Overport Lodge trainer Mark Jones, despite selling 22 of his team to Australia last term and sending a further six to race there, racked up 40 NZ wins last season. Although unable to match hitting 50 in the previous three seasons, it was a pleasing result considering the number exported.
NORDQVISTS WIN DOUBLE
The weekend ending July 14, 2013, was a good one for former trainer-driver Carl Nordqvist, and accountant wife Wendy, who had their McArdle colts, Rock Till You Drop and Classiebee, both win for the Mark Jones stable.
FORBURY MAIDEN STRIKE
Strike On Command, after a slightly tardy beginning from the stand start, quickly recovered to justify his hot $1.40 win quote, second-up for the Mark Jones stable, at Forbury on June 28. The promising 2YO McArdle colt took a few strides to click into a pace but then had no problems in accounting for the six-horse maiden field.
MAJOR SAM DELIVERS
Juvenile pacer Major Sam, who rallied strongly to wear down the leaders first-up at Addington on Friday, will head to the spelling paddock for six weeks, providing he’s not sold to Victorian interests.
‘OLLIE’ WINS SERIES FINAL
Electric Ollie was rewarded for a strong run of spring form, taking out the $10,400 Metalcorp NZ Ltd Young At Heart Series Final at Addington on Friday, September 6, in the presence of Melbourne owners, Merv and Meg Butterworth. “It was good they were here to see him,” said trainer Mark Jones.
A FAIR DINKUM VICTORY
Fair Dinkum Bromac, given the run of the race in the trail by Blair Orange, turned his form around with his first win for 11 months at Oamaru on Sunday, September 15. He rallied strongly to hold favourite Cam Before The Storm by two lengths in the Fat Sally’s Bar & Grill Handicap Pace, pacing the 2600m in a smart 3:17 for the 2-3 win grade, the leaders running their last 800m in 57.6s.
OLLIE LEAVES ON HIGH
Electric Ollie bowed out of NZ on a high in the hands of catch driver Natalie Rasmussen at the Northern Southland meeting at Invercargill on Friday, September 27. “He was well driven,” said trainer Mark Jones. The horse left Overport Lodge to join Kerryn MannIng’s Victorian stable this week. Electric Ollie, who will continue to race in Victoria for Melbourne owners Meg and Merv Butterworth, furthered the fast start to the season for trainer Mark Jones with his 10th win for the new term. The 6YO Washington VC gelding was well-placed to take out the 3-5 wins Panspacificflight@Macca Lodge Mobile …
KIMBERLY SALUTES
To be a successful harness driver, you need to be able to sum up a race and make things happen. Kimberly Butt did just that at her sixth racedrive at Forbury Park on Thursday, October 3, 2013. Courtesy of a plum drive behind Saveapatrol, a rising star for employer Mark Jones, in the Dunedin City Ford Junior Drivers Mobile Pace, Kimberly didn’t panic when beaten out of the gate on the raging $1.20 favourite. She had to be confident the Grant Hatton-owned Christian Cullen gelding would have a class edge on her rivals and the promising 4YO was up to …
MARK/LAVROS TOO GOOD FRESH
Master Lavros resumed from a layoff with a slick first-up win at Addington on Friday, October 4. The warm $2 favourite stepped straight to the front and was always in control for Mark, coming clear by 2 1/2 lengths to beat trailer Live The Dream and later closer Escapee.
MASTER LAVROS SET FOR DOMINION
Trainer Mark Jones was pleased with the game fourth by Master Lavros in the Calvglass Imports Limted FFA Trot at Kaikoura on Monday, November 4, and he remains on song for the $200,000 Hellers Dominion Trot on Show Day. Friday, November 15. “I thought I might have got the lead (from Stent) but he went well. He kept going,” Mark said. Stent refused to hand the front to Master Lavros when challenged after the opening 400m, but both favourites had to settle for the minors, with Rowe Cup placegetter Boizel charging home from three back on the markers to take …