FORMER OVERPORT LODGE PACER WINS LEN SMITH MILE Cruz Bromac, sold to Australian interests prior to qualifying for the Mark Jones stable, captured Gr. 1 glory in the $100,000 Len Smith Mile in 1:50.1 at Menangle on July 1. Now six, the Falcon Seelster-Crown Defender gelding was a late 3YO when he qualified for the Overport Lodge team at Timaru in July, 2015. A month later at his third start when still three to Australian time, he took a 1:51.6 mark at Menangle for the Dean Braun stable. Cruz Bromac won a Casey Classic at Melton, and the Cobram, Hamilton …
The Bus creditable 4th to Ignatius
THE BUS STORMS HOME BUT IGNATIUS TOO GOOD James Rattray can only smile at the thought . . . could he be as good as Beautide ?. Rattray’s superstar three-year-old pacer Ignatius had just blown away his rivals in the NSW Breeders Challenge three-year-old colts and geldings final at Tabcorp Park, Menangle, on July 1. Taking his record to 14 wins from 15 starts, the James Rattray trained-and-driven youngster thrashed his rivals with a 1:51.3 mile to score a 12.4m win over Picard with Mackeral one and a quarter metres away third. The first challenge for Ignatius occurred when the …
Trev Vite posts smart rate at Bathurst
TRES VITE RATES 1:55.8 AT BATHURST Tres Vite was untroubled to remain unbeaten in two New South Wales starts for the Mark Jones stable when scoring again, this time at Bathurst on Wednesday, June 27, in a career best 1:55.8 rate for the 1730m. Sent out a $2.70 joint favourite from the inside of the second row, Tres Vite had a super run through early to trail leader The Only Child, who led from the ace. With a sprint lane run for Ellen Rixon in a NSW Rising Stars Heat, she zipped through to win by 2.7 metres from outsiders, …
Whittaker likely to suit USA racing
WHITTAKER LOWERS WINNING RECORD TO 1:52.9, USA ON RADAR Whittaker, who won a Menangle mile on Tuesday in a career best 1:52.9 for the Sydney arm of the Mark Jones stable, is ultimately likely to follow stablemate Delightful Memphis to North America. “I have no real immediate plans for him, but I am looking at moving him onto America, where he’ll do a great job,” Mark said. Whittaker, a Sportswriter entire, aptly re-named by Gold Coast owner Greg Brodie after the later Sydney turf writer Bill Whittaker, is all but a six-figure winner. Tuesday’s win in a moderate $7500 pace …
Forb, Add, Timaru, Menangle, June 28-July 1
FORBURY PARK TC, Thursday, June 28 Race 1: FANCY WOMAN (1, Sheree Tomlinson), 2700m std: “If she trots all the way, is an each-way chance.” Race 8: MOYTURA (9), mob. 2200m: “Scratched, has been sold.” NZ METRO TC, Friday, June 29 Race 2: MANINTHEMIRROR (7, Samantha Ottley), mob. 1950m: “He’s looking to drop in points.” Race 9: JOEY MAGUIRE (10, Laura McKay), mob. 1950m: “He needs a can-opener from the draw but is an upset place chance.” TIMARU HRC, Sunday, July 1 Race 8: NAIYA FRANCO (13, Samantha Ottley), mob. 2600m: “Has drawn terrible but is good enough to be …
Bathurst NSW, Wednesday, June 27
BATHURST NSW, Wednesday, June 27 Race 3: TRES VITE (9, Ellen Rixon), mob. 1370m: “She seems well and with any luck from the draw is a good winning chance.” Race 8: GETARATTLEON (5, Chris Geary), mob. 1730m: “He’s in a winnable race. With luck, can win.”
Menangle NSW, Tuesday, June 26
MENANGLE NSW, Tuesday, June 26 Race 5: WHITTAKER (7, KerryAnn Turner), mob. 1609m: “Ended up being left parked a couple of weeks ago but has had time to freshen. Mister Brazel looks the hardest but he should be a place chance.”
Marlborough team all on the market
SOME EXCUSESOMEWHERE, BELLE OF BROOKLYN, TAIMATE ANGUS, ON MARKET Burnham trainer Mark Jones is going through an experimental process with Some Excusesomewhere, who could eventually join his Sydney stable if not sold in the interim. The Overport Lodge team were to the fore with their three runners at Marlborough on Friday with Some Excusesomewhere and Belle Of Brooklyn saluting, and one-win squaregaiter Taimate Angus, finishing strongly for second to Red Hot Poker in the rating 49 & faster trot. However, all three, could find new homes as ready-made racing propositions if there is buyer interest. “As everyone knows I am …
Marlborough HRC, Sunday, June 24
MARLBOROUGH HRC, Sunday, June 24 Race 5: TAIMATE ANGUS (7, Jonny Cox), 2700m std: “Good run the first day and if he backs up he’s an each-way chance again.” Race 6: BELLE OF BOOKLYN (8, Samantha Ottley), mob. 2300m: “Good drive and a good run got her home the first day. She’s up in grade on Sunday but can finish top four.” Race 7: SOME EXCUSESOMEWHERE (5, Samantha Ottley), mob. 2300m: “Big effort to win on Friday after no luck at Oamaru. He’s back to a mobile and is in a good even field but if he settles he’ll be …
French Flair at Penrith
TRES VITE DELIVERS AT PENRITH Big Bettor’s Delight filly Tres Vite lived up to her French name on debut in New South Wales at Penrith on Thursday, June 21. Tres Vite, French for “very fast”, unwound quickly with a well-timed finish for driver Chris Geary to win in a career best 1:57.4 mile rate for the 1720m. She settled back in the running line from an outside second row barrier, but the $2.20 favourite was on the improve with cover to be within striking distance of the leaders turning for home. Raced by NZ breeders, Stewart Gillan and Kevin Watson, …