They were on the same team 19 years ago, but last night Cran Dalgety and Mark Jones went into battle on opposite sides of the fence. And the former boss to world champion driver Jones came out on top, with Dr Susan leading throughout to win the $150,000 Group 1, setting up another super clash in Sydney next month. Dalgety trained Dr Susan’s second dam Sparks A Flyin to win the 2001 New South Wales Oaks (then run before the Victoria Oaks) and Mark Jones, the stable driver at the time, was on board. She went on to finish third …
Benny hopeful of success today
Four runners again at Nelson, all on the back-up from Friday, and Benny believes possible success rests with two very good chances. NELSON, SUNDAY, JANUARY 12 RACE 1 MELODY’S MISCHIEF (4, fr. 1609m mob) Blair Orange -“She went a good race Friday, we were pleased with her. Just outsprinted that final bit. Hoping she’ll back up good today and should be hard to beat.” (Benny) RACE 6 ROCKAHULA JOE (7, fr. 1609m mob) Sam Ottley -“Had his chance in front Friday, well driven and every show. Thought he should have run third, not sixth. We’ll drive colder today and see …
Lavros Lodge next step in Elite plan
We are thrilled to announce we have secured a lease agreement with Kypros Kotzikas to move a number of the racehorses to his Yaldhurst property, Lavros Lodge, in the near future. This is the next and exciting phase in our plan and we are very grateful to Kypros for allowing us to utilise his incredible property and facilities. This allows Benny and Mark to work the racehorses together. And we’re very excited about that. We plan to base the racing stock and those building to trial and race day at Lavros Lodge, then utilise our own properties for the young …
Iz it all down to luck?
After a bold front-running win at Omakau, can Itz Alldown To Luck back up and win the Nugget Final at Ascot Park today? Benny is in Nelson with a team of four, the two day meeting kicking off Friday. ASCOT PARK, THURSDAY, JANUARY 9 RACE 6 ITZ ALLDOWN TO LUCK (12, fr. 2200m mob) Brad Williamson -“Good to see him show his best at Omakau. We thought of spelling him immediately, he definitely will after this. A throw at the stumps but he’s worthy of a crack.” (Mark). NELSON, FRIDAY, JANUARY 10 RACE 1 MELODY’S MISCHIEF (6, fr. 2400m mob) …
Stylish Memphis to VIC, NSW Oaks – under very good care!
Star filly Stylish Memphis will contest the Victorian and New South Wales Oaks and leave in a few days – under the care of champion trainers Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen. Given Purdon and Rasmussen have opted to keep the top filly in the land Amazing Dream at home, it was a decision made easier by all connections, including owner Wayne Higgs. Co-trainer Mark Jones, who developed her for Higgs from yearling stage, is delighted to have the Bettor’s Delight filly under All Stars care. “Benny and I have plenty on at home. And this makes absolute sense. Mark and …
Cromwell caps the southern circuit
Mark will send three around at Cromwell today and finish the circuit with a winner, hopefully. CROMWELL, MONDAY, JANUARY 6 RACE 2 MAHIA (8, fr. 1800m mob) Mark Jones -“Not his best down here. Hoping he may show some more. But on form a place chance.” (Mark) RACE 4 BRING BACK LEAH (2, fr. 1800m mob) Sam Ottley -“She has gone a couple of handy races down here. Another good draw helps her here. I expect a sound run on the grass track, should suit her.” (Mark). RACE 12 NIRVANA BEACH (7, fr. 1800m mob) Sam Ottley -“He’d want to …
BURNHAM BOY looks for double at Roxburgh
We ride for Ricky again today at Roxburgh. ROXBURGH, SUNDAY, JANUARY 4 RACE 5 YUKO (2, fr. 2180m mob) Sam Ottley -“Wide for the last 700m at Winton and she stuck well. From the draw a chance if she can get the right run.” (Mark) RACE 8 SHE’S A DAGG (4, fr. 2180m mob) Sam Ottley, and BURNHAM BOY (9) Mark Jones -“She’s A Dagg was really good winning for Ricky at Winton but has to take quite a step forward here. Top three we’d be thrilled. Burnham Boy showed his best at Winton and I’m hopeful again, thinking Just …
BENNY HEADS TO RANGIORA WITH TRIO
After a winning double at Omakau, Benny looks to add to that with three runners going to Rangiora on Friday. RANGIORA, FRIDAY, JANUARY 3 RACE 5 SHADOW PHANTASY (6, fr. 2600m stand) Ricky May -“Good win first up, and he didn’t really like the grass track, either. A big jump up for him but an eachway bet.” (Benny) RACE 6 MELODY’S MISCHIEF (14, fr. 2000m mob) Ricky May -“Trialled nice, working really good. A bad draw perhaps but she’s is ticking along well and would be hopeful with a bit of luck.” (Benny). RACE 7 RANGER BOMB (2, fr. 2600m …
Memphis leads the New Year charge
Quality filly Stylish Memphis will try and go one better in Tuesday’s $150,000 Alabar Sires Stakes Fillies Final at Alexandra Park after a slashing second to hot favourite Amazing Dream in the Peter Breckon Memorial earlier in the month. ALEXANDRA PARK, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 31 RACE 4 STYLISH MEMPHIS (10, fr, 2200m mob) Ricky May -“All things are good with her since the first run up there. We’re obviously really pleased with her effort there. The draw looks OK, hoping she can slot through early.” (Mark). WINTON, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 31 RACE 2 YUKO (2, fr. 2400m mob) Korbyn Newman, and MAHIA …
Four in quiet week for stable runners
WESTPORT, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26 RACE 10 MICHELLE (8, fr. U1. 2600m stand) Wayne Higgs -“A change in shoeing and I’ve added the half-hopples to see if we can get a change in luck with her. Higgsy is in charge on the Coast and hoping she trots for him.” (Mark) GORE, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 27 RACE 3 SHE’S A DAGG (8, fr. 2200m mob) Ricky May -“Very pleased with her at Winton from a bad draw and she cops another here. Ricky has got to know her well now and I’m sure she can win one soon.” (Benny) RACE 10 DONEGAL GILBERT …