FORBURY PARK TC, Thursday, June 19 Race 8: JACCKA LEN (1, Blair Orange), 2200m std: ‘He’s racing good. If he steps and stays handy he’s a strong each-way chance.” Race 9: ROCK TILL YOU DROP (9, Blair Orange), mob. 2200m: “Is better than his form reads. Has drawn bad but rates a good each-way show.” MARLBOROUGH HRC, Friday, June 20 Race 2: EASTBURN MARA (13, Mark), 2400m std: “Racing good but meets a nice field. Is drawn bad but always a chance.” Race 3: CAVALLO VOLANTE (12, Blair Orange), mob. 2400m: “Deserves a winning turn. He’s racing good and hopefully …
Sad demise for Smoke N Santanna
SMOKE N SANTANNA PUT DOWN Connections of promising 2YO pacer Smoke N Santanna were dealt a cruel blow when the colt broke a leg in a paddock accident and could not be saved. The Santanna Blue Chip-Smoke N Mirrors colt was turned out after his second 2YO Addington win on May 23 with the best intentions. He was expected to return for the 3YO Sires Stakes series. “I’m gutted about Smoke N Santana. It only happens to good ones,” said trainer Mark Jones. Smoke N Santanna raced only six times for two wins, rating 1:58.4 (1950m) in his last run, …
FORB, ADD’TON, OAMARU, June 12-15
FORBURY PARK TC, Thursday, June 12 Race 7: REMISS (4, Blair Orange), mob. 1700m: “She’s drawn the front- line to lead and get her chance.” ASHBURTON TC @ ADDINGTON, Friday, June 13 Race 2: CHARMING LAVRA (9, Anthony Butt), mob. 1950m: “Will need luck from the outside draw and maybe looking for break.” Race 7: STRIKE ON COMMAND (5, Blair Orange), mob. 2600m: “Had no luck fresh-up but was off-colour last week so may need this run.” Race 8: JACCKA LEN (4, Blair Orange), mob. 2600m: “Racing good and drawn to lead. An each-way hope.” Race 9: ROCKAHULA ARDEN (5, …
Expresso Martini earns spell after Nelson win
EXPRESSO MARTINI RUNS SMART 2400m AT NELSON Expresso Martini, who recorded one of the fastest mobile 2400m times by a NZ 2YO pacer in the BMTT Mobile Pace at Nelson on Sunday, June 8, won’t be seen again until the spring. Overport Lodge trainer Mark Jones said the Met Eight Syndicate-owned colt had done enough in five starts in his debut term after Expresso Martini’s fast Nelson run. Expresso Martini, a Bettor’s Delight half-brother to dual Nelson C0-1 winner Secret Lotion (1:58.9) and 2010 Northern Oaks/Nevele R Fillies Final winner Secret Potion (1:57.5, 10 wins & $265.312), paced the mobile …
Kimberly shines on roller-coaster day
KIMBERLY SCORES 11TH WIN BEHIND FAIR DINKUM BROMAC Kimberly Butt’s thoughts were with her late great grand-mother Beryl Butt, who died only hours earlier, after guiding Fair Dinkum Bromac to win at Forbury Park on Thursday night, June 5, 2014. Beryl Butt, aged 92, and her late husband, former seven-times national training premiership winner and two-time NZ driving premiership winner, Wes Butt, began a strong harness racing family legacy. Their sons, Murray and Robin, were both successful horsemen. The former, the late Murray, and wife Jennifer, are the parents of current day top training and driving partnership team, Tim and …
Nelson HRC, Sunday, June 8
NELSON HRC, Sunday, June 8 Race 2: EASTBURN MARA (3, Blair Orange), 2400m std: “Raced good Friday but a bit unlucky to strike Dunn’s good maiden (Robbie Burns). He’s owned up this way so would be good to get a home town win.” Race 3: CAVALLO VOLANTE (3, Blair Orange), mob. 2400m: “Ran on well Friday. He backed up good placing both days here last year, so should be a strong each-way chance. ” Race 4: ROCKAHULA ARDEN (4, Regan Todd), 2400m std: “Made ground with no luck the first day. Could be a chance with the right luck from …
Forbury TC, June 5-Nelson TC, June 6
FORBURY PARK TC, Thursday, June 5 Race 1: CHARMING LAVRA (10, Mark), 2200m std: “Is still learning and an each- way chance if mistake free.” Race 5: FAIR DINKUM BROMAC (5, Kimberly Butt), 2, 10m, 2700m std: “Raced good on Sunday. Small fields are tricky but if he gets the right run he’s a great place bet.” Race 9: REMISS (11, Kimberly Butt), mob. 1700m: “Had her chance last week. She’s drawn bad this week but will get one go at them and that may suit her so an upset chance.” NELSON TC, Friday, June 6 Race 2: EASTBURN MARA …
ASHBURTON TC, June 1
ASHBURTON TC, Sunday, June 1 Race 4: KOWHAI SUNRISE (16, Blair Orange), UR 2, 2400m std: “Have changed her training and if she behaves for us, should be a good each-way chance.” Race 7: TUXEDO MAX (1, Mark), 2400m std: “Its a good draw for him. If he stays close to the pace will be a good each-way chance.” Race 11: STRIKE ON COMMAND (2, Michelle Neilson) & FAIR DINKUM BROMAC (10, Kimberly Butt), mob. 2400m: “Strike On Command is hard to get a race for but finally gets one. He will need it but is over his sickness. …
Smoke N Santanna back in spring
SMOKE N SANTANNA ENDS 2YO RACING ON HIGH Smoke N Santanna, untroubled to justify his $1.70 favouritism in the C1 French Bakery Mobile Pace at Addington on Friday, May 23, ended his two-year-old racing on a high. The promising Santanna Blue Chip colt from good racemare Smoke N Mirrors promises to come back better next term. “Its been quite good with the owners (Pete, Debbie and Patricia Smith), who have turned down good money for him,” said trainer Mark Jones. “He could go next week again but will have six weeks out,” he said. Smoke N Santanna notched his second …
FORBURY, May 22, & ADDINGTON, May 23-25
FORBURY PARK TC, Thursday, May 22 Race 1: CHARMING LAVRA (7, Mark), 2200m std: “Nice two-year-old but is still learning. She’s not foolproof but a good chance if she does things right.” Race 6: ASTRAPI (1, Mark), 2700m std: “Fresh-up but races well fresh. If he begins and finds the front he’s a good chance.” Race 8: JACCKA LEN (2, Blair Orange), mob. 1200m: “He’s drawn outside the fav so looking for luck.” Race 9: POMME ROY (1, Mark), mob. 2200m: “No luck last week. Its a drop back for him. He should hold up and be hard to beat.” …