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Mark Jones calls it character building, but even the bravado doesn’t override the frustration. Twelve months ago, the Burnham horseman was riding on cloud nine as his stable galloping star Phelan The Power struck a rich vein of form. Good enough form to see him place third in one of the most high profile races of Cup Week – the Couplands Mile on the middle day at Riccarton. Fast-forward to now though, and it’s a different story all together. Phelan The Power is out of form and Jones is now in a race against both time and form to get …

Mark Jones is sure that Deny Everything could have been his next Cup horse. And while the dreams of taking on New Zealand’s greatest race now seem a long way off in the distance, just having the big pacer with an even bigger motor back on the track is a bit like winning a Group One for his trainer and his loyal connections. That loyalty, shown by Mark and Deny Everything’s owner Damian Love, began to be repaid on the weekend when the big gelding won his first race since October of 2021, following a lengthy time on the sidelines …

There was a time where Mark Jones wanted to sack Artatac from his stable. Odd to think now considering the job he’s done on the track, but his sale to America this week brought back memories for Jones of a horse who would work like Tarzan around home but step out on race day and race like Jane. But each time Jones pondered over whether Artatac’s future lay in someone else’s care, his decision was swayed by the input of owner Grant Hatton, who had confidence in both his horse – and his trainer, to get the best of the …

Never one to shy away from a challenge or an opportunity; a decision by Mark Jones to purchase a struggling lower grade trotter earlier this year is paying dividends – big time. Chatting one day with Scott Lethaby, Jones discovered that the well-respected horseman and farrier was running out of patience with his trotter Bella Button who was battling with tie-up and not living up to her full potential. Experience has led Jones to develop his own training method for horses who struggle with tie-up issues and upon learning that Lethaby felt the mare had a decent amount of ability, …

Mark Jones knew the first time he laid eyes on Stylish Memphis she was something special. Standing in a paddock as a yearling at the property of owner and breeder, Wayne Higgs – Jones, who isn’t known for getting too caught up in the moment – was immediately taken by the daughter of Bettor’s Delight. He isn’t claiming to be some sort of Nostradamus either; but as he reflects on the career of one of the best horses he’s trained, he can help but be reflective. A fifth placing in last Saturday night’s Queen’s Elizabeth II Mile at Menangle was …

The stars have aligned for smart Mark Jones Racing prospect Monaco Grace to get her shot at Group One glory on harness racing’s biggest day tomorrow at Addington. A good barrier draw, with some handy gate speed tucked away in her back pocket has trainer Mark Jones confident that the daughter of Bettor’s Delight gets her chance to nab a big one in the Nevele R Fillies Series Final. “From the draw we’ve got a few options, it really does look like she’s the one who can find the front,” he said. Bred by Woodlands Stud, and raced by the …

Classy Mark Jones Racing mare, Stylish Memphis is nearing in on a public return to the races – but don’t expect her to stay on New Zealand shores for long. In fact, the mare’s trainer, Mark Jones is wondering whether it’s actually worth bringing her up to fitness in New Zealand at all as he ponders the options for the $700,000 earner over the coming months. And that will likely see her departing New Zealand and heading back to Jack Trainor at Menangle where there is a plethora of options available to her almost every week. “She’s working up, but …

Two of the rising stars of Mark Jones Racing make their return to the track tomorrow night at Addington, but both come with heavy warnings from the man charged with getting them there. Three-year-old pacing filly, Monaco Grace and exciting three-year-old trotter Hot To Trot both begin their new campaigns at Harness HQ this week with eyes towards loftier targets later in the season. And while both on paper certainly look good enough to win, there’s enough cause for concern for trainer Mark Jones that he’s sending a warning to those who are looking to invest their hard-earned on the …

Astute placement and good use of the ratings system are to thank for a golden fortnight for Mark Jones Racing mare, Kowhai Shadow. The daughter of Shadow Play, who is raced by loyal stable clients, John and Jill Hartnell grabbed her third victory in as many starts for this campaign at Timaru on Sunday, capping off a great two weeks on the track. And while a lot of the success can be put down to the fact that Kowhai Shadow has fallen into the right grade, for trainer Mark, it’s also a realisation of the ability he’s always had in …

A plan hatched months ago to bring class mare Stylish Memphis back to New Zealand to compete in the inaugural running of The Race by Grins will hopefully come to fruition tonight at Cambridge. When news of the race was first mooted and it was confirmed that mares would receive the concession of inside barrier draws, her New Zealand trainer, Mark Jones, immediately got to think about how it could be a suitable target for the daughter of Bettor’s Delight. “It became attractive almost straight away,” Mark said. “Being on the markers around Cambridge is a massive help in any …