Category Archive

REGAN HAS WINNING WAIMATE-GORE DOUBLE Burnham reinsman Regan Todd was the punters friend delivering with two hot favourites for the Mark Jones stable at the Waimate and Gore meetings in early December.   The Yaldhurst Hotel sponsored junior driver kept a cool head despite a rocky early run behind $1.40 favourite Jellignite from a wide gate the Woodlands Stud Mobile Pace at the Waimate Trotting Club’s meeting on December 5. Jellignite was checked after Ragtop Stang went roughly after 100m but the 3YO showed how good he is on his feet by quickly regaining his composure. After settling back on …

UNIQUE CHANCE 2ND IN 2YO QUALIFIER Unique Chance, a $46,000 Ready To Run 2YO Sale purchase in September by Ashburton owners Peter and Beryl Boag, had no problems qualifying at Addington on Wednesday, December 1. The McArdle-Ohappy Daze colt settled last of the five starters in the 2YO mobile qualifier over 2000m and finished stoutly for second to front-running winner, the Geoff Dunn-trained Lord Jowers (Live Or Die-Hanover Robyn gelding).   “He hung real bad in the trial, but has since worked well with a pole on,” said trainer Mark Jones.   The RTR buy nabbed the Tim Butt-trained Jumeirah …

GUADELOUPE MAKES MOST OF CHARMED INSIDE RUN Nifty trotter Guadeloupe capitalised on good manners and a charmed inside opening to score at double figure odds in the 2-5 wins Temuka Transport Trot at Orari on Saturday, November 27. After trailing three back on the markers turning for home, the leaders moved out turning for home and Mark shot Guadeloupe through to win as he liked from Justakiwiboy, who tracked him through.   Guadeloupe rounded out a $15,000-plus quaddie with upset Geraldine Cup winner Minty Mellow, and earlier winners Chal Dream and Wee Brother. The 6YO Monarchy gelding had been marking …

OK COURAGE BACK IN WINNING FORM OK Courage will probably never reach the heights he initially promised but the horse rewarded connections when back in the winner’s enclosure at Forbury Park on Thursday, November 25. It’s been a long wait for the Courage Under Fire gelding to return to the winner’s circle _ 18 months _ but the horse is far from a spent force after rating a slick 1:58.3 for the mobile 2200m on Thursday. Mark said owner Greg Brodie has always put the horse’s welfare first. “After OK Courage broke his hip Greg just said do what you …

ALGEEPEE TRANSFERS TO TODD MITCHELL Algeepee was transferred to Hamilton trainer Todd Mitchell this week to contest the Group Two Pak N Save Franklin Cup at Auckland on Friday night and for further premier racing at Auckland in December.   “He could have raced in the Geraldine Cup, but its $55,000 up there and he’ll have other good races there in December,” said former trainer Mark Jones. “I transferred him over to Todd as its not viable having one horse up there and flying back and forth,” he said. “His last two runs at Addington are as good as he’s …

PROMISING FILLY SECURED BY PETER CHAMBERS Promising 3YO trot filly Heather Castleton will race for major Australian owner Peter Chambers when she chases a Harness plus bonus in the Brylin Boyz Trot at Forbury Park on Thursday, November 25. She was purchased from within the Mark Jones stable by Chambers from previous owners, Lex and Heather Williams, on Wednesday, November 24. “Lex and Heather have her dam (Anna Castleton) so they will be able to breed on,” Mark said. Anna Castleton (Gee Whiz 11-Amy Castleton) won four races for former Geraldine trainer Lachie Marshall. She latterly raced for Christchurch trainer …

NEWCOMER TO MARK JONES STABLE DELIVERS Trials driver Scott Stewart gained his first workout or trial win when he led throughout with Atom Of Courage at the Motukarara workouts on Saturday, November 20.   Scott, who worked for Mark Purdon and Grant Payne for a little over a year and a half, only transferred to the Mark Jones stable last week. Raised in Wairarapa, Scott gained the harness racing bug from his parents, Wayne and Connie, who co-own useful pacing mare Cullini (seven wins). Scott had a drive behind the Greg and Nina Hope-trained mare at the Rangiora trials last …

ORARI NEXT FOR WELL-RELATED SQUAREGAITER   King Of Strathfield, unbeaten in two grass track starts, will try for a hat-trick at the upcoming Geraldine meeting at Orari on Saturday week, November 27. The big bay cruised home to win at the Oamaru Harness Racing Club’s Heritage meeting on Wednesday, November 17, for Burnham trainer-driver Mark Jones. “It was only really a sprint up the straight and he did it well,” Mark said. Oamaru was a suitable option for King Of Strathfield after he was found to have been feeling the hard track at Addington on NZ Cup day. “We had …

BABES BOY BOB ORARI-BOUND Promising former Southland 1-win pacer Babes Boy Bob may make his debut for the Mark Jones stable in a penalty-free junior drivers 2500m pace at Orari on Saturday week, November 27.   The 4YO Totally Western gelding has been purchased out of Jessica Malcolm’s Invercargill stables by Melbourne owner Merv Butterworth, and will head to the workouts on Saturday in his first official run from his new quarters. “I met Merv a few years ago. Babes Boy Bob was going to Australia but he’s left him here with me in a last minute decision, so I’ll …