NZ METRO TC, Thursday, December 12 Race 1: READY FOR TAKEOFF (14, Blair Orange), mob. 1950m: “He went good at Oamaru and should be a bit fitter but its not going to be easy from that draw.” Race 4: FAIR DINKUM BROMAC (6, Blair Orange), mob. 1950m: “Its a better race for him. Hopefully he can be competitive in that.” Outside drive Race 3: ARMED FORCE (15), 2600m std: “Began much better last Sunday. A chance providing he does things right early.”
OAMARU HRC & METHVEN TC, Dec 7-8
OAMARU HRC, Saturday, December 7 Race 1: PAT’S FIRST SUN (4), 2600m std: “He’s balloted at Oamaru so will go to Methven.” Race 8: READY FOR TAKEOFF (13, Ken Barron), mob. 2000m: “I was going to give him another trial but its penalty-free for the invited drivers, so he may as well go there. He trialled good on Monday but he’ll need a bit of luck from the draw.” Race 10: SAGE CREEK (5, Blair Orange), 2000m std: “He went ok at the trials on Monday. He’s up in grade since he last raced in August but its not a strong …
NZ METRO, Nov 29 & GERALDINE, Nov 30
NZ METRO TC, Friday, November 29 Race 3: IS THIS LOVE (10, Kimberly Butt), mob. 1950m: “Went better at Motukarara but looking for luck from the draw.” GERALDINE TC, Saturday, November 30 Race 9: FAIR DINKUM BROMAC (1, Regan Todd) & SAVEAPATROL (5, Blair Orange), fr, 2850m std: “Both seem fine. Fair Dinkum Bromac will find it tough in that grade.” “Saveapatrol seems good since his Cup day run but just needs in a strong country cup race.” TABCORP PK MENANGLE, Saturday, Nov. 30 Outside drive Race 8: MACH BEAUTY (3, Mark Jones), mob. 1609m: “It was a great run …
BANKS PENINSULA TC, Sunday, Nov. 24
BANKS PENINSULA TC, Sunday, Nov. 24 Race 6: IS THIS LOVE (1, Kimberly Butt), mob. 2000m: “She was better running third at the Ashburton trials on Wednesday when they ran the last 800m in 57.2s. Its an average maiden field, so a chance to get some form providing she does things right.” Outside drive Race 10: SMOKEN ROMAN (11), 1, 10m, 2810m: “Colin De Filippi has his own one in (Billythehuntedone), so a pick-up drive. He raced good on Show Day, getting up for second to Vice Chairman, so you can’t fault his form. He’s won on grass too.”
TIMARU HRC, Saturday, Nov. 23
TIMARU HRC, Saturday, Nov 23 Race 8: FAIR DINKUM BROMAC (9, Blair Orange), 10m, 2600m std: “He begins good and races well around Timaru. With a good trip, he could be a place chance.”
NZ METRO TC – Friday, November 15
NZ METRO TC, Friday, November 15 Race 4: CLASSIEBEE (10, Blair Orange), mob. 2600m: “Its a strong field. If gets a good run and does no work, you never know, he could surprise.” Race 11: MASTER LAVROS (4), 3200m std: “I’m really happy with him. He’s been beginning good so ideally if he steps quick I’d like to let him bowl along in front.” Outside drives Race 1: MY ENTOURAGE (8), mob. 1950m: “It should be a little bit easier for him than the Sires Stakes Heat. Could place.” Race 3: IDLE CONN (3), mob. 1950m: “Went into a break …
ASHBURTON TC – Thursday, November 14
ASHBURTON TC, Thursday, November 14 Race 1: KOWHAI SUNRISE (6), 2400m std: “Was solid at Kaikoura. A chance again with Bonechip the one to beat.” Race 2: IS THIS LOVE (3, Kimberly Butt), mob. 2400m: “Hasn’t had a lot of luck. Gets a good draw so hopefully she can make use of it.” Outside drives Race 4: KOWHAI CREEK (8), 2400m std: “Begins good. Should be a place chance if we can stay handy.” Race 5: CALA (14), mob. 1609m: “She goes alright but not going to be easy from the back row over the mile.” Race 6: CHEYENNE WARRIOR …
OHOKA TEXAS FOR USA
Former Invercargill Cup and Pelorus Trust winner Ohoka Texas has been reluctantly been on-sold out of the Mark Jones stable to race in North America. The six-year-old Christian Cullen entire finished fifth _ 7.6 lengths behind winner Pemberton Shard _ when resuming in the Cromwell Lake Dunstan National Handicap at Addington on August 23.
MARK 2ND IN A.P. SERIES
A last placing in the middle leg of the inaugural Albion Park drivers series on Saturday ultimately cost Overport Lodge horseman Mark Jones the title. The former world drivers champ finished just two points behind Queensand’s Bart Cockburn. Mark began the series on a high, landing the drive behind talented 3YO colt Caesar Augustus in the first Seymour Group Invitation Drivers Championship Heat.
QUICK START TO SEASON
Overport Lodge trainer Mark Jones is in the front on the new season trainers premiership after Sage Creek won his maiden at Forbury on Thursday_ Mark’s fourth winner after 15 days of the new term. However, he says he has no thoughts of trying to stay ahead of the bigger stables.