JELLIGNITE LOWERS CAREER BEST AS 8YO Former Overport Lodge pacer (My) Jellignite paced a career best 1:52 even at Menangle, New South Wales, last Saturday, April 16. Now eight, Jellignite won 10 of 38 NZ starts for $62,712 for trainer Mark Jones. Mark suggested to owner, the late Mrs Pat Campbell, Jellignite be transferred to Australia for better race opportunities. Jellignite, a Courage Under Fire gelding from two-win Slugger mare Wytchwood Spirit, continued to earn solidly for the last four years for Mrs Campbell, who followed his weekly progress via TAB Trackside. Mrs Campbell, who died in January this year, …
Ohoka Texas extends career in US
OHOKA TEXAS NOTCHES FIRST WIN OF YEAR IN USA Former good-winning Overport Lodge pacer Ohoka Texas continues extend his career in North America. Now eight to NZ time and nine to North American time, the Christian Cullen-Millwood Touche entire gained his first win of the year in 10 starts at Yonkers Raceway, New York, on April 15. Racing for the Peter Tritton stable, Ohoka Texas settled third from the ace draw in a $US14,000 pace and won by 1 1/4 lengths in 1:54.4 (fifths). Ohoka Texas, a grandson of former Auckland Cup placegetter Quiet Touch (1:57.8, 10 wins), won 12 …
RANGIORA HRC, Sunday, April 17
RANGIORA HRC, Sunday, April 17 Race 9: KOWHAI MONARCH (8, Samantha Ottley), UR 1, 10m 2600m std: “Sam did a good job with him last week. Its probably a bit harder with Great Things Happen in there but he’s an each-way show again.”
WAIRARAPA HRC, Thursday, April 14
WAIRARAPA HRC, Thursday, April 14 Race 9: DANKE (11, Robbie Close), 2, 10m, 2500m std: “Good win Tuesday. Should go well again despite being back 10m.” Race 10: REALLY DESIRABLE (2, Robbie Close), mob. 2000m: “Will find it harder up in grade but a chance again.”
NZ METRO TC, Wednesday, April 13
NZ METRO TC, Wednesday, April 13 Race 2: GLENFERRIE CLASSIC (1, Mark), mob. 1950m: “Looking for luck.” Race 3: REAL TORQUE (4, Samantha Ottley), mob. 1950m: “Has trialled up good and an each-way chance.” Race 4: FAIR DINKUM BROMAC (7, Laura McKay), 2600m std: “Better than her first two starts show and a chance providing she begins cleanly.” Race 7: CORINGA DELIGHT (8, Wayne Higgs), 2000m std: “Needs to step from the stand start.” Race 9: AYMAR (10, Mark), mob. 1950m: “Not much luck both starts to date but should be an each-way chance in that field.”
BANKS PEN. TC-MANAWATU HRC, April 10-12
BANKS PENINSULA TC, Sunday, April 10 Race 3: ARIADNE LAVRA (9, Samantha Ottley), mob. 2000m: “She went good behind Delightful Memphis first-up down south. Not easy from the draw but should be a chance if she handles the grass ok.” Race 7: FAIR DINKUM BROMAC (4, Laura McKay), & FRANCO EXETER (7, Wayne Higgs), mob. 2000m: “Fair Dinkum Bromac’s an upset place show with a good trip on the grass.” “Franco Exeter is the form horse and a big each-way chance.” Race 9: KOWHAI MONARCH (7, Samantha Ottley), UR 1, 2810m std: “Not as good his last two but looking …
Delightful Memphis for G1 Caduceus Fillies Classic
LATE PAYMENT LIKELY FOR ‘MEMPHIS’ IN CADUCEUS CLASSIC Connections of Overport Lodge filly Delightful Memphis are likely to make a late payment for a crack at the $110,000 Group One Woodlands Stud Caduceus Club Fillies Classic at Auckland on Friday week, April 22. Trainer Mark Jones says all his owners are keen. “We went last night (Friday) to give her a run with the Caduceus in mind and she competed well,” Mark said. Delightful Memphis wasn’t rushed early in her first start right-handed, but Mark was on the move with her once fully balanced with a lap to run. She …
Master Lavros & Saveapatrol making progress
TOP STABLEMATES ON LONG ROAD BACK FROM INJURIES Top class Overport Lodge stablemates, Master Lavros and Saveapatrol, are both making satisfactory progress on the comeback trail for next season. Former Trotter of the Year and dual Dominion Handicap winner Master Lavros has begun excerising again after a hind suspensory injury derailed his season in Auckland in December. “The leg scanned up real good,” Mark said. “He looks like he will return to stable in a month as he has been at Brian Court’s on the water-walker and treadmill,” he said. Master Lavros, who will be eight next term, has won …
FORBURY-AUCKLAND, April 7-8
FORBURY PARK TC, Thursday, April 7 Race 3: LADY LAVRA (1, Samantha Ottley), mob. 1700m: “Drawn well and a winning chance.” Race 7: LOUIE FINN (13, Samantha Ottley), mob. 2200m: “Drawn bad but gets in the right field and good each-way chance.” Race 9: FAIR DINKUM BROMAC (6, Laura McKay), mob. 2200m: “Looking for luck.” AUCKLAND TC, Friday, April 8 Race 4: DELIGHTFUL MEMPHIS (2, Mark), mob. 1700m: “Regan went up with her and she travelled good. Has drawn well but first time-right handed is a question.” Race 9: MAJESTIC ALI (13, Mark), 35m, 2200m std: “If she trots …
Miracle Mile next year for a Saturday night
NSWHRC CHANGES TO SATURDAY NIGHT MIRACLE MILE Saturday night has become the “home” of Tabcorp Park Menangle’s metropolitan meetings each week. Now the Miracle Mile is ready to make the move as well, with the revelation the 2017 Miracle Mile would be run on a Saturday night. While this year’s finale was deemed an outstanding success, the one fault racegoers found was that the Sunday afternoon racing was too hot for both patrons – and horses. So the NSW Harness Racing Club this week decided to move the 2017 Miracle Mile to a Saturday night. It will be the 50th …