ADDINGTON, SATURDAY, DEC 16 RACE 2 RUTHLESS SUCCESS (6, fr. 2600m stand) Laura McKay -“She’s racing well. Always a chance in these types of races and with a nice sit somewhere she will run on well as usual.” RACE 2 MICHELLE (15, fr. 2600m stand) Sam Ottley -“She’s here as she is better to start here than go to the trials, to be honest. A talented mare if she does things right and though she is likely to need a run or two you never know – she has come up pretty well and one to follow over Xmas.” RACE …
Plans canned but no rush, says Mark
Mark Jones could have been on a plane to Sydney about now, but his feet will be firmly on land at home in Canterbury instead – for the short term. He’d intended to run class mare Delightful Memphis in a low-grade race in the country this weekend, and Life Lavros, an impressive newcomer to the barn in Sydney. To top that off he would return to Menangle to drive Whittaker on Saturday night – but things have fallen over. “The races didn’t get off the ground for Betty (Delightful Memphis), or Life Lavros, and then Whittaker found himself on the …
Sydney trial team all perform very well
Ashlee Grives was thrilled with the team at the Menangle trials yesterday (Tuesday, 5th Dec), both Delightful Memphis and newcomer Life Lavros in superb winning form, and Rocker Band equally as good in running third and never hurried. Grives drove the trio quietly and was happy to sit out the back and let her charges run home strongly. Life Lavros opened up the day with a withering burst from last to take his mile heat in 1:57.6. He is a new member of the team, owner Kypros Kotzikas having sent the Bettor’s Delight three-year-old across to the Sydney barn for …
Orari & Motukarara runners
ORARI, SATURDAY, NOV 25 RACE 3 SAY YOUR PRES (3, fr. 2500m stand) Mark Jones -” Much happier with her last time at Ashburton. If she does things right and trots like that again she looks a good chance.” RACE 6 ROCK N JOY (10, fr. 1950m stand) Mark Jones -“A nice filly going to do a nice job. I still think six months away yet but a forward run would not surprise me. She’s one to follow.” RACE 8 MANINTHEMIRROR (13, fr. 1850m mobile) Laura McKay -“He’s in a race that could suit him, though some are likely better …
Ashlee thrilled with Mark’s team
Training partner Ashlee Grives in thrilled with Mark’s Sydney-based team, the small but select bunch all working forward very nicely to some upcoming assignments. Grives, who handles her own team out of Menangle, is in charge of Mark’s Sydney horses, and has driven Whittaker to three wins in a row since he arrived in Australia, culminating in the $15,000 Star Trek Final at Bathurst. “Whittaker is great, he is absolutely jumping out of his skin,” she enthused. “He will race at Menangle next Saturday night in a C3-C5 class race.” Grives has been working up top mares Rocker Band and …
Small team for the weekend
ASHBURTON, THURSDAY, NOV 16 RACE 8 SAY YOUR PRES (6, fr. 2400m stand) Mark Jones -“She was a bit unlucky to get that early check at Forbury otherwise I think we’d have been right in it. Things have to go her way a little bit given her manners are still a work in progress, but she is good enough.” ADDINGTON, FRIDAY, NOV 17 RACE 1 RUTHLESS SUCCESS (13, fr. 1950m mobile) Sam Ottley -“She is racing well, unlucky at Kaikoura and then did the job well at Forbury. A much tougher task here and she did need to draw better. …
Real Torque gives stable 100% record Cup Day
Mark produced good mare Real Torque to win on New Zealand Cup Day, his one and only starter at Addington on Tuesday. The Real Desire mare continued a good run for owners, the Hatton family. Grant Hatton, who has enjoyed Cup day success in the past, extends a good run, having enjoyed Group race successes in recent years with the likes of Eyre I Come and Saveapatrol. SAM OTTLEY SCORES EARLY DOUBLE Successful Overport Lodge driver Sam Ottley was the driver to follow early on Christchurch Casino NZ Trotting Cup day, scoring wins with Sundons Flyer and Real Torque. …
Whittaker wins Star Trek Final !
Smart Sportswriter 4yo Whittaker saluted for third time on end at Bathurst, NSW, tonight (Friday), when far too good for his opposition in the $A15,000 Star Trek Final. He settled back of midfield from his second line draw but was soon up and around them for caretaker-trainer-driver Ashlee Grives, sitting three-wide the last lap in the open, but he still surged away for a very impressive victory Whittaker rated a slick 1:54.8 for the 1730m, quarters in 27.9, 31.4, 27.8, and 28.1. http://www.harnessmediacentre.com.au/trotstv/replays/32765 Watch Whittaker keep his Australian record a perfect one.
Mark heads to Forbury for rare visit
FORBURY PARK, THURSDAY, NOV 9 RACE 2 BELLE OF BROOKLYN (1, fr. 2700m stand) Mark Jones -“Very pleased with her at Kaikoura, that win had been building. She’s on track to run well again, has come through the race up there well. Stepping well the key from one.” RACE 4 SAY YOUR PRES (4,fr. 2200m stand) Mark Jones -“She’s getting closer, I think. A good effort last start after getting back and up wide later. She’s just that mistake-free performance away and hopefully she gets it right this week.” RACE 4 RUTHLESS SUCCESS (8, fr. 2200m stand) Laura McKay -“She …
Joey to lead the way at Timaru
ADDINGTON, FRIDAY, NOV 3 R11 – MANINTHEMIRROR (11, fr. 2600m mobile) Sam Ottley -“He’s had his chances in a few maiden races at Addington. It would be nice to grab one with him for the Met Multiplier, but perhaps this looks a bit rich.” TIMARU, SATURDAY, NOV 4 R3 – SAY YOUR PRES (3, fr. 2000m mobile) Sam Ottley -“She’s trotting a lot better now and not far away from winning one. Muscles Galore aside, who does look the winner, I think she can beat most of them if she does things right. An eachway chance.” R8 GLENFERRIE CLASSIC (2, …