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LAURA McKAY WINS AT HER THIRD RACEDRIVE

Laura McKay, a jockey-sized grand-daughter of major harness racing owners, Clive and Rona McKay, left the Rangiora meeting on Thursday, November 4, with her first winner at only her third racedrive.

Laura McKay, after winning her first race with Kowhai Whiz at Rangiora on Thursday, November 5, 2015. (Race Images photo).

Employer Mark Jones put Laura, nick-named “peanut”, on five-win trot mare Kowhai Whiz in the Crackerjack Mobile Trot and she produced a “crackerjack” drive behind the big Now Another Look gelding.

Kowhai Whiz, transferred from the Terry and Glenys Chmiel stable to the Overport Lodge team and first-up for seven months, was eased early from the outside front row draw, coming from last beginning the final mile.

She launched the big horse wide beginning the final 800m and after looming wide outside the leaders at the 400m, signs were ominous Laura and Kowhai Whiz were travelling like winners.

They held Unyielding Spirit (Stevie Golding) by a length in a useful 2:32.8 for the mobile 2000m.

Laura was surprised to salute so quickly, but thankful for the opportunity.

She is being given driving opportunites at Overport with Kimberly Butt moving on to the Gavin Smith stable.

Laura had handled the team well the the trials and had impressed first-up in her new racedriving role with her handling of longshot Fair Dinkum Bromac at Addington on November 30, making ground late for seventh.

Moment of satisfaction. Laura McKay knows she has her rivals beaten near the finish of the Crackerjack Mobile Trot with Kowhai Whiz (Race Images photo).

Her other drive was another one behind Fair Dinkum Bromac in the preceeding race at Rangiora, but he was unable to pick up the leaders wide in the run home in his third race within a week.

Laura, like employer Mark Jones, had previously gained experience working at Kentuckiana Lodge for Cran Dalgety.

After three years at Kentuckiana Lodge, she then had eight months in New South Wales with Kerry Ann Turner before returning to Christchurch last autumn to advance her career with the Mark Jones stable.

Trainer Mark Jones was able to see the win unfold from back in the field in the same race with his drive Danke being unable to quicken after Kaikoura on Monday, battling in the run home to finish sixth.

The Kowhai Whiz win furthered a good week for the yellow bee owners colours of John and Jill Hartnell, which were also carried to victory at Kaikoura on Monday by pacer Dynamic Party.

By Jeff Scott

CORZIN TERROR TO BE DRIVEN FOR LUCK IN NZ CUP

Overport Lodge driver Mark Jones gave visiting Christchurch Casino New Zealand Cup contender Corzin Terror a good hit-out in front in the Cup Trial at Addington on Wednesday, November 4, but will drive him for luck next Tuesday.

Corzin Terror, trained in Victoria by Dean Braun, was outfinished by Sky Major (one-one), Ohoka Punter (parked) and No Doctor Needed (trail) over the closing stages of the trial.

Sky Major puts in the winning run outside Ohoka Punter and Corzin Terror with 100m to run in the Cup Trial at Addington.

Winner Sky Major disposed Smolda as the NZ Cup favourite after the trial with the NZ TAB shortening him to $3.20, with Smolda easing to $3.70.

The Barry Purdon-trained Sky Major (Zac Butcher) won going away by a length in 3:17.9 for the stand start 2600m, the leaders running their last 800m in 57s and final 400m in 27s.

Corzin Terror, despite winning almost $NZ400,000 in stakes during his career, is a long $81 chance with the bookies.

“He needed it and had a good blow,” Mark said of Corzin Terror.

“From two on the second row in the cup he’ll settle back and look to get as close as we can at the finish,” he said.

Meanwhile, Overport Lodge trotter Eyre I Come, who blew out in the run home when fifth to Blackguard’s Corner fresh-up at Addington on October 23, had another conditioning run at the Cup trials.

He stepped well off the unruly for Blair Orange to lead after the opening 600m.

Harriet Of Mot (yellow colours) outfinishes Eyre I Come at the Addington Cup trials.

Eyre I Come went well but the Craig and Aimee Edmonds-trained Harriet Of Mot finished smartly to win going away by 2 1/4 lengths in 3:21.1 for the 2600m, with Blackguard’s Corner third.

The leaders ran their last 800m in 58.7s and final 400m in 29.3s.

Sunoflindenny, resuming, wasn’t asked to quicken when sixth in the C4-0C trot won impressively by exciting 4YO Monbet in 3:22.1 (2600m), the leaders last 800m in 58.5s.

Monbet, who trailed on the outer, dashed clear to win by 2 3/4 lengths from Prince Fearless, with Kincaslough, One Over Da Moon and Sheemon finishing on next.

So Devine (5m Ohoka Arizona-Venus Devine), who qualified when second in the wet over 2000m at Rangiora a week ago, showed good improvement to win her 2600m stand start pace on Wednesday.

She ran clear by 3 and 3/4 lengths in 3:22.8, the last 800m in 58.7s and final 400m in 28.8s.

Smoke N Fire chased home the Allstars stablemates Trilogy and Bevan’s Cullen in a C0 mobile 1950m pace in a 2:00.1 rate, the leaders last 800m in 57.9s and final 400m in 27.3s.

Real Torque, earmarked to return to Auckland for her early 3YO filly racing, resumed with a neck second to He Can Fly in a C0 mobile 1950m heat, the winner rating 2:01.2, with the last 400m in 28.4s.

Speedy Lavros (3c Muscles Yankee-Lady Segil) ran third of three in a qualifying trot over 2000m but gained his ticket by going 2:41.9.

By Jeff Scott

KING DENNY TO RETURN NEXT YEAR

Former top age group squaregaiter King Denny, a newcomer to Overport Lodge stable of Mark Jones last month, won’t step out until the autumn.

The 5YO squaregaiter is to have a two month spell at the Invercargill property of Diane Cournane.

“We’ll give him time out and start fresh,” Mark said of the Butterworth Racing Syndicate-owned trotter.

King Denny, a two-time Harness Jewels winner at three and four, has raced only 25 times for 10 wins, four seconds, and $258,794 in stakes.

He won the 4YO Jewels on May 30 in a career best 1:55.9 mile.

A stable change was suggested after he failed to come up as expected in the spring for former trainers, Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen.

King Denny failed to flatter when 10th first-up at Addington on October 16.

MARK JONES DRIVING CORZIN TERROR IN NZ CUP

Overport Lodge trainer Mark Jones is to drive visiting former Kiwi, Corzin Terror, for Victorian trainer Dean Braun, in next Tuesday’s $750,000 Christchurch Casino New Zealand Cup.

Corzin Terror, sold out of the Colin and Julie De Filiippi stable after winning five from 27 NZ starts, has continued to make his mark across the Tasman, taking a 1:52.2 mile mark.

The 8YO Western Terror-Corzanello gelding is now the winner of 19 races from 72 lifetime starts for the equivalent of $NZ394,948 in stakes.

He won the Group 1 Ballarat Cup last December in a 1:59.7 rate (2710m), while he has other provincial wins in the Listed Maryborough Cup (twice), and the Bendigo and Terang Cups.

A last start Melton winner of a M2-4 pace in a 1:58.4 rate over 2240m on October 23, Corzin Terror is being stabled at Overport Lodge and will contest the NZ Cup trial on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, former Overport Lodge pacer Cruz Bromac, sold to clients of the Braun stable after qualifying at Timaru in July, resumed with a win in a heat of a series at Yarra Valley, Victoria, on Tuesday, November 3.

The 4YO Falcon Seelster-Crown Defender gelding is one of Australia’s most exciting pacers after winning in 1:51.6 (1609m) at just his third race start at Menangle on August 22.

Cruz Bromac, formerly co-owned by Mark and Andrew Stuart, ran fourth first-up in Australia but is now unbeaten at his next three starts.

He cleared out to win on Tuesday by 19.9 metres, rating 1:57.9 for the 2150m, pacing his last 800m in 55.9s.

Cruz Bromac is scheduled to head to Perth later this month for the McInerney Ford 4YO Classic and the Golden Nugget.

Meanwhile, Harness Racing NZ, released the final NZ Cup rankings on Tuesday, after the notable withdrawal of Christen Me.

They are:

Final NZ Cup rankings:

1 Tiger Tara, 2 Smolda, 3 Arden Rooney, 4 Ohoka Punter, 5 Sky Major, 6 Messini, 7 Franco Nelson, 8 Mossdale Conner, 9 Corzin Terror, 10 Mighty Flying Mac, 11 Lancewood Lizzie, 12 Te Kawau, 13 Choise Achiever, 14 No Doctor Needed, 15 Brilliant Strike.

Outside cut-line

16 Quick As A Trick, 17 Mach’s Gladiator, 18 Lewy Risk.

Final Dominion Handicap rankings

1 Stent, 2 Sheemon, 3 Master Lavros, 4 One Over Da Moon, 5 Kincaslough, 6 Vincennes, 7 Quite A Moment, 8 Alley Way, 9 Jag’s Invasion, 10 Habibti, 11 King Denny, 12 Prime Power, 13 Daryl Boko, 14 Valmagne, 15 Realmein.

Outside cut-line

16 Springbank Sam, 17 Harrysul, 18 Monbet, 19 Cool Cobber, 20 Uncas, 21 Leanne’s Boy, 22 Al Bundy, 23 Prestine.

DYNAMIC PARTY DELIVERS FIRST-UP AT KAIKOURA

Dynamic Party, good enough to run sixth in Franco Nelson’s 2014 Harness Jewels 4YO Emerald for former trainers Terry and Glenys Chmiel, notched his first win for 17 months at Kaikoura on Monday, November 2.

Dynamic Party does enough to hold New York Town (blue colours) in the TFS Horse Transport Mobile Pace at Kaikoura on November 2, 2015

First-up since joining the Burham arm of the Mark Jones stable, the 6YO Bettor’s Delight gelding changed stables after failing to salute in his 5YO season.

Co-owners John and Jill Hartnell, also have five-win trot gelding Kowhai Whiz with Mark Jones, while he also won three races with his half-sister Kowhai Sunrise.

The “Kowhai” horses race in John Hartnells yellow colours with the bee logo and black trims.

Dynamic Party resumed off a seven month layoff with forward showings at the Rangiora workouts late last month and Mark was confident of a bold first-up showing.

“It was a good result first-up and will give him a go over cup week,” Mark said.

A happy Blair Orange returns to scale after delivering with favourite Dynamic Party at Kaikoura.

Driver Blair Orange reined Dynamic Party positively from a wide gate, landing up outside Franco Harrison to the first turn, then going to the top.

The Greg and Nina Hope-trained New York Town moved up in the open over the last lap and tried hard but Dynamic Party found enough to hold by a head, with Franco Harrison a length and a half away third.

Fair Dinkum Bromac, after settling four back on the inner, amde ground for fifth.

Dynamic Party rated 1:59.8 for the mobile 1900m, running his last 800m in 58s and final 400m in 28s.

Downgrading from a C4 last term, he was well-placed racing in a C1-3 graded field at Kaikoura, but returns to a C4 rating for cup week.

This was his sixth career win from 43 starts. He’s also picked up nine minor placings for $53,441 in stakes.

Dynamic Party was race-timed in 1:53.6 in the 4YO Jewels.

It may be a case of him gathering confidence again after managing just a second and a third in 13 starts last term.

He’s a half-brother to Operation Dynamic (1:58.1, seven wins) being from Dynamic Guest, a daughter of Smooth Fella and former top filly/mare Hilarious Guest (21 wins & $283,230).

Hilarious Guest showed her mettle beating the boys in the NZ Sapling Stakes and again in the 1982 New Zealand Derby, both wins in the hands of Mark’s father Peter Jones, for trainer Maurice Vermeulen.

She also won the NZ Messenger 4YO Championship when reined by Peter Wolfenden.

Master Lavros leads Stent with a lap to run at Kaikoura. The trail horse was too good in the run home, winning in NZ record time for co-trainer Colin De Filippi.

Hilarious Guest also finished second in two Auckland Cups, behind Roydon Glen in 1985, and Armalight in 1983.

Meanwhile, Mark was satisfied with the performance of top trotter Master Lavros, who swamped to run fourth in NZ record time in the $24,000 Majestic Son FFA Trot.

Master Lavros worked early to wrest the lead from arch rival Stent, who proved much too strong in the run home winning as he liked by 1 1/4 lenths in 3:00.2 for the stand start 2400m, the leaders last 800m in 57s.

This shaved 0.4 of a second off Sheemon’s former NZ mark.

“He needed the run,” Mark said of Master Lavros.

“I was happy enough but thought he could have gone a length better. He hadn’t raced for three weeks and always improves with a hard race but he’ll need to for cup week,” he said.

By Jeff Scott

ICE CRUSHER UNTROUBLED TO WIN IN SOUTH

Promising Overport Lodge 3YO Ice Crusher began his quest for possible $40,000 Southern Supremacy honours on April 17 with the easiest of maiden wins as at Invercargill on Sunday, December 1.

The hot $1.50 favourite circled wide for Blair Orange from the back row as some inside him scrambled early in the Ryder Plumbling Ltd Mobile Pace at the Riverton Trotting Club’s meeting.

After landing up in the open, Blair made a play for the lead with around 1100m to run and was always travelling like the winner.

Ice Crusher, shown winning at the Rangiora workouts on October 21 for trainer Mark Jones. He won as a $1.50 favourite at Invercargill on Sunday, November 1.

He cruised to the wire 2 3/4 lengths of nearest challenger Annie Fitz, with hood deafeners still intact, in a comfortable 2:48.3 (2:03.1 mile rate) for the 2200m.

Ice Crusher wasn’t asked for a serious effort over his last 800m in 59.7s and final 400m in 29.1s.

The Southern Supremacy is a possible target for Ice Crusher, who won once from three 2YO outings for Burnham trainer Mark Jones and the Ice C Syndicate.

Back on May 9, he ran his last 800m in 55.5s and final 400m in 27.1s at Addington when he held Hickstead in the Listed $11,700 PGG Wrightson NZ Yearling Sales 2YO Open Consolation.

He reverted back to maiden status beginning his 3YO racing.

A horse must have at least two starts in Southern Harness Racing Club races to be eligible for the Southern Supremacy final, hence the decision to try and win his maiden in the south.

He’s bred to be above average being a gelded son of Christian Cullen and Helena Kilena (five wins, 1:57 m.r, 1950m), making him a brother to good south winner Shak’n Cullen (four wins, 1:58.9).

Dam Helena Kilena is a sister to Fearleass Freda (p2, 1:59), winner of the 1998 PGG Wrightson Yearling Sales 2YO Fillies Pace.

Another sister in Hilarious Heather (three wins) is the dam of useful pacers Holy Hero (five NZ wins, 1:56.5) and Collecting (four wins, p3, 1:58.6), a NZ record 3YO fillies record holder over 2200m from a stand.

Helena Kilena is also a half-sister to Franco Himself (3 NZ wins, 18 USA wins, 1:55.4).

Helena Kilena’s grand-dam Golden Guest won nine and ran third against the boys behind the Alister Kerslake-trained stablemate Bachelor Star in the 1971 New Zealand Derby at Addington (another filly Van Glory ran second and Roydon Roux was fourth).

Golden Guest was a Garrison Hanover sister to a top Jack Smolenski-trained 1970s pacer in Speedy Guest (19 wins including a Great Northern Derby and a NZ Messenger.

Earlier, stablemate and debutante Itz Ivy Hillis was a game third after moving up in the open in a mobile 2200m maiden.

She kept fighting in the run home but was outgunned late by the Tony Barron-trained Whata Excuse, wide out for Dexter Dunn, and Tuapeka Troy, with the winner clocking 2:46.4.

Consistent 3YO Derringer had to settle for second from the trail to Machrie in the C1 pace at Invercargill with stablemate Coringa Delight having little luck from the second row, finishing fifth.

LOUIE FINN PUTS STABLE INTO DOUBLE FIGURES THIS SEASON

Louie Finn’s win in the C1 Phil Burrows Owns A Chevron Quality Car Pace at Addington on Friday, October 30, brought up the 10th seasonal win for the Mark Jones stable.

Louie Finn wouldn’t be denied after driver Blair Orange found a perfect one-one sit for the Grinfromeartoear gelding two races earlier.

Blair Orange, successful with Louie Finn at Addington on Chevron Cars racenight.

The 4YO rallied best to hold Romanite and Franco Sanchez, with pacemaking favourite Media Queen, being swamped to finish fourth.

Louie Finn, recording his second win in six starts this season, is co-raced by Peter George, Grant Smith and Wayne Higgs.

He credited Peter George with his first win as an owner when beating Franco Exeter at Addington, first-up for the new term, on September 4.

Grant Smith previously co-raced the useful Lis Mara winner Seven Point One (1:56.1), six wins from 38 starts for $50,203, while Wayne Higgs has been a successul owner trainer and driver, but has most of his horses prepared by Mark Jones these days.

Louie Finn, bred by Finnash Bloodstock, was an $11,000 buy at the 2013 NZ Premier Yearling Sales.

He’s the first foal from Miss C S D, a Christian Cullen mare who won once at two and ran third in Lady Waratah’s 2005 Australasian Breeders Crown 2YO Fillies Final at Cranbourne, Victoria, for Ashburton trainer Laurence Hanrahan.

Lightly-raced having only nine starts, Miss C S D is from a good 1:58.5 Australian mare in Ladybird (by Panorama), who won 14 races, including five at Harold Park, earning $109,030.

Deans Special, a former Bendigo Cup and dual Victorian Italian Cup winner, is another good winner from the family, winning 27 races and earning $106,853.

Trainer Mark Jones was looking to move to 11 wins for the season after getting away with a sedate middle half with Northern Velocity in the four-horse $16,940 Alabar Sires Stakes Fillies Heat but she came up slightly short, despite a leaders final 400m in 26.9s.

Northern Velocity, first-up since May, was outfinished late by the Mark Purdon/Natalie Rasmussen-trained Piccadilly Princess (trail), who steamed along the passing lane to score by half a length, with two-win filly Scarlett Banner edging a head past Northern Velocity for second.

NORTHERN VELOCITY PREPARES FOR SIRES HEAT

Northern Velocity, winner of the Listed $146,250 2YO PGG Wrightson Yearling Sales 2YO Fillies Pace at Addington on May 15 for former trainers Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen, is set to resume racing next week for Overport Lodge trainer Mark Jones.

The half-sister by Mach Three to former NZ FFA winner Pembrook Benny (1:53.6) was purchased out of the Allstars Stable by Australian interests  late last term and switched stables.

Northern Velocity leads stablemate Coringa Delight in the run home at the Rangiora workouts on October 21.

She resumed with an unplaced run at the Methven workouts on October 10 then had her second workout in her 3YO preparation at the Rangiora workouts on Wednesday, October 21, leading from an outside gate in the C1 and faster pace for her trainer.

“I was happier with her yesterday as she is still on way up. She will go around in the Sires heat at Addington next week then go to Auckland to race,” Mark said.

Northern Velocity, also a half-sister to Pembrook Caesar (1:53, Aust) and former useful Overport Lodge filly Holme Fire (1:58.8), will target the Alabar Sires Stakes 3YO Fillies Final at Auckland on December 31.

She as untroubled to hold trailing stablemate Coringa Delight (Wayne Higgs) by three-quarters of a length on Wednesday, pacing the mobile 2000m in 2:31.7 (2:02 mile rate), quickening over her last 800m in 56.7s and her final 400m in 27.1s.

Last season, Northern Velocity won three of eight starts.

Besides her big fillies win, she also won the Group Three American Ideal Leonard Memorial at the Cheviot meeting on March 1 and the Group Three Caduceus Club-Southland/Nevele R Stud Fillies Classic at Invercargill on March 21.

She was also the runnerup to Arden’s Choice in the Group One $113,405 Woodlands Stud/Caduceus Club 2YO Fillies Classic at Auckland on April 17.

Northern Velocity last raced for the Allstars team when sixth to former unbeaten stablemate Dream About Me in the Harness Jewels 2YO Diamond at Ashburton on May 30.

Ice Crusher stretches out for trainer Mark Jones to win at the Rangiora workouts on October 21.

Ice Crusher is earmarked to head south for the Riverton meeting at Invercargill on Sunday, November 1, after winning a C0+ heat at the Rangiora workouts.

He also won a mobile 2200m heat at the Motukarara workouts on October 17 in 2:52.5.

The 3YO Christian Cullen-Helena Kilena gelding unwound well at Rangiora to win by a length and a half from dead-heaters Perfect Circle and resuming racewinner Return To Sender in 3:28.5 for the 2600m (stand), the leaders last 800m in 58s and final 400m in 27.7s.

Also resuming in this heat was former NZ Derby winner Locharburn who wasn’t hurried by trainer Kevin Chapman.

Ice Crusher showed promise in three juvenile outings, holding Hickstead in the Listed $11,700 PGG Wrightson NZ Yearling Sales 2YO Open Consolation at Addington on May 9.

Meanwhile Overport trot star Master Lavros had a conditioning run in preparation for Kaikoura when he followed the field around off 40m in the C0 and faster trot heat.

He made ground for third behind Prince Fearless (20m), who resumes for the Allstars Stable at Ashburton on Monday, and Willie Shine (front), the winner trotting the 2600m in 3:25.7, the last 800m in 59.5s and final 400m in 28.3s.

Dynamic Party, a C3-assessed newcomer to the Mark Jones stable after previously winning five for Terry and Glenys Chmiel, resumed in the C1 and faster heat and tracked home behind the Allstars quartet of Didjamakem Bolt, Itz Bettor To Win, Have Faith In Me and Willow, who all resume at Ashburton on Monday.

Didjamakem Bolt held by a neck in 3:23.9 for the stand start 2600m, the leaders running their last 800m in 57.6s and final 400m in 27s.

By Jeff Scott