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MARK CO-OWNER OF RICCARTON WINNER

Overport trainer Mark Jones not only featured with a winning training treble at Forbury on Friday, November 9, but picked up a win as a co-owner at the Canterbury Jockey Club’s NZ Cup meeting at Riccarton on Saturday.

Mark is one of 10 in the ownership of the grey Align mare, including trainer Lisa Latta, and fellow harness racing buddies, Andrew Stuart, Craig Thornley and Regan Todd.

Snow Line was recording her fifth win from 32 starts, in the $30,000 Ratings 75 1100m race, taking her earnings to $59,885 with the metropolitan victory.

The previous night at Forbury, the Overport Lodge team gained a bonus win with Strike On Command, a promoted winner of the C3-6 Speights Mobile Pace to remain unbeaten in five starts on the course.

Hot front-running favourite New Years Jay was disqualified from first by stewards after mixing her gait in the run and galloping for over 50 metres.

Mark thought both Strike On Command and Tuxedo Max were just running for place money behind New Years Jay, who looked unbeatable.

Strangely, New Years Jay is yet to be beaten past the line on raceday. She now has five wins on the board and two disqualfications from first.

Strike On Command, a chance drive for junior driver Michelle Neilson, with Blair Orange driving Tuxedo Max, settled fifth, and tracked Classiebee up with cover over the last 1100m.

They sprung out to challenge New Years Jay turning for home and were presented with a chance when the favourite galloped. New Years Jay got down and pacing, clinging her way back to victory but lost the race in the stewards room.

Tuxedo Max, who trailed Strike On Command, lost his chance with a gallop at the 400m.

Rockin Cullen capitalised after being given a great trip behind the leaders by Bob Butt in the first heat of the Stunin Cullen Sprint Series (1200m), held stablemate Eastburn Mara by half a length.

The 5YO daughter of Christian Cullen and former Nevele R Stud 2YO Stakes winner Idancedallnight (p2, 1:59.3, six wins & $103,655), served this spring by Bettor’s Delight, was second-up for the Jones stable.

She had earlier won once when prepared by Kirk Larsen for father and son Southland owners, Paul and Brendan Duffy.

The sister to Waltzing With Cullen (1:51.7, Aust, 15 wins & $139,488) and minor winner Nureyev (2:00), is a distant relative of the famed Regina-Rosehaven-Black Watch maternal line, which earlier relatives of the Duffy family established.

Idancedallnight (Presidential Ball-Ciccio Star), who was raced by Ian Dobson, died in May last year.

Rockin Cullen, after starting from the back row, ran 1:26.5 for the 1200m dash, the leaders running their last 800m in 58.5s.

Eastburn Mara rallied well late after being caught three wide with cover from the outset, then having to lodge his claim four wide from the 400m.

Oasis Dream completed a winning treble for the Overport Lodge raiders when he justified his favouritism in the C1 Dunedin City Ford Pace.

After settling back on the outer early, the improving Major In Art gelding improved parked at the 1000m.

He trailed McCovey Cove (who spurted clear at the 700m) around the final bend and wore that second favourite down in 2:47.6 for the 2200m (stand).

The Forbury treble moved the Mark Jones stable to 14 wins for the season for earnings of $92,130.

MASTER LAVROS IN RACE AGAINST TIME FOR DOMINION

Master Lavros, last year’s Dominion Handicap winner and Trotter of the Year, had two days out in the paddock to get a mixed run at Kaikoura on Monday.

Master Lavros, shown leading in last year’s Dominon, for Overport trainer Mark Jones.

Overport Lodge trainer Mark Jones and Woodend-based right-hand man Regan Todd are doing their best to get the top trotter where he needs to be next Friday, but time is against them.

“He’s just got a few little issues. He would get away with it pacing in his hopples but he’s a trotter and when he broke the other day he made a mess of things.”

“If he’s right he can still win the Dominion but I haven’t got long to turn him round, so we might be pushing things uphill a bit.”

There was better news for the stable at Wednesday’s NZ Cup trials at Addington with promising 4YO squaregaiter Eyre I Come giving another good display.

Eyre I Come, an acceptor for the C2 and faster Garrards Horse & Hound Trot over 3200m to open NZ Cup day proceedings, stepped safely on Wednesday.

The Majestic Son gelding trailed early for race driver Blair Orange, then took over again with 1700m to run.

He was always travelling well, scoring by 2 3/4 lengths over Tuesday race rival Jayceekay in 3:28.7 for the stand start 2600m in the slushy conditions.

Eyre I Come quickened over his last 800m in 59.9s and his final 400m in 28.2s.

FINAL CUP RANKINGS, FIELD DRAWN WED. OCT 5

The final field for the 2014 edition of the Christchurch Casino New Zealand Trotting Cup has been found, subject to final withdrawals on Wednesday, October 5.

The official last round of rankings has Pass Them By in the final 15th spot in the order of entry _ surpassing Pemberton Shard who will fill the first emergency spot.

However, Pemberton Shard, the half-sister to Smiling Shard, could still make the field.

Champion trainer Mark Purdon, who co-trains with his partner Natalie Rasmussen, said he would recommend to the owners of last year’s Cup runner-up, Fly Like An Eagle, that he be withdrawn following a disappointing run in Monday’s Kaikoura Cup.

Purdon and Rasmussen, in any case, will be represented by Kaikoura Cup winner, Arden Rooney, along with Hands Christian and Adore Me.

Australia will be represented by both For A Reason and Seel N Print, after connections of both horses confirmed they would be making the trip.

The barrier draw for the race will be completed tomorrow morning.

Full fields for harness racing’s biggest event is likely to be available for viewing at www.hrnz.co.nz by lunchtime.

The final field, subject to final withdrawals on Wednesday, October 12 at 11a.m., is:

Adore Me

Arden Rooney

Christen Me

Fly Like An Eagle

For A Reason

Four Starzzz Flash

Franco Ledger

Franco Nelson

Hands Christian

Jimmy Johnstone

Pass Them By

Pembrook Benny

Seel N Print

Terror To Love

Tiger Tara

Emergencies: Pemberton Shard (E1), Lewy Risk (E2).

Courtesy of Candice Van Dyk,
Marketing and Communications Manager,
Harness Racing New Zealand

McDERMOTTS’ CASH IN ON MET MULTIPLIER

Tuesday, October 4

Last Friday night (October 31) was a great night for local Canterbury trainer John McDermott and the team at Addington Raceway.

John sent two quality mares to the post in Race 8 The Clarkson Signs – Building & Window Signage Mobile Pace and cashed in big time.

Already, 7YO mare Supreme Gem and her owners Christine and John McDermott, and Pat and Fred Dowie were guaranteed a Met Multiplier bonus payment of $7500.

Then added to this, stablemate Flyover an 8YO mare, won the race and in-turn qualified for the bonus for owners John and Maurice McDermott.

So, as well as picking up the winning stake of $5500 a further $15,000 went into the bank account, not a bad night’s work at all from the mares who have won 17 races between them.

This was the 58th Met Multiplier paid out at a total of $435,000 by the Met since the promotion was introduced back in August 2012.

The scheme is designed to encourage trainers to support the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club (NZMTC) with a lucrative incentive for the connections.

To earn a Met Multiplier a horse has to start at a (NZMTC) meeting a minimum of 15 times over a 12 month rolling period and be placed 1st or dead heat for 1st in one of those qualifying starts.

That means that your horse has 12 months to have the 15 starts and gain one win from when it first starts at a NZMTC meeting. E.g. A horse that has its first start at Addington on 11 November 2014 must have a minimum of 15 starts at NZMTC meetings and be placed first in one of those starts by 10 November 2015.

Horses that have had more than 15 starts and are yet to win can still qualify as long as they win a race within their 12 month period and at the same time satisfy the 15-start criteria within that time period.

Addington’s Racing Manager Brian Rabbitt said: “the initiative has proved to be a winning formula for the club, owners and trainers. We have seen an increase in horse numbers and our starter numbers continue to track above the national average which is a positive result. It is intended to keep the scheme going especially as more and more owners and trainers are seeing the merit in it.”

Full details and conditions of The Met Multiplier Reward can be found under the Racing – Promotions and Incentives section at www.addington.co.nz or contact Brian Rabbitt or Richard Bromley at the Addington Racing Department on (03) 338 9094.

Courtesy of Ged Mooar
Marketing & Commercial Manager
Addington

EYRE I COME WRAPS LABOUR WEEKEND HAT-TRICK

Impressive Ashburton Labour Day Monday trot winner Eyre I Come gained his first win for Melbourne owners Merv and Meg Butterworth, who joined co-owner Grant Hatton in the ownership in April.

The grandson of former 1987 Rowe Cup and 1988 Dominion Handicap-winning mare Landora’s Pride (34 wins & $472,842) rounded out a hat-trick of wins on Sunday-Monday of Labour weekend for Overport Lodge trainer Mark Jones, and in-form driver Blair Orange.

Eyre I Come, impressive at Ashburton, and bred to progress further.

Eyre I Come was first-up since breaking at despatch point and finishing unplaced in the Group One Northern Trotting Derby on May 9.

The Majestic Son gelding also mixed his gait in his other two northern campaign races before spelling, but he was foolproof in Monday’s C1-2 Anderson Photography & Design Trot victory.

After settling back on the outer, improved wide turning in and lengthened stride to a nicety at the business end, scoring by half a length from late finisher Mel Gibson in a useful 3:05.4 for the stand start 2400m.

The winner was timed over his last 800m in 57.6s.

The Butterworths’ secured the share of the gelding’s former Woodend trainer David Gaffaney, who qualified him and prepared him for his debut win at Timaru in February.

Mark Jones initially selected Eyre I Come at the New Zealand Premier Yearling Sales for Mr Hatton, who races Auckland Cup placegetter Saveapatrol from the stable.

However, Mark felt the well-bred youngster would benefit from his early development with Gaffaney, who had more time to spend moulding him.

Eyre I Come didn’t come cheap, being a $45,000 yearling, but is bred to win races and Mark thinks he’ll improve further.

His year younger half-brother Springbank Eden (by Angus Hall), beat the only maidens in a C0 trot at Waikouaiti in March for Oamaru trainer Phil Williamson.

Their dam Landora’s Special (Sundon-Landora’s Pride, by Game Pride-Landora) won four trotting and is a half-sister to Landora’s Gift, who also won four.

Landora’s Gift, voted the NZ 2YO & 3YO Trotting Filly of the Year in 1995-96, famously bred on as the Chiola Hanover dam of champion NZ-bred but largely Australia-raced Sundon’s Gift (1:54.3, 41 wins & $1.2 million), who not only won the 2010 Rowe Cup at Auckland for Chris Lang but also the 2010 Interdominion Trotting Grand Final at Mooney Valley, and numerous other Australian features.

Another daughter of Landora’s Pride, herself a Victoria Dullard Cup winner across the Tasman, in Invasion’s Pride (six wins, and runnerup in a Australasian Breeders Crown
3YO Trot Final) also left a topliner in the brilliant Let Them Thru (2:00, 2240m, 19 wins from 30 starts for $A453,945), the runnerup to I Can Doosit in the 2011 Interdominion Trotters Final at Auckland.

FORBURY DOUBLE FOR MARK/BLAIR

Course specialist Strike On Command stretched his unbeaten run to four wins in as many Forbury starts when delivering at the Tuapeka meeting on Sunday, October 26.

Strike On Command, unbeaten in four Forbury starts.

The Mark Jones-trained McArdle gelding completed a winning double for the stable and in-form driver Blair Orange at Forbury, with Hellavahanover bouncing back to winning form
in the day’s opener.

Blair notched a quartet of Tuapeka wins, also scoring with Bit Of A Legend’s younger brother Lookofalegend and Change Time, both for West Melton trainer Ken Barron.

Strike on Command was well-rated by Blair, settling three back on the outer, then making a move to be parked briefly with a lap to run.

He had cover coming with Aidan’s Rocket working to parked at the 750m, then wore down the Nathan Williamson-trained Aidan’s Rocket in the run home, scoring by a neck.

He paced the 2200m (stand) on the sticky track in 2:50.6, the leaders running their last 800m in 58.3s.

Strike On Command is raced by New South Wales owner Kevin Stanley, who also raced his Bettor’s Delight half-sister Cotton Row (three wins, TT, 1:57.8), and is now breeding
from the latter.

Both Strike On Command and Cotton Row are from a good- winning OK Bye mare Noble Strike (1:56.8h, US), who numbered a PGG NZ Yearling Sales 2YO Fillies South Island
Graduette win and a Nevele R Fillies Heat among her two NZ wins for Ian and Malcolm Shinn.

Noble Strike scored another 15 wins in North America, earning the equivalent of $149,602.

She (Noble Strike) is a half-sister to other big USA winners in Time Flies (1:52, US; 36 wins incl. 32 in the US for $624,230 career winnings) and Ultimate Pursuit (1:51.6,
US, 44 wins incl. 38 in the US).

Hellavahanover, who returned to the Mark Jones stable after a stint with Gareth Dixon in the north last term, winning first-up at Auckland in March, was also good fresh on
Sunday.

Hellavahanover, too good fresh off 20m in the C0-1 trot over 2200m at Forbury.

First-up since being pulled up at the Kurow meeting in early August, Hellavahanover didn’t put a foot wrong off the unruly mark over 2200m at Tuapeka.

Blair improved with her to a one back-one out trailing spot with 1400m to run, had her out and running at the 400m and she did enough to hold favourite Springfield Eyre (who
tracked her from the 1400m) by a neck.

The 4YO Brylin Boyz-Malabar Hanover mare trotted 2:59.8 for the trip when the track was slushy.

Hellavahanover is the first foal from her Malabar Maple dam, a half-sister to former top NZ trotter Romper Stomper (2:00.1 mile rate 2600m, 12 wins & $180,579), and the two-
race trot winner Amanda’s Flash.

Romper Stomper trotted a NZ mobile 2600m record, at the time, of 3:14.2 (2:00.1 mile rate) when he won the Group One 2007 $75,000 NZ Trotting Free-For-All at Addington on
Show day, when beach-trained by Robbie Holmes.

Now 15 and living out retirement as a hack, Romper Stomper was co-raced by Cambridge trainer John Dickie with Hamilton’s Phil Sherley, also a co-owner of Hellavahanover.

Meanwhile, Classiebee, who previously won five for the Mark Jones stable, won first-up since transferring to Roxburgh trainers Geoff and Jude Knight at the Tuapeka meeting.

Classiebee, largely due to a well-rated front-running drive from Rory McIlwrick, lasted to just hold fast-finishing favourite Titan Banner in a C1-2 pace.

LOUIE FINN SMART ASHBURTON QUALIFIER

Louie Finn, a 3YO gelding by Grinfromeartoear, repeated his recent workout win by leading up from the stand start in his Ashburton 2400m qualifier on Tuesday, October 21.

In the hands of Overport Lodge trainer Mark Jones, Louie Finn maintained a strong run, holding by 1 1/2 lengths in 3:06 for the 2400m, quickening over his last 800m in 57.2s and final 400m in 27.3s.

“He won easy. He’s a nice horse,” Mark said.

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 Warath’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.

Louie Finn looked ready to qualify when he led and won an unqualified workout pace at Rangiora on October 15 in 3:34 (2600m), quickening his last 800m in 57.2s and final 400m in 27.5s.