Get the latest news & information from Mark Jones Harness Racing Stables
Race 1: READY FOR TAKEOFF (14, Blair Orange), mob. 1950m: “He went good at Oamaru and should be a bit fitter but its not going to be easy from that draw.”
Race 4: FAIR DINKUM BROMAC (6, Blair Orange), mob. 1950m: “Its a better race for him. Hopefully he can be competitive in that.”
Outside drive
Race 3: ARMED FORCE (15), 2600m std: “Began much better last Sunday. A chance providing he does things right early.”
The second Seasonal Super Series to be held at Addington on December 20 is just two weeks away.
This series presents a great opportunity for owners and trainers with horses in the lower grades to race for stakes of $23,500 (each Open Race) and $12,500 (each Consolation). All starters in each Open Race are to receive a minimum stake of $500 and all starters in the Consolations will receive a minimum stake of $250.
To qualify to start on December 20, a horse must have started in at least one race at a New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club meeting between October 19, 2013, and December 14, 2013.
With race meetings at Addington on 12 and 14 December, these dates present the final opportunity for horses to qualify. Don’t miss out. There is no enrolment fee payable.
Full details and conditions can be viewed at www.addington.co.nz
Alternatively, please call Brian Rabbitt or Richard Bromley on (03) 338 9094.
Courtesy of Ged Mooar,
Marketing & Commercial Manager,
Addington
December 6, 2013
OAMARU HRC, Saturday, December 7
Race 1: PAT’S FIRST SUN (4), 2600m std: “He’s balloted at Oamaru so will go to Methven.”
Race 8: READY FOR TAKEOFF (13, Ken Barron), mob. 2000m: “I was going to give him another trial but its penalty-free for the invited drivers, so he may as well go there. He trialled good on Monday but he’ll need a bit of luck from the draw.”
Race 10: SAGE CREEK (5, Blair Orange), 2000m std: “He went ok at the trials on Monday. He’s up in grade since he last raced in August but its not a strong C1, so could be a place chance over 2000m.”
METHVEN TC, Sunday, December 8
Race 1: PAT’S FIRST SUN (14), 2400m std: “A syndicate horse who got a bit of a check turning for home at the trials on Monday and broke. He was third earlier at the Rangiora trials so hopefully he’ll do things right.”
Race 5: IS THIS LOVE (13, Kimberly Butt), mob. 1609m: “She wasn’t far away from a good draw on the grass at Motukarara two starts ago. Looking for luck from the draw over a mile there.”
Race 6: TUXEDO MAX (11), 2400m std: “Didn’t step at the trials on Monday so he went round again and was better at the Ashburton workouts on Tuesday but unlikely to get a run (E3).”
Race 9: MASTER LAVROS (11), mob. 1609m: “Trialled good behind the gate on Monday. Should actually good a good run through from there and be hard to beat again.”
Outside drives
Race 4: STRATA STAR (6), mob. 1609m: “She trialled up good for Regan on Monday. Should be competitive in the mares’ series.”
Race 7: CHOISE ACHIEVER (8), mob. 1609m: “Its a bit of a drop down from the NZ Cup, so you’d think he’d be a show in that.”
Race 10: BAILEYS DESIRE (9), mob. 2300m: “Has won on the grass before but looking for luck from the wide draw.”
Dominion Handicap winner Master Lavros was successful from behind the mobile gate at the Addington trials on Monday, December 2, in preparation for Sunday’s $14,999 Methven Four Square Supermarket Trotters Green Mile at Methven.
Master Lavros and Green Mile race rival Clover Don were transferred to separate C0 mobile 1950m pacing heats when the free-for-all trot trial only attracted the two entries and was deleted.
Both started each heat from the outside of the front row.
Master Lavros, primed for another top showing in the Trot Green Mile at Methven on Sunday.
Overport Lodge trainer-driver Mark Jones settled Master Lavros nicely in fourth spot early with the big-striding Sundon gelding proving too classy over the closing stages, coming clear by 3/4 of a length in a 2:01.9 rate.
The leaders quickened over their last 800m in 58.9s and final 400m in 28.1s.
The Colin and Julie De Filippi-trained Clover Don was equally strong at the finish of his heat, scoring by half a length, rating 2:01.6 for Sam Ottley, the last 800m in 59.7s and final 400m in 29.1s.
Following Methven, Mark Jones will now take in premier racing at Cambridge and Alexandra Park with Master Lavros, after reviewing the racing schedule.
“There’s nothing for him down here, apart from a free-for-all at Omakau on January 2, so he’ll go north,” Mark said.
“He’s the only one I’ve got going up,” he said.
First-up in the north will be another mile dash _ the $45,000 Group One Turf Bar Waikato Trotters Flying Mile at Cambridge on Christmas Eve, December 24.
A week later, Master Lavros will contest $80,000 National trot (mobile 2700m) at Auckland on New Year’s Eve, December 31.
Smoke N Santanna races clear for Blair Orange with 100m to run in the 2YO colts & geldings trial.
The Jones stable unleased a promising 2YO pacer at Monday’s trials in Smoke N Santanna, a colt by a Santanna Blue Chip colt from the good racemare Smoke N Mirrors (10 wins & $189,675).
Smoke N Santanna was untroubled to come off the trail for Blair Orange and dash away by 3 1/4 lengths from early leader Regal Ideal, who had qualified at Addington last month for trainer Ken Barron.
“We’re not in a hurry with him. He’ll have two months out now,” Mark said.
Smoke N Santanna paced the mobile 2000m in 2:32.3, a 2:02.5 mile rate, with the leaders quickening over their last 800m in 58.6s and final 400m in 28.5s.
Stablemate Itz Bettor To Win (Bettor’s Delight-Itz All About Me) tailed the field in sixth place but was also comfortably inside the qualifying time of 2:36.2, clocking 2:34.1.
Ready For Takeoff, spelled after running third at Invercargill on August 11, led throughout a C1 pace from a stand in the hands of Blair Orange.
Ready For Takeoff, an easy front-running winner for Blair Orange of the C1 pace at the Addington trials.
The Butterworth Racing Syndicate-owned Jereme’s Jet gelding was untroubled to stride clear by four lengths in the run home to beat early breaker Whisper Jet in 3:21.5, quickening over his last 800m in 57.2s and closing 400m in 28.4s.
Mark may make the most of a penalty-free C1 opporunity with Ready For Takeoff in a invited drivers race at Oamaru this Saturday.
The $18,000 Pulse Energy Westport Cup (C2 and faster), to be run this year over the shorter 2600m trip on the grass at Patterson Park on December 26, is another possible target for Ready For Takeoff.
Sage Creek, spelled after winning her maiden at Forbury on August 15, resumed in the same heat.
She trailed Ready For Takeoff and battled away in the run home, holding down fourth spot for Kimberly Butt.
Owner Grant Hatton achieved a long-held ambition as a racehorse owner when Saveapatrol the $19,759 Mainfreight Geraldine Trotting Cup at Orari on Saturday, November 30, 2013.
Grant Hatton
Mr Hatton, a retired butcher, was Temuka-born and raised and has been a regular at Orari meetings for many years.
He went close to winning the 2005 Geraldine Cup as a co-owner of Mulcay, trained by Peter Jones and driven by Mark Jones, who came up half a length short of beating I’m A Dazzler, driven by Blair Orange for trainer Graeme Lamb.
Mr Hatton also tried to win the Geraldine Cup with former good pacer My Man Dan (unplaced behind Hands Christian two years ago), but it was developing star Saveapatrol who fulfilled in style.
Blair Orange was in Mr Hatton’s camp this year as he continued his association with the Mark Jones-trained Saveapatrol for his second Geraldine Cup driving win.
Saveapatrol, a lightly-raced 4YO Christian Cullen gelding from former good international-winning Falcon Seelster mare Rondel Franco (1:51.6, USA, & $684,003), had to show steely resolve on the grass.
Geraldine Cup winners, Saveapatrol and Blair Orange.
A devastating sit-sprint winner in fast time on NZ Cup day, Saveapatrol showed his diversity, moving out from the fifth line to be parked in the open over the last 1700m of the 2850m grass cup.
He had biggest danger Arden Rooney on his back but Saveapatrol proved too big and too strong for another of Canterbury’s best intermediate grade pacers.
Driver Blair Orange stalled off boss Mark Purdon over a hard fought final 200m, with Saveapatrol lasting by a neck in a useful 2:05.4 rate for the staying trip.
The leaders ran their last 800m in 59.2s and closing 400m in a smart 27.4s.
Saveapatrol’s overall time of 3:42.2 was strong but outside the track mark set by upset 2010 Geraldine Cup winner Minty Mellow, who posted 3:39.6.
By Jeff Scott
NZ METRO TC, Friday, November 29
Race 3: IS THIS LOVE (10, Kimberly Butt), mob. 1950m: “Went better at Motukarara but looking for luck from the draw.”
GERALDINE TC, Saturday, November 30
Race 9: FAIR DINKUM BROMAC (1, Regan Todd) & SAVEAPATROL (5, Blair Orange), fr, 2850m std: “Both seem fine. Fair Dinkum Bromac will find it tough in that grade.”
“Saveapatrol seems good since his Cup day run but just needs in a strong country cup race.”
TABCORP PK MENANGLE, Saturday, Nov. 30
Outside drive
Race 8: MACH BEAUTY (3, Mark Jones), mob. 1609m: “It was a great run last week. He got across pretty easy and would be as quick as I’ve driven out of gate. He puts himself in the race and is good enough to rate a good chance.”
Catch driver Mark Jones did enough with the Shane-Tritton-trained Mach Beauty in the Cordina Chicken Sprint at Menangle on Saturday, November 24, to gain one of the last invited spots for next Saturday’s $A750,000 SEW Eurodrive Miracle Mile (November 30).
Mark gave Mach Beauty every chance in the Group One $A100,000 final lead-up, but they couldn’t get past evergreen 11yo Grand Circuit star Smoken Up down the long Menangle straight.
Smoken Up, the Menangle track record holder at 1:48.5 set two years ago, and Victorian trainer-driver Lance Justice, lasted in a fast 1:49.9 for the 1609m.
Mark Jones
Mark, enlisted by Tritton when regular driver Lauren Panella was suspended, had Mach Beauty flying early from the six gate to cross and lead, then handed to Smoken Up (barrier nine) after the opening 200m.
Mach Beauty was travelling strongly on the corner and Mark had him out to challenge when Smoken Up was being niggled at in front by Justice to keep running time.
But once again, getting past Smoken Up is another matter.
In the run home, Mach Beauty gave it his all, but Smoken Up wouldn’t be denied, pulling out all the stops to score by a half a length.
Victorian Abettorpunt ran third. Ex-Kiwi Fly Like An Eagle settled midfield but couldn’t quicken running seventh, 14.7m from the winner, while NZ FFA placegetter Carribean Blaster was eased back and couldn’t get close, running eighth.
Last April’s upset Miracle Mile winner Baby Bling (1:50.5) was never a factor running ninth, while $2.20 favourite Ideal Scott disappointed, tailing the field.
The barrier draw for the Miracle Mile will be decided at 5pm (NZ time) on Sunday, November 24.
The invited starters are: Terror To Love, Christen Me, Smoken Up, Beautide, Im Victorious, Restrepo, For A Reason, Mach Beauty.
Emergencies: Abettorpunt, Bitobliss.
Mark, who warmed up for Menangle with a couple of unplaced drives at Newcastle on Friday night, is to return to drive Mach Beauty in the Miracle Mile.
Mach Beauty, a 5YO Mach Three gelding from a Falcon Seelster mare, had earlier finished third behind Beautide and Abettorpunt in the $A75,000 Newcastle Mile on November 9, the winner going 1:52.6.
He has won 15 of 37 starts for $A217,992 in stakes and has a best winning mile of 1:51.2.
Mark also had the catch-drive on the top Tim Butt-trained mare Elusive Chick in the $A22,000 Summertime Chicken Ladyship Pace, finishing sixth to former Canterbury mare Simple Saver.
After working forward three wide early, the $1.60 favourite battled in the run home, finishing 9.4m from Simple Saver, the Dave Neal-owned and former Peter and Leonie Jones-trained mare. who led and won in a career best 1:52.8.
Simple Saver (5m Live Or Die-Debbie Duck), now with NSw trainer Kevin Pizzuto, has been a revelation over the sprint racing at Menangle.
She is now unbeaten in seven NSW starts, having previously paced 1:52.9 to score at Menangle on November 2.
Simple Saver has earned $A55,765 in Australia, while her career earnings now total $77,158.
BANKS PENINSULA TC, Sunday, Nov. 24
Race 6: IS THIS LOVE (1, Kimberly Butt), mob. 2000m: “She was better running third at the Ashburton trials on Wednesday when they ran the last 800m in 57.2s. Its an average maiden field, so a chance to get some form providing she does things right.”
Outside drive
Race 10: SMOKEN ROMAN (11), 1, 10m, 2810m: “Colin De Filippi has his own one in (Billythehuntedone), so a pick-up drive. He raced good on Show Day, getting up for second to Vice Chairman, so you can’t fault his form. He’s won on grass too.”
TIMARU HRC, Saturday, Nov 23
Race 8: FAIR DINKUM BROMAC (9, Blair Orange), 10m, 2600m std: “He begins good and races well around Timaru. With a good trip, he could be a place chance.”
Former Overport Lodge pacer Offtocullect made a strong winning West Australian debut for the Greg Bond stable at Gloucester Park, Perth, on Friday night, November 15.
The 3YO Gotta Go Cullect-Shazza’s Dream colt overcame the inside of the back row in a $A17,000 3YO pace, improving wide to race parked then outfinishing stablemate Black Mr Mach in a 1:59 rate for the mobile 2130m. The leaders quickened over their last 800m in 58.6s and closing 400m in 28.5s.
Offtocullect, formerly with the Mark Jones stable, and now successful in Perth.
Formerly raced from the Mark Jones stable by Wayne Higgs, Gotta Co Cullect won four of five NZ starts, and was runnerup to Locharburn in the other, before his sale to Perth.
Offtocullect had been considered for the Sires Stakes series in NZ before negotiations commenced for a pending sale.
Their was dual Aussie success for the Alabar (NZ)-owned broodmare Shazza’s Dream (Pacific Rocket-Rush Machine) in Australia last week.
Her 4YO mare by Elsu, Our Els Dream, was a winner at Penrith, NSW, last Thursday, taking out a C1-2 pace in a 2:00.4 rate over the 2125m.
Our Els Dream has now won three of four Australian starts, and has a best winning mile rate of 1:56.2 over 1609m at Menangle.
The first three foals from Shazza’s Dream are all winners, with her first Westerly Wind, having won twice from eight NZ starts with a fastest mile rate of 2:00.1 over 2200m when successful at Cambridge on September 29.
Meanwhile, former Overport Lodge pacer (My) Jellignite notched his third win in his last four Albion Park starts in Brisbane on November .
He rated a smart 1:53.8 (1660m) to take out the Tatts.com Jackpots Pace, while career best remains a 1:52.4 mile set at Menangle in New South Wales.
The Courage Under Fire-Badjelly The Wytch gelding has now won $A134,721 lifetime, from 16 wins and 26 placings, in 66 starts.
