Category Archive

MASTER LAVROS ENDS TERM WITH BACK-TO-BACK WINS Top squaregaiter Master Lavros, despite a troubled 6YO season, has added a $75,726 seasonal tally to his career earnings before heading for a winter recess. The giant-sized Sundon gelding rapt up his season emphatically in slushy conditions at Addington on Friday, May 17. The back-to-back end of term Addington wins for Master Lavros has restored his reputation in the top grade. These were the only two wins for his 6YO season in 11 starts, but his bankroll now stands at $427,194. Master Lavros, a short-priced $1.50 favourite in the $18,400 Walker Davey Ltd …

ROBBIE CLOSE WINS 2015 AUSTRALASIAN YOUNG DRIVERS SERIES HRNZ Media Release, May 12, 2015 The Lone Star Riccarton 2015 Australasian Young Drivers Championship was held throughout New Zealand last week. Ten drivers from across Australasia, including four from New Zealand and one from each state of Australia competed to win the annual event. The first night of racing was held at Harness Racing Waikato. The weather conditions were testing but the drivers were all excited to get the series underway. The first heat of the night went to defending champion Andre Poutama, who drove confidently and stamped himself as an …

MASTER LAVROS BACK ON TOP AT ADDINGTON Master Lavros promises a brighter seven-year-old season after turning the tables on Rowe Cup victor Stent at Addington on Saturday, May 9. Overport Lodge trainer Mark Jones says its a shame there is only one race left for Master Lavros, last season’s Trotter of the Year, at Addington this Friday. “He’s only just come right but we’ve run out of races,” Mark said. “He’ll go out after next Friday but I’m really looking forward to next season now,” he said. Master Lavros began well from the 10m line in the $17,600 Canterbury Copy …

MASTER LAVROS TO RENEW STENT RIVALRY IN MAY Overport Lodge trainer-driver Mark Jones and Master Lavros will extend their rivalry with Stent at Addington in May. Mark paid a tribute to Woodend Beach foreman Regan Todd for the lead-up work in getting Master Lavros back on song at Group One level. Next week (May 9), Master Lavros will take in a $20,000 C0-5 trot at Addington on Nevele R Fillies Final night, then has a $20,000 free-for-all trot over 2600m on NZ Oaks night (May 15). Mark all but won back-to-back Rowe Cups with last season’s Trotter of the Year …

ROCKER BAND TREATED FOR VIRAL INFECTION Overport Lodge trainer Mark Jones is treating Rocker Band for a viral infection following her trip south for the Southland Oaks Final last Sunday. “She showed a viral infection so will be treated and will head to the Nevele R Final at Addington early next month, ” Mark said. Rocker Band was vet tested after stopping quickly with 400m to run in the Southland Oaks. The beaten favourite stopped so rapidly that she finished over 53 lengths from winner Smokin Bird. The Kevin Court-trained Smokin Bird won the mobile 2700m feature by finishing best …

EXPRESSO MARTINI DELIVERS FOR MET SYNDICATE Met Eight Syndicate-owned Expresso Martini made an encouraging return from a five month layoff for Overport Lodge trainer Mark Jones at Addington on Friday, April 10. The Bettor’s Delight half-brother to former Nevele R Fillies Final winner Secret Potion (1:57.5, 10 wins & $285,312) promised much after winning a late season penalty-free maiden 2YO win at Nelson in a quick 2:57.9 (mobile 2400m). However, after four moderate runs in October and early November he was sent to the spelling paddock with time being on his side. Expresso Martini was primed for a bold return …

ROBBIE CLOSE REWARDED WITH FORBURY WIN Successful junior driver Robbie Close advanced to 21 seasonal wins when he guided Reklaw Supreme to win at Forbury on April 2 for employer Mark Jones. Robbie was the South Island leader for the NZ Junior Drivers Championship beginning April, 10 points clear of Stevie Golding, with fellow Overport Lodge juniors, Kimberly Butt and Michelle Neilson next. He is currently second on the NZ Junior Drivers Premiership, four wins behind Craig Ferguson, who also gained experience under Mark Jones during winter stays in Canterbury. Robbie Close, formerly a South Aucklander, had stints with Michelle …

NEW ADDINGTON WINNING POST SPONSOR Racegoers, event and function attendees and diners at our bar and bistro Spectators will notice a new design and sponsor of the Winning Post Area and its surrounds at Addington. Construction has recently taken place of the new Winning Post signage, which includes a brand new sponsor of the highly exposed focal point. Farmlands Co-operative has furthered their advertising with Addington by taking overall naming rights of our Winning Post. Farmlands Acting Chief Executive, Tony van der Hoorn says Farmlands is pleased to be able to support Addington in its Winning Post redevelopment, and to …

MASTER LAVROS RUN DOWN BY FAVOURITE STENT An enterprising drive from Overport Lodge trainer-driver Mark Jones nearly resulted in a minor upset in this year’s $80,000 Fred Shaw Memorial NZ Trotting Championship at Addington on Friday, March 27. Lack of race hardening on the part of Master Lavros told in the dying stages as hot favourite Stent rolled home to take out the Group One and top $1 million in earnings. However Mark and Master Lavros made matters interesting. Master Lavros, having only his second race back since last November’s Dominion Handicap, made a gallant attempt for back-to-back wins in …

TERROR TO LOVE TO BE FAREWELLED AT ADDINGTON March 24, 2015 Three-times Christchurch Casino New Zealand Trotting Cup winner Terror To Love will start for a final time when he lines up in the Group One $100,000 Breckon Farms / All Stars Racing Stables Easter Cup on Easter Saturday, April 4. He is a former winner of the race in 2013. “The King”, as he is known to many in the industry, lines up in this Friday’s Group Three $25,000 Gordon Roxburgh Free-For-All, before facing the starters tape for the final time in the Easter Cup over his favourite 3200 …