THE BUS COULD CONTEST YOUNG GUNS HEATS IN DECEMBER
Overport Lodge trainer Mark Jones is considering a Young Guns 2YO campaign in Auckland next month for appropriately-named juvenile, The Bus, following his win at the Addington trials on Wednesday, November 2.
The Bus, the nickname of Hurricanes and All Black rugby winger Julian Savea, is a half-brother to the well-performed Overport Lodge pacer Saveapatrol (11 wins from 18 starts for $145,618).
The Bus, and trainer Mark Jones, hold the challenge of the All Stars trio in a 2YO Mobile Pace at the Addington trials on Wednesday, November 2.
Both horses are owned by successful stable client Grant Hatton.
Saveapatrol, a former Auckland Cup placegetter, is a gelded son of Christian Cullen, while The Bus is a well-proportioned colt by Art Major.
“We bought this one in Australia from Glenferrie Farm. He was bred in Sydney so he’s eligible for the Breeders Challenge over there next year,” said trainer Mark Jones.
Both are from the big-winning Falcon Seelster mare Rondel Franco (1:51.6), who after winning one of seven NZ 2YO starts, went on to win a further 36 races in the US and Canada, retiring with earnings of the equivalent of $684,003 in stakes.
Rondel Franco, is from Reigning Franco, by Holmes Hanover from the smart 1970s racemare Royal Belmer (12 wins), the latter a winner of the 1973 NZ Standardbred Breeders Stakes and 1972 Kaikoura Cup for the late leading Canterbury trainer, Jack Smolenski.
The family was also in the news last season with another descendant of the Royal Belmer line in Piccadilly Princess taking out the Victorian and North (Island) Oaks, and also the Harness Jewels 3YO Diamond at Cambridge in 1:53, beating out All Stars stablemates, Golden Goddess and Dream About Me.
Piccadilly Princess has won nine of 18 starts for $347,586.
Even though The Bus was 0.9 of a second outside the qualifying time on Wednesday, he won’t have much trouble getting his ticket.
He led up into a stiff easterly breeze on Wednesday and just held by a nose from the Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen-trained filly A Lister (Bettor’s Delight-Legs And Lips filly).
Two other All Stars-trained runners in Funatthebeach (Somebeachsomewhere-Minnie Moose colt) and Motu Rampage (Mach Three-Motu Living Doll colt), also chased The Bus home.
The Bus ran the mobile 2000m in 2:37.1 (2:06.3 mile rate), quickening over his last 800m in 59.8s and final 400m in 28s.
The Young Guns Series Heats begin with a $25,000 heat at Alexandra Park on December 16, with another scheduled on New Year’s Eve, and further heats in February and early March.
The Group One Breckon Bloodstock Young Gun Cardigan Bay Stakes Final to be run at Auckland on March 4.
By Jeff Scott