JELLIGNITE LOWERS CAREER BEST AS 8YO
Former Overport Lodge pacer (My) Jellignite paced a career best 1:52 even at Menangle, New South Wales, last Saturday, April 16.
Now eight, Jellignite won 10 of 38 NZ starts for $62,712 for trainer Mark Jones.
Mark suggested to owner, the late Mrs Pat Campbell, Jellignite be transferred to Australia for better race opportunities.
Jellignite, a Courage Under Fire gelding from two-win Slugger mare Wytchwood Spirit, continued to earn solidly for the last four years for Mrs Campbell, who followed his weekly progress via TAB Trackside.
Mrs Campbell, who died in January this year, also sent half-brother Badjelly’s Courage to Australia at ths same time.
Jellignite paced a smart 1:52.4 at Menangle three years ago.
After winning twice there, he was transferred to Queensland, adding another nine wins in the Sunshine State.
He relocated back to NSW when co-owner and trainer Shane Sanderson moved from Queensland to Menangle early this year.
Coming in fresh after a month off, Jellignite was given every chance with a perfect one back one out trail and finished best to grab a half-head win in the $A22,260 New Express FFA Pace.
The leaders had the speed on over their last 800m in 54.3s and final 400m in 27s.
His career record now stands at 112 starts for 22 wins and 43 placings for $A227,089.
Meanwhile My Man Dan (10g Pacific Rocket-Fullabubbles), a former multiple country cups winner in NZ for the Mark Jones stable, notched another claiming pace win at Globe Derby Park, Adelaide, last Friday.
My Man Dan, a $1.90 favourite, improved three wide over the last lap and bet out another ex-Cantab in Wilusi Blues in a 2:02.7 rate (2230m).
The hardy veteran, who extended his record in Queensland before transferring to South Australia, has taken his lifetime record to 35 wins and 33 placings for $A215,814.
Another ex-Mark Jones developed pacer in Jimmy The Editor (5g Bettor’s Delight-Easy Falcon) was also in winning form last weekend, scoring at Tabcorp Park, Melton, on Saturday night.
Jimmy The Editor, bred by Fay and Max Bowden, led up in a mobile 1720m pace and held in a career best 1:56.3 rate.
Sold to Australia after only one NZ start when racing as The Editor, finishing second to Franco Toulone at Oamaru in September 2013, Jimmy The Editor has now won $A43,664.
He’s raced 58 times for seven wins and 22 placings.
Meanwhile, Bio Marinus, the older half-brother to recent Overport Lodge 2YO winner Lady Lavra, notched his 13th career win at Albion Park, Brisbane, last Saturday, winning for the Grant Dixon stable in a 1:57 rate (2138m).