At the National Equestrian Centre on Vesey Street, the opening heats of this year’s harness pony racing meet delivered a nail‑biting start to the competition. The 1:04 flat and faster division saw a trio of local favourites – Gold Rush, DJ Burchall and Double Time – battle it out in the first heat, with driver Kirista Rabain steering Gold Rush into a near‑necker finish.

The close finishes prompted the presiding judge to call the track for a re‑run of the contested segment, a rare but necessary measure to ensure fairness. The decision was welcomed by the riders, who praised the judge’s commitment to the integrity of the sport.

In the following heat, a new contender, Lightning Bolt, took the lead early and held the advantage through the final stretch, securing a clear win. The event, which attracts entrants from across the island, continues to draw sizeable crowds eager to see their hometown ponies compete.

Officials say the meet will proceed as scheduled, with the judge’s decisions serving as a reminder of the sport’s strict standards and the importance of maintaining a level playing field for all participants.