BIG BOXING DAY FOR BRENT WARD Boxing Day, 2011, was memorable for two new lifestyle developments for big scoring provincial rugby full back Brent Ward. He became engaged to partner Sarah only a few hours before cheering Saskia Finn home to win a maiden at Westport _ his first win as a racehorse owner. Brent co-owns Saskia Finn with last year’s Crusaders team-mate Zac Guildford, and a team of other Mark Jones stable owners _ including Mike and Helen Finlayson, Nathan Brown, and the Riverside Boxing Club Syndicate. “I thought it might have been a good omen (getting …
Race caller extends record
MARK McNAMARA EXTENDS OWNERSHIP RECORD Racecaller Mark McNamara says Champagne Franco’s debut win at Rangiora on Sunday, December 18, was an unexpected bonus, especially after drawing the outside of the second row over the 2000m from a stand. “I just wanted to win a race sometime. I didn’t expect to get it first-up,” he said. The Canterbury-based broadcaster is fashioning a useful record as an owner with runners at the Overport Lodge stables of Mark Jones, having won earlier races as a co-owner of Union Buster and Anita Patron. He selected Champagne Franco at the 2010 NZ Premier …
Texas runs rivals ragged
TEXAS RUNS RIVALS RAGGED Emerging 4YO stayer Ohoka Texas is to be reserved for either the $40,000 Pelorus 4YO Classic or the $20,000 Marlborough Cup at Waterlea on January 15 after he destroyed a handy field in the 3-win and faster $18,000 Wairio Cup at Winton on Saturday December 17. Overport Lodge trainer Mark Jones, after reviewing options, has decided against starting him in the $20,000 Wesport Cup on Boxing Day at Patterson Park. Ohoka Texas, after settling in midfield early in the Wairio Cup, was sent to the front with 1200m to run and kept the pace …
First win for ‘Flare’ driver
FIRST FOR TREVOR WARD IN AMATEUR TOTE RACE Met Five Syndicate pacer Western Flare credited former NZ Metropolitan Trotting Club deputy chairman Trevor Ward with his first totalisator driving win in the amateur drivers race at Rangiora on Wednesday, December 7. Mr Ward enjoyed the occasion with many directors of the club. He had built up friendships with them during his 17 years as an administrator with the club before ending his term with the club. His good friend Blair Cartwright, who manages the Syndicate, booked him for the drive. Another former Metropolitan Club administrator Richard Sissons could …
Ohoka Texas clears out on Show Day
OHOKA TEXAS IMPRESSIVE WINNER Overport Lodge trainer Mark Jones felt he might not have gone too slow with Ohoka Texas when nosed out by Magical Mel on NZ Cup day, but non-one could get close to him over the final lap at Addington on Show day, November 11, 2011. Mark and Ohoka Texas claimed the biggest win of the premier week when distancing their rivals by 10 1/2 lengths in the 3 win $13,250 Fahey Fence Hire Mobile Pace pace over the mobile 1950m. Ohoka Texas raced several classes above his rivals on the day. Mark eased …
Glenferrie Magic sidelined
GLENFERRIE MAGIC OFF TRACK Glenferrie Magic, who showed much early promise for Overport Lodge trainer Mark Jones, is unlikely to race again. “At this stage she’s retired with problems in a hoof,” Mark said. “She was probably our best one, but is too good to risk,” he said. An embryo transfer by Christian Cullen from the three-year-old filly was taken off her in early November. “She’ll go to the vets to be treated for another six-12 months,” Mark said. “At this stage she’ll be a mother, which is frustrating. She was probably as good as any three-year-old filly this …
Sarkozy sold to WA
SARKOZY SOLD TO WEST AUSTRALIA Sarkozy, distinctive in his Canterbury racing last term with his bold white nose, has been sold out of the Mark Jones stable to race from the West Australian stables of Justin Prentice. The 4YO McArdle-Oh So Precious gelding made useful progress through the grades winning three of seven starts last season, banking $13,709 for owners Frances and Max Bowden, and Max’s son Lyndon. His last win was in a strong 3:17.4 for the stand start 2600m at Rangiora on May 8, running his last 800m in 57.9s to win comfortably. He had …
Ohoka Texas . . . 1:54.1
OHOKA TEXAS WINS WINTON MILE Ohoka Texas raced up to expectations for Overport trainer Mark Jones, and junior driver Regan Todd, in his Winton debut on Sunday, October 16, equalling the track mile mark of 1:54.1. The Christian Cullen-Millwood Touche entire blazed over his final 800m in 54.8s and his closing 400m in a sizzling 26.7s to equal Nuclear Byrd’s mile when trained by the late Eric Ryan in December 1997 _ then the NZ mile record. Auckland Reactor subsequently lowered the NZ male mile mark to 1:52.9 at Ashburton in February. Former top mare Kiwi Ingenuity …
Ohoka Texas wins workout
OHOKA TEXAS WINS HEAT Ohoka Texas will head to Winton next Sunday, October 16, on the back of two smart workout wins since teaming up with Overport Lodge trainer Mark Jones. The Christian Cullen-Millwood Touche entire is set to contest a 2-3 win junior drivers race over 1609m, with Regan Todd to steer the 4YO in search of a first-up penalty-free handicapping win. Ohoka Texas resumes on a 3-win assessment, having already scored three penalty-free 3YO handicap concession wins last term. He moved up in the open over the final lap and was a nose …
Ohoka Texas joins team
OHOKA TEXAS NEW ADDITION Overport Lodge trainer Mark Jones considers himself lucky to have been entrusted with last season’s smart 3YO pacer Ohoka Texas. Mark says the Christian Cullen-Millwood Touche entire is set to resume at the workouts on October 1. Ohoka Texas, winner of the Group Two $40k Alabar Southern Supremacy Stakes Final at Invercargill in April in a 2:03 mile rate over 2700m (last 800m in 55.9s), may return south for a suitable 2-3 win junior drivers race over 1609m at Winton on October 16 in search of another penalty-free win. He won six from …