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SAVEAPATROL NEAR WORKOUTS PITCH

Forgotten star Savepatrol is nearly ready to return to the workouts ahead of a proposed late season Auckland campaign.

“I’m really happy with him. If he races good at Auckland we’ll look at going to Queensland with him,” said trainer Mark Jones.

Saveapatrol, on the comeback trail for Overport Lodge trainer Mark Jones.

“I’ll have about five going to Auckland. Him, Sunoflindenny, a couple of maiden trotters, and maybe one or two others.”

Mark is targeting the increased stakes on offer at Auckland.

“Last month Eyre I Come earned more for running second at Auckland than one of our others got for winning down here,” he said.

Saveapatrol hasn’t raced since chasing home now retired superstars, Terror To Love and Adore Me, with another retiree Pembrook Benny fourth, in last year’s $250,000 Auckland Cup.

The lightly-raced 5YO Christian Cullen gelding underwent a precautionary minor surgery for a leg issue after spelling following the Auckland Cup in March, 2014.

Saveapatrol, who has been racetimed in 1:53.4 over 1609m), has only raced 16 times for 10 wins, a second and a third, earning $134,868.

Mark will also have a sprinkling of runners heading to the Nelson winter meeting, including the consistent Reklaw Supreme, recent back-to-back winner Coringa Delight, and recent Addington winner, Pomme Roy.

JEWELS CONTENDERS STEP OUT AT ASHBURTON WORKOUTS

Overport Lodge trainer Mark Jones was happy enough with his Jewels contenders at the Ashburton workouts on Saturday, May 23, but knows they will require the right luck to be dividend-bearing next Saturday.

Arannalea was good in her 2YO heat, leaving the gate at speed for Mark, before trailing Missandei (Mark Purdon) from the 1000m, and running a solid length and a half second in a 2:01.3 mile.

Arannalea is solid with an inside run but front-running Missandei is going too well for Mark Purdon in the 2YO trot workout at Ashburton. Gershwin (wide) runs third, ahead of Aldebaran Ay M.

The leaders ran their last 800m in 59.3s and sprinted up their final 400m in 27.6s.

“The track was perfect. Its a shame the Jewels weren’t being run today because they would be running some time the way the track is,” Mark said.

Eyre I Come, coming to the end of a busy season, galloped early in the open mobile trot for driver Blair Orange but recovered well to close the gap to just over two lengths from winner Petite One in 1:59.2.

“He’ll go out after next Saturday and get ready to win the same race he won on Cup day last year,” he said.

Rocker Band and Ricky May in action, trailing up in their heat at the Ashburton workouts on Saturday.

Rocker Band, freshened after being off her game in the Southland Oaks Final on April 12, trailed northerner Ideal Success in the fastest heat of the day, and wasn’t pressured by driver Ricky May, finishing 3.5 lengths fourth.

Ideal Success kept going to hold Kept Under Wraps and Willow in 1:54.9, the last 800m in 55.7s and final 400m in 25.8s.

“Rocker Band is still not right,” Mark said.

Maiden trotter Landora’s Girl, who led early, trailed and broke on the line for Mark when holding down second to Joseph H in the C0 and faster trot, will probably be one of five or six from the team being sent north to race over the winter.

Joseph H, the only winner in the heat, started off a 10m handicap for trainer Terry McMillan and held in 3:12.3 for the 2400m, the last 800m in 59s.

Meanwhile, Mark also drove Salty Robyn for Newcastle trainer Shane Tritton in the 2YO pace, finishing a close second behind Dream About Me, in 1:57.3, the leaders sharpening up over their last 800m in 55.7s and final 400m in 25.6s.

Salty Robyn, after leading up in Shane Tritton’s pink colours, is joined by Dream About Me (wide), with Arden’s Choice third, in the 2YO workout.

Salty Robyn set the pace but Dream About Me, which settled third in the three-horse workout, unwound strongly to shadow the New South Wales visitor on the line, winning by half a head.

Dream About Me, the 2YO half-sister to Christen Me (1:49.1) and Hands Christian (1:52.5), will try and stretch her unbeaten sequence to five in the Jewels 2YO Diamond next Saturday for the Allstars Stables of Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen.

Have Faith In Me, the top-ranked 3YO pacer for the Allstars barn, was also very good, sprinting through the middle to hold stablemates, Follow The Stars, Hug The Wind and early leader Isaiah in the their mile heat in 1:57.8, the last 400m in 26s.

JOHNNY FOX MOVES NORTH TO TONY HERLIHY’S TEAM

Invercargill Cup winner Johnny Fox is to try and advance his score from Tony Herlihy’s Papakura team.

The 6YO Western Terror gelding won’t return to Canterbury, with plans for him to ultimately head to Australia after a stint in the north.

Johnny Fox, this season’s Invercargill Cup winner for trainer Mark Jones and driver Blair Orange, who has joined Tony Herlihy’s Papakura stables.

Overport Lodge trainer Mark Jones and owners, the Butterworth Racing Syndicate, decided to try Johnny Fox from new quarters after he finished unplaced behind Dalton Bromac at Addington on May 9.

Johnny Fox found a purple patch of form in January.

He scored back-to-back Nelson wins with speedy sit-sprint finishes, then backed up with a tough win after moving up parked in the G3 $40,000 Invercargill Cup two weeks later.

Freshnened, he ran third in Tiger Tara’s Cheviot Cup in early March, but was safely held by others in his last three runs from the stable.

Johnny Fox, who has a 1:56.9 mile mark, may be easier to place in the north on his tough C9 assessment.

He has arrived in the north the winner of nine of 37 career starts for $90,959 in stakes.

Another departure from the Overport Lodge stable is capable 3YO pacing filly Champagne Dreams.

The year-older half-sister to 2YO star Lazarus (1:56.5) was sold to Australian interests after finishing unplaced in The Orange Agent’s G1 Nevele R Fillies Final at Addington on May 9.

Champagne Dreams (3f Art Major-Bethany) won at Marlborough in January and picked up five minor placings from 16 NZ starts.

She has a 1:55.9 placed mile mark, recorded at Ashburton in early February.

MASTER LAVROS ENDS TERM WITH BACK-TO-BACK WINS

Top squaregaiter Master Lavros, despite a troubled 6YO season, has added a $75,726 seasonal tally to his career earnings before heading for a winter recess.

The giant-sized Sundon gelding rapt up his season emphatically in slushy conditions at Addington on Friday, May 17.

Master Lavros, wrapped up his 6YO racing with another strong win on Friday night.

The back-to-back end of term Addington wins for Master Lavros has restored his reputation in the top grade.

These were the only two wins for his 6YO season in 11 starts, but his bankroll now stands at $427,194.

Master Lavros, a short-priced $1.50 favourite in the $18,400 Walker Davey Ltd Free-For-All Trot, was untroubled from an outside front row draw to head second favourite King Denny after the opening 400m.

From there, Overport Lodge trainer-driver Mark Jones was always in control with Master Lavros.

He was too advanced for his 4YO rival, clearing out to win untested by 7 1/2 lengths in 3:17.5 (mobile 2600m).

Last season’s Trotter of the Year quickened over his last 800m in 59.4s and final 400m in 28.2s.

Meanwhile, 2YO trot stablemate Arannalea picked up some good placemoney with a third to the Allstars stablemates, High Gait and Missandei, in the $55,200 Lone Star Riccarton Sires Stakes 2YO Trotters Championship.

The Pegasus Spur half-sister to Beau Brummell made a good attempt to try and lead throughout.

She showed good gate speed to run to a clear lead but was swamped by the Mark Purdon-Natalie Rasmussen pair over the closing stages.

ROBBIE CLOSE WINS 2015 AUSTRALASIAN YOUNG DRIVERS SERIES

HRNZ Media Release, May 12, 2015

The Lone Star Riccarton 2015 Australasian Young Drivers Championship was held throughout New Zealand last week.

Ten drivers from across Australasia, including four from New Zealand and one from each state of Australia competed to win the annual event.

Robbie Close salutes at Addington after winning with the Robert Dunn-trained The Royal Garden in the Garry Thomson _ Solicitor Young Drivers Champs Mobile Pace.

The first night of racing was held at Harness Racing Waikato. The weather conditions were testing but the drivers were all excited to get the series underway.

The first heat of the night went to defending champion Andre Poutama, who drove confidently and stamped himself as an early favourite in the Championships.

Robbie Close then joined in on the action and took out the second heat.

Racing headed to Alexandra Park on Friday night where another two heats were completed.

Robbie wraps up the series after scoring with favourite Saint Michel in the Lone Star Riccarton Young Drivers Champ Mobile Trot at Timaru.

Andre Poutama once again saluted the judge in heat three and secured himself a strong lead heading into the next heat.

Girl power was to the fore in the fourth heat, with the only female in the Championships, Michelle Neilson, getting home on top.

Addington Raceway was the location of the fifth heat, and the Australian’s were hoping to claim their first victory, but it was not to be. Robbie Close continue his
great form and sped away to take the victory.

The final day of racing was held on Phar Lap Raceway.

Robbie Close was in the lead after his constant run of wins and placings and simply needed to win heat six and for an unassailable lead.

That is just what he did.

The Australian’s had one last chance to get a win on the board in the final heat and they did it in style bringing home the trifecta.

Tom Buchanan representing Western Australia came away with the win and just missed out on third place overall after points had to be counted back.

New Zealand had a great Championship and ended up with the top three placings overall:

1. Robbie Close NZ 77
2. Andre Poutama NZ 52
3. Michelle Neilson NZ 51 (count back)
4. Tom Buchanan WA 51
5. Dylan Ford TAS 48
6. Jake Webster SA 44
7. Josh Aiken VIC 43
8. Trent Moffat QLD 39
9. Robbie Morris NSW 27
10. Ben Butcher NZ 26

The competitors in the 2015 Australasian Young Drivers Championship, featuring Overport Lodge employees, winner Robbie Close (far left) and third-placed Michelle Neilson (middle).

This Championship is a fantastic part of harness racing in Australasia and helps us develop and educate our future top drivers and give them experiences that they may
not otherwise have.

We thank Trevor Casey from the Lone Star Riccarton for his sponsorship and hospitality.

Courtesy of Stacey Markham,
Marketing & Communications, HRNZ.

MASTER LAVROS BACK ON TOP AT ADDINGTON

Master Lavros promises a brighter seven-year-old season after turning the tables on Rowe Cup victor Stent at Addington on Saturday, May 9.

Overport Lodge trainer Mark Jones says its a shame there is only one race left for Master Lavros, last season’s Trotter of the Year, at Addington this Friday.

Master Lavros has a comfortable margin over Stent at the end of the Canterbury Copy Service Handicap Trot.

“He’s only just come right but we’ve run out of races,” Mark said.

“He’ll go out after next Friday but I’m really looking forward to next season now,” he said.

Master Lavros began well from the 10m line in the $17,600 Canterbury Copy Service Centre Trot on the Saturday meeting, with Mark keeping himself ahead of arch-rival Stent throughout.

They moved up parked beginning the final lap, striding up outside One Over Da Moon at the 1000m, with Stent trailing up three back on the outer.

Master Lavros had the leader’s measure turning for home and kept up a strong run to win by two lengths from Stent, with One Over Da Moon and Alley Way fighting out the minors.

The 6YO Sundon gelding trotted the 2600m (stand) in 3:16.9 (2:01.8 mile rate), the leaders running their last 800m in 58.1s and final 400m in 27.9s.

Mark Jones salutes after Master Lavros returns to scale at Addington.

Royal Aspirations holds the national mark from a stand over the trip at 3:14.8, but Master Lavros holds the mobile mark at 3:13.1.

Master Lavros, after having his summer racing derailed by a lack of form, has bounced back after connections began treating general wear and tear issues.

This was his first win since taking out last yewar’s Rowe Cup, but he’s only had 10 starts this term and preceeded the Addington win with two top second placings at Group One level behind Stent in the Fred Shaw Memorial NZ Trotting Championship on March 27, and in the Canam Rowe Cup at Auckland on April 24.

Despite grinding his way back to the top this term, Master Lavros has ticked his career earnings past the $400,000 mark for owner Kypros Kotzikas.

His lastest win was the 16th of his career, while he’s also picked up nine minor placings, from 41 career starts.

The Mark Jones stable notched a winning double on premier day with 2YO pacer Ice Crusher delivering second-up in the $11,700 PGG Wrightson NZ Yearling Sales 2YO OPen Consolation Pace.

“That’s been his aim all season,” Mark said of the Ice C Syndicate-owned pacer, who brought up his 350th career training win.

Mark Jones and owner Kypros Kotzikas enjoy a return to the winner’s enclosure at Addington.

“He’s likely to be sold now.”

Ice Crusher, a 2YO gelding by Christian Cullen from Helena Kilena (five wins, 1:57 m.r, 1950m), set a comfortable clip in the consolation, holding trailer Hickstead by three-quarters of a length in 2:27.4 (a 2:01.6 mile rate) for the mobile 1950m.

The winner showed a good turn of foot over his last 800m in 55.5s and his final 400m in 27.1s.

Ice Crusher also held Hickstead when they both qualified at Addington on February 2.

The winner is a brother to good south winner Shak’n Cullen (four wins, 1:58.9).

Their 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).

The Ice C Syndicate join trainer-driver Mark Jones after Ice Crusher’s win in the PGG Wrighston NZ Yearling Sales 2YO Open Consolation Pace.

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.

True Guest (Light Brigade-Loyal Guest), the dam of Speedy Guest and Golden Guest, was a half-sister to Adio star, the 1978 NZ Broodmare Of the Year, who left three NZ Derby winners, the above-mentioned Bachelor Star (1971), Main Adios (1975) and Game Adios (1979).

True Guest also became the dam of former top filly/mare Hilarious Guest, who added to the family’s New Zealand Derby-winning history in 1982 in the hands of Mark’s father Peter Jones, for trainer Maurice Vermeulen, holding Peter’s father Derek with Portfolio, Mel’s Boy and Enterprise.

Hilarious Guest, who died in 2008 after leaving 14 foals, won 21 races & $283,230, also beating the boys in a NZ Sapling Stakes at two, and in the NZ Messenger 4YO Championship.

By Jeff Scott