Category Archive

  NZ METRO RACE SCHEDULE The New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club (NZMTC) have released a change in dates for a number of feature races this season. These changes have been necessitated as a result of the 2011 Christchurch Casino Inter Dominion Championships being transferred to Alexandra Park, Auckland. The feature races that have had a change in date are as follows: 30/03/2011: PGG NZ Sales 3YO Fillies Final $175,000 (originally scheculed 25/03/2011). 23/04/2011: Renwick Joinery Pacers FFA $25,000 (originally 18/03/2011). 23/04/2011: NZ Derby 3YO Pacers $200,000 (originally 8/04/2011). 23/04/2011: Welcome Stakes 2YO Pacers $80,000 (originally 8/04/2011). 23/04/2011: Canterbury Country Cups …

  INTERS FOR AUCKLAND   The 2011 Christchurch Casino Inter Dominion Championships will be run by “The Met” at Alexandra Park in Auckland on Friday March 25 March, Friday April 1, and the Grand Final Meeting on Friday April 8. In announcing the change at midday on Wednesday March 2, NZ Metropolitan TC Chairman David Rankin advised that a key consideration for “The Met” was the safety of patrons and staff at the Addington Raceway venue in Christchurch. “An Engineer’s report on key building structures at Addington received on  Tuesday reveals that our large Public Stand has some structural issues …

  MARK & OVERPORT LODGE BUSY AT KARAKA Burnham trainer Mark Jones and Australian owner Peter Chambers, under his Overport Lodge Trust trading banner, were to the fore at the Australasian Classic Yearling Sale at Karaka on Saturday, February 19.   Mark went to $85,000 to secure Gotta Go Heavenly, a Christian Cullen sister to smart juveniles, Gotta Go Harmony (p2, 1:55.5), a Harness Jewels 2YO Diamond winner and 2009 2YO Pacing Filly of the Year, and Gotta Go Cullect (p2, 1:57, 1700m), the winner of five at two and three including the Cardigan Bay Stakes at two, before his …

  WINNING WEEKEND TREBLE   Burnham trainer Mark Jones had only moved his race team into the showplace farm, Overport Lodge, five days before he unleashed a winning treble on February 11-13. His first starter since the team entered Overport Lodge was Ardlussa Express at Addington on Friday night, February 11. “I was probably lucky to win with three last weekend but I hope it continues,” Mark said. Overport Lodge, a purpose built 20.2 hectare horse training facility in Grange Road, was formerly known as Grange Farm, when developed by thoroughbred trainer Neil Ridley. It is only a few kilometres …

MY MAN DAN OUT OF INTERS   My Man Dan, who has only raced once this term, has been withdrawn from next month’s Christchurch Casino Interdominion Pacing Championship by Burnham trainer Mark Jones. “He’s not working as good as he should. We’re taking all avenues to try and find out the problem,” Mark said. “Its frustrating because we haven’t done anything different, but he’s not going as good as he was,” he said. My Man Dan was a big improver through the summer last season, but hasn’t been the same horse since he had his preparation affected by stone bruises …

  WESTERN FLARE WINS DOUBLE Back-to-back wins by Western Flare at Addington and Oamaru last week is timely news for Utopia Farm, Westport, who are offering a full brother to him on the second day of the NZ Premier Yearling Sale on Tuesday, February 22. Western Flare fought gamely in front over the last 1300m for Regan Todd to hold Fernleigh Renegade by half a neck in the mobile 2000m 2-3 wins junior drivers pace on the grass at Oamaru. The 4YO McArdle gelding was well placed by Burnham trainer Mark Jones for his winning double, having a few days …

  NEW HORSE SHAPES WELL  Ardlussa Express, a recent addition to the Mark Jones stable after being purchased out of Southland by Melbourne owner Merv Butterworth, could be heading back there to debut in the black and white silks at Invercargill on Monday January 24. The 4YO Falcon Seelster gelding had his first public outing for the stable at the Motukarara workouts on Saturday, January 15, impressing junior driver Regan Todd. “He might go to Invercargill for a junior drivers race as its penalty-free,” Regan said. Ardlussa Express settled at the back as free-going pacemaker Code Of Honour went clear …

  SUPREME GEM FAST IN NELSON MAIDEN   Well-bred filly Supreme Gem will target the first $18,0000 Nevele R 3YO fillies Heat for the season at Blenheim next Friday, January 14, after easily winning her maiden at Nelson on Friday, January 7. The daughter of Christian Cullen and the first foal from former speedy racemare Flying Sands (1:56.5 mile rate, 1950m) bounced back from a slightly disappointing first-up run for six weeks at Addington on New Year’s Eve. “Its hard to get a line on her at home. I was hoping she’d improve with that run under her belt,” Mark …

TELEMECANIQUE RUNS 1:52.1 AT THE MEADOWLANDS Former Mark Jones-trained mare Telemecanique lowered her mile best to 1:52.1 with a strong effort in snow cooled temperatures at the Meadowlands, New Jersey, on Saturday, January 7. The Falcon Seelster-Seldom Home mare was recording back-to-back wins in North America since joining the Richard “Nifty” Norman barn. After being eased back early from her three draw, she improved three wide with cover over the last half for driver David Miller. Telemecanique stormed down the outside to win going away by two lengths in the $US23,500 pace. The race was for non-winners of $US22,500 in …

EX STABLEMATES WIN OVERSEAS   Telemecanique and Atom Of Courage, formerly stablemates at the Burnham stables of trainer Mark Jones, have gained their first wins respectively overseas. Former smart racemare Telemecanique bounced back from being sick a month ago to win a $US19,000 mares race at Harrahs Chester in 1:53.2 for the mile. Telemecanique, former speedy NZ mare, who has opened her winning account in North America. The Falcon Seelster mare settled fourth and finished best to win by 3/4 of a length. Another former Canterbury mare in Joyfuljoy finished fourth. “She dropped back in grade for that one, but …