NZ METRO TC, Saturday, April 19

J Scott The Inside Word

NZ METRO TC, Saturday, April 19

Race 1: MASTER LAVROS (7, Mark), 1, 20m, 2600m std: “Was a great relief to get another Group One with him last week. If he does things right, he should be the one to beat.”

Race 3: ULTIMATE CC (4, Blair Orange), 2000m std: “Its her first stand start.  She fell in to win at Forbury so will need to improve.”

Pomme Roy, off colour when resuming and capable of better in the Resource Recycling Technologies NZ Ltd Mobile 2YO Pace at Addington.

Pomme Roy, off colour when resuming and capable of better in the Resource Recycling Technologies NZ Ltd Mobile 2YO Pace at Addington.

Race 5: MACH AND ME (5, Jonny Cox), & POMME
ROY (7, Mark), mob. 1950m:

“Mach N Me will be a better horse with time. The experience will do him good, but there are a couple in here who might be a bit sharp first-up.”

“Pomme Roy was sick last start. He seems well again now but will benefit from the run.”

Outside drives
 
Race 2: VIENNA EYRE (1), mob. 2600m: “Good draw but its a strong field.”

Race 6: SUPREME GEM (10), mob. 1609m: “Hard draw over one mile, so looking for luck.”

Race 7: ARMED FORCE (7), 2600m std: “If he gets away, he’s a chance.”

Race 10: NULLABOR NYMPH (6), mob. 2600m: “Terry (Chmiel) said she is better than her form-line, so looking for luck.”

FORBURY PARK TC, Thursday, April 17

J Scott The Inside Word

FORBURY PARK TC, Thursday, April 17

Race 4: MARITIME ARDEN (5, Ricky May), mob. 1700m: “A nice filly but has been a bit crook. She trialled below par last week but has worked better. An outside place chance.”

Race 5: TUXEDO MAX (6, Blair Orange), mob. 2200m: “Fresh-up and trialled nice, but disappointed a bit in work on Tuesday. He has to start off somewhere and needs racing.”

Race 7: FAIR DINKUM BROMAC (4, Blair Orange), fr, 2700m std: “Always goes an honest race and a place chance in a nice field.”

Race 8: GOODNESS GRACIOUS ME (2, Jonny Cox), mob. 1700m: “Racing good but meets two of the top fillies in this. She’s drawn well and a place chance.”

Strike On Command, warrants respect in the Keep It Clean Mobile Pace at Forbury on Thursday night.

Strike On Command, warrants respect in the Keep It Clean Mobile Pace at Forbury on Thursday night.

Race 9: JACCKA LEN (3, Blair Orange), mob. 1200m: “He’s fresh-up but from a nice draw is a strong each-way chance.”

Race 10: JOHNNY FOX (5, Jonny Cox), 2, 10m, 2700m: “He’s racing great and with luck can place behind Border Control.”

Race 11: MACHS A FLYIN (8, Kimberly Butt), mob. 2200m: “Two big wins at his last two starts, but is drawn wide in a strong field this time, so looking for luck.”

Race 12: STRIKE ON COMMAND (6, Blair Orange), mob. 2200m: “Racing good with no luck. If he gets the right trip, he should be hard to beat.”

Lavros for Rowe after Trot Champ win

J Scott Latest News

MASTER LAVROS SETS RECORD IN  $80,000 NZ TROTTING CHAMPIONSHIP

A New Zealand record run by top squaregaiter Master Lavros in the $80,000 Fred Shaw Memorial NZ Trotting Championship at Addington on Friday, April 11, has earned him a Auckland Rowe Cup trip.

Master Lavros adds to his Group One tally, wearing down Clover Don in the $80,000 Fred Shaw Memorial NZ Trotting Championship at Addington.

Master Lavros adds to his Group One tally, wearing down Clover Don in the $80,000 Fred Shaw Memorial NZ Trotting Championship at Addington.

Overport Lodge trainer Mark Jones was considering spelling the 5YO Sundon gelding but Friday’s performance has Master Lavros in the frame to attempt a Dominion-Rowe double.

“I was rapt with him. At this stage, I will head to the Rowe Cup and look at the Greenlane Cup ($30,000) the week before the Rowe ($150,000, May 9), then the paddock,” Mark said.

Master Lavros was a luckless fifth as a relatively raw 4YO in last year’s Rowe Cup, won by veteran Stig from Springbank Sam and Boizel.

All honours were with Master Lavros in Friday’s Group One trot free-for-all.

He trotted the mobile 2600m in 3:13.1 (1:59.4 mile rate), shaving 0.2 of a second off Ima Gold Digger’s mark set when winning the daytime 2010 NZ Trotting Free-For-All at the NZ Cup meeting.

The Kypros Kotzikas-owned squaregaiter, who lost his unruly tag for mobiles after the record-breaking win, came from last of the 10 runners, being timed over his last mile in 1:56.2.

After moving up parked over the final lap, Mark was able to drop the big bay down to the markers behind strong front-runner Clover Don when trailer Royal Aspirations couldn’t hold his ground at the 700m.

This was probably the winning of the race. Master Lavros was able to renew his energy for a final sprint lane crack at Clover Don inside the final 200m.

Master Lavros did the rest, showing his toughness to win going away by three-quarters of a length, with Mark allowing himself a salute in a rare show of emotion.

The Overport Lodge trainer had considered missing the Trotting Championship after Master Lavros was defeated in the $25,000 Glenferrie Farm 4 & 5YO Trotters Championship a week earlier.

A late decision was made to give the horse his chance, with Master Lavros showing his class, notching his fifth win from 12 starts this term and his 13th win from only 28 career starts for $268,428 in stakes.

Mark Jones racked up his 55th training win for the season in the Trotters Championship (following a Forbury double last Thursday).

He is third on this season’s premiership by runaway leaders, Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen (112) and second-placed Robert Dunn (75).

FORBURY PARK TC, Thursday, April 10

J Scott The Inside Word

FORBURY PARK TC, Thursday, April 10

Race 6: MACHS A FLYIN (7, Kimberly Butt), 2700m std: “Improved effort last week and if he races as good will be a chance.”

Race 9: ULTIMATE CC (3, Blair Orange), mob. 2200m: “She’s drawn well and a strong each-way chance.”

Race 10: FAIR DINKUM BROMAC (1, Blair Orange), 2700m std: “Its a drop back for him but he’s in an even field and a place chance off the front.”

NZ METRO TC, Friday, April 11

Race 1: STRIKE ON COMMAND (8, Blair Orange), mob. 1950m: “Improved run last week and a chance with luck from the draw.”

Race 2: JUNEAMY CASTLETON (9, Ricky May), mob. 2600m: “She’s racing great but just drawn bad so will need luck from there.”

Race 3: ZAKSPATROL (12, Blair Orange), 2600m std: “He’s racing good but drawn the second row so will need luck.”

Race 6: SMOKE N SANTANNA (7, Ricky May), mob. 1950m: “The race didn’t suit last week but this is a big step up.”

Race 7: MASTER LAVROS (10, Mark), mob. 2600m: “It was a late decision to start but its a $80k race so we’ll have a go but will need luck from the draw.”

Outside drive

Race 8: ASTRAL TRAVELLER (4), mob. 1950m: “I was wiped out when I drove him three back. He’s competitive in that grade but its a tough field.”

RANGIORA & WINTON HRC, Sunday, April 6

J Scott The Inside Word

RANGIORA HRC, Sunday, April 6

Race 7: THE ULTIMATE STORM (1, Michelle Neilson) & MACHS A FLYIN (13, Kimberly Butt), mob. 2600m: “Its a nice race for ‘Storm’ and the perfect draw so a good chance.”

“Machs A Flyin worked like Tarzan but raced like Jane last week. I have got to hope a female touch can help him but he needs to improve from his run on Sunday.”

Goodness Gracious Me, a close-up third in last week's Southland Oaks and the one to beat in a C1-2 mile at Winton on Sunday.

Goodness Gracious Me, a close-up third in last week’s Southland Oaks and the one to beat in a C1-2 mile at Winton on Sunday.

Race 11: JUNEAMY CASTLETON (7, Ricky May), mob. 2000m: “Its a nice race for her except for Thebestlove. The mobile and distance suits, so an each way chance.”

Race 12: ZAKSPATROL (7, Blair Orange), 2000m std: “He disappointed me last week after stepping up in grade and getting a nice run. He’s still 12 months away as he’s a big horse, so hoping for an improved effort.”

WINTON HRC, Sunday, April 6

Race 7: GOODNESS GRACIOUS ME (7, Jonny Cox), mob. 1609m: “She went good in the Southland Oaks last week in track record time but had every chance. This should be a bit easier for her and a good winning chance.”

NZ METRO TC, Friday, April 4

J Scott The Inside Word

NZ METRO TC @ ADDINGTON, Friday, April 4

Race 1: JOHNNY FOX (5, Blair Orange), mob. 1950m: “Good win last start after getting the right run. Its a nice race again and a strong field but if he gets the right run he’s a good each way chance.”

Race 2: JUNEAMY CASTLETON (9, Blair Orange), 2, 20m, 2600m std: “She needed run on Sunday and seems well but we would be happy to run second to One Over The Moon (looks the one on talent) and give the owners the q.!”

Race 3: THE ULTIMATE STORM (7, Blair Orange), 2600m std: “Nice win last week but this is a step up. He’s racing good and a place chance.”

Master Lavros, should be hard to beat in the Glenferrie Farm 4 & 5YO Trot Championship at Addington.

Master Lavros, should be hard to beat in the Glenferrie Farm 4 & 5YO Trot Championship at Addington.

Race 5: STRIKE ON COMMAND (11, Mark), mob. 1950m: “Was trainer error on Sunday. He has improved but would need to in a super strong one win race.”

Race 6: POMME ROY (1, Mark), mob. 1950m: “Trialled nice on Saturday but disappointed in his work on Wednesday. If his tests come back fine he will start. On ability he is up to these ones but I’ve just got to hope he had an off day on Wednesday!”

Race 10: MASTER LAVROS (4, Mark), 1, 10m, 2600m std: “Trialled nice on Monday. This looks a nice race for him and if he does things right, he’s a big chance.”

Race 11: SMOKE N SANTANNA (1, Ricky May), mob. 1950m: “Nice 2YO I have a bit of time for. He had an interrupted lead-up to this with a foot infection so will benefit from the run and experience. It is a good maiden field, but down the track I think he will be a very nice horse.”

AKAROA TC & IN’GILL HRC, Sunday, March 30

J Scott The Inside Word

AKAROA TC, Sunday, March 30

Race 3: SUPERIOR DESIRE (6, Alan Edge), mob. 2000m: “Is always competitive in this type of race.”

Race 7: ZAKSPATROL (2, Mark), 2170m std: “Good win last start and improving, but this a step-up.”

Race 8: JUNEAMY CASTLETON (13, Mark), 2, 20m, 2810m std: “Has freshened up good. May need run but is working well.”

Race 9: FAIR DINKUM BROMAC (11, Kimberly Butt), 3, 20m, 2810m std: “He’s going to find it tough in that field.”

Race 10: STRIKE ON COMMAND (3, Mark), mob. 2000m: “Racing great and a good chance off a good draw.”

Race 11: MACHS A FLYIN (3, Anthony Butt), mob. 2000m: “New to barn and I haven’t done much with him but you don’t improve them off Mark Purdon. I have just got to hope he goes as good as its not a strong field.”

Outside drive

R2: NEED SUCCESS (5), 2170m std: “A pick-up drive and you always have to respect one of Mike Austin’s trotters. She’s out of Meniscus so has a chance on breeding.”

INVERCARGILL HRC, Sunday, March 30
Goodness Gracious Me, and driver Jonny Cox, drawn to make their presence felt in the $45,000 Nevele R/Macca Lodge Southland Oaks Final.

Goodness Gracious Me, and driver Jonny Cox, drawn to make their presence felt in the $45,000 Nevele R/Macca Lodge Southland Oaks Final.

Race 8: GOODNESS GRACIOUS ME (2, Jonny Cox), mob. 2200m: “Has improved a lot from her first-up run last week and a good chance off a good draw.”

NZ METRO TC, Friday, March 28

J Scott The Inside Word

NZ METRO TC, Friday, March 28

Race 6: JOHNNY FOX (2, Michelle Neilson) & FAIR DINKUM BROMAC (10, Kimberly  Butt), mob. 1950m: “Fox should be improved from first-up run. He has a good draw over an ideal distance, so has got to be hard to beat.”

“Fair Dinkum Bromac is waiting to get a drop-back, where he be more competitive. An outside place chance from the draw.”

Race 11: THE ULTIMATE STORM (8, Blair Orange), 2600m std: “Won’t get many better chances to win a race.”

Outside drives

Race 2: SCOTLYNN JIGGS (9), mob. 2600m: “Disappointed leading up last week, so will need luck from the draw.”

Race 10: ARMED FORCE (2), mob. 1950m: “Racing good with no luck. The mobile suits so each-way.”

Addington stakes up by $1 million

J Scott Latest News

ADDINGTON STAKES UP BY $1 MILLION SINCE 2012

Wednesday 26 March, 2014

The New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club (NZMTC) is delighted to report that its latest projections have it on target to pay-out a total of $7.2 million in stakes and bonuses for the 2013-14 racing season.

This forecasted pay-out is an increase of 12% on the 2012-13 season and an increase of 16% or $1 million on the $6.2 million paid out for the 2011-12 season.

The increases have been distributed across the grades for both pacers and trotters by way of new initiatives and general stakes growth introduced over the last two years.

These initiatives include “The Met Multiplier” that has paid out $195,000 to date and the popular “Super Series” format for lower grade horses that by season’s end will have seen over $300,000 distributed to connections. The new Breeders Bonus Scheme introduced in January 2014 has contributed to the increase and a significant sum of approximately $100,000 has also been injected to uplift minimum stake levels this season.

There have also been increases in some iconic races including the Christchurch Casino New Zealand Trotting Cup from $600,000 to $650,000, the Muscara Standardbreds New Zealand Derby from $150,000 to $175,000, the Canterbury Breeders New Zealand Oaks from $100,000 to $125,000 and the Woodlands New Zealand Free-For-All from $150,000 to $200,000.
Brent Smith, Deputy Chairman of the Met commented as follows, “The increase in stakes and bonuses over the last two years is an important part of the Met’s five-year Strategic Plan where the club is determined to maximise long term sustainable returns to stakeholders through an efficient and innovative stake and bonus distribution model.”

“It was important to come up with a model for distribution to stakeholders that was sustainable and fair and that rewarded owners and trainers and encouraged connections to race their horses at Addington.”

“These increases have also been possible through the Met achieving three consecutive years of operating surpluses” said Smith.

The Met is projecting to pay almost 100% of Harness Racing New Zealand funding into stakes and bonuses in the 2013/14 season.

Courtesy of Ged Mooar
Marketing & Commercial Manager
Addington

METHVEN TC, Sun., Mar 23 & FORBURY, Mon, Mar 24

J Scott The Inside Word

METHVEN TC, Sunday, March 23
Fair Dinkum Bromac, a catch drive at Methven on Sunday for visiting Cambridge reinsman, Todd Mitchell.

Fair Dinkum Bromac, a catch drive at Methven on Sunday for visiting Cambridge reinsman, Todd Mitchell.

Race 4: ZAKSPATROL (4, Blair Orange), 2400m std: “Didn’t quite see out the last bit over 2700m at Forbury. The 2400m could be better for him in an open field.”

Race 10: FAIR DINKUM BROMAC (1, Todd Mitchell), 2400m std: “He should be improved by his run at Waikouaiti. He steps good and likes the grass but its a strong field so outside place probably best.”

Outside drive

Race 11: SCOTLYNN JUSTIS (13), mob. 2300m: “He won his grass maiden good but this is a step up and he’s off the back row, so looking for a bit of luck.”

FORBURY PARK TC (grass) @ Wingatui, Monday, March 24

Race 2: ULTIMATE CC (9, Blair Orange), mob. 2200m: “Its a drop down for her from the Nevele R Heat at Addington and she goes good on the grass. Should be a good each-way chance.”