HEATHER CASTLETON KEEPS RUN GOING Burnham trainer Mark Jones racked up his 20th training win for the season when 3YO trot filly Heather Castleton delivered second-up for the stable in the Monarchy Handicap Trot at the Timaru Harness Racing Club’s meeting at Addington on Thursday, December 16. After again showing good manners to lead early then trail, the Sundon filly moved out to challenge turning for home and had to fight after being challenged by Dragon’s Den early in the run home. “She was headed at the top of the straight and was quite game,” Mark said. “Peter Chambers …
Kristoff 2nd in 2YO qualifier
WINTON START BEING CONSIDERED Kristoff, a strong-finishing second in the 2YO mobile pace at the Motukarara trials on Tuesday, December 14, could head south for a 1609m 2YO pace at Winton on Wednesday, December 29. Trainer Mark Jones is considering a Winton debut runs for the promising P-Forty-Seven gelding, along with juvenile stablemates Unique Chance and Texas Terror. “The 2YO race down there this Sunday didn’t get off the ground, but I might have three in for the 29th,” Mark said. Kristoff, after settling second last of the seven in Tuesday’s trial, chased hard behind the promising Tim Butt-trained Jumeirah, …
Atom Of Courage to race in NSW
ATOM OF COURAGE SOLD Speedy pacer Atom Of Courage will fly across the Tasman for Sydney on Friday (Dec 17). The Courage Under Fire-Trustee Mota gelding has been sold to New South Wales horsewoman Ashlee Seijka after finishing on for fifth to Amenophis at Ashburton last week. “He should be a very good horse in Aussie. He’s got a lot of speed and a good record,” said trainer Mark Jones. “They liked him because of his gate speed and he’s got home in 26.8s (at Invercargill in August) and he’s only four. “He’s actually not a bad animal. The reason …
Jellignite scores second win for week
WINTON NEXT FOR IN-FORM 3YO ? Jellignite, who gained a penalty-free 3YO win at Addington on Thursday night, December 9, could accompany stablemate OK Courage south for the Wairio Cup meeting at Winton on Saturday week, December 18. “The Wairio Cup (3 wins or more, 2400m stand) is $18,000 so its worth a look for OK Courage,” said trainer Mark Jones. Jellignite furthered a successful week for stable junior driver Regan Todd, who besides winning a double with the 3YO, also gained a runaway win with Guadeloupe at Gore on Tuesday. “Guadeloupe’s win made the big drive home a lot …
Bob delivers 2nd-up for stable
BABES BOY BOB DELIVERS AT ASHBURTON Trainer Mark Jones is unsure of immediate future racing plans for Ashburton winner Babes Boy Bob on Wednesday December 8, but next month’s Nelson meeting early next month could be a possibiity. The 4YO delivered second-up from his new quarters after being purchased out of Jessica Malcolm’s Invercargill stable by Melbourne owner Merv Butterworth. Babes Boy Bob is a son of a limited number of foals to race by the Western Hanover stallion Totally Western (1:51.4, US), who has left another NZ winner in New Year Bopper for Gavin Smith. “We’re still …
Regan delivers with hot favs
REGAN HAS WINNING WAIMATE-GORE DOUBLE Burnham reinsman Regan Todd was the punters friend delivering with two hot favourites for the Mark Jones stable at the Waimate and Gore meetings in early December. The Yaldhurst Hotel sponsored junior driver kept a cool head despite a rocky early run behind $1.40 favourite Jellignite from a wide gate the Woodlands Stud Mobile Pace at the Waimate Trotting Club’s meeting on December 5. Jellignite was checked after Ragtop Stang went roughly after 100m but the 3YO showed how good he is on his feet by quickly regaining his composure. After settling back on …
RTR buy qualifies at Addington
UNIQUE CHANCE 2ND IN 2YO QUALIFIER Unique Chance, a $46,000 Ready To Run 2YO Sale purchase in September by Ashburton owners Peter and Beryl Boag, had no problems qualifying at Addington on Wednesday, December 1. The McArdle-Ohappy Daze colt settled last of the five starters in the 2YO mobile qualifier over 2000m and finished stoutly for second to front-running winner, the Geoff Dunn-trained Lord Jowers (Live Or Die-Hanover Robyn gelding). “He hung real bad in the trial, but has since worked well with a pole on,” said trainer Mark Jones. The RTR buy nabbed the Tim Butt-trained Jumeirah …
Guadeloupe scores at Orari
GUADELOUPE MAKES MOST OF CHARMED INSIDE RUN Nifty trotter Guadeloupe capitalised on good manners and a charmed inside opening to score at double figure odds in the 2-5 wins Temuka Transport Trot at Orari on Saturday, November 27. After trailing three back on the markers turning for home, the leaders moved out turning for home and Mark shot Guadeloupe through to win as he liked from Justakiwiboy, who tracked him through. Guadeloupe rounded out a $15,000-plus quaddie with upset Geraldine Cup winner Minty Mellow, and earlier winners Chal Dream and Wee Brother. The 6YO Monarchy gelding had been marking …
OK Courage _ a winner again
OK COURAGE BACK IN WINNING FORM OK Courage will probably never reach the heights he initially promised but the horse rewarded connections when back in the winner’s enclosure at Forbury Park on Thursday, November 25. It’s been a long wait for the Courage Under Fire gelding to return to the winner’s circle _ 18 months _ but the horse is far from a spent force after rating a slick 1:58.3 for the mobile 2200m on Thursday. Mark said owner Greg Brodie has always put the horse’s welfare first. “After OK Courage broke his hip Greg just said do what you …
Algeepee transfers north
ALGEEPEE TRANSFERS TO TODD MITCHELL Algeepee was transferred to Hamilton trainer Todd Mitchell this week to contest the Group Two Pak N Save Franklin Cup at Auckland on Friday night and for further premier racing at Auckland in December. “He could have raced in the Geraldine Cup, but its $55,000 up there and he’ll have other good races there in December,” said former trainer Mark Jones. “I transferred him over to Todd as its not viable having one horse up there and flying back and forth,” he said. “His last two runs at Addington are as good as he’s …