ Cup.

Manaroa

Manaroa started his racing career at the 1968 Methven Cup meeting, winning the Harrison Stakes by 5 lengths and returning a $52 win dividend.This was the first of his 6 wins as a 3 year old. Manaroa commenced his 4 year old campaign in the same manner and in winning the 1969 Methven Cup by 10 lengths, extended his winning sequence to 5 in a row. Manaroa established an outstsanding race record by winning 18 races in New Zealand and a further 15 in Australia for his Mt Hutt Breeder, Owner, Trainer and sometimes driver, Mr Colin McLaughlin.