NZ METRO TC, Friday, January 31 Race 2: ROCK TILL YOU DROP (1, Blair Orange), mob. 2600m: “He’s racing good. Its a step up for him in a C1 field but he’s got the right draw to be a chance.” Race 4: SUNOFLINDENNY (9, Mark), UR5, 2600m std: “Probably should have won his last start but he should be improved. Its quite a nice field with a few in there with chances, He’s an each-way chance but he’s got to do things right and improve a bit from last week.” Race 9: SMART CAESAR (9, Mark), mob. 1950m: “He’s not …
Saveapatrol staying in NZ
AUCKLAND CUP BID FOR INVERCARGILL HERO ? Overport Lodge trainer Mark Jones, and owner Grant Hatton, will remain with their original plan of bypassing the Chariots Of Fire at Menangle on March 2 with top 4YO pacer Saveapatrol. They reviewed options after Saveapatrol made the most of a gun drive from Blair Orange to upset triple NZ Cup champion Terror To Love in the $40,000 Ascot Park Hotel Invercargill Cup on Sunday, January 26. However, there are enough suitable races in NZ for the time being for the Christian Cullen-Rondel Franco gelding. With no automatic entry to the $A200,000 feature …
INV. HRC, JAN 25 & BANKS PEN. JAN 26
INVERCARGILL HRC, Saturday, January 25 Race 10: SAVEAPATROL (1, Blair Orange), fr, 3200m std: “He’s really finding the line better this season. He used to knock off a bit near the finish last season, so its time to race him in a field like this. You can’t be scared of the likes of Terror To Love. If we run second or third to him we’ll be happy. Goodness Gracious Me should win the Nevele R Fillies Heat for us, but its a non-tote.” BANKS PENINSULA TC, Sunday, January 26 Race 8: KOWHAI SUNRISE (11, Mark), UR 3, fr, & JUNEAMY …
NZ METRO TC, Thursday, January 23
NZ METRO TC, Thursday, January 23 Race 1: SUNOFLINDENNY (8), UR 1, 10m, 2600m std: “I’m very happy with Sunoflindenny and he should be hard to beat.” Race 4: SMART CAESAR (1, Kimberly Butt) mob. 1950m: “He seems well but these junior events are always interesting races !.” Race 5: MASTER LAVROS (10), 1, 30m, 2600m std: “I’m happy with where Master Lavros is at going into this week’s race and he should race good.” Outside drives Race 7: ART PLEASER (12), mob. 2600m: “He’s probably looking for luck in a good C1 field.” Race 10: OHOKA JETT (6), mob. …
Major Sam wins Qld Finals
MAJOR SAM WINS THIRD GRADUATION FINAL Former Overport Lodge pacer Major Sam notched took his fourth win in his last five Queensland starts when he won the $A20,000 Rising Stars C1-2 Final at Albion Park, Brisbane, on Saturday, January 18, 2014. Major Sam (3c Major In Art-Precocious Arden) earlier won a similar $20,000 Rising Stars C0 Final at Albion Park on December 28 and a $20,000 Dash For Cash C1 Final at Albion Park on January 11, for trainer-driver Darrel Graham. Each final has been worth $A12,000 to the winner, taking Major Sam’s Australian earnings to $47,120 and his lifetime …
Master Lavros wins Rangiora workout
MASTER LAVROS TAKES IN MOBILE WORKOUT Top squaregaiter Master Lavros resumed with a win against the maiden pacers at the Rangiora workouts on Saturday, January 19, in preparation for the $25,000 Seelite Windows & Doors Summer Trotting Free-For-All (1950m) at Addington on January 31. “He still needs a bit of practise behind the mobile gate so thats why he’s here,” said trainer Mark Jones. Mark didn’t hurry the Dominion Handicap winner off the gate at the workouts, settling third, then moving up in the open at the 600m. He was too good in the run home, striding clear by three-quarters …
OAMARU HRC, Sunday, January 19
OAMARU HRC, Sunday, January 19 Race 4: JUNEAMY CASTLETON (2, Blair Orange), 2000m std: “She’s probably a chance on the grass over the shorter distance.” Race 5: TUXEDO MAX (6, Blair Orange), 2000m std: “He’s racing good. He’s probably a chance too with the right run.” Race 12: CLASSIEBEE (6, Blair Orange), mob. 2000m: “He’s in the right race. With the right trip he shouldn’t be too far away.”
Five Marlborough wins in two days
SAVEAPATROL’S MARLBOROUGH CUP . . . INVERCARGILL NEXT Five wins at the two-day Marlborough Harness Racing’s summer meet, including victory in the $16,600 Percy Haack Memorial Marlborough Cup with stable pacing star Saveapatrol on the second day, has elevated the Mark Jones stable to 38 training wins for the term. The meeting was dominated by Woodend Beach-utlised trainers with Mark’s team showing the benefits of the seaside training option under the direction of right-hand man Regan Todd. Saveapatrol, a luckless fourth in Friday’s $40,000 Pelorus Trust 4YO Classic, after being forced to move up parked outside pacemaking winner Franco Nelson, …
MARLBOROUGH HRC, Sunday, January 12
MARLBOROUGH HRC, Sunday, January 12 Race 3: ROCK TILL YOU DROP (6, Blair Orange), mob. 2300m: “Went well in the stronger maiden the first day. This looks a little bit easier today so a strong chance providing he backs up.” Race 5: KOWHAI SUNRISE (6, Terry Chmiel), fr & SUNOFLINDENNY (14, Mark), UR 1, 20m 2700m std: “Kowhai Sunrise didn’t step the first day, so just forget the run. She’d be an upset place show if she gets away with them.” “Sunoflindenny was very good on Friday. He tied up the second day at Nelson, so providing the same thing …
MARLBOROUGH HRC, Friday, January 10
MARLBOROUGH HRC, Friday, January 10 NB: Mark will seek a doctor’s clearance on Friday morning to drive at Waterlea on Friday. Race 1: NOT ABOUT THE MONEY (18, Mark), UR 5, 2300m std: “Is a big hope if he trots.” Race 2: ROCK TILL YOU DROP (3, Blair Orange), mob. 2300m: “He disappointed me last time. Its a very strong maiden field but he’s a chance with the right run.” Race 3: SMART CAESAR (4, Mark), mob. 2300m: “Big chance if he doesn’t make a mistake.” Race 5: KOWHAI SUNRISE (4, Terry Chmiel) & SUNOFLINDENNY (12, Mark), UR 1, 2300m …