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 …
Small team for the weekend
ASHBURTON, THURSDAY, NOV 16 RACE 8 SAY YOUR PRES (6, fr. 2400m stand) Mark Jones -“She was a bit unlucky to get that early check at Forbury otherwise I think we’d have been right in it. Things have to go her way a little bit given her manners are still a work in progress, but she is good enough.” ADDINGTON, FRIDAY, NOV 17 RACE 1 RUTHLESS SUCCESS (13, fr. 1950m mobile) Sam Ottley -“She is racing well, unlucky at Kaikoura and then did the job well at Forbury. A much tougher task here and she did need to draw better. …
Real Torque gives stable 100% record Cup Day
Mark produced good mare Real Torque to win on New Zealand Cup Day, his one and only starter at Addington on Tuesday. The Real Desire mare continued a good run for owners, the Hatton family. Grant Hatton, who has enjoyed Cup day success in the past, extends a good run, having enjoyed Group race successes in recent years with the likes of Eyre I Come and Saveapatrol. SAM OTTLEY SCORES EARLY DOUBLE Successful Overport Lodge driver Sam Ottley was the driver to follow early on Christchurch Casino NZ Trotting Cup day, scoring wins with Sundons Flyer and Real Torque. …
Whittaker wins Star Trek Final !
Smart Sportswriter 4yo Whittaker saluted for third time on end at Bathurst, NSW, tonight (Friday), when far too good for his opposition in the $A15,000 Star Trek Final. He settled back of midfield from his second line draw but was soon up and around them for caretaker-trainer-driver Ashlee Grives, sitting three-wide the last lap in the open, but he still surged away for a very impressive victory Whittaker rated a slick 1:54.8 for the 1730m, quarters in 27.9, 31.4, 27.8, and 28.1. http://www.harnessmediacentre.com.au/trotstv/replays/32765 Watch Whittaker keep his Australian record a perfect one.
Mark heads to Forbury for rare visit
FORBURY PARK, THURSDAY, NOV 9 RACE 2 BELLE OF BROOKLYN (1, fr. 2700m stand) Mark Jones -“Very pleased with her at Kaikoura, that win had been building. She’s on track to run well again, has come through the race up there well. Stepping well the key from one.” RACE 4 SAY YOUR PRES (4,fr. 2200m stand) Mark Jones -“She’s getting closer, I think. A good effort last start after getting back and up wide later. She’s just that mistake-free performance away and hopefully she gets it right this week.” RACE 4 RUTHLESS SUCCESS (8, fr. 2200m stand) Laura McKay -“She …
Joey to lead the way at Timaru
ADDINGTON, FRIDAY, NOV 3 R11 – MANINTHEMIRROR (11, fr. 2600m mobile) Sam Ottley -“He’s had his chances in a few maiden races at Addington. It would be nice to grab one with him for the Met Multiplier, but perhaps this looks a bit rich.” TIMARU, SATURDAY, NOV 4 R3 – SAY YOUR PRES (3, fr. 2000m mobile) Sam Ottley -“She’s trotting a lot better now and not far away from winning one. Muscles Galore aside, who does look the winner, I think she can beat most of them if she does things right. An eachway chance.” R8 GLENFERRIE CLASSIC (2, …
Bathurst good again to Whittaker
Classy Sportswriter entire Whittaker made it two-from-two at Bathurst (NSW) tonight (Weds, Nov 1) in the hands of Ashlee Grives. The Greg Brodie-owned pacer had some work to do early in his heat of the Bedwells Star Trek Semi Final but coasted clear on the turn to win very easily. Mark Jones was thrilled with the horse, his plan to conquer again in the final of the Bedwell Feeds Series now a strong possibility. “He coasted it and we’re all very pleased. Greg is over the moon with him, and Ashlee,” he added. http://www.harnessmediacentre.com.au/trotstv/replays/32646 3 6:40pm BEDWELLS FEED BARN STAR …
Betty and Banner looking ‘great’
Mark headed to Menangle for the weekend and confirms he is thrilled with class mare’s Rocker Band and Delightful Memphis as they slowly build towards a December return. Mark flew across to work Whittaker for his Wednesday night assignment at Bathurst and also had a sit behind the top mares who are slowly building through some pacework. “They look amazing. Both have been out with (NSW trainer) Aaron Goadsby since Brisbane and they look terrific. He (Goadsby) does a great job with them, they are very bright and their coats look super.” Goadsby spelled and jogged the mares before being …
Wednesday night opener for Whittaker
Whittaker runs at Bathurst Wednesday night Whittaker will have his first Australian start for Mark in Wednesday night’s Bedwells Feedbarn Star Trek Heat 1 at Bathurst, NSW. After a bold third at Addington a fortnight ago, he was sent to Mark’s Sydney stable to continue his promising career under the guidance of leading NSW horsewoman, Ashlee Grives. 1 6:34pm BEDWELLS FEEDBARN STAR TREK HEAT 1 1730M $3,500 C1 To C2. PBD/C. Mobile TRIFECTA, QUINELLA, EXACTA, FIRST4 Form Horse Trainer Other Eng. Driver Class Hcp 1 34346 CRAFTY CULLEN NZ Amanda Turnbull Amanda Turnbull A J Turnbull C0 M0 FR1 $1.60 …
Whittaker leads stable charge
ADDINGTON, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 12 R1 JOEY MAGUIRE (9, fr. 1950m mobile) Sam Ottley -“Really pleased with him last week, he ran on strongly. We go back in class but out in draw here. He meets some nice ones and will need luck, but a blowout chance.” R3 RUTHLESS SUCCESS (3, fr. 1950m mobile) Laura McKay, and SAY YOUR PRES (7, fr.) Mark Jones -“Ruthless Success did a wee bit to lead and was run over last time. She’s probably better with a nice bit of cover and running on. An eachway chance. So is SAY YOUR PRES, if she does …