NZ OAKS NOMS CLOSING EARLY February 2, 2016 Nominations for the 2016 The Breeders NZ Oaks will be taken mid-February to increase exposure and to enable fixed odds markets to open earlier. Nominations for the Oaks will close at 3.00pm on Wednesday, February 24, 2016. The Breeders New Zealand Oaks – $150,000 – Group 1 – May 21, 2016 Initial nomination fee Wednesday February 24, 3pm NZ time $75 First late nomination fee Wednesday March 23, 3pm NZ time $750 First withdrawal fee Wednesday March 23, 3pm NZ time $150 Second withdrawal fee Wednesday April 20, 3pm NZ time $300 …
Lennytheshark gets auto entry to Miracle Mile
LENNY LIES IN WAIT FOR MIRACLE MILE RIVALS Lennytheshark has become the first horse into the 2016 SEW Eurodrive Miracle Mile, thanks to his masterful win in last Saturday night’s Victoria Cup at Melton on January 30, 2016. Connections were delighted to accept the invitation, even though it means they cannot contest either of the traditional lead-up sprints the Coca-Cola Amatil or Cordina Chicken Farms Sprint on February 13, two weeks before the Miracle Mile. “No problem, we’ll just come for the one race and hopefully win the one that matters,” said Lennytheshark’s trainer David Aiken, who was in Sydney …
Rocker Band overcomes bad draw at Addington
ROCKER BAND OVERCOMES OUTSIDE 2ND ROW AT MILE START An outside second row draw at the Addington mile start on January 15 couldn’t stop impressive 4YO mare Rocker Band from remaining unbeaten this season. While second favourite New Years Jay led up the three wide line from the outside of the front row, moving to parked at the 750m, Rocker Band had to dodge early breaker Flyin Heather, settling last. She was able to work up with a three wide trail behind stablemate Perissa then launched four wide turning for home after Perissa couldn’t go on at the 300m. Rocker …
Mark brings up 400th training win
MARK BRINGS UP 400 WITH I GET AROUND AT NELSON Overport Lodge trainer Mark Jones brought up his 400th training win when I Get Around won on the second day of the Nelson summer meeting on Sunday, January 10, 2016. The former World Champion driver has focused on the training role in latter years with his stable earnings having quickly soared past the $3.7 million mark. He prepared his first winner with a licence to train in 2002 when Man O Man won a maiden trot at Oamaru. Mark, in his eighth season as a professional trainer, prepared 12 winners …
Rocker Band produces all the right moves at Nelson
ROCKER BAND PRODUCES ALL THE RIGHT MOVES AT NELSON Warm favourite Rocker Band had to be quick on her feet to avoid disaster in the $11,743 Golden Edge Nelson Cup Prelude on the first day of the Nelson summer meeting on Friday, January 8, 2016. The Rocknroll Hanover mare stepped at her first stand start, working to the front for driver Sam Ottley and appeared to have complete control of the C3 and faster pace. However, a displaced marker pole on the track with 500m to run made her mix her stride for a couple of hops, giving supporters slight …
Danke lands win with top Sam drive
DANKE SCORES AGAIN FOR THE DANKE FOR COMING SYNDICATE Confidence levels were not shooting through the roof with squaregaiter Danke when the rain came at Rangiora on Sunday January 2, 2016. However, the now 86-start veteran responded to a top drive and handled the conditions better than the rest to take out the C0-1 Happy New Year Trot. In the process, the 8YO notched his second win since being snapped up by Mark McNamara for the Danke For Coming Syndicate last June and transferring to the Overport Lodge stable of Mark Jones. Danke had won first-up for the Syndicate in …
Eyre I Come has second premier win
EYRE I COME ENDS RUN OF PLACINGS WITH AUCKLAND WIN Eyre I Come ended a frustrating run of minor placings with a premier $20,000 victory in the Crombie Lockwood Mobile Trot at Auckland on New Year’s Eve, 2015. The 5YO Majestic Son gelding had looked certain to progress to open class after his previous win at Addington on New Zealand Cup day, 2014, also in a $20,000 trot when he defeated Queen Kenny and Clover Mac. However, the half-brother to Springbank Eden and grandson of former stand-out trot mare Landora’s Pride (34 wins) lost that winning feeling for much of …
Itz Billy Hillis wins Vict. debut
FORMER OVERPORT QUALIFIER WINS FIRST-UP IN AUSSIE Former Overport Lodge 3YO Itz Billy Hillis (3g Bettor’s Delight-Itz Got The Giggles) was a first-up winner at Cobram, Victoria, on Sunday, December 27. Itz Billy Hillis, sold unraced after qualifying at Rangiora in September for trainer Mark Jones, was a hot $1.40 favourite despite starting from three on the second row over the 1670m. However, he was too good after moving up wide over the final lap to win by 7.8 metres in a promising 1:56.7 rate. The leaders had the speed on over their last 800m in 57.9s with Itz Billy …
Master Lavros home for long rehab
MASTER LAVROS RETURNS HOME FOR LONG SLOW RECOVERY Injured dual Dominion Handicap champion Master Lavros returned to Canterbury on Tuesday to begin his rehabilitation. Overport Lodge trainer Mark Jones admits it will be a long slow road to recovery for the half-million dollar earner. Master Lavros will undergo more scans on his injured hind suspensory to fully ascertain the extent of his damaged ligament. All Mark can advise is that the great trotter will be sidelined for some time. He is unable to provide a time-line for a future return but will be do his best to ensure the horse …
Master Lavros out with suspensory problem
MASTER LAVROS SIDELINED WITH SUSPENSORY INJURY Dual Dominion Handicap winner Master Lavros has had his summer racing plans shelved after suffering damage to a hind suspensory. Overport Lodge trainer Mark Jones will assess the injury over the next few days but says the giant squaregaiter will be sidelined for some time. Master Lavros, who had just over a week off after taking out his second Group One Dominion Trot at Addington on November 13, had pleased in his Pukekohe workout leading up to last Friday’s $40,000 Rosslands Lyell Creek Stakes and in the race itself. Mark worked Master Lavros to …