MARK CO-OWNER OF RICCARTON WINNER Overport trainer Mark Jones not only featured with a winning training treble at Forbury on Friday, November 9, but picked up a win as a co-owner at the Canterbury Jockey Club’s NZ Cup meeting at Riccarton on Saturday. Mark is one of 10 in the ownership of the grey Align mare, including trainer Lisa Latta, and fellow harness racing buddies, Andrew Stuart, Craig Thornley and Regan Todd. Snow Line was recording her fifth win from 32 starts, in the $30,000 Ratings 75 1100m race, taking her earnings to $59,885 with the metropolitan victory. The previous …
Master Lavros back to work after two days off
MASTER LAVROS IN RACE AGAINST TIME FOR DOMINION Master Lavros, last year’s Dominion Handicap winner and Trotter of the Year, had two days out in the paddock to get a mixed run at Kaikoura on Monday. Overport Lodge trainer Mark Jones and Woodend-based right-hand man Regan Todd are doing their best to get the top trotter where he needs to be next Friday, but time is against them. “He’s just got a few little issues. He would get away with it pacing in his hopples but he’s a trotter and when he broke the other day he made a mess …
WYNDHAM HRC, Nov 9 & NZ METRO TC, Nov 11
WYNDHAM HRC, Sunday, November 9 Race 9: ZAKSPATROL (7, Johnny Cox), mob. 2400m: “Gone for a harness plus race and is a good option. His trials have been good and with luck is a good show.” NZ METRO TC, Tuesday, November 11 Race 1: EYRE I COME (12), UR 2, 3200m std: “Nice trotter in the making and if mistake-free is a winning hope.” Race 4: STRIKE ON COMMAND (7), mob. 1950m: “Is 50/50 to start.” Race 9: JOHNNY FOX (2), mob. 2600m: “Still down on fitness so needs racing but an upset place hope.”
FORBURY TC, Nov 7
FORBURY PARK TC, Friday, November 7 Race 2: MARITIME ARDEN (6, Michelle Neilson), mob. 1700m: “Fresh-up and will need the run but still will be very competitive with the right luck.” Race 4: ASTRAPI (3, Kimberly Butt), fr, & HELLAVAHANOVER (9, Blair Orange), UR1, 10m, 2700m std: “Astrapi is a headache but can place.” “Hellavahanover won well fresh-up and has trained on fine but this is a big step up. If she runs in the first four I’ll be happy.” Race 5: EASTBURN MARA (5, Blair Orange) & ROCKIN CULLEN (9, Bob Butt), mob. 1200m: “Eastburn Mara is racing great …
Final NZ Cup rankings
FINAL CUP RANKINGS, FIELD DRAWN WED. OCT 5 The final field for the 2014 edition of the Christchurch Casino New Zealand Trotting Cup has been found, subject to final withdrawals on Wednesday, October 5. The official last round of rankings has Pass Them By in the final 15th spot in the order of entry _ surpassing Pemberton Shard who will fill the first emergency spot. However, Pemberton Shard, the half-sister to Smiling Shard, could still make the field. Champion trainer Mark Purdon, who co-trains with his partner Natalie Rasmussen, said he would recommend to the owners of last year’s Cup …
McDermotts’ cash in on Met multiplier
McDERMOTTS’ CASH IN ON MET MULTIPLIER Tuesday, October 4 Last Friday night (October 31) was a great night for local Canterbury trainer John McDermott and the team at Addington Raceway. John sent two quality mares to the post in Race 8 The Clarkson Signs – Building & Window Signage Mobile Pace and cashed in big time. Already, 7YO mare Supreme Gem and her owners Christine and John McDermott, and Pat and Fred Dowie were guaranteed a Met Multiplier bonus payment of $7500. Then added to this, stablemate Flyover an 8YO mare, won the race and in-turn qualified for the bonus …
NZ METRO-RIVERTON-KAIKOURA TC, Oct. 31-Nov. 3
NZ METRO TC, Friday, October 31 Race 2: CHAMPAGNE DREAMS (2, Mark), mob. 1950m: “Was disappointing first-up but is better now. She trialled nice and can place behind the fav.” Race 5: TWICE THE DELIGHT (5, Mark), mob. 1950m: “Nice filly in the making but is still learning. This is a massive step up so will be interested to see how she competes.” Race 8: JOHNNY FOX (5, Blair Orange), mob. 1950m: “He’s fresh-up after having a few issues. I would be excited if he finished in the top five at this stage.” Race 9: EASTBURN MARA (1, Mark), 2600m …
FORBURY PARK TC, Thursday, Oct. 30
FORBURY PARK TC, Thursday, October 30 Race 3: LOUIE FINN (1, Blair Orange), 2200m std: “First start drawn one and only qualified last week. I only put him to help the club with numbers, but he is a nice horse in the making and with any luck is a winning chance.” Race 4: MACHS A FLYIN (SCR) & FAIR DINKUM BROMAC (9, Blair Orange), mob. 2200m: “Fair Dinkum Bromac had no luck last week. He’s drawn bad but if they go hard he is a chance in that field.” Race 7: ASTRAPI (5, Kimberly Butt), 2200m std: “Was going to …
Eyre I Come makes impressive return
EYRE I COME WRAPS LABOUR WEEKEND HAT-TRICK Impressive Ashburton Labour Day Monday trot winner Eyre I Come gained his first win for Melbourne owners Merv and Meg Butterworth, who joined co-owner Grant Hatton in the ownership in April. The grandson of former 1987 Rowe Cup and 1988 Dominion Handicap-winning mare Landora’s Pride (34 wins & $472,842) rounded out a hat-trick of wins on Sunday-Monday of Labour weekend for Overport Lodge trainer Mark Jones, and in-form driver Blair Orange. Eyre I Come was first-up since breaking at despatch point and finishing unplaced in the Group One Northern Trotting Derby on May 9. The Majestic …
Louie Finn qualifies
LOUIE FINN SMART ASHBURTON QUALIFIER Louie Finn, a 3YO gelding by Grinfromeartoear, repeated his recent workout win by leading up from the stand start in his Ashburton 2400m qualifier on Tuesday, October 21. In the hands of Overport Lodge trainer Mark Jones, Louie Finn maintained a strong run, holding by 1 1/2 lengths in 3:06 for the 2400m, quickening over his last 800m in 57.2s and final 400m in 27.3s. “He won easy. He’s a nice horse,” Mark said. Louie Finn, bred by Finnash Bloodstock, was an $11,000 buy at the 2013 NZ Premier Yearling Sales. He’s the first foal …