EYRE I COME ENDS RUN OF PLACINGS WITH AUCKLAND WIN Eyre I Come ended a frustrating run of minor placings with a premier $20,000 victory in the Crombie Lockwood Mobile Trot at Auckland on New Year’s Eve, 2015. The 5YO Majestic Son gelding had looked certain to progress to open class after his previous win at Addington on New Zealand Cup day, 2014, also in a $20,000 trot when he defeated Queen Kenny and Clover Mac. However, the half-brother to Springbank Eden and grandson of former stand-out trot mare Landora’s Pride (34 wins) lost that winning feeling for much of …
AUCKLAND TC, Thursday, December 31
AUCKLAND TC, Thursday, December 31 Race 3: EYRE I COME (11, Blair Orange), mob. 2200m: “Has had a few hiccups but it’s a good race for him.” Race 4: NORTHERN VELOCITY (7, Tony Herlihy) & REAL TORQUE (SCR), mob. 2200m: “She’s been battling from tough draws. She’ll need the right luck from seven to finish in the first six. Golden Goddess looks a bit too good for the others.” Race 10: REAL TORQUE (3, Maurice McKendry), mob. 2200m: “Missed a start in the big one and just an outside first 4 chance from the draw in the C1-3 fillies and …
Itz Billy Hillis wins Vict. debut
FORMER OVERPORT QUALIFIER WINS FIRST-UP IN AUSSIE Former Overport Lodge 3YO Itz Billy Hillis (3g Bettor’s Delight-Itz Got The Giggles) was a first-up winner at Cobram, Victoria, on Sunday, December 27. Itz Billy Hillis, sold unraced after qualifying at Rangiora in September for trainer Mark Jones, was a hot $1.40 favourite despite starting from three on the second row over the 1670m. However, he was too good after moving up wide over the final lap to win by 7.8 metres in a promising 1:56.7 rate. The leaders had the speed on over their last 800m in 57.9s with Itz Billy …
Master Lavros home for long rehab
MASTER LAVROS RETURNS HOME FOR LONG SLOW RECOVERY Injured dual Dominion Handicap champion Master Lavros returned to Canterbury on Tuesday to begin his rehabilitation. Overport Lodge trainer Mark Jones admits it will be a long slow road to recovery for the half-million dollar earner. Master Lavros will undergo more scans on his injured hind suspensory to fully ascertain the extent of his damaged ligament. All Mark can advise is that the great trotter will be sidelined for some time. He is unable to provide a time-line for a future return but will be do his best to ensure the horse …
REEFTON TC, Wednesday, December 30
REEFTON TC, Wednesday, December 30 Race 6: REKLAW SUPREME (8, Wayne Higgs), 2000m std: “Upset place with luck from the wide draw.” Race 8: ZENA MAC (14, Wayne Higgs), 2000m std: “Will need luck off the unruly over the 2000m trip.”
BANKS PENSINSULA TC, Tuesday, Dec. 29
BANKS PENINSULA TC, Tuesday, December 29 Race 3: I GET AROUND (3, Mark), mob. 2000m: “On the way up and went ok at the Methven trials. She should be a chance from the good draw.” Race 5: FAIR DINKUM BROMAC (11, Laura McKay), mob. 2000m: “Racing well enough and likes grass racing. Each-way with the right luck.” Race 6: KOWHAI WHIZ (19, Mark), 2, 30m, 2810m std: “Usually honest but looking for luck off 30m in big field.” Race 9: EASTBURN MARA (7, Ricky May) & ZAKSPATROL (14, Mark), 1, 20m, 2810m std: “Eastburn Mara tries hard. Outside place with …
WESTPORT TC, Monday, December 28
WESTPORT TC, Monday, December 28 Race 6: ZENA MAC (6, Wayne Higgs), mob. 2600m: “Ran on from the back row on Saturday. Should be an each-way show from the front row.” Race 10: REKLAW SUPREME (8, Wayne Higgs), 2000m std: “Missed away the first day, which is unusual for him. Upset place providing he steps.”
HR WAIKATO-WESTPORT-ASHBURTON, Dec. 24-26
HR WAIKATO, Thursday, December 24 Race 4: REAL TORQUE (5, Maurice McKendry), mob. 1700m: “Racing good and an each- way chance.” Race 9: MASTER LAVROS (SCR), refer lastest news. WESTPORT TC, Saturday, December 26 Race 6: FRANCO EXETER (2), mob. 2600m: “Needs to improve.” Race 8: REKLAW SUPREME (2, Wayne Higgs), 2000m std: “Finds a strong field but a place show.” Race 9: ZENA MAC (11, Wayne Higgs), mob. 2600m: “Good fresh-up run and a chance with luck in running.” ASHBURTON TC, Saturday, December 26 Race 1: BODICEA (19, Mark), UR 2, 2400m std: “Nice filly in the making but …
Master Lavros out with suspensory problem
MASTER LAVROS SIDELINED WITH SUSPENSORY INJURY Dual Dominion Handicap winner Master Lavros has had his summer racing plans shelved after suffering damage to a hind suspensory. Overport Lodge trainer Mark Jones will assess the injury over the next few days but says the giant squaregaiter will be sidelined for some time. Master Lavros, who had just over a week off after taking out his second Group One Dominion Trot at Addington on November 13, had pleased in his Pukekohe workout leading up to last Friday’s $40,000 Rosslands Lyell Creek Stakes and in the race itself. Mark worked Master Lavros to …
Sam in form with Rocker Band & Forty Thieves
SAMANTHA OTTLEY REWARDED WITH SOUTH WINS Successful reinswoman Samantha Ottley was rewarded for her personal attention with smart racemare Rocker Band by driving her to a track record 1:53.3 at Winton on Saturday, December 19. “Sam’s been doing all the work with her so it was good to get her back driving a nice one again,” said trainer Mark Jones. Sam joined Mark’s Overport Lodge team a week before being sidelined with a luckless nasty race spill at Methven in mid-October. However, she is back doing what she does best again with stable wins behind Forty Thieves at Forbury on …