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ANNICKA COMING FOR INTER DOMINIONS

The New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club (NZMTC) is proud to announce that its push to lure a top European trotter to contest the 2011 Inter Dominion Trotting Championship at Addington Raceway had been successful.

Connections of Annicka, a topline six-year-old trotting mare from Sweden have committed to a New Zealand campaign that will see her contest the Dream With Me Stables Inter Dominion Trotting Championship as well as the Rowe Cup.

Annicka will arrive in New Zealand with an impressive record against some of the best Trotters in Scandanavia and connections are keen to add the Inter Dominion and Rowe Cup to her already imposing resume.

From 33 lifetime starts, she has recorded 12 wins and nine placings with $2.67 million Swedish Krona (NZ $503,000) in lifetime earnings and a fastest winning mile rate of 1.55.0 recorded in May 2010.

At three Annicka won the Swedish Trotting Oaks and at four she won the Breeders Crown (Scandanavian) 4YO Final.

She has carried that outstanding form into open class ranks in Europe over the last twelve months. Three starts back she was an impressive winner over exceptional trotter Jaded who finished second in the 2009 Elitlopp. Two runs back she finished second to Jaded, while at her most recent run on Boxing Day she finished a close sixth at Solvalla behind Jaded with 2010 Elitlopp winner Iceland third.

Addington Raceway CEO Shane Gloury is thrilled his Club has lured such a highly credentialed and talented European Trotter to New Zealand to contest the upcoming feature events.

“This is fantastic for trotting in this part of the world and truly Internationalises the upcoming Inter Dominion Trotting Championship. We have been working for the past nine months to try and secure a quality European trotter to contest the Inter Dominion and Rowe Cup.

“That hard work has paid off thanks to many who have been involved in the exercise but in particular we are grateful to Klaus Koch in Sweden as well as Anthony Butt and IRT for their support. HRNZ and the Auckland TC have also been most supportive.”

Gloury confirmed that Annicka would be the only European trotter embarking on a New Zealand campaign, with five other European Trotters originally nominated for the Inter Dominion either unable to or deciding against making the long trip.

“Keep On Flying was all set to join Annicka for a New Zealand campaign but unfortunately pulled up lame after racing in Denmark over the weekend with connections deciding to pull the pin.”

Annicka is trained and driven by leading Swedish horseman Jorgen Westholm. She has entered quarantine in Newmarket, England, where she will remain for three weeks before flying to New Zealand in February where she will quarantine in Auckland for a further two weeks. She is likely to have a lead up race prior to the first round of Inter Dominion heats at Addington on 25 March 2011.

Annicka was not among the original nominations for the Inter Dominion Trotting Championship but a late nomination fee of $11,500 has been paid to make the mare eligible to contest the Championships.

The Christchurch Casino Inter Dominion Carnival will be conducted at Addington Raceway on Friday Nights March 25, April 1 and  April 8, 2011. Tickets and hospitality packages are now on sale and can be purchased online at www.addington.co.nz

Courtesy of Brooke Henderson, HRNZ Marketing and Communications co-ordinator

WINS ON CONSECUTIVE NIGHTS

Major owner Peter Chambers won an Australasian hat-trick last weekend.

Ex-Mark Jones runners, Shezoneoftheboyz and (Glenferrie) Alexis, scored for Cranbourne trainer Craig Demmler at Tabcorp Park, Melton, on Friday and Saturday night, following on from Heather Castleton’s win for the Mark Jones stable at Addington on Thursday.

“I was rapt for Peter. Alexis is going amazing and he’s been rewarded for his patience,” Mark said.

“She’s been racing good each week. I’d like to think shes capable of racing the best mares in Australia.”

“Peter’s parents will be enjoying her form too. They’re like unofficial majority stakeholders.”

Former NZ Oaks runnerup Glenferrie Alexis was again patiently handled by driver Jodi Quinlan, settling back on the outer before sweeping up wide on the home turn.

Now five, the Courage Under Fire mare came clear to win the mobile 2240m pace by 3.3 metres in a 1:59.3 mile rate. The leaders had the pace on over their last 800m in 56.4s and their closing 400m in 27.9s.

Glenferrie Alexis was recording her 14th career win from 36 starts, taking her earnings past the $A150,000 mark.

NZ Trotting Derby winner Shezoneoftheboyz was untroubled to justify her short quote at her Australian debut in a T1-2 trot at the Kilmore meeting at Tabcorp Park, Melton, on Friday, December 17.

After getting a good trip handy on the outer the Brylin Boyz mare was untroubled to win by 8.8 metres in a 2:03 mile rate for the 2240m, the leaders running their last 800m in 59.5s and final 400m in 29.3s.

She was having her first start since May.

“Peter has it the back of his mind to bring Shezoneoftheboyz back to NZ in February for the 4YO Trotters Championhip at Addington and a 4YO trot mares series at Rangiora. She’ll stay on for 4YO Jewels.”

Peter Chambers is continuing his involvement on the NZ scene by sponsoring two of the Harness Jewels trot races at Ashburton in June.

HEATHER CASTLETON KEEPS RUN GOING

Burnham trainer Mark Jones racked up his 20th training win for the season when 3YO trot filly Heather Castleton delivered second-up for the stable in the Monarchy Handicap Trot at the Timaru Harness Racing Club’s meeting at Addington on Thursday, December 16.

After again showing good manners to lead early then trail, the Sundon filly moved out to challenge turning for home and had to fight after being challenged by Dragon’s Den early in the run home.

“She was headed at the top of the straight and was quite game,” Mark said.

“Peter Chambers bought her as a broodmare really. She’s a NZ record holder (2YO filly, 1700m, 2:10.2) and is well-bred.”

“It will be a step up against the top 3YO fillies for her but she’s got a good attitude.”

Heather Castleton, who raced last season for Dunedin trainer Alan Clark, trotted the 2600m from a stand at Addington in 3:26.5, coming clear at the finish by three-quarters of a length.

Fellow 3YO filly Top Notch Lyn, who finished fast to defeat Heather Castleton at Forbury on November 25, finished on for third on Thursday, without threatening the Jones runner on this occasion.

Mark advanced to 28 driving wins with Thursday’s success.

WINTON START BEING CONSIDERED

Kristoff, a strong-finishing second in the 2YO mobile pace at the Motukarara trials on Tuesday, December 14, could head south for a 1609m 2YO pace at Winton on Wednesday, December 29.

Trainer Mark Jones is considering a Winton debut runs for the promising P-Forty-Seven gelding, along with juvenile stablemates Unique Chance and Texas Terror.

“The 2YO race down there this Sunday didn’t get off the ground, but I might have three in for the 29th,” Mark said.

Kristoff, after settling second last of the seven in Tuesday’s trial, chased hard behind the promising Tim Butt-trained Jumeirah, a Washington VC colt brother to former top mare Foreal, who held by 1 1/4 lengths.

Jumeirah paced the mobile 2200m in 2:52.6, with Kristoff home second in 2:52.8. The leaders ran their last 800m in 61.2s and final 400m in 29.3s.

Another Mark Jones-trained juvenile Bedlam, a Washington VC colt, also gained his qualifying ticket at Motukarara.

After showing good gate speed to trail Brooke Brad Carolina, Bedlam wound up fifth, returning 2:53.7, and is likely to go for a spell.

Rocknroll Ruby, a richly-bred 3YO filly by Rocknroll Hanover from former Auckland Cup-winning mare Kate’s First, also qualified for the Jones stable.

The overgrown filly battled away for a neck second to Delightful Styx, returning 2:55.7 for the stand start 2200m, the leaders running their last 800m in 62.9s and final 400m in 31.7s.

ATOM OF COURAGE SOLD

Speedy pacer Atom Of Courage will fly across the Tasman for Sydney on Friday (Dec 17).

The Courage Under Fire-Trustee Mota gelding has been sold to New South Wales horsewoman Ashlee Seijka after finishing on for fifth to Amenophis at Ashburton last week.

“He should be a very good horse in Aussie. He’s got a lot of speed and a good record,” said trainer Mark Jones.

“They liked him because of his gate speed and he’s got home in 26.8s (at Invercargill in August) and he’s only four.

“He’s actually not a bad animal. The reason I kept him was because I thought he was as good as Best Chance but needed time to mature, so they’re going to get him at the right time.

“He’s only a C3/MO over there. I hope he does a good job.”

Atom Of Courage has a best placed mile mark of 1:55.6.

Mark tried to get him to relax with standing starts in his two races since resuming and although pleased with him, the time was right to turn him over.

“If he won another one here he’d be racing against Choise Achiever and those horses. He’s probably better off going to Australia,” he said.

Atom Of Courage, bred by Trevor Casey and formerly raced in NZ by Queensland owner Greg Brodie, raced 28 times in NZ for four wins and 10 placings for $24,195 in stakes.

Capable 3YO Artsplace colt Ransom Olds was also exported out of the stable to Australia last month.

By Jeff Scott

WINTON NEXT FOR IN-FORM 3YO ?

Jellignite, who gained a penalty-free 3YO win at Addington on Thursday night, December 9, could accompany stablemate OK Courage south for the Wairio Cup meeting at Winton on Saturday week, December 18.

“The Wairio Cup (3 wins or more, 2400m stand) is $18,000 so its worth a look for OK Courage,” said trainer Mark Jones.

Jellignite furthered a successful week for stable junior driver Regan Todd, who besides winning a double with the 3YO, also gained a runaway win with Guadeloupe at Gore on Tuesday.

“Guadeloupe’s win made the big drive home a lot better,” grinned Regan.

Guadeloupe won’t head back next week as he’s having a few days off since returning to Canterbury.

Jellignite, after improving wide with a lap to run, had to fight to hold Fluctuate by half a head at the finish of the Welcome To Bakery Trade Racenight.

Connections then had to fight off a protest for Regan allegedly being in breach of the push-out rule when improving at the 1200m but this was quickly dismissed.

“He fought well but he’s probably better with the type of run he had at Waimate,” Regan said.

Jellignite, a diminuitive Courage Under Fire gelding, paced the mobile 1950m in 2:23.8 (1:58.6 mile rate), the leaders running their last 800m in 57.6s and final 400m in 28.6s.

Trainer Mark Jones brought up his fourth win in the last five days with Jellignite, taking him to 18 training wins for the season and into sixth place on this season’s trainers premiership.

BABES BOY BOB DELIVERS AT ASHBURTON

Trainer Mark Jones is unsure of immediate future racing plans for Ashburton winner Babes Boy Bob on Wednesday December 8, but next month’s Nelson meeting early next month could be a possibiity.

The 4YO delivered second-up from his new quarters after being purchased out of Jessica Malcolm’s Invercargill stable by Melbourne owner Merv Butterworth.

Babes Boy Bob is a son of a limited number of foals to race by the Western Hanover stallion Totally Western (1:51.4, US), who has left another NZ winner in New Year Bopper for Gavin Smith.

“We’re still learning about the horse,” said Mark.

Babes Boy Bob, after settling back on the outer, justified his favouritism in the Harness Jewels Ashburton 2011 Pace.

He kept up a good run wide to outfinish Juryman in 3:06.2 for the 2400m (stand), the leaders running their last 400m in 28.6s.

Babes Boy Bob, who only qualified in August, took his record to two wins and three placings from eight starts.