EX-OVERPORT LODGE HORSE CRUZ BROMAC WINS AT MENANGLE Cruz Bromac (Falcon Seelster-Crown Defender), after qualifying at Timaru late last month for the Mark Jones stable, won second-up at Menangle, New South Wales, on Saturday August 8 in a smart 1:55.7 rate over 2300m. The Bromac Lodge-bred pacer was snapped up by Australian trainer Dean Braun four days before qualifying at Timaru when the runnerup to raceplaced maiden Dreamcoat in a 2:00.4 rate over the 2000m on July 25. Cruz Bromac then jetted across the Tasman and was thrust into action first-up at Tabcorp Park Menangle on August 1, running fourth in …
South-Waitaki race on Show day continues
SOUTH OF WAITAKI-TRAINED RACE CONTINUES ON SHOW DAY Last month saw the running of the south of the Waitaki River Series held over three heats at Addington and culminating in a final on July 31. The series catered for three-year-old and older pacers assessed at C1 at the closing of nominations for heat one, whilst being registered in the name of a trainer(s) based south of the Waitaki River as at April 10. Held for the first time in July the series was well supported with 32 starters over the heats and final. The Trevor Proctor-trained Tact Tate took out …
Harness racing to review club structure
HARNESS RACING TO REVIEW CLUB STRUCTURE August 10, 2015 At the Annual Conference of Harness Racing Clubs and Kindred Bodies on Saturday, August 8, Harness Racing New Zealand (HRNZ) presented a proposal based on reviewing the existing club structure. This would involve a consolidation of the existing 45 clubs into a regional based model of nine “super” clubs. In presenting this, HRNZ Chairman, Gary Allen, said “current industry structures are not sustainable and change is required. Static industry funding, declining income from gaming and increased general costs have placed considerable additional financial pressure on clubs. Action is required to strengthen …
Two Marks say thanks for coming
WINTER SUCCESS: DANKE FOR COMING SYNDICATE Canterbury racecaller Mark McNamara crystal-balled a win or two in the right places with Danke when he took a punt and secured the 73 start veteran. Back on the syndication trail for a touch of winter fun, Mark “Mac” and Overport Lodge trainer Mark Jones furthered a winning association with their latest project at Forbury last Friday. Danke, who had promised wins for Motukarara trainer Murray Edmonds, had won twice previously but invariably had disappointed with frustrating manners on the strong Canterbury circuit. Downgraded and sent south for an easier C0-1 attempt first-up first-up …
Blakemore given Overport Lodge opportunities
MICHAEL BLAKEMORE GETS ANOTHER FORM DRIVE Northern junior driver Michael Blakemore gets another chance to improve his score for Overport Lodge trainer Mark Jones at Auckland on Friday, July 24. He scored an easy win with stablemate and hot favourite Pomme Roy at Auckland last Friday and drives likely favourite Zakspatrol in Race 10 tonight. “Michael works for Ray Green. He’s a good kid who is keen and drives well,” Mark said. “He deserves a chance and has been very helpful up here.” Mark has his northern team based at Ray Green’s Pukekohe stables. After Michael scored a penalty-free bonus …
Close adds NZ Junior Drivers title to record
ROBBIE CLOSE NOW AUSTRALASIAN & NZ JUNIOR CHAMP By Matt Markham, HRNZ Robbie Close is now just one final hurdle away from his own near-perfect season. And you could bet your final dollar that the talented young horseman will be doing everything possible to overcome it. Close added the McMillians New Zealand Junior Driver Championships to his impressive season haul last night meaning he is both the New Zealand and Australasian Young Drivers Champion in the same season. But that wasn’t all. In winning the final of the three heats of the night’s competition on Friday, July 16, on Pammy’s …
Saveapatrol to freshen for Hannon
SAVEAPATROL RETURNING TO CANTERBURY Overport Lodge trainer Mark Jones will return top pacer Saveapatrol to Canterbury and freshen him for the Hannon Memorial at Oamaru in two months time. “There was no race for him in Auckland last week but he couldn’t have raced anyway as he picked up a foot infection,” Mark said of the Thames Cup winner. “He’s still getting over the foot infection this week so I’m not worried about starting him and the field is not guaranteed to get off the ground anyway.” Mark says the big Christian Cullen-Rondel Franco gelding can have a couple of …
Perissa top Golden Girls series hope
PERISSA SMART IN GOLDEN GIRLS HEAT; HEAT/FINAL TO COME Durable mare Perissa raised her hoof as a leading contender for the $11,000 Breeders Golden Girls Metro Series Final on July 31, with her heat win at Addington last Friday, July 10. The series is a useful winter target for the Art Major mare as she is eligible for another heat at Addington this Thursday, leading into the final. Perissa was at her best again, ruffling the winter coats of her rivals, with a positive drive in last Friday’s heat. Form junior Robbie Close made a play for the lead a …