Mark Jones is sure that Deny Everything could have been his next Cup horse.
And while the dreams of taking on New Zealand’s greatest race now seem a long way off in the distance, just having the big pacer with an even bigger motor back on the track is a bit like winning a Group One for his trainer and his loyal connections.
That loyalty, shown by Mark and Deny Everything’s owner Damian Love, began to be repaid on the weekend when the big gelding won his first race since October of 2021, following a lengthy time on the sidelines where, at times, the future didn’t look all that bright.
“We didn’t think we’d get him back to the races after his second win operation,” Mark said.
“He got an infection, so had to have a third one, but the vet didn’t want to do it. His owner discovered a new way of doing it, so they tried it and it worked.”
Those battles coupled with four legs that have had to carry around his hefty weight and power have left Deny Everything somewhat of a ticking time bomb, but there’s plenty of attention given to them each day to try and keep on top of things.
“His legs have never been great being such a big horse, his legs actually look pretty ugly, and he does have his good and his bad days, but our leg lineament seems to work well and he’s holding up.”
Mark gave credit to vet, Lindsey from Prebbleton Vets, who he said had done a fantastic job with helping keep on top of his aches and pains.
“I would hate to be paying his vet bills, but horse is worth it, and Damian loves the horse.
“We’ve been training him for next to nothing to try and get him back to the races for him and hopefully get another win, so it was a massive achievement and thrill on the weekend.”
Saturday’s assignment had Deny Everything down at Wyndham for the Forbury Park Trotting Club meeting. Drawn the outside of the front line over a mile, driver Sam Ottley took bad luck out of the equation early and went forward only to lob into the trail behind Mach’s Back.
With a sweet trip, Ottley found clear air to the outside wheel of the leader turning for home and Deny Everything’s big motor did the rest as he strode away to victory in a good winter’s time of 1:54.3 for the mile journey.
But Mark isn’t getting too far ahead of himself when it comes to what lies ahead.
“We will never see the best of him with his issues I don’t think. But he is one of the loveliest gentle giant horses you would ever meet.
“But his soundness is still day-to-day.”
A couple more starts lay in wait for this campaign before a wee break is given to the now seven-year-old who Damian races alongside the estate of Neil Love.
“We’ll look to target spring racing is he stays sound. He was a genuine cup horse before his issues as for a big horse, he has really good speed.”
Deny Everything’s win on Saturday, capped a stable-double for the weekend after Bella Button did what she seems to do best these days and won again on Friday night at Addington.
After her impressive fresh up win the week prior, regular pilot Gemma Thornley found the back of the pace-making The Bloss and the pair had too many guns for their rivals late winning comfortably.
She’s now won seven of her 12 starts since joining the stable, picking up four placings as well.
