MARK JONES HITS 100 WITH RANSOM OLDS
Burnham trainer Mark Jones brought up a century of NZ training wins without much fanfare in a cheap Tuesday maiden race with Ransom Olds at the Riverton Trotting Club’s meeting on Tuesday, October 26.
He is also around $22,000 shy of training the winners of $1 million in NZ.
His first training win came when only in his second season as a senior driver.
He took out a licence to train while working for West Melton trainer Cran Dalgety, and prepared trotter Man O Man, to score at Oamaru on September 22, 2002, only a year after winning the NZ Drivers Premiership.
Mark only set himself up as a public trainer three seasons ago.
He had a combined total of 30 wins in 2008-9 _ 18 with a licence to train and 12 after being granted a public licence _ when he took over the Burnham arm of the Bruce Negus stable.
Last season he exceeded expectations training 52 winners, who won $572,371 in stakes.
This season has been solid, preparing the 56 starters for 10 winners of $51,351 in stakes.
He racked up career win 99 with promising 3YO filly trotter Commander Jewel at the Tuapeka meeting at Forbury last Sunday, October 24.
Sent out a commanding favourite, the CR Commando-In De Fence filly began well and was untroubled to hold in a solid 2:55.1 for the stand start 2200m, running her last 800m in 59.7s.
Raced by “Jim” McDonald, Commander Jewel was recording her second career win, but her first where she has had to race.
She was awarded a “walk-over” prize of $5000 for being the only acceptor in a Australasian Breeders Crown 2YO Fillies Trot Heat at a Rangiora Harness Racing Club’s meeting on June 16.