Training partner Ashlee Grives in thrilled with Mark’s Sydney-based team, the small but select bunch all working forward very nicely to some upcoming assignments.
Grives, who handles her own team out of Menangle, is in charge of Mark’s Sydney horses, and has driven Whittaker to three wins in a row since he arrived in Australia, culminating in the $15,000 Star Trek Final at Bathurst.
“Whittaker is great, he is absolutely jumping out of his skin,” she enthused.
“He will race at Menangle next Saturday night in a C3-C5 class race.”
Grives has been working up top mares Rocker Band and Delightful Memphis for new campaigns and reports all is very well there, too.
“They are feeling great. Both are very fresh and happy,” she said.
“Mark is flying in tonight (Monday 20th) to work them tomorrow. I would suggest they would be ready to trial in a fortnight depending on what Mark’s thoughts are, of course.
“We are very-much looking forward to their return.”
Grives will drive Kowhai Monarch in the final event at Menangle on Saturday night, the capable trotter due some winning form and back after a months break from the track.
He has been once second, three times third, and also added a fourth to his formline in five starts since returning from an unsuccessful Albion Park campaign in the winter.
“He has done well since his break and his work has been strong. He tends to race better fresh so hopefully he is not too far off a win,” said Grives.
Ash Grives and Whittaker have been potent in NSW