POMME ROY TOO GOOD IN CHRISTMAS @ THE RACES NON-TOTE
Overport Lodge trainer Mark Jones will spell promising juvenile Pomme Roy for a month after impressively winning the Christmas At The Races 2YO non-tote pace at Addington on Friday, December 20, 2013.
Pomme Roy, a Christian Cullen colt from good producer T K Swift (Holmes Hanover-Sly Patron), was untroubled to lead up in the breezy conditions, quickening over his last 800m in 58.3s and final 400m in 29.2s. He rated 2:03.4 for the full 1950m.
Pomme Roy shows his determination near the finish of his debut non-tote 2YO win.
Bred by Ultimate Breeding of Westport, consisting of Graeme and Katrina Walsh, Pomme Roy has been syndicated to be raced by Grant Hatton, Paul Clarke, Bob Higgins, Bill Walsh (Graeme’s dad, who reined former top 1950s trotter Durban Chief to two Dominion Handicap wins, one promoted) and Claude Walsh.
Pomme Roy, a half-brother to big North American-winning mare Time Flies (1:52, US, 4 NZ wins, 31 USA wins), the dam of former Overport Lodge 2YO filly winner Glenferrie Magic (p2, 1:59.1, 1700m), is also a three-quarter brother the big-winning Ultimate Pursuit (six NZ wins, 38 USA wins) and half-brother to Noble Strike (two NZ wins, 15 USA wins, 1:56.8h, US).
“He’s a pretty nice horse,” said trainer Mark Jones.
Stablemate Expresso Martini (2c Bettor’s Delight-Putting On The Glitz), a half-brother to 2010 Northern Oaks and Nevele R Fillies Final winner Secret Potion (1:57.5, 10 wins & $285,312) and How Do Mate (four wins), raced by the Met Eight Syndicate, trailed Pomme Roy and finished 4 1/2 lengths behind his stablemate.
Itz Bettor To Win, sold after qualifying for the Mark Jones stable to race for the Mark Purdon/Nat Rasmussen team.
He would have finished closer but for racing greenly in the run home.
The Jones stable has been actively stepping out the juveniles in recent weeks, but recent qualifier Itz Bettor To Win (Bettor’s Delight-Itz All About Me colt) and Itz Platinum Plus (Bettor’s Delight-Itz Prahda Dahling) have changed stables already.
Itz Bettor To Win qualified in 2:32.3 for the mobile 2000m when following the others round behind another stablemate Smoke N Santanna at the Addington trials on December 2.
He confirmed his potential a week later, winning his Ashburton 1609m 2YO trial in 2:00.9, the last 800m in 57.9s and final 400m in 27.5s.
He has been subsequently sold by Kirwee breeders Bob and Norma McMeeking to the Butterworth Racing Partnership and has joined the Allstars barn of Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen.
Itz Bettor To Win is from a race-winning Courage Under Fire sister to Itz Cherry Ripe (1:51.4, US) and half-sister to Itz Nosurprisesthere, who after showing promise for the Mark Jones team won both the NSW and Tasmanian Oaks for Victorian trainer Dean Braun last term.
Itz Platinum Plus, who finished just over five lengths third behind Itz Bettor To Win in the Ashburton trial, clocking 2:02 for the mile, is headed south to the Invercargill stable of Andrew “Archie” Armour.
Smoke N Santanna, a promising son of good mare Smoke N Mirrors, for the Mark Jones stable.
However, Pomme Roy and Smoke N Santanna, are both very unlikely to be sold out of the stable.
“I’m pretty luck to keep both of them as they will both get better,” Mark said.
Smoke N Santanna, a colt by Santanna Blue Chip from the good racemare Smoke N Mirrors (1:58.9, 1950m, 10 wins & 189,675), looked well above average qualifying at Addington on December 2, sprinting clear to win his mobile 2000m qualifier by 3 1/4 lengths.
He was sent straight to the spelling paddock after rating 2:02.5 for the trip, the leaders running their last 800m in 58.6s and final 400m in 28.5s.
Smoke N Santanna is the second foal from Smoke N Mirrors. Her first, Smoke N Grin (a 3YO by Grinformeartoear), won second-up for the Jonny Cox-Amber Hoffman Westwood Beach stable at Invercargill on November 3.
Expresso Martini will also have a month off and is expected to develop further.
Pomme Roy, Smoke N Santanna and Expresso Martini are scheduled to return for 2YO feature racing in the autumn.
By Jeff Scott