Category Archive

SAVEAPATROL WINS 2ND-UP ON ROAD TO NEW ZEALAND CUP A decisive return to winning form by Saveapatrol in the $18,500 Bayleys Coromandel 2015 Thames Cup hasn’t changed plans for the horse to cross the Tasman any time soon. “Its great to get him back in the winner’s circle,” said trainer Mark Jones. “A lot of the credit goes to Regan (Todd) for the work he does with him,” he said. Following the Thames Cup on Friday, July 3, Mark, and owner Grant Hatton, confirmed their decision for the horse to remain in Auckland this month. Saveapatrol made a smart beginning …

AUCKLAND PICKINGS FOR SAVEAPATROL NEXT MONTH Class pacer Saveapatrol is to remain in Auckland for winter racing after finishing seventh to former stablemate Johnny Fox at Auckland on Friday night, June 26. Saveapatrol, first-up for 15 months, had things go against him as the beaten favourite in the C3-7 Smith & Partners 2015 Winter Cup. “We have pulled pin on the Oz (Queensland) trip as he had to win other night to warrant going,” said trainer Mark Jones. “It was frustrating when he couldn’t get the front as it would have been good to give him every chance,” he said. …

OASIS DREAM DELIVERS FROM OUTSIDE GATE AT AUCKLAND Overport Lodge trainer Mark Jones kept the wins coming with his South Auckland-based team when Oasis Dream scored at Alexandra Park on Friday, June 20. Now with 55 wins for the season, the growing north team will be boosted with the arrivals of Saveapatrol and Zakspatrol for racing at Alexandra Park next Friday. Oasis Dream had to overcome the outside front row draw in C1-3 Trucks & Tyres Race Night Fri 17 July Mobile Pace at the Franklin Trotting Club’s racenight. With three scratchings inside him reducing the front row to five, …

SOMEARDENSOMEWHERE TWO RACES FROM MET BONUS Someardensomewhere, who appreciated a drop in grade to score for Overport Lodge employee and amateur driver Phil “Prop” Anderson at Addington on June 12, is nearing a $7500 Met Multiplier bonus reward. “He will race for a few more starts at Addington to get the bonus and then have good break as hasn’t had one in a while,” said trainer Mark Jones. “He’ll come back and be better after a break.” Someardensomewhere, who returned to winning form at his third start since transferring to the Jones stable, was having his 13th start at Addington …

SAVEPATROL CONFIRMED FOR AUCKLAND AFTER TRIAL Class pacer Saveapatrol did everything asked of him in cool conditions on a drying track at the Addington trials on Monday, May 15. With two Rangiora workouts under his belt in this preparation, the Christian Cullen gelding was given a slightly more searching run, despite having only two rivals for company in the C1 and faster pace. After trailing three back from his 40m handicap, driver Blair Orange sent him forward in the open at the 600m for a strong final section. He ran clear of pacemaker True Legend (front), and trailer Florin (20m), …

TRIAL NEXT WEEK, THEN AUCKLAND RACE ON JUNE 26 Saveapatrol pleased driver Regan Todd with is second Rangiora workout since coming off a long layoff on Wednesday, June 10. Last year’s Auckland Cup placegetter was untroubled to come off a 40m handicap to beat Usain Colt (20m) and That’s Hunting Pink (40m) in a 2600m workout. He paced the 2600m in 3:23.1, the leaders quickening over their last 800m in 56.6s and final 400m in 27.3s. A week earlier Saveapatrol ran home nicely for a head second to fellow 40m backmarker Cyclone Kiwi first-up in a similar 2600m Rangiora workout. …

FRIDAY NELSON AND AUCKLAND WINS FOR STABLE Overport Lodge trainer Mark Jones advanced to 52 wins for the season with a winning double on the first day of the Nelson winter meeting, and another at Auckland, on Friday, June 5. Adding to the day’s success, Woodend Beach stable foreman picked up a deserved win with Sandvik Star at Nelson, and was the caretaker trainer of upset mares mile winner Whyamibettor from Overport starter All Delight. Mark scored back-to-back Nelson training wins reining front-running hot favourite Pomme Roy to a comfortable win in the C1 Reefton Trotting Club Mobile Pace. He …

SAVEAPATROL NEAR WORKOUTS PITCH Forgotten star Savepatrol is nearly ready to return to the workouts ahead of a proposed late season Auckland campaign. “I’m really happy with him. If he races good at Auckland we’ll look at going to Queensland with him,” said trainer Mark Jones. “I’ll have about five going to Auckland. Him, Sunoflindenny, a couple of maiden trotters, and maybe one or two others.” Mark is targeting the increased stakes on offer at Auckland. “Last month Eyre I Come earned more for running second at Auckland than one of our others got for winning down here,” he said. …

JEWELS CONTENDERS STEP OUT AT ASHBURTON WORKOUTS Overport Lodge trainer Mark Jones was happy enough with his Jewels contenders at the Ashburton workouts on Saturday, May 23, but knows they will require the right luck to be dividend-bearing next Saturday. Arannalea was good in her 2YO heat, leaving the gate at speed for Mark, before trailing Missandei (Mark Purdon) from the 1000m, and running a solid length and a half second in a 2:01.3 mile. The leaders ran their last 800m in 59.3s and sprinted up their final 400m in 27.6s. “The track was perfect. Its a shame the Jewels …

JOHNNY FOX MOVES NORTH TO TONY HERLIHY’S TEAM Invercargill Cup winner Johnny Fox is to try and advance his score from Tony Herlihy’s Papakura team. The 6YO Western Terror gelding won’t return to Canterbury, with plans for him to ultimately head to Australia after a stint in the north. Overport Lodge trainer Mark Jones and owners, the Butterworth Racing Syndicate, decided to try Johnny Fox from new quarters after he finished unplaced behind Dalton Bromac at Addington on May 9. Johnny Fox found a purple patch of form in January. He scored back-to-back Nelson wins with speedy sit-sprint finishes, then …