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ESPRIT JACCKA TO TRY AGAIN

Esprit Jaccka is to back up at Addington on Thursday night after her sound second to Coughton Court in a 1 win and faster mobile 1950m pace at Addington on Tuesday, July 5.

The Live Or Die mare was given every chance on Tuesday by Overport Lodge trainer Mark Jones, who secured the run of the race on the outer over the final lap.

However, Coughton Court, first-up since returning to the Leithfield stable of Robbie Holmes, had the last say wearning her down by three-quarters of a length in a 1:59.9 mile rate for the mobile 1950m.

“She’ll go round again now that she’s back in the field,” said Mark.

Esprit Jaccka, who had freshened well after being off her game at her previous start, will try to replicate her maiden win over 2000m from a stand at Addington on June 3 for the Green Machine Racing Syndicate.

She led and held Zahhara by a neck in a handy 2:32.6 for the stand start 2000m on that occasion, running her last 800m in 58.7s, and will start from wide on the front over the stand start 2000m again.

Mark, who returned from a 10-day holiday in France on Monday afternoon, was placed with both Tuesday drives.

He had also intended to go to England, but decided to cut the trip short after major owner Peter Chambers was unable to make the trip.

Mark earlier reined stablemate Bedlam to run third first-up in the Bishopdale TAB – 333 Harewood Road 2YO Mobile Pace.

Bedlam trailed favourite The Perfect Storm and rallied solidly along the sprint lane.

However both The Perfect Storm and Bedlam were outfinished by Waitati, who capitalised after getting a good run on the outer for Samantha Ottley.

Ironically, Waitati, was trained earlier in the season for a time by Mark before being on-sold by Waikouaiti owner Bruce Negus to Colin and Julie De Filippi.

Waitati, a colt by Courage Under Fire, won going away by a length in 2:27.2 for the mobile 1950m, a mile rate of 2:01.4, the leaders running their last 800m in 59.1s and final 400m in 28.9s.

EX-CANTY STIPE GETS TOP JOB

Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) is pleased to announce the appointment of Shane Larkins to the position of Chairman of Stewards.

Shane will replace James Hitchcock, who has accepted a position on the Racing Victoria Ltd stewards’ panel and will vacate the HRV role on July 1.

Shane is a passionate harness racing steward, most recently in his current position as Chairman of Stewards (Harness) for Racing Services Tasmania. Prior to that he had been a steward with Harness Racing Victoria and Harness Racing New Zealand.

HRV CEO John Anderson welcomed the appointment of Mr Larkins.

“Shane beat a quality field of applicants by demonstrating a strong knowledge of the rules, regulations and policies in harness racing. Shane is also well aware of HRV’s focus on, and commitment to, integrity.

“Among his other qualities is a capacity to instigate and manage change, as well as a desire to self-develop and assist subordinates. I am certain he will quickly gain the respect of the industry.

“Shane’s 13 years of experience as a harness racing steward will stand him in good stead for this critical role within HRV.”

Shane Larkins will officially commence his role on Monday August 8.

Courtesy of Alastair Hogg, HRV Media and Communications Manager

BABES BOY BOB COULD RACE AT FORBURY

Overport Lodge trainer Mark Jones may nominate Babes Boy Bob for 2-win junior drivers race at Forbury Park on Thursday, June 23, after a bold trial at Addington on Wednesday, June 15.

Babes Boy Bob, after beginning well to lead early in the 1-win and faster pace, trailed Samuel James over the last lap and ran him to a head, the winner running the 2600m from a stand in a strong 3:18.6.

The leaders quickened over their last 800m in 58s and closing 400m in 28.1s. Babes Boy Bob was in front just after the finish.

“He’s still a bit fat. Thats what he needed today,” Mark said.

“He’s probably come back a bit better this time in.”

“We should be able to steal one over the winter,” he quipped.

Babes Boy Bob appears to have progressed well since a sound trial win at Motukarara last week.

Stablemate Beat The Feet trialled nicely in the 2YO mobile pace.The Julius Caesar filly set a solid clip for driver Blair Orange. After going clear turning for home she was caught late by racewinner Jay Bees Grin, who scored by a half a length in 2:29.9 for the mobile 2000m, a mile rate of 2:00.5.

The leaders quickened up over their last 800m in 58.7s and final 400m in 28.7s.

Courage Talks was asked for a bit more in her second trial back since resuming.

After settling back, she improved a lap out and tried to lead over the last 800m of her maiden mobile 1950m pace, being swamped late by D G’s Rose (Steve Golding) and Gogetem.

D G’s Rose paced the mobile 1950m in 2:27.1 (2:01.3 mile rate), the leaders running their last 800m in 59.1s and final 400m in 29.3s.

BABES BOY BOB RESUMES WITH TRIAL WIN

Babes Boy Bob, spelled after being placed on both days of the Nelson summer meeting in January, resumed with a solid showing to win the 2-3 win mobile pace at the Motukarara trials on Wednesday, June 8.

Driven by Scott Stewart, Babes Boy Bob settled last of the four but picked up the leaders in the run home to win going away by half a neck in 2:51.6 for the mobile 2200m from pacemaker Eastwood Cullen, Aziza (parked) and Juryman.

The leaders finished off over their last 800m in 59.6s and closing 400m in a useful 27.9s.

Babes Boy Bob, a 4YO gelding by the Western Hanover sire Totally Western, was purchased out of Southland by Melbourne interests last November.

He won second-up for the Mark Jones stable at Ashburton on December 8, defeating Juryman, who was again among his rivals in Wednesday’s trial.

Raceplaced 3YO filly Courage Talks also resumed on Wednesday. She was given a quiet run in behind by Regan Todd, not being extended to finish fifth of six in the heat won by My Lifesign, who led over the last lap to win for Kevin Williams in 2:54.5 (mobile 2200m).

Beat The Feet, passed in for $19,000 at the Ready To Run 2YO sale last October, had no problem leading throughout to win a 2YO fillies pace at the Motukarara trials on Wednesday, June 8

Now leased by Richard “Dundee” Lee, the Julius Caesar filly came clear for driver Blair Orange by 2 3/4 lengths from Motu Firely in 2:51.6 for the mobile 2200m, quickening over her last 800m in 62.4s and final 400m in 30.3s.

Beat The Feet had run second at her two previous trials, being overshadowed by half a head by Afterburn first-up in a 2YO trial over 1609m at Ashburton on April 25 in 2:03.2, then running Bettor’s Lady to half a head at Motukarara on May 31 in 2:53.5 for the mobile 2200m.

PRINCETON WINS AT THIRD START

Improving 3YO Princeton had the Mark Jones stable back in the winner’s enclosure at Addington on Friday, May 26, after a luckless night at Forbury on Thursday, May 25.

Mark found the markers early from the two gate with the Bettor’s Delight gelding, ending up with a three back trail until working into the clear early in the run home.

Princeton unwound well to wear down Franco Torres by a head at the end of the mobile 1950m in a 2:00.7 mile rate in the $7500 Mountain River Processors Mobile Pace.

“He might have one more start, then he’ll probably go to Blenheim, then go for a break and come back around Christmas,” Mark said.

“Max Bowden (co-owner) has been great like that. He gives you time,” he said.

“Princeton was doing things wrong early on but has just matured. We’ve always liked him.”

Mr Bowden races Princeton with wife Frances, and his son Lyndon.

Princeton is the third to race and third individual winner from Emcil, a Miles McCool mare from the same family as former star pacers Jack Cade (16 wins & $742,232) and Frederick (nine wins, 1:58.1).

Emcil who won three from 24 starts during her race career, left earlier winners in San Fran Lady and Union Buster.

“We lost her next two foals within a week, but she’s now in foal to Changeover,” Mr Bowden said.

Former NZ 2YO filly record holder Heather Castleton is likely to be put in foal after breaking early in the run home at Forbury Park on Thurday night.

“She’s disappointed me. I thought she’d be alright but she’s made a liar of me,” Mark said.

“She’s as good as Commander Jewel but doesn’t want to be a racehorse any more. She probably did too much as a two-year-old,” he said.

Village Anvil, who led up and tired in the run home as a commanding favourite first-up for the stable on Thursday, blew heavily afterwards and should be better for the outing.

Two-year-old pacer Alex is likely to be spelled after battling for sixth in the Vital Stock Foods Mobile Pace at Forbury.