FORBURY PARK TC, Thursday, April 30 Race 10: SMOKE N FIRE (6, Michelle Neilson), mob. 1700m: “She’s been racing good in the 2YO races but finding a few others better. She should find this easier with Ringaringarozie the one to beat.” NZ METRO TC, Friday, May 1 Race 8: ZAKSPATROL (2, Kimberly Butt), 2600m std: “He’s been going good his last few starts and if he stays handy has an each-way hope.” Race 9: POMME ROY (2, Mark), mob. 2600m: “Won well last week and should be improved by the run. Up in grade but will …
Master Lavros will continue in May
MASTER LAVROS TO RENEW STENT RIVALRY IN MAY Overport Lodge trainer-driver Mark Jones and Master Lavros will extend their rivalry with Stent at Addington in May. Mark paid a tribute to Woodend Beach foreman Regan Todd for the lead-up work in getting Master Lavros back on song at Group One level. Next week (May 9), Master Lavros will take in a $20,000 C0-5 trot at Addington on Nevele R Fillies Final night, then has a $20,000 free-for-all trot over 2600m on NZ Oaks night (May 15). Mark all but won back-to-back Rowe Cups with last season’s Trotter of the Year …
MARLBOROUGH-RANGIORA HRC, Sunday, April 27
MARLBOROUGH HRC, Sunday, April 27 Race 2: MARITIME ARDEN (10, Jay Abernethy), mob. 2400m: “Raced good the first day and with the right luck from the draw, an each-way chance.” RANGIORA HRC, Sunday, April 27 Race 3: ZENA MAC (6, Wayne Higgs), mob. 2600m: “Always thereabouts and will win a race one day.” Race 8: EXPRESSO MARTINI (10, Mark), mob. 2000m: “Racing good since resuming but meets a few sharp ones here. A chance with the right luck.” Race 10: GOODNESS GRACIOUS ME (9, Mark), mob. 2000m: “Going good enough to feature but needs luck from the draw.” Outside drive …
NZ METRO-MARLB-AUCKLAND TC, April 23-24
NZ METRO TC, Thursday, April 23 Race 1: POMME ROY (3, Blair Orange), mob. 1950m: “Has trialled but will benefit from the run.” Race 4: ZAKSPATROL (3, Kimberly Butt), 2600m std: “Racing good both starts last week. Went very good for second in the Country Cups Final at Rangiora so should be a good each-way chance.” Race 8: REKLAW SUPREME (6, Wayne Higgs), mob. 1950m: “Also raced very good last week and after running third in the Country Cups Final this looks a good race for him.” MARLBOROUGH HRC, Friday, April 24 Race 2: MARITIME ARDEN (3, Jay Abernethy), mob. …
RANGIORA HRC, Sunday, April 19
RANGIORA HRC, Sunday, April 19 Race 5: ZENA MAC (1, Wayne Higgs), mob. 1609m: “Consistent mare who should be a good each-way show from the draw over a mile.” Race 7: ARANNALEA (5, Blair Orange), mob. 2000m: “Should be competitive providing her manners hold.” Race 8: ZAKSPATROL (3, Kimberly Butt), REKLAW SUPREME (4, Wayne Higgs), fr & JOHNNY FOX (10, Blair Orange), 1, 30m, 2600m std: “Zakspatrol has been better at his last two starts but this is a bit stronger than his race at Addington on Thursday. Place probably best.” “Reklaw Supreme racing good and a chance again with …
AUCKLAND TC, Friday, April 17
AUCKLAND TC, Friday, April 17 Race 3: EYRE I COME (5, Blair Orange), UR 1, 2700m std: “Seems good and trialled good so a good chance.” Race 9: MASTER LAVROS (4, Mark), mob. 2200m: “Conditions of race don’t really suit but he trialled up nice and seems good.”
Rocker Band recovering
ROCKER BAND TREATED FOR VIRAL INFECTION Overport Lodge trainer Mark Jones is treating Rocker Band for a viral infection following her trip south for the Southland Oaks Final last Sunday. “She showed a viral infection so will be treated and will head to the Nevele R Final at Addington early next month, ” Mark said. Rocker Band was vet tested after stopping quickly with 400m to run in the Southland Oaks. The beaten favourite stopped so rapidly that she finished over 53 lengths from winner Smokin Bird. The Kevin Court-trained Smokin Bird won the mobile 2700m feature by finishing best …
NZ METRO TC, Wednesday, April 15
NZ METRO TC, Wednesday, April 15 Race 4: SMOKE N FIRE (1, Michelle Neilson), mob. 1950m: “Is racing good and the draw helps but will need the right luck against the colts and geldings.” Race 5: GOODNESS GRACIOUS ME (5, Kimberly Butt), mob. 1950m: “Racing strongly but needs the right luck in a good C3 field.” Race 9: REKLAW SUPREME (12, Wayne Higgs), mob. 1950m: “He’s racing good but another looking for a little bit of luck. Place probably best from the back row.” Race 10: ZAKSPATROL (3, Kimberly Butt), 2600m std: “He’s a funny horse to work out. Upset place …
Expresso Martini back in form
EXPRESSO MARTINI DELIVERS FOR MET SYNDICATE Met Eight Syndicate-owned Expresso Martini made an encouraging return from a five month layoff for Overport Lodge trainer Mark Jones at Addington on Friday, April 10. The Bettor’s Delight half-brother to former Nevele R Fillies Final winner Secret Potion (1:57.5, 10 wins & $285,312) promised much after winning a late season penalty-free maiden 2YO win at Nelson in a quick 2:57.9 (mobile 2400m). However, after four moderate runs in October and early November he was sent to the spelling paddock with time being on his side. Expresso Martini was primed for a bold return …
BANKS PENIN. & INVERCARGILL HRC, Sunday, April 12
BANKS PENINSULA TC, Sunday, April 12 Race 4: ZENA MAC (4, Wayne Higgs) mob. 2000m: “Is racing good and always a chance.” Race 11: REKLAW SUPREME (15, Wayne Higgs), mob. 2000m: “Gets in another good race but is drawn bad.” INVERCARGILL HRC, Sunday, April 12 Race 8: ROCKER BAND (11, Ricky May), mob. 2200m: “Seems better and a good chance with luck in running.”