EXTRA INTER TROT HEAT ANNOUNCED In a surprise development, Harness Racing Victoria has announced the addition of an extra heat for this week’s Seelite Windows and Doors Inter Dominion Trotting Championship. The shock revelation coincides with the release of third and final rankings for the iconic series and will mean three preliminaries are run and won at Shepparton this Saturday night (January 21) rather than two. The move is a genuine gesture of goodwill from the sport’s governing body in this state and will ensure 36 squaregaiters rather than 24 will get their chance at ID glory …
Stable advances to 25 wins
STABLE ADVANCES TO 25 WINS The Mark Jones stable advanced to 25 wins for the season on Sunday, January 8, showing a good sense of occasion winning races at both the Wyndham and Nelson meetings. Regan’s father Barry is president of the Wyndham Trotting Club, who again took their January meeting to the holidaymakers in Central Otago. Mark delivered by a nose at Nelson with maiden winner Lively Eastburn, who is owned in the area by East Takaka breeder and identity, “Skeet” Barnett. “He was over the moon,” Mark said. Mr Barnett bred the 3YO Live Or Die gelding …
Scott Stewart has first win
SCOTT SALUTES . . . Overport Lodge junior driver Scott Stewart gained his first raceday driving win at the dual code Wairarapa fixture on the grass track at Tauherenikau on Monday, January 2, 2012. Wairarapa-raised Scott, in the north spending the New Year with family and friends, showed a good sense of occasion, landing his first success in front of parents, Wayne And Connie. “It was bloody good to do it on my home track,” he said. Scott picked up four drives on the four-race harness card at the Wairarapa meeting. After finishing second with the Peter …
Big day for Brent Ward
BIG BOXING DAY FOR BRENT WARD Boxing Day, 2011, was memorable for two new lifestyle developments for big scoring provincial rugby full back Brent Ward. He became engaged to partner Sarah only a few hours before cheering Saskia Finn home to win a maiden at Westport _ his first win as a racehorse owner. Brent co-owns Saskia Finn with last year’s Crusaders team-mate Zac Guildford, and a team of other Mark Jones stable owners _ including Mike and Helen Finlayson, Nathan Brown, and the Riverside Boxing Club Syndicate. “I thought it might have been a good omen (getting …
Race caller extends record
MARK McNAMARA EXTENDS OWNERSHIP RECORD Racecaller Mark McNamara says Champagne Franco’s debut win at Rangiora on Sunday, December 18, was an unexpected bonus, especially after drawing the outside of the second row over the 2000m from a stand. “I just wanted to win a race sometime. I didn’t expect to get it first-up,” he said. The Canterbury-based broadcaster is fashioning a useful record as an owner with runners at the Overport Lodge stables of Mark Jones, having won earlier races as a co-owner of Union Buster and Anita Patron. He selected Champagne Franco at the 2010 NZ Premier …
Texas runs rivals ragged
TEXAS RUNS RIVALS RAGGED Emerging 4YO stayer Ohoka Texas is to be reserved for either the $40,000 Pelorus 4YO Classic or the $20,000 Marlborough Cup at Waterlea on January 15 after he destroyed a handy field in the 3-win and faster $18,000 Wairio Cup at Winton on Saturday December 17. Overport Lodge trainer Mark Jones, after reviewing options, has decided against starting him in the $20,000 Wesport Cup on Boxing Day at Patterson Park. Ohoka Texas, after settling in midfield early in the Wairio Cup, was sent to the front with 1200m to run and kept the pace …
Western Flare repeats for amateur
WESTERN FLARE REPEATS FOR AMATEUR DRIVER Western Flare, and driver Trevor Ward, made the most of the extended conditions to pick up another amateur drivers race success at the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club’s Tuesday meeting on December 20. The win allowed the Met Five Syndicate-owned pacer to extend his career earnings to $41,868 as he racked up his 10th career win (eighth penalty-free) from 41 starts. Overport Lodge trainer Mark Jones has found suitable easier opportunities for Western Flare to win three of his last four starts and extend his longevity in New Zealand. The 5YO McArdle …
First win for ‘Flare’ driver
FIRST FOR TREVOR WARD IN AMATEUR TOTE RACE Met Five Syndicate pacer Western Flare credited former NZ Metropolitan Trotting Club deputy chairman Trevor Ward with his first totalisator driving win in the amateur drivers race at Rangiora on Wednesday, December 7. Mr Ward enjoyed the occasion with many directors of the club. He had built up friendships with them during his 17 years as an administrator with the club before ending his term with the club. His good friend Blair Cartwright, who manages the Syndicate, booked him for the drive. Another former Metropolitan Club administrator Richard Sissons could …
Ohoka Texas clears out on Show Day
OHOKA TEXAS IMPRESSIVE WINNER Overport Lodge trainer Mark Jones felt he might not have gone too slow with Ohoka Texas when nosed out by Magical Mel on NZ Cup day, but non-one could get close to him over the final lap at Addington on Show day, November 11, 2011. Mark and Ohoka Texas claimed the biggest win of the premier week when distancing their rivals by 10 1/2 lengths in the 3 win $13,250 Fahey Fence Hire Mobile Pace pace over the mobile 1950m. Ohoka Texas raced several classes above his rivals on the day. Mark eased …
Fillies win Rangiora qualfiers
FILLIES WIN RANGIORA QUALIFYING TRIALS Glenferrie Diva, a half-sister to fast 1:49.2 North American miler Foreclosure N, was a smart mobile 2000m qualifier at the Rangiora trials on Monday, December 12, for Overport Lodge trainer Mark Jones and driver Regan Todd. The Peter Chambers-owned daughter of Christian Cullen and Pleasing Package moved up from the third line to challenge at the 500m and ran clear to win by 3 1/4 lengths. She paced the mobile 2000m in 2:33.2 (2:03.2 mile rate), the leaders running their last 800m in 57.1s, with Glenferrie Diva finishing off with a swift final 400m …