SAVEAPATROL TO HEAD SOUTH AFTER WINNING QUALIFIER Saveapatrol, untroubled to win his Addington qualifier on Monday, December 3, 2012, in 2:32.2 for the mobile 2000m, is to head south for his early racing this month. “He’ll qualify down there for the Southern Supremacy,” said Burnham trainer Mark Jones. The Christian Cullen gelding, also Harness plus eligible, was shaping as his best 2YO in the stable last term, until problems arose. Mark says it may have been a blessing he had to be put aside. Bred by Australian Peter Chambers from the good Falcon Seelster mare Rondel Franco (1:51.6, US, 37 …
Alex rewarded at Addington
WELL-TIMED LATE FINISH FROM ALEX Alex, rewarded for consistency in the 1-win Dakins Rent A Loo Christmas Party Mobile Pace at Addington on Friday, November 30, will continue to race for the Mark Jones stable for another month, but will ultimately race in Australia. “His owner Greg Brodie will race him over there. He’ll do a good job in suitable races there,” said trainer Mark Jones. “He’s not a star, but a good honest horse,” he said. Friday’s win by Alex, a brother to good-winning mare Glenferrie Alexis (1:55.9, Aust) and the capable Jackaroozy (1:56.2, Aust), was a …
Selected NZ races qualify for NSW features
HRNZ MEDIA RELEASE, NOVEMBER 29, 2012 NZ RACES QUALIFY TO EARN STARTS IN NSW FEATURES In conjunction with the New South Wales Harness Racing Club (NSWHR), Harness Racing New Zealand is pleased to announce that New Zealand horses will be able to qualify directly for two Australian $200,000 feature races. LADYSHIP MILE The Cordina Chickens Ladyship Mile is a Group 1 invitation race for mares that is to be run at Tabcorp Park, Menangle on 3 March 2013. Winners of the following Group 1 New Zealand races will be extended a direct invite by NSWHR to the Ladyship Mile: Rosslands …
‘GP’ wins on Motukarara grass
THE LUTTS HOLDS TENACIOUSLY The Lutts appreciated a significant drop back in grade from premier racing at Addington on Show day to score in the 1-2 wins All Signed Up/Kentuckiana Lodge Special Handicap Pace at Motukarara on Sunday, November 25. The 4YO Western Terror gelding, the second favourite in an open race, was sent to the front by Burnham trainer-driver Mark Jones and held tenaciously by a head from outsider Anntoro. Favourite Delightful Blue ran third with another roughie, Town Icon, running into fourth. “My ‘ GP’ (galloping pacemaker) winning _ thats how bad my team is,” Mark chuckled …
Cup week successful for Club
SUCCESSFUL LINDAUER RACEDAY Three days after a highly successful Cup Day at Addington last Tuesday, Lindauer Race Day (Show Day) followed the same pattern with a pleasing race day on and off-course. Crowd numbers were healthy with some 7000 race goers enjoying their sunny day at the track. These numbers contributed to a total turnover in 2012 of $3,214,047 exceeding last year by $397,070 or 14%. The Woodlands New Zealand Free-For-All over the mile was taken out by Gold Ace in a swift time of 1:52.6 just half a second outside the New Zealand record held jointly by Smolda and …
Master Lavros wins at Cup trials
MASTER LAVROS WINS AT CUP TRIALS Master Lavros began swiftly and was untroubled to win at the NZ Cup trials on Wednesday, November 7. He soon led and drew clear to win untested in in 3:25.3 (2600m stand), picking up the tempo over his last 800m in 59s and his closing 400m in 29.6s. He has been ticking over nicely since gaining a penalty-free junior drivers win for Regan Todd at Rangiora on September 20. The big 4YO Sundon gelding is raced by Kyros Kotzikas, who enjoyed a stellar 1997 New Zealand Cup day winning the big race with Iraklis. …
Master Lavros ready for Cup day
MASTER LAVROS BY SIX LENGTHS IN TRIAL Promising squaregaiter Master Lavros would only need to step as swiftly as he did at the NZ Cup trials at Addington on Wednesday (November 7) to be very hard to beat on the big day on Tuesday. “That’s the only problem. When he begins like that, he normally doesn’t do it the next time,” said Mark. Master Lavros confirmed he is trained to the minute for the premier raceday by leaving his rivals in his wake by six lengths in the run home, with race rival Lucky Monarch next best, finishing on from …
Badjelly’s Courage scores in NSW
BADJELLYS COURAGE SCORES The Mark Jones Racing Stables notched their first NSW win with Badjellys Courage, who cleared out to win by 15.4 metres at the Bathurst twilight meeting on Wednesday, August 22. The Courage Under Fire-Badjelly The Wytch gelding was sent out a hot $1.50 favourite in the hands of Regan Todd and was untroubled to lead throughout to win in a comfortable 2:03.3 rate for the 1730m. He quickened over his last 800m in 60.9s and his final 400m in 29.6s to take out the $A5000 Shannon Springs Two-Year-Old Pace for his maiden victory. “The stable is going …
NZ Trot FFA change to 2000m
NZ TROTTING FFA REDUCED TO 2000m Addington Raceway and Events Centre and New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club officials have announced that the 2012 Group 1, $80,000 Seelite Windows & Doors NZ Trotting Free-For-All has a distance. It will now be run over the distance of 2000 metres from a Mobile Start on Christchurch Casino New Zealand Trotting Cup Day on Tuesday, 13 November 2012. The race has previously been held over 2600 metres from a Mobile Start. “However, after receiving feedback from some leading trainers and industry participants and the fact that the 2011 event was devoid of …
HRNZ Media Bites, September 24
HRNZ MEDIA BITES, SEPTEMBER 24 Hi all, things are really starting to warm up now in harness racing circles. A whole lot of fresh, quality horses about to hit the tracks. No doubt the focus this week will be on Canterbury with the Avon City Ford Cup and the return of I Can Doosit it in the DG Jones Trotting Cup at Banks Peninsula on Sunday. Also, it’s great see Jamie Searle(@SearleJamie) on Twitter giving out all the fresh information out of Southland for both equine codes. For those not on Twitter its a great way to stay informed and …