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Race 5: TUXEDO MAX (6, Blair Orange), 2600m std: “He seems well and a strong each-way chance.”
Race 6: ASTRAPI (2, Blair Orange), 2600m std: “I’m just not as happy with him as I have been so take on trust.”
Race 8: FAIR DINKUM BROMAC (5, Blair Orange), 2600m std: “Probably just a place chance behind Roo Star.”
Race 10: CAPTAIN PEACOCK (9, Regan), 3, 10m, 2600m std: “Looks a bit easier for him than the Central Otago Cup last time. He’s unbeaten in three starts on grass so we’re hoping he can make it four.”
Ready For Takeoff, unable to pick up the leaders on the first day at Nelson, made amends after a fast start from a wide front row draw in the C1 BMTT Handicap Pace at Nelson on Sunday, January 5, 2014.
The 4YO Jereme’s Jet gelding was the second winner at the two-day meeting for the Mark Jones stable, driver Blair Orange, and owners, the Butterworth Racing Syndicate, after Superior Desire scored for the same connections on the first day.
Ready For Takeoff, scored an easy front-running win for regular driver Blair Orange at Nelson on Sunday.
This advanced the Jones training tally to 33 wins for the term. He continues to trail the Allstars stable of Mark Purdon and Nat Rasmussen (56 wins) and the Robert Dunn stable (43 wins), in third place on the this season’s trainers premiership.
Ready For Takeoff pressed to the front past Little Mo into the first turn on Sunday.
He left his rivals flat-footed when he sprinted turning for home and although inclined to knock off over the final 50 metres, held by 1 1/2 lengths from first-day winner Massimo (parked over the final 800m).
He paced the 2400m (stand) in 3:04.3 (2:03.5 mile rate), quickening over his last 800m in 58.8s and easing off a touch over his final 400m in 31.1s.
Ready For Takeoff, purchased out of Clark Barron’s south stable after qualifying as a spring 3YO, continues to make steady progress under the direction of Overport Lodge trainer Mark Jones.
Sunday’s win was his third from 15 starts, taking his earnings to just under $20,000 for the Butterworth Syndicate.
Superior Desire, who backed up his first day C1 win with a third, after trailing easy front-running favourite Crackaheiny in the C2 race on Sunday,
was another purchased by the Butterworths out of Southland.
He had been unlucky and winless in 10 starts before being snapped up and placed in the Mark Jones team, winning first-up for the Burnham stable at Forbury in May, 2012.
Now five, the Real Desire gelding came back after a year off to win second-up on the first day _ his third win from 24 career starts.
Superior Desire finished best from the third line on the outer to nose out Bute Courage in the Fertlizer NZ Ltd Mobile Pace on the first day, pacing the 2400m in 3:02.6 (2:02.4 mile rate), with the last 800m in 58.1s.
Former Overport Lodge squaregaiter (The) Beau Brummell gained easily his biggest win in the $A30,000 The West Australian Trotters Cup at Gloucester Park, Perth, on Friday night, January 3 (Saturday morning NZ time), 2014.
Beau Brummell, as he was as an autumn 2YO with former trainer Mark Jones.
Now five, the Earl-Lady Boo Kay gelding made the most of his good stand start manners from the ace draw over the 2503m trip for trainer-driver Bob Mellsop.
The Beau Brummell kept going as the $3.60 favourite to hold other ex-Kiwi trotters, Hot Holiday (30m), Prince Eddie (10m), Keepyaguardup (10m) and Idle Maple (10m).
He rated 2:07.2 for the trip, quickening over his last 800m in 58.8s and his last 400m in 29.2s to score by 1.6 metres.
Beau Brummell, after winning twice for the Mark Jones stable, was sold to Australian interests, continuing with good results in New South Wales, winning five and picking up eight placings in 21 starts, before heading to West Australia.
He has raced there now eight times for three wins for the Get Involved Racing Syndicate.
Beau Brummell has taken his career record to 10 wins and 12 placings from 49 starts, for earnings of $A70,661.
Mark has stood himself down from driving on the second day of the Nelson Harness Racing Club’s meeting today, following being checked and a tip-out from Sunoflindenny, on Friday.
“I’m pretty sore with a badly bruised hip, shoulder and chest, but will come right in time,” he said.
Race 2: REMISS (8, Blair Orange), mob. 2400m: “Went ok on Friday. Hopefully, that builds her confidence but she’ll need a bit of luck from the wide draw.”
Race 4: EASTBURN MARA (7, Blair Orange), 2400m std: “Had no luck the first day. Hopefully, a place chance.”
Superior Desire, made the most of a drop-back to the C1 grade to win on the first day at Nelson for the owners, the Butterworth Racing Syndicate.
Race 6: SUNOFLINDENNY (11, Blair Orange), UR 1, 10m: “He didn’t have a race the first day, so hopefully coming in fresh works for the 3000m race today. We’re looking for better luck.”
Race 11: READY FOR TAKEOFF (11, Blair Orange), 2400m std: “He disappointed me the first day, so just hopeful today. If he races up to his best, would be a show.”
Race 12: SUPERIOR DESIRE (3, Blair Orange), mob. 2400m: “Was rapt to win with him the first day. He’s back in the C2 grade so will find it harder, but should race good again.”
Race 6: JUNEAMY CASTELTON (11, Regan), 3, 10m, 2700m std: “Had a break when improving at Omakau the other day. Would be a chance providing she does everything right.”
With much disappointment, connections of champion Swedish Trotter Yield Boko have advised Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) that the horse has suffered a reccurrence of a previous tendon injury and will not contest the 2014 Great Southern Star.
Australian trainer Chris Lang reported this week that the magnificent entire son of Viking Kronos had progressed well under his care with a slow and meticulous build up toward an assault on the Australian Group 1 features.
Lang explained that Yield Boko was almost set for a trial debut on Aussie soil when this week the Swedish 3YO and 4YO Breeders Crown and European Union 5YO Champion succumbed to a tendon injury.
Such is the value of the Stallion that the injury was immediately treated and any further plans of racing have been set aside ahead of the horse returning to his native Sweden to continue his stud career.
John Bootsman, the Boko Farms Principal and owner of Yield Boko, stated: “I am very disappointed but very happy with the professional way the Chris Lang stable handled this all with Yield Boko. I am now even more determined and confident to continue my co-operation with the Lang/McPherson team. We will give it another try Down Under next year, this time maybe with a mare . . .We will be back”.
The trip down under for Yield Boko has certainly been a beneficial venture for the Australian breeding industry.
Despite being unable to make it to the track to show trotting fans what a superstar he is, the handsome stallion combined his training program with stud duties and will ensure that his mark is left on the Australian breeding herd.
In thanking John Bootsman for taking the bold step of sending such a wonderful horse to Australia, HRV Chief Operating Officer Brant Dunshea outlined: “John has shown great faith in Aldebaran Park Principal Duncan McPherson and trainer Chris Lang to entrust them with a horse which I know he values so much . . . Yield Boko was a champion on the track and off the track we hope that his legacy lives on through champion progeny in Australasia”.
No doubt before returning home there is still an opportunity for breeders to patronise one of the greatest trotters ever imported to Australasia.
Courtesy of Blake Redden, Communications Officer, Harness Racing Victoria.
Race 4: EASTBURN MARA (8, Blair Orange), 2400m std: “He’s owned up there by Skeet Barnett so we’re hoping he goes good for him..”
Race 6: SUNOFLINDENNY (14), UR 2, 10m: “Won good first-up for us at Waimate and providing he steps ok, should be hard to beat again.”
Race 7: SUPERIOR DESIRE (8, Blair Orange), mob. 2400m: “He drops a grade so thats a bonus. He blew out at Forbury but will be better for that.”
Ready For Takeoff, should be a good winning chance at Nelson on Friday.
Race 8: REMISS (1), mob. 2400m: “She let us down with her manners again the other night, so I’ll drive her today and see whats going on. She’s good enough to run in the money if she does things right but take on trust.”
Race 11: READY FOR TAKEOFF (12), 2400m std: “He’s be racing good but had no luck. This is probably a drop down on his races lately, so is my best for the day. ”
Outside drives
Race 2: MAJOR PATRON (4), mob. 2400m: “Went ok first-up and has been freshened. Should have a chance from the draw in an open looking maiden.”
Race 6: WHYAMIBETTOR (5), mob. 2400m: “She seems pretty consistent for ‘Hungry’ Pearce. Should be a place chance.”
Race 10: SMOKEN ROMAN (3), 2400m std: “He’s freshened after tiring on the grass last time. He’s been pretty good all season so you can’t dismiss him.”
Race 12: JOHNNY MICK (3), mob. 2400m: “We were able to land the trail at Westport and he knuckled down pretty good the last bit. He’s up in grade but with a similar trip, he should be a place chance.”
Race 4: JUNEAMY CASTLETON (18, Regan), 4, 20m: “She won good at Waimate. She usually steps good and with any luck off 20m shouldn’t be too far away again.”
Race 10: CAPTAIN PEACOCK (4, Regan), mob. 2600m: “Dean Taylor has transferred him over as Regan is getting on well with him at our Woodend Beach stable. Its a small but a good quality field. He’ll be looking for a bit of luck but should be competitive.”
Race 3: STRIKE ON COMMAND (3, Ricky May), 2000m std: “He went very good at Waimate and should be hard to beat from the draw.”
Race 4: ROCK TILL YOU DROP (2), mob. 2000m: “Didn’t step at Ashburton so he’s in a mobile. He’s another strong each-way chance.”
Race 7: CLASSIEBEE (4, Ricky May), mob. 2000m: “Raced good fresh at Addington and should be a little better for this.”
Race 9: SAGE CREEK (13), mob. 2000m: “Looking for a bit of luck from the draw.”
Outside drives
Race 1: ARMED FORCE (18), UR 2, 30m, 2600m std: “He’s going good races. With any luck off 30m, should be a place chance.”
Race 5: WHATA GAMBLE (5), 1, 10m, 2600m std: “She’s back after a break. Probably just a place chance with her stablemate Royal Aspirations looking the one to beat.”
Race 8: BUY CHEVRON DIRECT (2), 2600m std: “Has his chance but didn’t quicken at Addington last time but hopefully he can show a bit of improvement.”
Fair Dinkum Bromac, contests the $12,000 Avon City Ford Motukarara Xmas Cup on Sunday.
Race 7: FAIR DINKUM BROMAC (12), 1, 20m, 2810m std: “Border Control coming out has opened the race up. He’s been solid racing on grass tracks but looking for luck off 20m.”
Race 8: KOWHAI SUNRISE (3), 2810m std: “He was good in front at Rangiora but this is going to be a step up. If she does things right, hopefully she’ll be a place chance.”
Race 11: TUXEDO MAX (4, Blair Orange), 2170m std: “He’s a nice enough horse who finished the race off well at Forbury. He’s also up in grade but hopefully will keep improving.”
