ATOMIC RED SETS 3YO WORLD RECORD IN NSW DERBY HEAT By Michael Court The “Purdon Express” rolled on during heats of the NSW Pacers Derby at Tabcorp Park Menangle on Saturday night, February 18, with the champion New Zealand trainer’s All Stars stable winning two of the three qualifying heats. While the defeat of Ultimate Machete appeared to burst that bubble for Purdon, who admitted his Bettors Delight youngster was beaten a long way from home, Vincent and Motu Meteor both scored strong wins and will give Purdon a hat-trick of hopes in the final with Ultimate Machete still qualifying …
Eyre I Come upsets in Group Three Summer FFA
EYRE I COME OVERCOMES THE ODDS TO WIN GROUP THREE FFA Twelve months ago the prospect of Eyre I Come and Master Lavros competing in a Group Three trot, let alone finishing first and third, was unimaginable. Veterinary advice suggested both injury-plagued trotters wouldn’t race again, after Master Lavros suffered a hind suspensory problem 14 months ago, and Eyre I Come had further knee issues a year ago. But with the right care and attention, the Mark Jones-trained squaregaiters have clawed their way back. At Addington on Friday, February 17, Eyre I Come exceeded expectations with his career highlight, winning …
NZ METRO-GERALDINE TC, February 17-19
NZ METRO TC, Friday, February 17 Race 1: DELIGHTFUL MEMPHIS (1, Blair Orange), mob. 1950m: “Going in fresh and gets the right draw but we need a lot of luck to beat Spanish Armada.” Race 3: KOWHAI MONARCH (12, Samantha Ottley), UR 1, 20m, 2600m std: “In a tough grade and off hard handicap.” Race 5: MASTER LAVROS (9, Mark), & EYRE I COME (11, Blair Orange), mob. 1950m: “Master Lavros went better last week so gets another chance. The 1950m trip isn’t ideal and he has a tough draw but he too is a top three chance.” “Eyre I Come …
Lazarus into Miracle Mile
LAZARUS GETS FIRST INVITE TO MIRACLE MILE Champion pacer Lazarus is the first horse into the Ainsworth Miracle Mile following a devastating win in the $200,000 Cordina Chicken Farms Chariots Of Fire at Menangle on Saturday night, February 11. The New Zealand four-year-old, trained by Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen, led for the last 800m and held off stablemate Our Waikiki Beach in a career-best 1:49 for the mobile mile. The win earned him an automatic invite to the $750,000 Miracle Mile at Menangle on February 25, which Purdon wasted no time in accepting. That means Lazarus will not have …
Menangle, NSW, plans near fruition
OVERPORT LODGE NSW SATELLITE STABLE ON HORIZON Mark Jones is in the final stages of making a change that could take his training career to a whole new level. The Burnham horseman is going through the process of setting up a stable in Sydney in an effort to maximise returns for his owners and ensure longer, more fruitful, racing careers for their horses. After a lot of testing the water and planning Jones will look to, in the next few weeks, confirm that he will establish a stable at the same property as leading trainers, Shane and Lauren Tritton at …
Filly relative of Saveapatrol secured at APG Melbourne sale
GRANT HATTON BUYS FILLY FROM SAVEPATROL FAMILY Overport Lodge trainer Mark Jones secured a close relative of star pacer Saveapatrol and promising 2YO The Bus for owner Grant Hatton at the Australia Pacing Gold Melbourne sale on Sunday, February 5. The filly, by recently deceased sire Mach Three from Rigaleto Franco, was a $16,000 buy. “We have left her in Melbourne be broken in by Dave Karr and then we will bring her to New Zealand,” Mark said. She is eligible to return to Australia for the Australasian Breeders Crown, Vicbred and Vicbred Platinum series. Her dam Rigaleto Franco is …
NZ METRO-WAIKOUAITI TC, Feb 10-12
NZ METRO TC, Friday, February 10 Race 1: CASTLEREAGH (11, Mark), mob. 1950m: “Nice trotter in the making. Terrible draw and still learning but he’s an each-way chance.” Race 9: MASTER LAVROS (9, Mark), 1, 30m, 2600m std: “Back to a stand start is a worry and 30m makes it tough when he couldn’t beat them off the mobile last time so looking for an improved performance.” Outside drive Race 8: EH EF EL (2), mob. 1950m: “Seems solid but its a strong field. Place probably best.” WAIKOUAITI TC, Sunday, February 12 Race 8: AYMAR (5, Matt Anderson), mob. 1800m: …
Rocker Band rates 1:52.1, three NZ wins for Overport Lodge
ROCKER BAND RATES 1:52.1 IN GROUP ONE LADYSHIP CUP In a virtual action replay of the previous weekend, the smart Greg Brodie-owned mare Rocker Band lowered her fastest mile rate again, this time to 1:52.1, with her first Australian Group One win. The 5YO Rocknroll Hanover-Mainland Banner mare, transferred from the Mark Jones stable to the care of Barry Purdon for logistical reasons for her Australian racing, led from the seven gate for Zac Butcher in the 1720m Alabar Ladyship Cup at Melton, on Saturday, February 4. She held the All Stars mare A Piccadilly Princess by half a neck …
WYNDHAM HRC-AMBERLEY TC, Feb. 5-6
WYNDHAM HRC, Sunday, February 5 Race 9: AYMAR (9), mob. 1609m: “Has been a victim of bad draws so hoping for change of luck.” Race 11: WHITTAKER (3, Samantha Ottley), mob. 2400m: “Nice fresh-up win and drawn good so got to be the one to beat.” AMBERLEY TC, Monday, February 6 Race 10: EYRE I COME (12), UR 1, 30m, 2600m std: “Is hard off a handicap but no other races for him. If he does things right he’s a danger.”
FORBURY PARK-ASHBURTON TC, Feb-2-4
FORBURY PARK TC, Thursday, February 2 Race 5: KOWHAI MONARCH (10, Terry Chmiel), UR 1, 30m, 2700m std: “Gets into right race and an each-way chance.” ASHBURTON TC, Saturday, February 4 RACE 1: SAY YOUR PRES (2, Mark), 2400m std: “Back to the all-weather will suit and a good each-way chance.” Race 4: BEST DEFENCE (6, Mark), 2, 10m, 2400m std: “Was crook last start so has been treated but needs to improve.” Race 6: ARIADNE LAVRA (7, Samantha Ottley), mob. 1609m: “Nice filly doing a good job. We’ve paid the late payment so hopefully she justifies that decision by …