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
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
MY MAN DAN OUT OF INTERS My Man Dan, who has only raced once this term, has been withdrawn from next month’s Christchurch Casino Interdominion Pacing Championship by Burnham trainer Mark Jones.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
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
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 …
Mark reins Captain to class record win
SMART PREMIER DAY WIN BY CAPTAIN PEACOCK Burnham reinsman Mark Jones had no luck with stable runner Lethal Rocket on premier Summer Cup day at Addington, February 5, but extended his winning association with the smart Dean Taylor-trained pacer Captain Peacock. Lethal Rocket’s sulky received a punctured tyre during the running of the United Fisheries Ltd _ Southern Blue Whiting Fillets Mobile Pace, but the Jones runner maintained a solid formline by fighting solidly for fifth to front-running winner Franco Jamar. Two races earlier, Mark drove last season’s NZ Derby winner Captain Peacock confidently for a decisive win in …
Tom Kilkelly leaves admin post
INVERCARGILL HRC PRESIDENT STEPS DOWN Invercargill trainer and administrator Tom Kilkelly has resigned as president of the Invercargill Harness Racing Club. Kilkelly had his final day in the role last Saturday, with Peter Robinson taking over as acting president. He cited “personal reasons” as being behind his decision. “A couple of years down the track when I’ve got a few things out of the way, I might come back to administration, but for now, I want time for me,” he said. Tom Kilkelly is in his 10th year as a public trainer and had his biggest win when Shard …
Kiwi quinella in Ballarat Cup
STUNIN CULLEN RUNS RECORD IN BALLARAT CUP By Jason Bonnington Electric Kiwi pacer Stunin Cullen completed a red-letter night for our trans-Tasman cousins at Bray Raceway, surviving both a courageous compatriot and a lengthy protest hearing to claim the fastest Group 1 PETstock Ballarat Pacing Cup ever run on Saturday, January 29, 2011. Easy in betting as a result of his second line draw and the overwhelming consensus that the $A125,000 race belonged to Victorian cult hero Smoken Up, Tim Butt’s striking son was eventually sent out an $8.50 third elect. But it became all too clear after …
Rattray out of Aust. junior series
DEFENDING CHAMP TOO OLD FOR SERIES The 10-person Australasian Young Drivers Championship to be staged in conjunction with the Inter Dominion in April has opened up an opportunity for one more New Zealand junior driver. The unavailability of defending harness racing champion Gareth Rattray due his age has put the responsibility back on HRNZ to find a replacement driver. This week HRNZ decided the only just course of action was to give another New Zealand driver an opportunity to compete and win on the international stage. HRNZ CEO, Edward Rennell, was pleasantly surprised by the news coming from Australia. “This …
New horse shapes well
NEW HORSE SHAPES WELL Ardlussa Express, a recent addition to the Mark Jones stable after being purchased out of Southland by Melbourne owner Merv Butterworth, could be heading back there to debut in the black and white silks at Invercargill on Monday January 24. The 4YO Falcon Seelster gelding had his first public outing for the stable at the Motukarara workouts on Saturday, January 15, impressing junior driver Regan Todd. “He might go to Invercargill for a junior drivers race as its penalty-free,” Regan said. Ardlussa Express settled at the back as free-going pacemaker Code Of Honour went clear …