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LOVES THE SHOW QUALIFIES, UNDER OFFER

Loves The Show, who qualified for the Mark Jones stable when running into third for trials driver Kimberly Butt at Rangiora on Tuesday, July 3, is under offer.

“It was good to give Kimberly a drive to help get her raceday licence. She drives good and they got on great together,” Mark said.

Loves The Show, a 2YO Bettor’s Delight filly named after the popular public response phrase to the weekly Australian racing show, Off The Rails, improved three back on the outer behind eventual winner Ajaye (David Butt) over the final lap.

She kept up a solid run to finish just over two lengths from Ajaye, clocking a useful 2:30.4 for the mobile 2000m in the cool drizzly conditions. The leaders ran the last 800m in 58.5s.

Loves The Show is from a qualified but unraced Dream Away mare in Barbary Lane, a half-sister to several winners including Roman Conqueror (1:51.2, US), both being daughters of Franciscan (New York Motoring-Assisi).

Kimberly landed a trial winner a few heats later, reining George W, for father her Anthony.

They were front-running winners over Live Harder (David Butt), who unsuccessfully tried for the front with 900m to run, in a non-win mobile heat.   

Two-win pacer Suerte, freshened after disappointing on the first day at Nelson, should be improved by after his run in the 1-win or faster mobile heat over 2000m.

The Melbourne-owned pacer trailed three back on the outer for Regan Todd, finishing fifth to Franco Nelson, who finished best to win in 2:33.2 for the mobile 2000m. The leaders ran their last 800m in 58.6s and final 400m in 27.7s.   

Suerte has accepted for 2-4 wins Morrison’s Saddlery & Feed Discretionary Pace at Timaru on Sunday.

(MISS) ROCKABELLA SHINES IN NEW SOUTH WALES

Former Overport Lodge mare Rockabella has commenced her New South Wales racing on a strong note for Queensland owner Greg Brodie, notching an early treble.

The 4YO Art Major-Calypso Beach mare was too good again at Bathurst on Wednesday, clearing out by 17.3 metres to win a $A5000 C1-2 mobile 2130m pace.

Starting a dominating $1.30 favourite for trainer Paul Russo and driver Ashlee Siejka, and racing as Miss Rockabella in Australia, she settled back, improved three wide over the final lap and won as she liked.

She rated 2:03.5 for the distance, running her last 800m in 60.2s and final 400m in 30.1s.  

Rockabella has won three of six starts since being sent to New South Wales, recording earlier wins at Dubbo over 2120m in the Listed race, the 2-5 win $25,000 Red Ochre Classic Final (2:00.8 mile rate), and again at Bathurst in a 4YO race over 1730m (2:01.1 rate).

Courage Tells completed a double for ex-Mark Jones pacers at Bathurst, by taking out a $A7000 4YO pace.

The Courage Under Fire-Tellalie gelding, formerly raced in NZ by Greg Brodie, also delivered as a $1.30 win favourte.

He led throughout for the same trainer-driver combination, and despite over-racing in the middle stages, won by 3.4m in a 2:01.7 rate for the 1730m. He quickened over his lat 800m in 59.4s and closing 400m in 29.3s.

Courage Tells, exported after winning two of three 2YO starts from the Mark Jones stable, now has the lifetime record of 12 wins from 40 starts for $51,674 in stakes.

JEWELS TO INCLUDE COMBINED

4 & 5 YEAR OLD CATEGORY

At its meeting on 1 June, the HRNZ Board undertook a review of the Harness Jewels. In six years this has become an integral part and highlight of the harness racing season.

For 2013, the conditions of the Harness Jewels will remain unchanged with one major exception.

The 2013 Harness Jewels will be run at Ashburton Raceway on Saturday, 1 June. Current stakes levels of $150,000 for pacers and $100,000 for trotters will be retained, with nine races over a mile and 12 starters in each race.

Finalists will continue to be determined based on stake earnings won in New Zealand in the season excluding Sales Series races, as is currently the case, on the basis these are not open to all horses.

The one change agreed to is that in 2013 the three 4 Year Old races will be extended and become 4 & 5 Year Old races. All 4 and 5 Year Old horses who race during the 2012/13 season will be eligible to contest the Harness Jewels.

The objective in extending this is to create additional racing opportunities and incentives for 5 Year Old horses. Further background to support this change is as follows:

• To allow horses an additional year to compete in feature age group races;

• To extend the racing life of some mares by another season, providing a same sex feature race opportunity away from the better entires and geldings;

• To provide increased feature race opportunities for 5YO entires and geldings who are not NZ Cup, Rowe Cup or Grand Circuit bound;

• To hopefully slow the sale of horses overseas following the completion of their 4YO season and the perception they have reached their mark;

• To provide more competitive and higher quality group racing, hopefully with increased turnover;

• To continue to grow pathways for horses to race more in New Zealand;

• To provide increased opportunities for slower maturing horses to compete in age group features, particularly trotters; and

• It is acknowledged that whilst 5YO’s are included, they still have to gather stakes to qualify, which may be more difficult if they are higher up the grades.

HRNZ has agreed to this change based on feedback and consultation with a number of industry participants. This change will encourage increased participation and racing of 5YO horses, which will benefit field sizes, turnover and overall industry income.

A number of clubs have already made such a change by staging 4 & 5YO Group races in the current season. HRNZ is to encourage other clubs currently staging 4YO Group races to make all of these 4 & 5YO features for the reasons outlined above.

A copy of the Conditions for the 2013 Harness Jewels is available at http://www.hrnz.co.nz/news/harness-jewels.

Courtesy of Brooke Henderson, Marketing and Communications Coordinator | Harness Racing New Zealand

FORMER HRNZ CHAIRMAN RECOGNISED

HRNZ is delighted by the recognition of former HRNZ Chairman, Mr Jim Wakefield in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List.

Mr Wakefield was awarded a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) for his services to harness racing.

Jim Wakefield represented the NZ Trotting Owners Association on HRNZ’s Executive from 2000 to 2010, being Chairman from 2000 to 2003.

During this time Jim played a key role in promoting a number of changes, in particular the development of the Racing Act 2003 on which the current industry is structured.

From 2003-2006, he was HRNZ’s inaugural appointment to the New Zealand Racing Board. In partnership with his wife Dr Susan Wakefield, Jim has bred and raced a number of horses, including leading performers Sparks A Flyin, London Legend, Bettor’s Strike and Texican.

Mr Pat O’Brien, HRNZ’s Chairman, said “this award is thoroughly deserved and is due recognition of Jim’s outstanding contribution to the industry in a number of areas over an extended period.

“As HRNZ’s Chairman Jim was a strong and passionate leader with great integrity. Not only has he has provided a significant contribution as an administrator, Jim has been, and continues to be, heavily involved as a breeder and owner.

“Harness racing is certainly richer for the involvement of Jim Wakefield and it is great for him to be officially recognised through the awarding of an MNZM.”

Courtesy of Brooke Henderson, Marketing and Communications Coordinator | Harness Racing New Zealand

HRNZ APPROVES INCREASE TO DRIVING FEES

At its meeting on 1 June, 2012, the HRNZ Board gave consideration to a submission from the NZ Harness Racing Trainers & Drivers Association seeking an increase to the current driving fees.

While cognisant of the increased costs facing owners and the decline in stake levels over the last three seasons, the Board believe a small increase is warranted.

The Board noted that the current level of $65 (excl GST) has remain unchanged since August 2008 and in that time drivers would have faced increased costs, in particular from rising fuel costs.

Accordingly the Board resolved that from 1 August 2012 the driving fee increase for totalisator races increase to $70 (excl GST). Other aspects of the Driving Fees regulation will remain unchanged, details of which are outlined below.

DRIVING FEES REGULATION

The following is the scale of driving fees approved by the Board, payable from 1 August 2012.

Race Meetings

• $70, plus 5% of any stake over $200 won by horses placed in the first five.

Trials

• $10, plus 5% of any stake over $200 won by horses placed in the first five.

(Note: GST will be added to all driving fees earned by GST registered drivers)

For further details contact:

Edward Rennell
Chief Executive
Phone 03 964 1180
Email edward@hrnz.co.nz

GRAPPA GIVES RUGBY STARS A BUZZ

Several Crusaders rugby stars enjoyed an Addington harness racing success when maiden pacer Grappa won the Christchurch Casino Pace for the Mark Jones stable on Thursday, May 31, 2012.

Stable supporter Stu Bailey set up the Crusaders On Syndicate, which includes Mr Bailey, flatmate Zac Guildford, Tom Marshall, Andy Ellis, Wyatt Crockett, Brent Ward and Tom Donnelly.

Zac Guildford and Brent Ward earlier raced Saskia Finn for two wins from the Jones stable.

Grappa, a 5YO Tinted Cloud gelding, was leased last month to race from the Jones team for the Crusaders On team, along with the Take A Good Look At Yourself and Red and Blue Syndicates.   

The Take A Good Look At Yourself Syndicate is made up from West Coast-based supporters, while the Red and Blue Syndicate, made up of Sydenham Rugby Club interests, earlier raced Tiz Tough to win from the Jones team.

Grappa had been luckless in 12 starts for other stables before teaming up at Overport Lodge.

He galloped early first-up from his new quarters at Motukarara in mid-April, then was freshened.

Grappa improved on a sound second to Greshees Angel at Addington on May 26 to lead up and score convincingly on Thursday in the hands of Ricky May.

“He’s a bit better than he showed first-up,” Mark said.

Grappa was untroubled to hold outsider Zoerotten (trail) and the luckless Sailing On for his maiden victory.

He ran the 2600m from a stand in 3:25.9, quickening over his last 800m in 60.2s and final 400m in 28.3s.

Grappa now heads to the two-day Nelson meeting next week in search of further spoils for his team of owners.

He could develop further, being from Barbra Holmes (Holmes Hanover-Barbra Streisand), being from the same family as former tough pacer Lord Louie (11 wins, 1:56.6, US).

FORBURY DOUBLE ON THURSDAY

The Burnham stable of Mark Jones notched their third and fourth wins inside the last six days at Forbury on Thurday night, May 24.

The former world champion reinsman hasn’t driven any of them _ preferring to enlist some of his peers instead _ as he focuses primarily on the training side of his operation for a time.

The stable advanced to 45 wins and $336,159 in earnings for the season when Alex and Superior Desire won the final two races at Forbury.

Last weekend, Holme Fire (Addington), in the hands of Blair Orange, and Bevan Gray (Oamaru), for the stable’s junior driver Regan Todd, were successful for the stable.

Ricky May teamed up with diminuitive Courage Under Fire gelding Alex to deliver in the GJ Gardiner Mobile Pace at Forbury.

Ricky settled three back on the markers with the race favourite, angled him into the clear with 150m to run.

Alex, a  younger brother to big-winning mare (Glenferrie) Alexis, stormed home to win going away from second favourite The Agent (Dexter Dunn), who had improved in the open and led early in the run home.

This was the second win in 14 starts for Alex, who was also successful at Forbury in December for Queensland breeder-owner Greg Brodie.

He rated 2:00.7 for the mobile 2200m on Thursday, the leaders running home from the 800m in a useful 57.2s.

Superior Desire, another Southland purchase for Melbourne owners, Merv and Meg Butterworth, was a handy first-up winner in the final race, the Just Essence Mobile Pace.

The 3YO Real Desire gelding had given connections some confidence with a Motukarara workout win five days earlier.

Caught wide from a wide gate into the first turn, driver Blair Orange was able to quickly slot him into a perfect trail on the outer.

Superior Desire finished best, with Bleach finishing well late from midfield on the inner for a head second, denying in-form driver Dexter Dunn a sixth win for the night.

He paced the mobile 2200m in 2:45.3 (2:00.9 mile rate), the leaders running their last 800m in 59.1s and closing 400m in 28.9s.

Superior Desire had placed once in 10 previous south starts for former Makarewa trainers, Leith and Tim Robertson, but had been unlucky more than once.