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REGAN HAS WINNING WAIMATE-GORE DOUBLE

Burnham reinsman Regan Todd was the punters friend delivering with two hot favourites for the Mark Jones stable at the Waimate and Gore meetings in early December.

The Yaldhurst Hotel sponsored junior driver kept a cool head despite a rocky early run behind $1.40 favourite Jellignite from a wide gate the Woodlands Stud Mobile Pace at the Waimate Trotting Club’s meeting on December 5.

Jellignite was checked after Ragtop Stang went roughly after 100m but the 3YO showed how good he is on his feet by quickly regaining his composure.

After settling back on the outer Jellignite could have baled out when breaking briefly with 800m to run but Regan held the promising 3YO Courage Under Fire gelding togther letting him find his feet again before unleashing wide on the home turn.

Jellignite quickly swept up to the leaders turning for home and the put the issue beyond doubt, racing clear to win by 1 1 /4 lengths in a 2:04.5 mile rate for the 1700m on the grass.

As expected, he had too much speed for his rivals over the leaders final 400m in 27.5s.

Jellignite, who had raced well in the graduation series at Rangiora and Addington in early November, was notching his 2nd win for owner Mrs Pat Campbell, having earlier won a penalty-free 2YO race at Invercargill in May.

Mrs Campbell bred Jellignite from the racewinning Badlands Hanover mare Badjelly the Wytch, a daughter of Wytchwood Spirit, a mare by the former capable Smooth Fella colt Slugger, who won twice and racked up 15 minor placings when prepared by Bruce Negus.

Regan notched his 5th win for the season (his 42nd career win) two days later with an armchair drive behind in-form squaregaiter Gaudeloupe at the Gore Harness Racing Club’s Tuesday meeting on December 7.

Guadeloupe was sent out a $1.70 favourite after winning his previous start at Orari and made a mess of his rivals over the concluding stages.

Despite coming off a 20m handicap over the 2200m, the 4YO Monarchy gelding was much too good after moving up to challenge front-runner Lucky Pat turning for home.

Regan sent Guadeloupe into overdrive in the straight and he cleared out to win by 7 1/4 lengths to win in 2:55 for the journey, the leaders running their last 400m in 29.6s.

The winning double for the Mark Jones Racing Stable runners lifted his training tally for season to 16 wins, advancing him to a clear 7th on the trainers premiership.

UNIQUE CHANCE 2ND IN 2YO QUALIFIER

Unique Chance, a $46,000 Ready To Run 2YO Sale purchase in September by Ashburton owners Peter and Beryl Boag, had no problems qualifying at Addington on Wednesday, December 1.

The McArdle-Ohappy Daze colt settled last of the five starters in the 2YO mobile qualifier over 2000m and finished stoutly for second to front-running winner, the Geoff Dunn-trained Lord Jowers (Live Or Die-Hanover Robyn gelding).

“He hung real bad in the trial, but has since worked well with a pole on,” said trainer Mark Jones.

The RTR buy nabbed the Tim Butt-trained Jumeirah (Washington VC-Krystle colt) on the line for second, returning 2:35.3 for second.

Unique Chance is the first foal from his racewinning dam Ohappy Daze (Live Or Die-Young Jiggs, by Vance Hanover-Young Eden).

Young Eden (Noodlum-Eden’s Joy) was an upset winner of the 1987 New Zealand Oaks at Addington for Edendale trainer-driver Alex Milne, over Victoria Star, Rosy Score and Bionic Chance.

“He’ll probably have another trial then go down south for a race. He’s not paid up for anything,” said trainer Mark Jones.

GUADELOUPE MAKES MOST OF CHARMED INSIDE RUN

Nifty trotter Guadeloupe capitalised on good manners and a charmed inside opening to score at double figure odds in the 2-5 wins Temuka Transport Trot at Orari on Saturday, November 27.

After trailing three back on the markers turning for home, the leaders moved out turning for home and Mark shot Guadeloupe through to win as he liked from Justakiwiboy, who tracked him through.

Guadeloupe rounded out a $15,000-plus quaddie with upset Geraldine Cup winner Minty Mellow, and earlier winners Chal Dream and Wee Brother.

The 6YO Monarchy gelding had been marking time since an unlucky second behind The Moment at Kaikoura on November 1.

South Otago (Kuri Bush) owners Colin and Pat Harvey have had a good association with the Jones family.

The Harveys’ previously had horses trained by Mark’s late grandfather Derek Jones, who died four years ago, including former handy mare Amoeba, and her daughter Meika Lee.

The sheep and beef farmers have bred and raced horses for the last 22 years, with former top pacer Tax Credit their best.

Tax Credit won 15 races and $248,835 in NZ, and a further 20 races in North America taking a 1:52.4 mile record. Colin Harvey trained him to win his first six, then he was sent to Roy and Barry Purdon after winning his way out of Otago-Southland classes.

The former big-winning pacer was a 56-to-one upset winner of the 1988 NZ Free-For-All at Addington, nosing out that year’s New Zealand Cup winner and stablemate Luxury Liner.

The Harveys’ sent Guadeloupe to Mark last year after Colin had trained and driven the trotter to win first-up at Oamaru in April, 2009.

The trotter, named after an overseas region of France, south east of the United Kingdom, has now won twice for Mark and three from only 10 lifetime starts. He should continue to race on to good effect on the holiday Christmas circuit.

OK COURAGE BACK IN WINNING FORM

OK Courage will probably never reach the heights he initially promised but the horse rewarded connections when back in the winner’s enclosure at Forbury Park on Thursday, November 25.

It’s been a long wait for the Courage Under Fire gelding to return to the winner’s circle _ 18 months _ but the horse is far from a spent force after rating a slick 1:58.3 for the mobile 2200m on Thursday.

Mark said owner Greg Brodie has always put the horse’s welfare first.

“After OK Courage broke his hip Greg just said do what you have to do to make him comfortable.”

The injury occurred when OK Courage was headed for the top as a 3YO. He was sidelined for seven months, then met further problems when on the comeback trail, meaning he was unraced for 11 months.

He trialled super when he returned but had then suffered a muscle tear on his flank, then was out of action again with a hairline fracture of a hind leg.

“Greg’s been patient. He’s never going to be the horse he could have been because of his problems, but he’s still a pretty good horse,” Mark said.

Mark gave the 5YO every chance trailing tearway leader Texas Hold Em until the closing stages.

OK Courage finished best along the sprint lane for a neck victory in a smart 2:41.8 for the mobile 2200m, with the leaders running the last 800m in a sharp 56.4s and final 400m in 27.6s.

Despite his injury-prone career, OK Courage still has the impressive career record of 24 starts for 10 wins, six placings, for $86,847 in stakes.

Thursday’s win brought up Mark’s 13th training win, and his 22nd driving win for the season.

ALGEEPEE TRANSFERS TO TODD MITCHELL

Algeepee was transferred to Hamilton trainer Todd Mitchell this week to contest the Group Two Pak N Save Franklin Cup at Auckland on Friday night and for further premier racing at Auckland in December.

“He could have raced in the Geraldine Cup, but its $55,000 up there and he’ll have other good races there in December,” said former trainer Mark Jones.

“I transferred him over to Todd as its not viable having one horse up there and flying back and forth,” he said.

“His last two runs at Addington are as good as he’s gone.”

The Pacific Rocket gelding did well when racing out of his grade to finish less than six lengths from Ohoka Dallas in the Colin and Sylvia McLachlan Memorial Pace.

“If they start running around the 2:40 mark (2200m) in his latter races up there it will suit him as he’s quite a good stayer.”

Algeepee was racetimed to break 4:00 over 3200m in his Show day start at Addington, when fifth to Ohoka Dallas.

The 5YO handled the right-handed way of racing at Alexandra Park as 3YO when campaigned there by former trainers Mark Purdon and Grant Payne, winning over 2200m in 2:42.9.

PROMISING FILLY SECURED BY PETER CHAMBERS

Promising 3YO trot filly Heather Castleton will race for major Australian owner Peter Chambers when she chases a Harness plus bonus in the Brylin Boyz Trot at Forbury Park on Thursday, November 25.

She was purchased from within the Mark Jones stable by Chambers from previous owners, Lex and Heather Williams, on Wednesday, November 24.

“Lex and Heather have her dam (Anna Castleton) so they will be able to breed on,” Mark said.

Anna Castleton (Gee Whiz 11-Amy Castleton) won four races for former Geraldine trainer Lachie Marshall. She latterly raced for Christchurch trainer Barry Ward.

Her grand-dam Miss Castleton was a good mare for former Tinwald trainer Mawsom MacPherson, winning eight.

Miss Castleton was a sister to champion trotter, 1984 Interdominion Trot Final winner Sir Castleton (1984 joint NZ Harness Horse of the Year), and a half-sister to 1975 Interdominion Trot final winner Castleton’s Pride.

Heather Castleton is a 2YO trot filly NZ record holder over 1700m from last season.

Then formerly with Mosgiel trainer Alan Clark, Heather Castleton trotted the 1700m in 2:10.2, a 2:03.3 mile rate, to win a $2000 non-tote 2YO trot by 23 and a quarter lengths.

She raced 12 times at two for a penalty-free win and three minor placings.

Mark intends targeting the Hambletonian Classic at Ashburton on February 12 with the Sundon filly.

“I might even look at a race like the New South Wales Oaks with her,” he said.

“She has a good attitude,” he added.

NEWCOMER TO MARK JONES STABLE DELIVERS

Trials driver Scott Stewart gained his first workout or trial win when he led throughout with Atom Of Courage at the Motukarara workouts on Saturday, November 20.

Scott, who worked for Mark Purdon and Grant Payne for a little over a year and a half, only transferred to the Mark Jones stable last week.

Raised in Wairarapa, Scott gained the harness racing bug from his parents, Wayne and Connie, who co-own useful pacing mare Cullini (seven wins). Scott had a drive behind the Greg and Nina Hope-trained mare at the Rangiora trials last month, finishing fourth.

“Both mum and dad are from down here but I’d always lived up north. The only reason I came down was for Uni, but then I had a gutsful of it and decided to look for work in a stable,” he said.

“There’s no harness racing in Wairarapa anyway so I stayed here.”

Atom Of Courage, the winner of four but still a 2-win horse for handicapping purposes, may resume at eithr Orari next Saturday, or Motukarara on Sunday.

“I’d like to keep him to stand starts for a while if I can,” said trainer Mark Jones.

“If he can learn to relax he’ll be a lot better. Stand starts will help him because he can pull off the gate.

“He’ll step good from a stand when they go but he might play up at the start.”

Atom Of Courage, freshened since last racing two months ago, handled the stand start and his first grass track workout well on Saturday.

Stewart had him cruising in front in the run home to win by three lengths from  Datmymulligan, who moved up parked from the 800m and rallied well.

Atom Of Courage paced the 2200m (stand0 in 3:04.1, quickening over his last 800m in 58.9s.

Babes Boy Bob, a newcomer to the Jones team, also earmarked for Orari, trailed on the outer over the final 800m and ran on fairly wide out for third, ahead of Sister Bertrand.

“He didn’t show that much speed,” Mark said of Babes Boy Boy.

“But he hasn’t done that much since he arrived. He will improve,” he said.

Lethal Rocket, who may resume in the 4-win and faster Waimate Cup on December 5, also won his heat on Saturday.

He came from last of the seven to win by a head in a mobile 2200m pace on the all-weather track, the leaders running their last 800m in 58.7s.

Heather Castleton, a newcomer to the Mark Jones stable, is to race at Forbury Park next Thursday after winning her 2600m maiden trot from a stand on the all-weather by a nose in a solid 3:33.3.

The 3YO Sundon filly from Anna Castleton was a two-year-old non-tote winner last term when trained in Dunedin by Allan Clark.

She is raced by Lex and Heather Williams, who also co-own top Sundon mare One Over Kenny.

By Jeff Scott

ORARI NEXT FOR WELL-RELATED SQUAREGAITER

King Of Strathfield, unbeaten in two grass track starts, will try for a hat-trick at the upcoming Geraldine meeting at Orari on Saturday week, November 27.

The big bay cruised home to win at the Oamaru Harness Racing Club’s Heritage meeting on Wednesday, November 17, for Burnham trainer-driver Mark Jones.

“It was only really a sprint up the straight and he did it well,” Mark said.

Oamaru was a suitable option for King Of Strathfield after he was found to have been feeling the hard track at Addington on NZ Cup day.

“We had a bit trouble with his feet but it seemed to make the difference racing on the grass,” he said.

“We’ll go to Geraldine then have a talk to Neil Munro (co-owner) about maybe going to Auckland for premier racing.”

“He should be alright racing at Auckland. Its only on the hard track at Addington that seems to affect him.”

“Now that we know he’s like that, he should be pretty easy to manage.”

King Of Strathfield had no luck in the running in the 3200m $20,000 Searells Chartered Accountants Trot at Addington, breaking late in the run home when making ground wide out.

He held favourite Double Bundy, who tracked him throughout, by three-quarters of a length, at Oamaru.

King Of Strathfield joined the Mark Jones stable in September after former trainer  and co-owner Neil Munro suffered an arm injury.

The 5YO Armbro Invasion gelding was notching his 5th win from 25 starts at Oamaru, furthering the record of his top producing dam Rob The Nest, who has left two NZ Trotting Derby winner _ Thedonsson (2003) and Galleons Assassin (2006).

To Sundon, Rob The Nest left the talented brothers, 2003 NZ 3YO Trotter of the Year Thedonsson (9 NZ wins & $124,793, 1:54.8, US) and the ill-fated Sonofthedon, the 2004 NZ 4YO Trotter of the Year, who won seven and was four times second from only 11 starts.

Their half-brother Galleons Assassin, by Earl, won 13 of 44 starts for $427,286 in Australasia for the Mark Purdon/Grant Payne stable including the 2005 Australasian Breeders Crown 2YO Trot Final. He has subsequently taken a 1:55.4 mile mark in North America.  

Rob The Nest’s grand-dam Robyn Evander won eight including the 1975 Rowe Cup and left one even better in 1994 Rowe Cup winner in Diamond Field (33 wins & $536,607).

The Rowe Cup has had an affinity with the family as Robyn Evander’s half-brother Mountain Pride also won the Rowe in 1967.

By Jeff Scott

BABES BOY BOB ORARI-BOUND

Promising former Southland 1-win pacer Babes Boy Bob may make his debut for the Mark Jones stable in a penalty-free junior drivers 2500m pace at Orari on Saturday week, November 27.

The 4YO Totally Western gelding has been purchased out of Jessica Malcolm’s Invercargill stables by Melbourne owner Merv Butterworth, and will head to the workouts on Saturday in his first official run from his new quarters.

“I met Merv a few years ago. Babes Boy Bob was going to Australia but he’s left him here with me in a last minute decision, so I’ll be doing the best while I’ve got him,” Mark said.

Last season, the Melbourne businessman secured smart 3YO Motu Crusader out of Southland, buying him out of the Winton stable of Tim White.

Motu Crusader, runnerup to For A Reason in the Queensland Derby in July, is currently in Perth preparing for the $A175,000 XXXX Gold Golden Nugget Championship for 4YO’s on November 26.

“If he goes as good as I hope at Orari, we might look at going to Auckland for premier racing up there with him next month,” Mark said.

“He’s a lovely horse to do anything with and has come here in lovely condition.”

Babes Boy Bob attracted buyer interest after pacing his last 800m in 55.6s and final 400m in 27.4s to beat Flying Diamonds and Guns N Roses at the Invercargill workouts late last month.

He then came off the back row when the beaten favourite for second to Pandora’s Diamond in junior drivers pace on November 6 at Forbury Park, the winner rating 2:02.3 for the mobile 2700m.  

Babes Boy Bob, who only qualified in August, has raced only six times for a win and three placings.

Mark may have four or five heading to Auckland, depending on their progress over the next couple of weeks.

By Jeff Scott