OK COURAGE TOO GOOD IN FFA OK Courage had a great introduction to racing at Menangle with a easy win first-up across the Tasman in a $A5500 free-for-all on Tuesday, May 22. The former Mark Jones-trained pacer ended up trailing on the outer for driver Ashlee Siejka in the mobile 2300m For My Boys Archie and Ethan Pace. Ok Courage was untroubled to wear down front-running Im Fulla Luck (ex Michelle wallis-trained) to win going away in a 1:58.1 mile rate, the leaders picking up the speed over their last 800m in 55.3s and closing 400m in 27.2s. Also …
Jewels draw live, HRNZ website, Friday
HARNESS JEWELS NEWS, MAY 22 LIVE BARRIER DRAW HRNZ is conducting the 2012 Harness Jewels Barrier Draw live on the Internet from 12 noon on Friday, May 25. Sponsored by trotting stallion “The Pres”, the barrier draw will run for approximately 45 minutes. All nine races will be drawn live, with comments from experts and affected owners, between draws. This live, online venture is a new one for HRNZ. It may pave the way for more, similar presentations in the future. Visit www.hrnz.co.nz from 12.00pm this Friday for the live coverage. TIMELINEWITHDRAWALS CLOSE: Friday 25 May 2012 at 12noonBARRIER DRAW: …
Princeton delivers, Rangiora, April 29
PRINCETON DELIVERS RANGIORA WIN The Mark Jones stable moved to just under $300,000 in winnings for the season from 39 wins when Princeton delivered for his supporters at Rangiora on Sunday, April 29. Given a good run in behind the leaders, the 4YO Bettor’s Delight-Emcil gelding stormed home when in the clear for Mark to win going away by three-quarters of a length. The effort capped a solid but luckless form-line in his latest racing. Princeton paced the 2000m (stand) in 2:36.2, the leaders quickening over their last 800m in 57.6s and final 400m in a sizzling 26.6s. He was …
Texas wins workout, March 17
RANGIORA WORKOUTS, March 17 Ohoka Texas resumed with an improver’s third at the Rangiora workouts on Saturday, March 17. The Christian Cullen entire was sent to the front with 1250m to run in the 3-wins and faster mobile 2000m pace by Burnham trainer-driver Mark Jones. He was narrowly over-shadowed on the line by capable mare Together Again, three back over the last lap, and fellow Superstar hopeful River Black (parked), the winner pacing the mobile 2000m in 2:29.6 (2:00.3 mile rate). Ohoka Texas quickened the tempo over the final lap, sharpening over the leaders last 800m in 56.3s and …
OK Courage in Sydney
OK COURAGE LEAVES FOR SYDNEY OK Courage, who wound up his NZ career at Forbury on April 5, was one of seven either sold, or to be exported, from the Mark Jones stable in either March or early April. “OK Courage is off to join Ashlee Seijka in Sydney after Forbury,” Mark said. OK Courage has been well placed in NZ, starting 40 times for 12 wins (six penalty-free), 11 placings and $104,389, for Queensland owner Greg Brodie.He should have better opportunities in New South Wales. Buzz Courage (3g Courage Under Fire-Honey Franco), another Brodie-owned pacer, who won a …
Half-sisters win at Gore
TWO OUTA THREE AT GORE Meat Loaf’s former famous song title ‘Two Out Of Three Ain’t Bad” summarised the day for Overport Lodge trainer Mark Jones on a slushy Gore March day on Sunday, March 11. He delivered twice early on the Gore programme with the Greg Brodie-trained half-sisters, Mach Kana and Christian Seel. He then had to settle for second with Ardlussa Express behind flying southern mare Southern Sun over a slick sub 57s final 800m in the conditions in the PGG Wrightson Aon Insurance Brokers Special Handicap Pace. The winning Gore double advanced the Jones stable …
Glenferrie Challenge starts next month
INAUGURAL $200K ANZAC CUP ANNOUNCED Some slight tweeking to trotting’s hottest new race looks set to benefit New Zealand’s trotting elite. Alexandra Park will host the $200,000 Anzac Cup on April 27 as the middle leg of a triple crown named the Glenferrie Challenge. The three-race series will start with the $25,000 Greenlane Cup on April 20 and culminate in the $150,000 Rowe Cup on May 4. But it is the Anzac Cup which will prove the most fascinating as it is rare a race worth so much is developed out of nowhere. The concept is the brainchild …
Four 2YOs qualify at Ashburton
FOUR JUVENILES GAIN THEIR TICKETS Trainer Mark Jones qualified four two-year-old pacers, all going well under the 2:04.4 standard for the 1609m, at the Ashburton trials on Tuesday, March 13. Glenferrie Rustler (Lis Mara-Exceptional Lass colt) led up in the first 2YO pace, and although outfinished to wind up fifth of five in the run home, ran a solid 2:01.1, as winner Donegal Chokin went on to score in 2:00. Ideal Arden (American Ideal-Madam Maroussia colt) trailed third for Scott Stewart and finished under two lengths from the winner, clocking 2:00.6. Classiebee (McArdle-Ceebee colt) led up in the 2nd …
Christian Seel, 1:56.1, mile debut
SMART ASHBURTON DEBUT Burnham trainer Mark Jones will look for a Nevele R Fillies Heat run with Christian Seel after her impressive 1:56.1 mile, first-up, to win at Ashburton on Saturday, February 11. “Greg (Brodie, owner) already has Holme Fire qualified. She’s not as good as Holme Fire, but is worth running in a heat,” he said. Christian Seel, after settling back on the outer, improved with cover and sprinted best in the straight to win easing down by 3 1/4 lengths. She was too quick in the home, coming clear of pacemaker Camgoli Cam and Between The Lines, which …
NZSBA announce winter mares series
GOLDEN GIRLS WINTER MARES SERIES The NZSBA is excited to announce a new nationwide racing series starting mid-May. The Golden Girls series is a joint venture between HRNZ and NZSBA to provide 4YO and older mares increased opportunities to race and earn that all important black type, prior to the end of the season. This series will cater for 0 – 1 win with lifetime earnings of $10,000 and 2–4 win pacing mares with lifetime earnings of $40,000. Trotters will also be represented with a 0 – 1 win series with $10,000 lifetime earnings. The national series will provide …