CHANGE OF LUCK FOR SYNDICATE Tiz Tough’s minor upset win in the Speciality Spit Roasts Catering Company Mobile Pace at Addington on Friday, July 15, brought a welcome change of luck for the Red and Blue Syndicate. They leased a half-share in the Falcon Seelster filly last November after having little luck with their previous ventures. They race her with Nelson co-owner Peter Fry. Trainer Mark Jones thought she may have been an early winner after qualifying in a useful 2:31.8 for the mobile 2000m at Addington in November, but she has taken a few months to toughen up. …
Carabella NZ Horse of the Year
CARABELLA . . . HARNESS HORSE OF THE YEAR Carabella became only the third 3YO pacing fillly to be crowned NZ Harness Horse of the Year at the annual awards dinner in Christchurch on Saturday July 23, 2011. The Brendon “Benny” Hill-trained daughter of Bettor’s Delight and the Artsplace mare Andress Blue Chip joined former stand-outs of her sex, Elect To Love (2002) and Bonnie Frost (1970), as the only fillies to earn the top award. When Bonnie Frost beat the best there were no individual age group categories. The only 3YO boys to have taken out the top …
Jellignite birngs up 50 for season
JELLIGNITE BRINGS UP 50 WINS FOR SEASON Mark Jones Overport Lodge trainer Mark Jones never envisaged having the horsepower to train 50 winners this term, but Mark and his staff were rewarded for a strong all-round effort to achieve the feat at Rangiora on Saturday, July 16. Even following Mark’s winter sojourn to France earlier this month, he was doubtful whether they would get the half-century. “You wonder where they all come from. If you’d said to me at the start of the season we’d get to 50 wins, I wouldn’t have believed it,” he said. A top drive …
Village Anvil fortuitous winner
VILLAGE ANVIL FORTUITOUS WINNER Village Anvil fortuitously delivered as a $2 favourite in the Washington VC Fillies and Mares Mobile Pace at Forbury on July 1. Village Anvil held her maiden win despite tangling when trailing at the 900m, checking the trailing Simply Genius. The stewards dismissed the inquiry after Village Anvil recovered to run down Anita Patron by a neck in a 2:01.4 mile rate for the 1700m. Village Anvil’s stablemate Courage Talks, who was racing outside Village Anvil when she broke at the 900m, held third for driver Regan Todd. “We made things a bit harder for …
Lively Eastburn qualifies
LIVELY EASTBURN 2YO QUALIFIER Lively Eastburn, who qualified finishing second in a respectable 2:32.6 for the mobile 2000m at Rangiora on Wednesday, July 6, may have only one two-year-old start then be given time to develop. “This was only his second time off the place,” said trainer Mark Jones. After trailing Woodlea Legend (2g Grinfromeartoear-Secacus), Lively Eastburn challenged early in the run home and wasn’t extended, being beaten by a length and a half in a 2:02.5 mile rate for the 2000m. The leaders quickened over their last 800m in 58.5s and final 400m in 28s. “He went up …
Esprit Jaccka to back up Thursday
ESPRIT JACCKA TO TRY AGAIN Esprit Jaccka is to back up at Addington on Thursday night after her sound second to Coughton Court in a 1 win and faster mobile 1950m pace at Addington on Tuesday, July 5. The Live Or Die mare was given every chance on Tuesday by Overport Lodge trainer Mark Jones, who secured the run of the race on the outer over the final lap. However, Coughton Court, first-up since returning to the Leithfield stable of Robbie Holmes, had the last say wearning her down by three-quarters of a length in a 1:59.9 mile rate …
NZ junior champ contenders
NZ JUNIOR DRIVERS CONTENDERS After 18 weeks of harness racing competition, the 12 contenders for the 2011 NZ Junior Driver Championship have been decided. Qualifying for the third consecutive year, but the first as a ‘North Islander’, is Mitchell Kerr. Although he was winless during qualifying, Kerr finished one point ahead of first-time starter and the only female contender, Kelly Blakemore. Shane Butcher will also be starting in his first Championship, while Zac Butcher will begin in his third. Zac won the Championship in 2009 over Joshua Dickie, who finished second again last year. Rounding out …
Lethal Rocket sold
LETHAL ROCKET SOLD TO NSW The Overport Lodge team has farewelled tight class pacer Lethal Rocket, who has been sold to clients of Darren Hancock’s stable in New South Wales. The 6YO Pacific Rocket-Shesa Vance gelding furthered a strong career record for trainer Mark Jones over the last two years. “He was sold because of lack of suitable races for him with the NZ handicapping system,” Mark said. “If we brought him up again next season he would have to race the best in races like the Hannon Memorial and Ashburton Flying Stakes.” Lethal Rocket began his career …
Shane Larkins appointed in Victoria
EX-CANTY STIPE GETS TOP JOB Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) is pleased to announce the appointment of Shane Larkins to the position of Chairman of Stewards. Shane will replace James Hitchcock, who has accepted a position on the Racing Victoria Ltd stewards’ panel and will vacate the HRV role on July 1. Shane is a passionate harness racing steward, most recently in his current position as Chairman of Stewards (Harness) for Racing Services Tasmania. Prior to that he had been a steward with Harness Racing Victoria and Harness Racing New Zealand. HRV CEO John Anderson welcomed the …
Bob head 2nd in Addington trial
BABES BOY BOB COULD RACE AT FORBURY Overport Lodge trainer Mark Jones may nominate Babes Boy Bob for 2-win junior drivers race at Forbury Park on Thursday, June 23, after a bold trial at Addington on Wednesday, June 15. Babes Boy Bob, after beginning well to lead early in the 1-win and faster pace, trailed Samuel James over the last lap and ran him to a head, the winner running the 2600m from a stand in a strong 3:18.6. The leaders quickened over their last 800m in 58s and closing 400m in 28.1s. Babes Boy Bob was in front …