Changes to Inter conditions & other races

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  CHANGES TO INTER CONDITONS & OTHER RACES   Following the devastating earthquake in Christchurch on February 22, 2011, a number of changes have been made to the 2011 Inter Dominion and the placement of other feature races. The PGG Wrightson NZ Yearling Sales Series Fillies Pace – $175,000 will be hosted by the Rangiora HRC on Wednesday March 30, 2011. The following NZ Metropolitan TC features will have date changes, with an announcement of these likely later this week with regard to the following: Canterbury Country Cups Final3yo Flying Stakes (Group 2), NZ Derby (Group 1), 2YO Welcome Stakes …

‘Magic’ trials well for Sunday

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  GLENFERRIE MAGIC SHARP IN TUESDAY TRIAL Promising juvenile filly Glenferrie Magic was sharp over the closing stages to win at the Motukarara trials on Tuesday, March 1. The daughter of P-Forty-Seven and Time Flies pleased Overport Lodge trainer Mark Jones with her strong finish to beat Star Of Isis. She ran the mobile 2200m in a leisurely 2:54.2 (2:07.4 mile rate), but the leaders picked up the pace over their final 400m in 28.7s. Glenferrie Magic has drawn the ace in Sunday’s $25,000 “American Ideal” Stakes, a Group Three two-year-old filllies feature, formerly known as the NZ Leonard Memorial …

Day Two, NZ Premier Yearling Sale details

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DAY TWO CHRISTCHURCH DETAILS Sales details from the Day Two of the NZ Premier Yearling Sales in Christchurch on February 22, 2011, were: 173 HIGHVIEW STANDARDBREDS LTD: “Unamed” (B c Jereme’s Jet-Take Her Easy Tiger), CRAN DALGETY, WEST MELTON, $40,000. 174 STUDHOLME BLOODSTOCK: Dream Ticket (B c Washington VC-Take Wing), ATHERTON FARM, $8000. 175 G A IGGO: Batini (B f Bettor’s Delight-Tamarind), Buy Back, $15,000. 176 BON-ACCORD FARM: Sheza Bright Star (Br f Jereme’s Jet-Tammy Franco), GARETH DIXON, AUCKLAND, $22,000. 177 BROMAC LODGE LTD: Toscana Bromac (B f McArdle-Tanisa Bromac), J T BEST, $31,000. 178 D BROWN: VIENNA EYRE (B …

Day One NZ Premier Yearling Sale details

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MARK BEGINS BREAK-IN PROCESS   Overport Lodge trainer Mark Jones and his staff are to begin the breaking in process of up to eight yearlings secured by stable clients at the PGG Wrightson Sales Of The Sales in Auckland and Christchurch in late February. “I’m getting three from Auckland, the Christian Cullen-Elect To Live filly, the Quite Easy-Chiola’s Lass filly and the Sundon colt from Rock N Rhonda,” he said. Mark said Victorian trainer Craig Demmler is getting an Art Major-Hot Shoe Shuffle filly and another by Falcon Seelster, purchased by major owner Peter Chambers. The remaining Overport Lodge purchases …

Mark buys at Karaka Yearling Sales

J Scott Former News, Latest News

  MARK & OVERPORT LODGE BUSY AT KARAKA Burnham trainer Mark Jones and Australian owner Peter Chambers, under his Overport Lodge Trust trading banner, were to the fore at the Australasian Classic Yearling Sale at Karaka on Saturday, February 19.   Mark went to $85,000 to secure Gotta Go Heavenly, a Christian Cullen sister to smart juveniles, Gotta Go Harmony (p2, 1:55.5), a Harness Jewels 2YO Diamond winner and 2009 2YO Pacing Filly of the Year, and Gotta Go Cullect (p2, 1:57, 1700m), the winner of five at two and three including the Cardigan Bay Stakes at two, before his …

Winning treble from new quarters

J Scott Former News, Latest News

  WINNING WEEKEND TREBLE   Burnham trainer Mark Jones had only moved his race team into the showplace farm, Overport Lodge, five days before he unleashed a winning treble on February 11-13. His first starter since the team entered Overport Lodge was Ardlussa Express at Addington on Friday night, February 11. “I was probably lucky to win with three last weekend but I hope it continues,” Mark said. Overport Lodge, a purpose built 20.2 hectare horse training facility in Grange Road, was formerly known as Grange Farm, when developed by thoroughbred trainer Neil Ridley. It is only a few kilometres …

Glenferrie Magic impressive qualifier

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QUALIFIER MAY GO NORTH NEXT MONTH Glenferrie Magic is likely to be aimed at the Group One $110,000 Caduceus Club Fillies Classic at Auckland on March 18, following an impressive first-up qualifying run at the Addington trials on Tuesday, February 15. “She’s paid up for it so we may as well have a go,” said Burnham trainer Mark Jones. “She has always been alright from day one. There’s going to be a heap of improvement in her.” Driver Regan Todd trailed with Glenferrie Magic until nearing the final 800m when he let her roll to the front. Glenferrie Magic picked …

Dan out of Inters

J Scott Former News, Latest News

MY MAN DAN OUT OF INTERS   My Man Dan, who has only raced once this term, has been withdrawn from next month’s Christchurch Casino Interdominion Pacing Championship by Burnham trainer Mark Jones. “He’s not working as good as he should. We’re taking all avenues to try and find out the problem,” Mark said. “Its frustrating because we haven’t done anything different, but he’s not going as good as he was,” he said. My Man Dan was a big improver through the summer last season, but hasn’t been the same horse since he had his preparation affected by stone bruises …

Western Flare wins double

J Scott Former News, Latest News

  WESTERN FLARE WINS DOUBLE Back-to-back wins by Western Flare at Addington and Oamaru last week is timely news for Utopia Farm, Westport, who are offering a full brother to him on the second day of the NZ Premier Yearling Sale on Tuesday, February 22. Western Flare fought gamely in front over the last 1300m for Regan Todd to hold Fernleigh Renegade by half a neck in the mobile 2000m 2-3 wins junior drivers pace on the grass at Oamaru. The 4YO McArdle gelding was well placed by Burnham trainer Mark Jones for his winning double, having a few days …

Brother to Alexis qualifies

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ALEX NOSE 2ND IN QUALIFIER Burnham trainer Mark Jones is considering taking Alexis’ brother Alex south for a 2YO race in two weeks time. Alex, a compact gelded son of Courage Under Fire and Alegria, set up a solid pace in the second 2YO colts and geldings mobile mile at the Ashburton trials on Tuesday, February 8. After being hotly challenged in the run home, he was caught on the line by Jivin Cullen, a big 2YO brother to Joshua Mac (Christian Cullen-Hot Shoe Shuffle colt) in the Robert Dunn stable. Jivin Cullen paced the 1609m in 2:01.3, the leaders …