Category Archive

SPIRIT ECLIPSE RACING FOR RONALD McDONALD CHARITY The horse racing for a great cause is due to have his first start under his new ownership at Motukarara on Sunday, September 27, 2015. Spirit Eclipse is a standardbred racehorse that severely fractured his leg in a training accident in November 2014. This was a life threatening injury for the horse in that only two treatment options were available; euthanasia or attempt surgical repair of the fracture, in the hope that the horse would race again. Witnessing a fighting spirit in the horse, Canterbury Equine Clinic stepped in to save him. With …

NSWHRC MID-WEEK PRIZEMONEY LIFT The NSW Harness Racing Club will increase mid-week prizemoney a massive 14 per cent to $8000 a race from October 1. The principal club will increase midweek prizemoney from the current $7,000, which equates to more than $400,000 in additional prizemoney over the course of a year. At a consistent $8,000 prizemoney per race for meetings run each and every week the new level is the highest nationally for non metropolitan meetings. NSWHRC chief executive Bruce Christison explained that the club had made the decision to advance the proposed prizemoney increases which were expected to eventually …

MASTER LAVROS GALLOPS EARLY, BUT BIG RECOVERY Top squaregaiter Master Lavros looks set to carry on where he left off last season after a sterling first-up trial at Addington on Monday, September 14. Now seven, the big Sundon gelding had six weeks off ending last term with back-to-back Addington wins in May. He was just a bit too fresh at the start, galloping away off the 40m tape and giving the leaders 100m before clicking into his trotting stride. With Young Stranger running the heat along up front, Master Lavros tacked on at the back and finished off with purpose …

SAVEAPATROL FACES UNCERTAIN FUTURE AFTER INJURY Overport Lodge trainer Mark Jones has had to make “that” phone call to owner Grant Hatton following a devastating setback to top pacer Saveapatrol. Not only is the lightly-raced star out of today’s Hannon and November’s New Zealand Cup, but his future is uncertain after sustaining a tendon tear high up in his superficial tendon. “It is the worst phone call to make to Grant (Hatton) and the worst part about training horses, but is part of the job and can happen anytime to anyone,” Mark said. “I know all the time and effort, …

SAVEAPATROL TRIALLING WEDNESDAY; HANNON POSSIBLE Overport Lodge trainer Mark Jones will assess on Wednesday whether Saveapatrol is up to speed for the $25,000 Hannon Memorial at Oamaru on Sunday week (September 13). “Saveapatrol will trial (Rangiora workouts) on Wednesday and I’ll decide on the Hannon after the trial,” Mark said. “The problem is there is no race for him until the end of the month if I miss the Hannon.” Saveapatrol picked up a hoof infection after winning the Thames Cup at Auckland on July 3 and had been given time to recover. “Its frustrating when you have a nice …

FIRST RANKINGS RELEASED FOR NOVEMBER FEATURES THE Addington/HRNZ Ranking Committee had a busy time on Wednesday, August 26, dealing to two sets of rankings for the first time at its initial meeting for 2015. NZ Cup rankings as at August 26. 1. Christen Me 2. Arden Rooney 3. Smolda 4. Franco Nelson 5. Franco Ledger 6. Sky Major 7. Ohoka Punter 8. Tiger Tara 9. Corzin Terror 10. Easy On The Eye 11. Venus Serena 12. Lancewood Lizzie 13. Mossdale Conner 14. Forever Gold 15. Jason Rulz 16. Belkmyster 17. Te Kawau 18. Dalton Bromac 19. Alleluia 20. Messini 21. …

NSW FLYER CONFIRMS TOP RATING Overport Lodge trainer Mark Jones was keen for new found Sydney star Cruz Bromac (p3, 1:51.6) to join a strong NZ stable but there were no takers. “Robert Dunn and Terry Chmiel were advised strongly by me to buy him,” Mark said. “I couldn’t believe they didn’t want him.” Mark gave Cruz Bromac a high ranking, saying he was one of the best horses he’d trained, even before he qualified last month. “They made excuses for not taking him but its their loss and Dean’s gain,” he said. Australian trainer Dean Braun didn’t even need a …

EASTBURN MARA LANDS NOSE FORBURY WIN An inch-perfect drive from Overport Lodge junior driver Kimberly Butt landed Eastburn Mara his second Forbury Park win on Thursday, August 13. Kimberly, now in her third season of racedriving, reined 20 winners last term. This was her first victory of the new term, with her career tally now reaching 38. Kimberly found the perfect one-one sit for Eastburn Mara and saved him for a home stretch dash. Angling wide turning for home, Eastburn Mara lifted when asked inside the final 100m to grab a nose win over front-running favourite Cerato (Blair Orange). Former …

REWARDING NORTH WINTER VENTURE FOR OVERPORT LODGE Although his owners have been the beneficiary of some Addington Met Multiplier bonus rewards over the last 12 months, Overport Lodge trainer Mark Jones believes Addington need to do more with basic stake levels. After a successful winter north campaign, Mark netted just over $77,000 for his owners with eight horses. All, apart from Zakspatrol, have returned to Canterbury to freshen for spring racing. Zakspatrol is under offer to North American interests and is likely to head Stateside later this month. “Addington really need to lift their stakes,” Mark concluded after reviewing the …

ALABAR SUPER SERIES FOR LOWER GRADE PACERS & TROTTERS August 12 Following eight successful running’s of the Seasonal Super Series held at Addington, the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club (Met) will stage a ninth Alabar Super Series on Friday, October 9, 2015. As well as some prominent trainers including Robert Dunn, Terry and Glenys Chmiel, Ken Barron, Tim Butt, Jamie Gameson, Nigel McGrath, Brendon McLellan, Cran Dalgety, Robbie Holmes, Brendon Hill, Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen, Nathan Williamson and Phil Williamson cashing in, wins have been achieved by Peter Bagrie, Brian Fahey, Gavin Cook, Craig Edmonds, Alex Hastie, Barry Ford, …