GLENFERRIE CLASSIC DELIVERS AT SIXTH START Glenferrie Classic, aided by spreaders in front for a touch more width on the first day of the Marlborough winter meeting at Waterlea, Blenheim, on Friday, June 24, 2016, confirmed the potential she’d shown for trainer Mark Jones. She delivered with a maiden victory at her sixth start in The Hits & Wairau Covers Maiden Mobile Pace. The royally-bred daughter of champion sire Bettor’s Delight and 2005 New Zealand Cup winning mare Mainland Banner (1:55.1, 17 wins from 22 starts & $684,579) had shown she would win races but had made a couple of …
Injury sidelines Saveapatrol again
SPLIT PASTERN DERAILS SAVEATROL CUP CAMPAIGN Top lightly-raced pacer Saveapatrol has been ruled out of New Zealand Cup contention for the second year running. Burnham trainer Mark Jones said the horse was making great progress in training on the comeback trail, then split a hind pastern last Saturday. “His tendon had scanned up fine but the bad luck has continued,” Mark said. “He’ll get the pastern screwed on Tuesday, so his cup campaign is over and he’ll be out for at least three months,” he said. Its another untimely setback for Saveapatrol, his trainer, and owner Grant Hatton. At only …
Sam Ottley moves to 30 for season
WINNING TREBLE AT NELSON MOVES SAM TO 30 FOR SEASON A winning treble for Overport Lodge driver Samantha Ottley on the first day at Nelson on Friday, June 10, brought up 30 wins for the season. The Harness Jewels 4YO Diamond-winning reinsman has continued her top Cambridge Jewels victory form behind Rocker Band from last Saturday. Following on with a win behind fellow Overport runner Smoke N Fire at Ashburton on Monday, she notched a winning double with other Mark Jones-trained stablemates, Croft Bay and Kowhai Monarch, at Nelson. For good measure, Sam also reined 43-to-one outsider Feel Real to …
Rocker Band to extend career next season
ROCKER BAND TO TARGET QUEEN OF HEARTS IN DECEMBER Harness Jewels 4YO Diamond winner Rocker Band will be given the chance to extend her race career next season. Gold Coast owner Greg Brodie is keen for the impeccably-bred daughter of Rocknroll Hanover and 2005 New Zealand Cup winner Mainland Banner (1:55.1, 17 wins from 22 starts for $684,579) to contest further feature mares races. “With a change in handicapping it may save her,” said Burnham trainer Mark Jones. “She’s spelling now. We’ll we’ll see if we are ready for NZ Cup week racing but will target the Queen Of Hearts …
Rocker Band fulfills the faith in Jewels
ROCKER BAND DELIVERS GROUP ONE FOR TOP OWNER Overport Lodge trainer Mark Jones gets no pressure from Queensland owner Greg Brodie. He’s never met him, yet he’s one of his main clients. The association had its best result yet when speed mare Rocker Band charged home in the hands of Sam Ottley to win the $150,000 NRM Evolve 4YO Diamond at Cambridge on Saturday, June 4, 2016. Mark gained immense satsifaction with his first Group One training win for Mr Brodie with a horse Mark actually formerly owned. Mr Brodie, who formerly raced champion youngster Courage Under Fire, is at …
Arran Chief 100th Met Multiplier winner
ARRAN CHIEF MET MULTIPLIER’S 100th WINNER May 30, 2016 Six-win trotter Arran Chief was the 100th winner of the Met Multiplier at Addington on Friday, May 27, 2016. With a substantial total of 100 pacers or trotters having now won the Met Multiplier since inception in August 2012, means Addington has contributed $750,000 to this bonus scheme alone. The Met Multiplier was designed to encourage trainers to support the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club (NZMTC) with a lucrative incentive for the connections. To win the $7500 Met Multiplier bonus, a horse has to only start at NZMTC meetings a minimum …
Croft Bay delivers in Addington junior race
CROFT BAY DELIVERS FOR MATT ANDERSON IN ADDINGTON JUNIOR PACE Overport Lodge trainer Mark Jones brought up his 44th training win for the season when Matt Anderson combined with Croft Bay for a strong C1 junior drivers win at Addington on Friday, May 27. Croft Bay, an improving 4YO Lis Mara brother to 4-win 3YO filly Pat Campbell (1:59.3), and half-brother to Montana Falcon (1:53.2, Aust, 25 wins & $A167,376) and former Overport Lodge pacer McPocket (1:53.5, Aus, 10 wins & $A90,157) had to be good to win. He is a fifth-line descendant of former smart 10-win mare 1978 NZ …
NSW Trotters Derby now on July 16
NEW DATE FOR NSW TROTTERS DERBY The $40,000 NSW Trotters Derby will now be run on July 16, 2016, following discussions with other states regarding their programs. The Group Two feature was originally scheduled for Tabcorp Park Menangle this weekend, but was postponed following a poor response from trainers. The NSW Harness Racing Club discussed likely dates for the race with Harness Racing Victoria’s racing team before settling on the July 16 (Saturday night) date. “We thought that date should suit most trainers,” explained NSWHRC racing manager David Wonson. “That date is two weeks after the VicBred finals at Melton, …
Anika Lindenny realises potential
ANIKA LINDENNY SMART FRESH-UP ADDINGTON WINNER Last week’s holidaying Canterbury racecaller Mark McNamara, who returned to Christchurch on Monday, always had a bit of time for the big Christian Cullen maiden mare Anika Lindenny. So much so he and wife Katie leased her from Lindenny Lodge breeders, Dennis Bennett and Linda Joyce, of Fernside, North Canterbury, in January. Anika Lindenny had put in some eye-catching maiden runs, but her best efforts in 13 attempts when prepared by co-owner, Dennis Bennett, were three fourths. Mark and Katie could see a win or two in her, and transferred her to the bigger …
‘Memphis’ fights hard for second to Spanish Armada
DELIGHTFUL MEMPHIS NECK SECOND IN SIRES FILLIES RACE Overport Lodge filly Delightful Memphis, given a great trip in the one-one by Blair Orange, fought hard neck for a neck second in the in the Group One $138,000 Magness Benrow Sires Stakes Fillies Championship at Auckland on April 29. However, front-running $1.30 favourite Spanish Armada wouldn’t be denied in the run home for co-trainer Natalie Rasmussen, doing enough to hold for back-to-back Group One victories at Alexandra Park. Renske B, a stablemate of Spanish Armada, held third 3 3/4 lengths away after moving up parked with Delightful Memphis tracking up in …