SUPREME GEM FAST IN NELSON MAIDEN Well-bred filly Supreme Gem will target the first $18,0000 Nevele R 3YO fillies Heat for the season at Blenheim next Friday, January 14, after easily winning her maiden at Nelson on Friday, January 7. The daughter of Christian Cullen and the first foal from former speedy racemare Flying Sands (1:56.5 mile rate, 1950m) bounced back from a slightly disappointing first-up run for six weeks at Addington on New Year’s Eve. “Its hard to get a line on her at home. I was hoping she’d improve with that run under her belt,” Mark …
Telemecanique in 1:52.1
TELEMECANIQUE RUNS 1:52.1 AT THE MEADOWLANDS Former Mark Jones-trained mare Telemecanique lowered her mile best to 1:52.1 with a strong effort in snow cooled temperatures at the Meadowlands, New Jersey, on Saturday, January 7. The Falcon Seelster-Seldom Home mare was recording back-to-back wins in North America since joining the Richard “Nifty” Norman barn. After being eased back early from her three draw, she improved three wide with cover over the last half for driver David Miller. Telemecanique stormed down the outside to win going away by two lengths in the $US23,500 pace. The race was for non-winners of $US22,500 in …
Swedish trotter for Addington Inters
ANNICKA COMING FOR INTER DOMINIONS The New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club (NZMTC) is proud to announce that its push to lure a top European trotter to contest the 2011 Inter Dominion Trotting Championship at Addington Raceway had been successful. Connections of Annicka, a topline six-year-old trotting mare from Sweden have committed to a New Zealand campaign that will see her contest the Dream With Me Stables Inter Dominion Trotting Championship as well as the Rowe Cup. Annicka will arrive in New Zealand with an impressive record against some of the best Trotters in Scandanavia and connections are keen …
Ex stablemates win overseas
EX STABLEMATES WIN OVERSEAS Telemecanique and Atom Of Courage, formerly stablemates at the Burnham stables of trainer Mark Jones, have gained their first wins respectively overseas. Former smart racemare Telemecanique bounced back from being sick a month ago to win a $US19,000 mares race at Harrahs Chester in 1:53.2 for the mile. Telemecanique, former speedy NZ mare, who has opened her winning account in North America. The Falcon Seelster mare settled fourth and finished best to win by 3/4 of a length. Another former Canterbury mare in Joyfuljoy finished fourth. “She dropped back in grade for that one, but …
Australasian hat-trick for owner
WINS ON CONSECUTIVE NIGHTS Major owner Peter Chambers won an Australasian hat-trick last weekend. Ex-Mark Jones runners, Shezoneoftheboyz and (Glenferrie) Alexis, scored for Cranbourne trainer Craig Demmler at Tabcorp Park, Melton, on Friday and Saturday night, following on from Heather Castleton’s win for the Mark Jones stable at Addington on Thursday. “I was rapt for Peter. Alexis is going amazing and he’s been rewarded for his patience,” Mark said. “She’s been racing good each week. I’d like to think shes capable of racing the best mares in Australia.” “Peter’s parents will be enjoying her form too. They’re like unofficial …
Mark racks up 20th win for season
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 …