Addington – February 18

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Off to Addington Raceway tonight and we must mean business because the boss has dug his driving pants out for the occasion. Just the two runners engaged, but two good chances. Race 1: #5 Lil Miss Muscles – Sam Ottley “Still got a lot to learn and stand start first time is something new as well. But with manners, she’s got to be an each way chance. She’s going to win a few races.” Race 3: #3 Kowhai Sunset – Mark Jones “Really nice horse resuming, but has galloped in both trials. I hope I’ve done my job properly and …

Racing this week…

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Addington – Friday Race 1: Deny Everything Race 5: Artatac Race 8: Plutonium Lady, Stylish Memphis Motukarara – Sunday Race 1: Taimate Sass Race 3: Hiranya Race 7: Majestic Lavros Race 11: Kowhai Shadow

Smart resumption highlights a strong weekend on the track

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It might not have been a winning resumption, but there were still plenty of victories to tick off in the return of Majestic Lavros on Friday night. But what happens next as the preparation towards Cup Week features continues is still very much up in the air for trainer Mark Jones. Last year’s South Bay Trotters’ Cup winner at Kaikoura, produced a standout fresh performance on Friday night to run second to brilliant trotter Sundees Son in the Group Three Ordeal Trotting Cup, surprising even Jones with how good he went considering how much in need of the run the …

Smart trotter resumes with a caution

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By Matt Markham Exciting trotter Majestic Lavros begins his campaign towards Cup Week on Friday night at Addington, but his resumption comes with a warning from trainer, Mark Jones. And that’s to not get too excited about the winning hopes of the gelding in the Group Three Ordeal Trotting Cup because he knows that his star trotter is still a long way off being anywhere near his best. With just the one trial under the belt, that coming last week at Addington, Majestic Lavros steps right into the fire this week taking on the best trotter in the land in …

Jones to show off more skills

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Mark Jones is set to show off even more of his skills as a horseman following his impressive victory with Kowhai Sunset at Rangiora on Sunday. The colt put himself in Harness Jewels contention when sitting off the speed in a hotly contested two-year-old trot before powering to victory. The win displayed Jones’ skill as a leading trainer and a former World Champion driver as he produced a more polished version of Kowhai Sunset than seen in his last two starts. The trainer then pulled out a pinpoint drive behind the colt, bred and raced by John and Jill Hartnell. …

Sioux Princess goes for three on Sunday

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After a winning double post the lockdown quick trotting mare Sioux Princess is looking to extend that to three on Sunday. Mark offers her chances and the others racing this weekend. ADDINGTON, FRIDAY JUNE 12 RACE 1 KOWHAI SUNDOWN (13, U4, fr. 2600m stand) Sam Ottley -“We were going to give this week a miss after a couple of trials and two races. But he’s ome through so well, eaten up, so we’ll go again given the 2600m is more suitable to him. Racing good and hoping for some luck.” RACE 6 LA ROSA (1, fr. 1980m mob) Ricky May, …

Kowhai Sundown to lead Addington charge?

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ADDINGTON, FRIDAY, JUNE 5 RACE 1 KOWHAI SUNDOWN (2, fr. 1980m mob) Sam Ottley – Really pleased with him first up. A bit of traffic trouble at the quarter cost him a bit of ground but overall a good effort. Should run well again from an ideal draw.” RACE 8 UBER EXPRESS (8, fr. 2600m stand) Sam Ottley -“She’s been with Regan on the beach, not the soundest horse and she needed the change in training. On ability a chance, hopeful rather than confident.” RACE 11 LULU LE MANS (7, fr. 1980m mob) Sam Ottley -“A strange race last week …

Premier nights chances at Addington

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A solid team for the better stakes on Friday night, likely led by smart comeback trotter Majestic Lavros who tackles the lesser of two options he could have taken. ADDINGTON, FRIDAY, MARCH 20 RACE 1 MICHELLE (1, fr. 2600m mob) Robbie Close, and MAJESTIC LAVROS (12) Sam Ottley -“Michelle re-joined the team after her run at Motukarara last week. Higgsy has her going well. Seems bright and the draw could help. Majestic Lavros could have taken on the 4YO & 5YO race later in the night. But I decided to go with this one, he’s not long been back off …

Fillies battle with Memphis in Nevele R

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It was decided Stylish Memphis was to stay on with Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen for the remainder of the season after her stint with them in Australia, culminating in a brilliant victory in the $A200,000 NSW Oaks at Menangle. Ironic really, with Mark having two runners in tonight’s Nevele R heat at Addington and the hardest to beat being Stylish Memphis, a filly he knows only too well. “Mark being able to drive her as a continuance of that Aussie trip was the major reason (with Ricky May unavailable until next season), apart from the obvious reason they just …

Benny hopeful of success today

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Four runners again at Nelson, all on the back-up from Friday, and Benny believes possible success rests with two very good chances. NELSON, SUNDAY, JANUARY 12 RACE 1 MELODY’S MISCHIEF (4, fr. 1609m mob) Blair Orange -“She went a good race Friday, we were pleased with her. Just outsprinted that final bit. Hoping she’ll back up good today and should be hard to beat.” (Benny) RACE 6 ROCKAHULA JOE (7, fr. 1609m mob) Sam Ottley -“Had his chance in front Friday, well driven and every show. Thought he should have run third, not sixth. We’ll drive colder today and see …