NZ METRO TC, Friday, December 2 Race 1: RUTHLESS SUCCESS (10, Laura McKay), mob. 1950m: “Drawn to follow the markers and relying on luck but is racing good.” Race 5: ARIADNE LAVRA (6, Samantha Ottley), mob. 1950m: “Last minute decision to race as $13k race and a small field. She is doing a nice job but can place from the draw.” Outside drive Race 3: HARD DAYS NIGHT (7), 3, 15m, 2000m std: “Can begin good and could be a bit of place value if we settle handy.” OAMARU HRC, Saturday, December 3 Race 2: MANINTHEMIRROR (7, Jay Abernethy), mob. …
Master Lavros has pleasing trial
MASTER LAVROS SOLID IN COMEBACK RANGIORA TRIAL Former Trotter of the Year Master Lavros made a pleasing public return at the Rangiora trials on Tuesday, November 29. Driven by Regan Todd off a 50m handicap in the C1 and faster trot, the big Sundon gelding began well and followed his three rivals round, not being asked to over exert himself first-up. He ran to the line without being hurried behind Victorian visitor, Kyvalley Blur (Bob Butt), who was too good after trailing The Best Beg. Kyvalley Blur, third in both the NZ Trotting Free-For-All and Dominion Handicap during NZ Cup …
Ariadne Lavra wins ahead of Master Lavros return
ARIADNE LAVRA WINS; MASTER LAVROS TO TRIAL ON TUESDAY Ariadne Lavra’s smart win in a $10,600 C1-2 pace at Geraldine on Saturday, November 26, may lead to an even brighter December for Overport Lodge owner Kypros Kotzikas, and trainer Mark Jones. Mr Kotzikas’s star trotter Master Lavros had his first track hit-out on Sunday for the Overport Lodge team after being sidelined since last December. “He will trial on Tuesday at Rangiora and all going well may race on December 16 at Addington,” Mark said. The NZ Metropolitan Trotting Club have a mobile 2600m free-for-all trot programmed, which may be …
Good two days for Hatton family
ADDINGTON-ORARI DOUBLE FOR HATTON-OWNED HORSES It was a good two days last weekend for the Hatton family and Overport Lodge trainer Mark Jones, snaring a winning double with comeback trotter Eyre I Come at Addington on Friday, November 25, and a penalty-free C1 pacing win with Real Torque at Orari on Saturday, November 26. Eyre I Come’s front-running win in the hands of Samantha Ottley at Addington on Friday was “big bonus” according to Mark, who felt he would be better with race. “He’s a day-to-day horse so anything we get is a bonus. It was a good win fresh-up …
NZ METRO TC-GERALDINE TC, November 25-26
NZ METRO TC, Friday, November 25 Race 1: DELIGHTFUL MEMPHIS (5, Blair Orange), mob. 1950m: “She had a break after her first-up run and I am rapt the way she has come back. The draw makes it hard but the small field helps and she’s a winning chance.” Race 9: MANINTHEMIRROR (7, Samantha Ottley), mob. 2600m: “Is racing great. He’s drawn to go forward and very hard to beat.” Race 10: EYRE I COME (7, Samantha Ottley), UR 1, 10m, 2600m std: “Fresh-up after a long lay off so will need the run. A top five finish will be a …
AUCKLAND TC & TIMARU HRC, November 18-19
AUCKLAND TC, Friday, November 18 Race 4: ROCKER BAND (6, Samantha Ottley), mob. 1700m: “Barry (Purdon) has her in career best form for us so a good each-way chance again.” TIMARU HRC, Saturday, November 19 Race 4: BEST DEFENCE (5, Laura McKay), 2600m std: “A newcomer to the team. Hasn’t had a trial but an outside place chance.” Race 10: RUTHLESS SUCCESS (13, Laura McKay), mob. 2000m: “Went good in front on Show day holding down third. Going to be a bit harder for her from the draw but with the right luck is a chance again.”
NZ METRO TC, Friday, November 11
NZ METRO TC, Friday, November 11 Race 1: RUTHLESS SUCCESS (6, Samantha Ottley), mob. 1950m: “Broke early on Tuesday but can get out of the mobile alright. If she stays handy, could be an outside place chance.” Race 3: KOWHAI WHIZ (17, Samantha Ottley), 2, 20m, 2400m std: “Finished well on Tuesday but not easy off 20m in a strong field again, so looking for luck.” Race 10: PERISSA (5, Samantha Ottley), mob. 1950m: “She’s racing in foal but its a strong mares field so will need everything in her favour.” Race 12: REAL …
NZ METRO TC, Tuesday, November 8
NZ METROPOLITAN TC, Tuesday, November 8 Race 2: MANINTHEMIRROR (16, Samantha Ottley), mob. 1950m: “Is racing good but this is a super field. Has drawn terrible, so looking for luck.” Race 3: KOWHAI WHIZ (12, Samantha Ottley), 5, 20m, 2600m std: “Racing great and a good beginner. An outside place chance.” Race 5: REAL TORQUE (6, Samantha Ottley), mob. 2600m: “Has come up very nice this time and her run on Thursday was very good. With luck she can definitely be in the top three.” Race 8: PERISSA (7, Samantha Ottley), mob. 2600m: “Finding it hard to get a nice …
Rocker Band ends Auckland ‘hoodoo’
ROCKER BAND DELIVERS IN SLICK AUCKLAND WIN Rocker Band, despite giving Samantha Ottley a difficult drive, shook off her Alexandra Park hoodoo with a slick win in a 1:54.9 mile rate (1700m) at Auckland on Friday, November 4, 2016. The well-performed racemare was rewarded at her ninth start right-handed at Auckland when taking out the the $13,999 Movenpick Mile (1700m) in the open in 2:01.4. Northern mare Better Be Amazed holds the NZ mares record for the trip at 1:59.9 (1:53.5 mile rate), set at Auckland in April. Rocker Band, winner of the $150,000 Harness Jewels 4YO Mares Diamond at …
The Bus earmarked for Young Guns heats
THE BUS COULD CONTEST YOUNG GUNS HEATS IN DECEMBER Overport Lodge trainer Mark Jones is considering a Young Guns 2YO campaign in Auckland next month for appropriately-named juvenile, The Bus, following his win at the Addington trials on Wednesday, November 2. The Bus, the nickname of Hurricanes and All Black rugby winger Julian Savea, is a half-brother to the well-performed Overport Lodge pacer Saveapatrol (11 wins from 18 starts for $145,618). Both horses are owned by successful stable client Grant Hatton. Saveapatrol, a former Auckland Cup placegetter, is a gelded son of Christian Cullen, while The Bus is a well-proportioned …