WELL-TIMED LATE FINISH FROM ALEX
Alex, rewarded for consistency in the 1-win Dakins Rent A Loo Christmas Party Mobile Pace at Addington on Friday, November 30, will continue to race for the Mark Jones stable for another month, but will ultimately race in Australia.
“His owner Greg Brodie will race him over there. He’ll do a good job in suitable races there,” said trainer Mark Jones.
“He’s not a star, but a good honest horse,” he said.
Friday’s win by Alex, a brother to good-winning mare Glenferrie Alexis (1:55.9, Aust) and the capable Jackaroozy (1:56.2, Aust), was a change of luck for Mr Brodie, who recently had capable mare Holme Fire sidelined for four months with a hip injury.
Mr Brodie, who has raced a host of topline pacers including the former Bruce Negus-trained stars, Courage Under Fire and Franco Hat Trick, has 10 horses with Burnham trainer Mark Jones, but Mark said they’ll be looking to change tack a little.
“We’ll try and change quantity for quality. I’d rather have three quality ones for Greg, so we’ll be on the lookout to get him some better ones,” Mark said.
Alex, a 4YO gelding by Mr Brodie’s former champion youngster Courage Under Fire from Alegria (Caprock-Miesque), took his record to three wins and eight placings, for $19,579 in stakes, with Friday’s win.
He settled beyond midfield from a second row alley, and was relegated to last with a lap to run.
Still last at the 400m, Mark had the last say, bringing Alex home with a well-timed late run wide to wear down Vanilla Rose and Angus Bromac in a useful 3:16.3 (2:01.4 mile rate).
The win brought up the 13th win of the season from only 66 starters for the Mark Jones stable, and was Mark’s 23rd driving win for the season.
