FORBURY TC, Thurs, Oct 2 & NZ METRO, Fri, Oct 3

J Scott The Inside Word

FORBURY PARK TC, Thursday, October 2

Race 1: SMOKE N GRIN (4, Blair Orange), 2700m std: “Will stay down south after this week and quick back up is a concern but gets right race to be competitive in.”

Race 4: EASTBURN MARA (5, Blair Orange), mob. 2200m: “Is racing good and had no luck last week. From the draw and with the right run, can place.”

Race 6: OASIS DREAM (3, Blair Orange), 2200m std: “Racing honestly and a strong winning chance.”

Race 7: CLASSIEBEE (7, Blair Orange) & FAIR DINKUM BROMAC (8, Kimberly Butt), mob. 2200m:

“Classiebee is racing better than his form suggests but is drawn bad. With luck is a good each-way show.”

“Fair Dinkum Bromac is drawn terrible but gets in good race and can upset.”

NZ METRO TC, Friday, October 3
Master Lavros, NZ's Trotter Of The Year who finds a nice six-horse field for his race return at Addington on Friday.

Master Lavros, NZ’s Trotter Of The Year who finds a six-horse field for his race return at Addington on Friday.

Race 3: CHAMPAGNE DREAMS (2, Mark), mob. 1609m: “Nice filly who will be better with time and maybe a run short, but a strong each-way chance.”

Race 6: MASTER LAVROS (6, Mark), 2, 20m, 2600m std: “This a nice race to start off in and will be a true run race with the Fiery Ginga in there. Master Lavros has been trialling alright and his class means he’ll be hard to beat.”

Outside drive

Race 5: SUPREME GEM (6), mob. 1609m: “Is racing great but a terrible draw over the mile trip so looking for the right luck.”

 

BANKS PENINSULA TC, Sunday, Sept. 28

J Scott The Inside Word

BANKS PENINSULA TC, Sunday, September 28

Race 1: MACHS A FLYIN (11, Phill Anderson), mob. 2000m: “He’s raced pretty good on grass tracks in the past. He should be a good each-way chance with the right luck.”

Race 5: TUXEDO MAX (3, Blair Orange), 2170m std: “Went good last time at Addington and should be a strong each-way chance from the good marble.”

Race 7: SMOKE N GRIN (5, Mark), 2170m std: “He went good on the grass at the Methven workouts when getting ready before racing this prep. If he relaxes, I’m hoping for better on the grass track.”

Outside drives

Race 4: BRUNSWICK (15), mob. 2000m: “Had a run at the grass workouts here last week but didn’t feature so looking for luck on debut from the back row.”

Race 9: MATCH POINT (5), mob. 2000m: “Didn’t flatter at Methven and it’s a handy field so needs to lift.”

HR WAIKATO, Sept 25 & NZ METRO TC, Sept 26

J Scott The Inside Word

HR WAIKATO @ CAMBRIDGE, Thursday, September 25

Race 6: POMME ROY (7, Scott Phelan), mob. 1609m: “Was a good run first-up but  he will find it tough draw wide over the mile.”

NZ METRO TC, Friday, September 26
Expresso Martini, a likely improver for the opening race at Addington on Friday night.

Expresso Martini, a likely improver for the opening race at Addington on Friday night.

Race 1: EXPRESSO MARTINI (1, Blair Orange), mob. 1950m: “He went terrible first-up but it was trainer error. He seems to have freshened up and a place chance from the draw.”

Outside drives

Race 4: SUPREME GEM (4, UR), 2600m std: “Ran on good in the mares race last time but looking for luck in a tough handicap grade in this.”

Race 5: STYLISH BABE (4), mob. 1609m: “Usually honest over a sprint trip. With the right luck could be some place value.”

Race 9: EXCEPTIONAL MAN (4), mob. 1950m: “Racing good and an each-way  chance again although Mighty Major looks the one to beat drawn inside him.”

 

New Addington mares race

J Scott Latest News

NEW MARES RACE FOR SHOW DAY
September 22, 2014

The New Zealand Sires Stakes Board together, with The Met at Addington, will be staging a new race on Show Day, Friday 14 November solely catering for 4 year old and over pacing mares.

The race, to be known as the Nevele R Sires Stakes Southern Mares Classic, will carry a significant stake of $40,000. It will be staged over 1950 metres from a mobile start with a preferential barrier draw based on assessment and winning stakes using the Addington track grid.

Any horse (now mare) where the foal nomination fee was paid for either the New Zealand Sires Stakes or the Nevele R Fillies Series, or where a late entry was paid for these, will be eligible to race. Those mares that have either won a Group One race or a race of $100,000 or more are ineligible.

Doreen Graham, Secretary- Manager of the New Zealand Sires Stakes Board commented “that this is one of five new feature races being introduced this season extending the Sires Stakes programme to older age group racing.”

Further details about the Nevele R Sires Stakes Southern Mares Classic can be found at www.nzsiresstakes.co.nz

Courtesy of Ged Mooar

Marketing & Commercial Manager, Addington.

Auckland TC, Friday, September 19

J Scott The Inside Word

AUCKLAND TC, Friday, September 19

Race 3: POMME ROY (4, Brent Mangos), mob. 2200m: “He ran good time at the Motukarara workouts last Saturday beating Tuxedo Max (2:45.7, last 800m 56.9s) so I’ve sent him north to try and win a good maiden. I don’t know alot about the north form but he should go good. Hopefully, he could also qualify for the Sires Stakes up there.”

Master Lavros fresh in return

J Scott Latest News

MASTER LAVROS TO TRIAL NEXT WEEK

Overport Lodge trainer Mark Jones confirmed top trotter Master Lavros will trial next week before kicking off his 6YO racing season at Addington on October 3.

Master Lavros made a return at the Rangiora workouts on Wednesday, September 17, but wasn’t pushed after losing ground early.

“He missed away bad being so fresh,” Mark said.

“But I was very happy with afterwards.”

Master Lavros wasn’t asked for a serious run in the C1 and faster trot taken out by fellow 40m marker Phil’s Gift, who trotted the 2600m (stand) in 3:26.6 for driver Stevie Golding.

Phil’s Gift, now seven, last raced in March.

He was recording his second Rangiora workout win in this preparation for Woodend trainers Greg and Nina Hope.

RANGIORA HRC, Sept 18 & METHVEN TC, Sept 21

J Scott The Inside Word

RANGIORA HRC @ ADDINGTON, Thursday, September 18

Race 1: MACHS A FLYIN (7, Phill Anderson) mob. 2600m: “Is drawn better and the longer trip suits so each-way chance.”

Race 3: SMOKE N GRIN (5, Mark), 2000m std: “Over-raced first up but if he gets away quick he’s a good winning chance.”

Race 5: CLASSIEBEE (8, Anthony Butt), mob. 1950m: “In tough grade and drawn wide but gets drop-back after this run, which should make him easier to place.”

Race 8: EASTBURN MARA (8, Mark), & TUXEDO MAX (9, Blair Orange) mob. 1950m: “Eastburn Mara is racing good and an each-way chance. Tuxedo Max had no luck last week and is drawn bad again but can win with luck.”

METHVEN TC, Sunday, September 21

Race 4: OASIS DREAM (8, Blair Orange), 3000m std: “Good run last week and I would think the longer trip and grass should suit.”

Outside drive

Race 6: OHOKA JETT (6), mob. 2300m: “He’s had a win and a placing on grass tracks so could be an outside place chance.”

New Zealand Cup, 3rd rankings

J Scott Latest News

CHRISTCHURCH CASINO NZ CUP, THIRD RANKINGS

Tiger Tara has again been the major beneficiary of the latest round of rankings for the Christchurch Casino New Zealand Trotting Cup following his spritely victory in Sunday’s Hannon Memorial at Oamaru.

The Geoff Dunn trained pacer’s effort pushed him to inside the top 15 places – up four from his previous spot 16th to 12th on the order of entry for the race. It won’t secure the impressive four-year-old a berth for certain, but puts him on the right track.

Others to improve on their position over the weekend were Hannon runner-up Four Starzzz Flash who was rewarded for his return to form with a jump from 24th to 19th while Pass Them By moved up three spots to 20th on the list and Pure Power up three spots as well from 26th to 23rd with his fourth placing in the Hannon.

NZ Derby winner Locharburn, runnerup to Christen Me when the tight class pacers resumed at Addington last month, is a notable early withdrawal from the cup.

Latest rankings

1. Terror To Love
2. Christen Me
3. For A Reason (NSW)
4. Themightyquinn (WA)
5. Adore Me
6. Pembrook Benny
7. Seel N Print (NSW)
8. Franco Ledger
9. Smolda
10. Easy On The Eye
11. Abettorpunt (Vict)
12. Tiger Tara
13. Franco Nelson
14. Jason Rulz
15. Fly Like An Eagle
______________________

16. Jimmy Johnstone
17. Pemberton Shard
18. Bit Of A Legend
19. Pass Them By
21. Hands Christian
22. Arden Rooney
23. Pure Power
24 Lets Elope
25. Maximan (Vict)
26. Classiesistar
27. Vice Chairman
28. Averil’s Quest
29. Lewy Risk

Withdrawals: Besotted, Locharburn, Jivin Cullen, Belkmyster, Ballindooley, The Wrath Of Robyn, Maiden Rome, Franco Harrington.

Courtesy of HRNZ

Master Lavros near trial stage

J Scott Latest News

MASTER LAVROS TO RACE ON OCTOBER 3

NZ Trotter of the Year Master Lavros is set to return to the trials within two weeks for Overport Lodge trainer Mark Jones.

Mark has a return to racing earmarked for the big Sundon gelding in a $12,000 C4-0C trot over 2600m at Addington on October 3.

Master Lavros shown winning the Group One $80,000 Fred Shaw Memorial NZ Trotting Championship at Addington in April.

Master Lavros shown winning the Group One $80,000 Fred Shaw Memorial NZ Trotting Championship at Addington in April.

“He’s had a great long slow build-up,” Mark said.

Master Lavros will be a leading hope to repeat last year’s dominant Group One Dominion Handicap success at the New Zealand Cup meeting.

Now six, the Kypros Kotzikas-owned trotting star is still lightly-raced, despite kicking off his career with three starts at two.

He’s faced the starter only 31 times for 15 wins and five placings, banking $351,468.

Last season, he won seven of 15 starts, securing his place in NZ trot history as the winner of three NZ Group One trot races in the same season.

He was spelled after taking out the G1 Canam Rowe Cup at Auckland on May 9.

Master Lavros also won the G1 $80,000 Fred Shaw Memorial NZ Trotting Championship at Addington in April in a NZ record for the mobile 2600m of 3:13.1 (1:59.4 rate).

For good measure, he also won two Group Three trots at Addington last term, the $25,000 Seelite Windows & Doors Summer Trotting Free-For-All (mobile 1950m) and $25,000 Dr Cliff Irvine Memorial Canterbury Park Trotting Cup (2600m).

Unfortunately, his only start in Australia resulted in gallop in the Glenferrie Challenge at Menangle on March 2, but will be given the chance to show his best across the Tasman this season.

WATCH THE DREAM NSW-BOUND

Meanwhile, the sale of well-bred pacing filly Watch The Dream (3f Bettor’s Delight-Dreamy Atom), a first-up winner for the Mark Jones stable at Forbury on August 28, has been finalised.

Watch The Dream, race-timed in 1:57.5 (1609m) when a sound fifth at Winton last Sunday, is likely to join the New South Wales stable of Shane Tritton.

Saveapatrol set for January race return

J Scott Latest News

SAVEAPATROL SCHEDULED TO RESUME IN JANUARY

Overport Lodge trainer Mark Jones is counting down the months for the racetrack return of stable pacing star Savepatrol next year.

Saveapatrol, last seasons’s luckless Auckland Cup placegetter,  underwent a minor surgery for a leg issue after spelling in March.

Saveapatrol, stretches out for driver Blair Orange on New Zealand Cup day last year. He is scheduled for a January race return.

Saveapatrol, stretches out for driver Blair Orange on New Zealand Cup day last year. He is scheduled to resume racing in January.

“I’m rapt with Saveapatrol’s recovery. His leg looks great after we  took a precautionary measure to operate,” Mark said.

“He’s had sixs weeks swimming already and walks one hour in surf  every day. He’s set to resume jogging next month and he looks
great.”

Mark says he’ll be in no hurry with the lightly-raced Christian Cullen gelding.

“I guess we’ll take our time and have good options after New Year, like the Northern Southland and Invercargill Cups.”

Mark says the $A400,000 Hunter Cup at Melton in early February could also be an option if Saveapatrol makes a sharp return to his outstanding form of last season.

Saveapatrol won six of 10 four-year-old starts.

He was spelled after his Group One Auckland Cup third behind Terror To Love and Adore Me at Auckland on March 7.

Saveapatrol was a brilliant winner of a C3 pace at Addington on New  Zealand Cup day in a fast 3:09 (mobile 2600m), just half a second outside the NZ record.

He starred on the provincial cups circuit, taking out the Geraldine, Marlborough and Invercargill Cups, the latter a precious Group Three scalp over triple New Zealand Cup winner Terror To Love, in a strong 4:03 (3200m).

Saveapatrol, who also racetimed in 1:53.4 (1609m) when fourth from an impossible draw at Addington in February, has only had 16 career starts, for 10 wins, a second and a third, earning $134,868 for owner Grant Hatton.