TEXAS RUNS RIVALS RAGGED Emerging 4YO stayer Ohoka Texas is to be reserved for either the $40,000 Pelorus 4YO Classic or the $20,000 Marlborough Cup at Waterlea on January 15 after he destroyed a handy field in the 3-win and faster $18,000 Wairio Cup at Winton on Saturday December 17. Overport Lodge trainer Mark Jones, after reviewing options, has decided against starting him in the $20,000 Wesport Cup on Boxing Day at Patterson Park. Ohoka Texas, after settling in midfield early in the Wairio Cup, was sent to the front with 1200m to run and kept the pace …
Western Flare repeats for amateur
WESTERN FLARE REPEATS FOR AMATEUR DRIVER Western Flare, and driver Trevor Ward, made the most of the extended conditions to pick up another amateur drivers race success at the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club’s Tuesday meeting on December 20. The win allowed the Met Five Syndicate-owned pacer to extend his career earnings to $41,868 as he racked up his 10th career win (eighth penalty-free) from 41 starts. Overport Lodge trainer Mark Jones has found suitable easier opportunities for Western Flare to win three of his last four starts and extend his longevity in New Zealand. The 5YO McArdle …
First win for ‘Flare’ driver
FIRST FOR TREVOR WARD IN AMATEUR TOTE RACE Met Five Syndicate pacer Western Flare credited former NZ Metropolitan Trotting Club deputy chairman Trevor Ward with his first totalisator driving win in the amateur drivers race at Rangiora on Wednesday, December 7. Mr Ward enjoyed the occasion with many directors of the club. He had built up friendships with them during his 17 years as an administrator with the club before ending his term with the club. His good friend Blair Cartwright, who manages the Syndicate, booked him for the drive. Another former Metropolitan Club administrator Richard Sissons could …
Ohoka Texas clears out on Show Day
OHOKA TEXAS IMPRESSIVE WINNER Overport Lodge trainer Mark Jones felt he might not have gone too slow with Ohoka Texas when nosed out by Magical Mel on NZ Cup day, but non-one could get close to him over the final lap at Addington on Show day, November 11, 2011. Mark and Ohoka Texas claimed the biggest win of the premier week when distancing their rivals by 10 1/2 lengths in the 3 win $13,250 Fahey Fence Hire Mobile Pace pace over the mobile 1950m. Ohoka Texas raced several classes above his rivals on the day. Mark eased …
Fillies win Rangiora qualfiers
FILLIES WIN RANGIORA QUALIFYING TRIALS Glenferrie Diva, a half-sister to fast 1:49.2 North American miler Foreclosure N, was a smart mobile 2000m qualifier at the Rangiora trials on Monday, December 12, for Overport Lodge trainer Mark Jones and driver Regan Todd. The Peter Chambers-owned daughter of Christian Cullen and Pleasing Package moved up from the third line to challenge at the 500m and ran clear to win by 3 1/4 lengths. She paced the mobile 2000m in 2:33.2 (2:03.2 mile rate), the leaders running their last 800m in 57.1s, with Glenferrie Diva finishing off with a swift final 400m …
Gem wins Methven Mares mile
SUPREME GEM RUNS 1:59.2 GRASS MILE Smart racemare Supreme Gem added another string to her bow with a runaway win first-up on a grass surface in the $9000 First Christian Cullen Canterbury Mares Speed Series Heat at Methven on Sunday, December 11. Luckily for Overport trainer-driver Mark Jones, a false start was called when she tangled in the score-up on the first occasion, but she had no problems in the re-run. Mark sent her to the front with 900m to run and she was much too good over her last 800m in 57.2s. The Christian Cullen-Flying Sands mare came …
Alex wins harness plus maiden
ALEX WINS HARNESS PLUS MAIDEN Burnham trainer Mark Jones showed good placement when Alex justified his $1.20 win favouritism to win a harness plus maiden, the Mainline Electrical Mobile Pace, at Forbury Park on Friday, December 9, 2011. Alex (3g Courage Under Fire-Alegria), the younger brother to former smart filly Alexis (1:55.9), racing as Glenferrie Alexis in Victoria, credited Mark with his 15th training win for the term. Alexis, the runnerup to Lauraella in the 2009 New Zealand Oaks when formerly trained by Mark for former Queensland owner Greg Brodie, has gone on to win 18 races and $225,583 …
Glenferrie Magic sidelined
GLENFERRIE MAGIC OFF TRACK Glenferrie Magic, who showed much early promise for Overport Lodge trainer Mark Jones, is unlikely to race again. “At this stage she’s retired with problems in a hoof,” Mark said. “She was probably our best one, but is too good to risk,” he said. An embryo transfer by Christian Cullen from the three-year-old filly was taken off her in early November. “She’ll go to the vets to be treated for another six-12 months,” Mark said. “At this stage she’ll be a mother, which is frustrating. She was probably as good as any three-year-old filly this …
Waikato team win Drivers Series
BUTCHER/MITCHELL WIN DRIVERS SERIES The Canterbury team of Mark Jones and Dexter Dunn had little luck In the American Ideal Provincial Drivers Championship at Invercargill on Sunday, November 20, having to settle for fifth. The Waikato pairing of David Butcher and Todd Mitchell were decisive winners, accumulating 31 points. Butcher and Mitchell won three of the five invited drivers races _ the former scoring with Simply Genius and Arancia _ and Mitchell with capable trot mare Larix. Butcher’s 21 points also made him the individual champion, finishing well clear of runnerup, Southland’s Jonny Cox with 17. The Auckland team …
Provincial Drivers Champ _ Sunday
MARK RETURNS FOR PROVINCIAL DRIVERS SERIES Another great line up, featuring many of New Zealand’s best harness racing reinsmen, has been assembled for the American Ideal Provincial Drivers Championship at Ascot Park Raceway in Invercargill this Sunday (November 20). Each region is represented where possible by their top two drivers from the previous year’s premiership, a format that ensures a star studded line up each year. Southland is the current champion, the duo of Nathan Williamson and Brent Barclay taking the title for the home team last year. This season Williamson returns with Jonny Cox to represent …