JEWEL SENT TO MELBOURNE NZ Trotting Oaks winner Commander Jewel flew to Melbourne on September 4, 2011, after being transferred by Oxford owner “Jim” McDonald to the Victorian stable of Chris Lang. Burnham trainer Mark Jones says he was very disappointed not only to lose Commander Jewel, but also not to be informed of the transfer. “I’m disappointed to lose the trotter and their other horses, especially after trying to look after Commander Jewel and give her time she needs,” Mark said. Commander Jewel, a big daughter of CR Commando, raced 12 times in Jones’ black and white colours …
Bob eyes country cups
BABES BOY BOB EYES COUNTRY CUPS Babes Boy Bob, the first of two early season winners for Overport Lodge trainer Mark Jones this term, may take in some country summer cups before heading to Sydney mid-season. “Bob went good at Addington (beating Datmymulligan and Floyd Mayweather on August 4, 2011), but not so good at Rangiora last Sunday,” Mark said. “He’ll race here for a bit,” Mark said. “With his stand start manners, we’ll look at the odd country cups, then in three-six months he’ll probably go to Sydney.” “We’ve got to keep his winning stakes under $15,000 …
Lethal Rocket shines in NSW
LETHAL ROCKET WINS MENANGLE DOUBLE Former Overport Lodge pacer Lethal Rocket notched back-to-back wins at Menangle in his latest racing for NSW trainer-driver Darren Hancock on Saturday night, August 21, 2011. The former well-performed Kiwi took out the $A17,0000 Number One Club Stable Discretionary Handicap (Class D). After leading out then trailing, he defeated fellow ex-Cantab, The Big Mach by 3.1 metres. Lethal Rocket paced the 2300m from a stand in a smart 2:49.7 (1:58.7 mile rate), the leaders quickening over their last 800m in 56.1s and final 400om in 27.2s. Former South Island squaregaiter Makarewa Sun also …
Sires Stakes 3YO Final now $200k
SIRES STAKES 3YO FINAL UP TO $200,000 The N.Z. Sires Stakes Board is pleased to announce that the harness racing stake of the NRM Sires Stakes 3YO colts and gelding final to be held on Cup Day, November 8, at Addington will be $200,000. In addition the stake of the Alabar Sires Stakes 3YO Fillies Championship to be held at Auckland on December 31 will be $170,00. The increase in the Group 1 subsidies has allowed the Board along with the host clubs to make an increase of $20,000 per Final. The Board will maintain …
Supreme Gem 2nd in workout
SUPREME GEM 2ND IN MOTUKARARA WORKOUT Supreme Gem could race at Addington on Friday night after running second to Hot Shot Lavros in a C0 and faster mobile pace at the Motukarara workouts on Saturday, August 13. After tending to over-race three back on the outer early, Mark Jones gave the Christian Cullen mare a bit of rein three wide beginning the final 800m and she was up measuring strides with front-running Hot Shot Lavros over the last 500m. Hot Shot Lavros (Blair Orange) ran clear in the run home to win by two lengths, with Supreme Gem holding …
Anita Patron first-up winner
ANITA PATRON FIRST-UP ADDINGTON WINNER Anita Patron provided Canterbury racecaller Mark McNamara, and an associate ownership group, including two first-time owners, with the perfect first-up result from the Mark Jones stable at Addington last Friday, July 22, 2011. The five-strong ownership team were over the moon after Anita Patron burst through along the sprint lane to win the Searells Chartered Accountants Mobile Pace. However Mark McNamara thought he’d ended up with a “dud” after his first meeting with Anita Patron at Overport Lodge eight days earlier. “She didn’t eat for the first few days and worked terrible the …
Bedlam wins in blizzard
BEDLAM WINS IN FORBURY BLIZZARD Bedlam, who had to combat a blizzard to win as a late 2YO at Forbury Park on Tuesday, July 12, 2011, will return to racing a maiden as a 3YO. “I was triple rugged up,” Mark said. “It was snowing in the preliminary.” The freezing temperatures were a complete contrast to the summer weather he experienced on a recent trip to France, where he had a day which reached 38 degrees celsius. Mark is to turn Bedlam out for six weeks after the rising 3YO son of Washington V C led throughout to …
Jamieson wins 2nd WDC title
JODY JAMIESON WINS 2011 WORLD DRIVING CHAMPIONSHIP The 2011 World Driving Champion was decided at Yonkers Raceway in New York on Saturday, August 6 (NZ time), with the night belonging to Canadian Jody Jamieson. Jamieson won three at the Meadowlands on Friday (NZ time), and another two at Yonkers on the final day, to claim the win with a race to go in the final round of heats. The first race went the way of Corey Callahan, making it the third time in this series he has kicked of the round with a win. Driving Mojarra Hanover, he took …
NZMTC announce stake rises
NZ METRO TC ANN0UNCE STAKE ENHANCEMENTS The NZ Metropolitan Trotting Club (NZMTC) have announced a range of enhancements to its basic stakes structure, commencing from Friday August 26. Basic stakes will increase handsomely at Friday night fixtures. Three-win and faster races will carry a stake of $12,500, with 1-2 win front races to be run for $10,000 and maidens for $8000. “This represents a significant increase in basic stake levels at our Friday night fixtures,” said Addington Raceay CEO Shane Gloury. “This basic stakes structure wil apply to all of our Friday night meetings, except for October 21, …
Nevele R standing Tintin in America
TINTIN IN AMERICA AT PREBBLETON One of New Zealand’s fastest pacers, Tintin In America, is to stand at Nevele R Stud this coming breeding season. The recently retired pacer forged an outstanding record over three seasons of racing, winning at Group One level at two, three and four years of age. The 6yo son of McArdle won five Group One races in total, including two Harness Jewels’ and an Australasian 3YO Breeders Crown Final. His other Group One victories came in the NZ Sires Stakes 2YO Series Final and the NZ Messenger Championship. All up the former NZ …