FORBURY PARK TC, Friday, May 29 Race 2: POWER BOLT (6, Blair Orange), 2200m std: “Been disappointing and future looks as a trotter so getting one chance to be a pacer but he needs to improve.” Race 4: ZENA MAC (10, Blair Orange), mob. 2200m: “Fresh-up but I am happy enough with her and with luck she’s a winning chance.” Race 6: MARITIME ARDEN (2, Blair Orange), mob. 2200m: “If she begins good she’s a winning chance.” Race 10: FAIR DINKUM BROMAC (6, Katie Cox) & OASIS DREAM (9, Samantha Ottley), mob. 1700m: “Fair Dinkum Bromac is …
Saveapatrol preparing for Auckland
SAVEAPATROL NEAR WORKOUTS PITCH Forgotten star Savepatrol is nearly ready to return to the workouts ahead of a proposed late season Auckland campaign. “I’m really happy with him. If he races good at Auckland we’ll look at going to Queensland with him,” said trainer Mark Jones. “I’ll have about five going to Auckland. Him, Sunoflindenny, a couple of maiden trotters, and maybe one or two others.” Mark is targeting the increased stakes on offer at Auckland. “Last month Eyre I Come earned more for running second at Auckland than one of our others got for winning down here,” he said. …
Jewels runners have hit-out at workouts
JEWELS CONTENDERS STEP OUT AT ASHBURTON WORKOUTS Overport Lodge trainer Mark Jones was happy enough with his Jewels contenders at the Ashburton workouts on Saturday, May 23, but knows they will require the right luck to be dividend-bearing next Saturday. Arannalea was good in her 2YO heat, leaving the gate at speed for Mark, before trailing Missandei (Mark Purdon) from the 1000m, and running a solid length and a half second in a 2:01.3 mile. The leaders ran their last 800m in 59.3s and sprinted up their final 400m in 27.6s. “The track was perfect. Its a shame the Jewels …
Johnny Fox heads north, then Australia
JOHNNY FOX MOVES NORTH TO TONY HERLIHY’S TEAM Invercargill Cup winner Johnny Fox is to try and advance his score from Tony Herlihy’s Papakura team. The 6YO Western Terror gelding won’t return to Canterbury, with plans for him to ultimately head to Australia after a stint in the north. Overport Lodge trainer Mark Jones and owners, the Butterworth Racing Syndicate, decided to try Johnny Fox from new quarters after he finished unplaced behind Dalton Bromac at Addington on May 9. Johnny Fox found a purple patch of form in January. He scored back-to-back Nelson wins with speedy sit-sprint finishes, then …
FORBURY PARK-NZ METRO TC, May 21-22
FORBURY PARK TC, Thursday, May 21 Race 8: MARITIME ARDEN (5, Kimberly Butt), mob. 2200m: “Is racing good. Looks a strong each-way chance.” NZ METRO TC, Friday, May 22 Race 8: POMME ROY (12, Mark), & EXPRESSO MARTINI (13, Blair Orange), mob. 2600m: “Pomme Roy was a little bit unlucky last start. Going to be hard against The Royal Garden but could place with luck.” “Expresso Martini is a bit in the same boat from the draw. He’s racing good and wasn’t too far away in the Super Series Pace a couple of weeks after working …
Master Lavros wraps season in style
MASTER LAVROS ENDS TERM WITH BACK-TO-BACK WINS Top squaregaiter Master Lavros, despite a troubled 6YO season, has added a $75,726 seasonal tally to his career earnings before heading for a winter recess. The giant-sized Sundon gelding rapt up his season emphatically in slushy conditions at Addington on Friday, May 17. The back-to-back end of term Addington wins for Master Lavros has restored his reputation in the top grade. These were the only two wins for his 6YO season in 11 starts, but his bankroll now stands at $427,194. Master Lavros, a short-priced $1.50 favourite in the $18,400 Walker Davey Ltd …
NZ METRO TC, May 15-OAMARU HRC, May 17
NZ METRO TC, Friday, May 15 Race 1: ICE CRUSHER (6, Blair Orange), mob. 1950m: “Good effort last week but drawn out a bit in a stronger field. He’s looking for a break but is a nice horse in the making.” Race 3: CORINGA DELIGHT (1, Mark), 2600m std: “Is racing great but has a question mark over the stand start.” Race 4: MASTER LAVROS (9, Mark), mob. 2600m: “Has come though last week great and I am rapt with him.” Race 7: ARANNALEA (6, Mark), mob. 1950m: “A lot happier with her but it is a good field. She …
Robbie Close wins, Michelle Neilson 3rd, in AYDC
ROBBIE CLOSE WINS 2015 AUSTRALASIAN YOUNG DRIVERS SERIES HRNZ Media Release, May 12, 2015 The Lone Star Riccarton 2015 Australasian Young Drivers Championship was held throughout New Zealand last week. Ten drivers from across Australasia, including four from New Zealand and one from each state of Australia competed to win the annual event. The first night of racing was held at Harness Racing Waikato. The weather conditions were testing but the drivers were all excited to get the series underway. The first heat of the night went to defending champion Andre Poutama, who drove confidently and stamped himself as an …
Master Lavros back on top
MASTER LAVROS BACK ON TOP AT ADDINGTON Master Lavros promises a brighter seven-year-old season after turning the tables on Rowe Cup victor Stent at Addington on Saturday, May 9. Overport Lodge trainer Mark Jones says its a shame there is only one race left for Master Lavros, last season’s Trotter of the Year, at Addington this Friday. “He’s only just come right but we’ve run out of races,” Mark said. “He’ll go out after next Friday but I’m really looking forward to next season now,” he said. Master Lavros began well from the 10m line in the $17,600 Canterbury Copy …
NZ Metro-Timaru HRC, May
NZ METRO TC, Saturday, May 9 Race 1: MARITIME ARDEN (3, Mark), mob. 1950m: “Is racing good and can place.” Race 5: POMME ROY (10 Mark) & EXPRESSO MARTINI (14, Blair Orange), mob. 2600m: “Pomme Roy has a bad draw so looking for luck but good enough to be a chance.” “Expresso Martini will also need luck but is good enough to win.” Race 6: EYRE I COME (3, Blair Orange), UR 2, fr, 2600m std & SUNOFLINDENNY (12, Mark), UR 2 10m, 2600m std: “Eyre I Come has had no luck since Cup week but seems good and an …