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Race 4: KATIEELLEN CASTLETON (1, Zac Butcher), 2500m std: “She’s on a learning curve. Will need to do things right after getting the inside draw again.”
Race 7: SUPERIOR DESIRE (8, Zac Butcher), mob. 2500m: “Is going to have to improve on his first day run but won’t have to do any work from the draw. Hopefully he can run into the placings.”
Katieellen Castleton, take on trust early from the inside draw in her race debut at Manawatu today.
Race 1: KATIEELLEN CASTLETON (1, Shane Butcher), 1, 2500m std: “She’s a half-sister to Heather and Juneamy Castleton. Still got a lot to learn but its the right place for her to kick off her career.”
Race 3: SUPERIOR DESIRE (3, Shane Butcher), mob. 2000m: “Didn’t quicken on the grass on Friday. He’s in the right race and looking for better on the all-weather.”
Race 1: SUPERIOR DESIRE (13, Alan Edge), mob. 2000m: “He’s in a good race for him but you never know what will happen in an amateur drivers race, so just hoping for no bad luck.”
Juneamy Castleton, looking to extend her good grass track record at Motukarara on Friday.
Race 6: JUNEAMY CASTLETON (17, Blair Orange), 2, 20m, 2810m std: “She ran out the 3200m real good at Waikouaiti. She’s enjoying the grass track racing and a good each-way chance with the right luck off 20m.”
Race 7: CLASSIEBEE (11, Ricky May), 6, 10m, 2810m std: “He’s in a tough grade. Its hard to find the right race but he’s always a place chance.”
Race 8: JACCKA LEN (18, Blair Orange), 2170m std: “He’s drawn terrible but should keep improving with racing. With a cart into it should be a good chance.”
Race 11: ROCK TILL YOU DROP (9, Blair Orange), mob. 2000m: “He’s drawn bad but had no luck last week. A chance with a drag into the race.”
Mark’s outside drives
Race 5: MILLWOOD CHLOE (10), mob. 2000m: “She’s gone quite good at the trials. Should be a chance with the right luck from the inside of the back row.”
Race 10: SMOKIN CHICK (4), mob. 2000m: “Could be a place chance if we can stay handy from the draw.
NZ METRO TC, Saturday, February 15
Race 1: STRIKE ON COMMAND (5, Blair Orange), mob. 1950m: “He was disappointing last week but seems better this week. Its a super strong field though.”
Race 9: MASTER LAVROS (6, Mark), mob. 1950m: “He’s had an easy time since his last run but if he does things right will be hard to beat.”
Race 10: SAVEAPATROL (6, Blair Orange), mob. 1609m: “He gets a near impossible task from the outside gate over the stupid mile distance at Addington, so will just be looking for him to hit the line nice.”
Race 1: ULTIMATE CC (10, Blair Orange), mob. 1800m: “Went very good on the grass at Rangiora on Thursday. Should be improved and a strong each-way chance.”
Jaccka Len, a newcomer to the Mark Jones stable, shown trailing up at the Addington trials last Tuesday. He makes a fresh race start in Race 12 at Waikouaiti on Sunday.
Race 4: CINSARAH (9, Blair Orange), mob. 1800m: “We’re giving her another start as she went ok at Orari. A place show with a good trip.”
Race 6: JUNEAMY CASTLETON (7, Blair Orange), 1, 10m: 3200m std: “Didn’t have any luck on Thursday. Goes good on the grass but will be looking for a good trip over 3200m.”
Race 11: SUPERIOR DESIRE (13, Blair Orange), 5, 10m, 1900m std: “He went good at the Addington trials on Tuesday. Might need a race but should be competitive over 1900m.”
Race 12: JACCKA LEN (1, Blair Orange), 2600m std: “Very pleased with the way he trialled on Tuesday. Providing he steps good from the inside draw, he should be hard to beat.”
Race 1: KOWHAI SUNRISE (2, Blair Orange), mob. 1609m: “She hasn’t been stepping from the stand starts but could be an upset place show from the mobile.”
Race 8: EASTBURN MARA (8, Blair Orange), mob. 1609m: “Hoping for better this week with the Orari run uner his belt.”
Race 10: ROCK TILL YOU DROP (2, Blair Orange), mob. 1609m: “He should be able to stay handy from the draw and have an each-way chance over the mile.”
Race 9: GOODNESS GRACIOUS ME (4, Jonny Cox), mob. 2400m: “She’s racing very good down there. It hasn’t been easy to win though as she’s been second in a 1:54.9 rate over 1700m and second last week in 2:55 over 2400m. Hopefully, she can win today.”
Race 5: ULTIMATE CC (6, Blair Orange), mob. 1950m: “She seems well but will need luck and improve with the run.”
Race 8: CLASSIEBEE (6, Blair Orange), 2600m std: “He strikes a top field and will find it tough.”
Race 10: JUNEAMY CASTLETON (8, Mark), 1, 10m, 2600m std: “She’s going nice races. Its a good field but she will be competitive.”
Race 11: STRIKE ON COMMAND (9, Blair Orange), mob. 1950m: “He’s freshened up since his good efforts at Blenheim. He’ll be looking for luck from the outside gate over the short trip.”
Race 12: READY FOR TAKEOFF (8, Mark), 1950m std: “He’s in a nice field but a chance if he steps good.”
Mark’s Outside drive
Race 6: ART PLEASER (3), 1950m std: “Got home good behind All Cash at Addington last time. Should have an each-way chance.”
Washington Prowler, who led up and went nearly six seconds inside the required 2YO pacing qualifying time at the Addington trials on Tuesday, February 4, 2014, might not race in Canterbury.
The Washington VC-On The Prowl colt was only transferred from Dave Thompson’s stable to the Overport Lodge team last Sunday.
Washington Prowler, leads the 2YO colts and geldings trial at Addington for trainer Mark Jones.
He impressed trainer Mark Jones with his first drive behind the juvenile.
“It was the first time I’ve sat behind him but I quite like him,” Mark said.
“He’s getting trialled to sell on to Perth on Friday.”
Washington Prowler showed good gate speed in the 2YO colts and geldings trial to lead end-to-end.
He was able to hold late closer Bungalow Bill by half a length in 2:30.7 for the mobile 2000m (2:01.2 mile rate).
Washington Prowler kept the pace strong throughout, pacing his last 800m in 58.9s and final 400m in 29.7s.
He is from the raceplaced Jaguar Spur mare On The Prowl, a half-sister to the former filly/mare, Oaxaca Lass (p3, 1:55.8), who numbered wins in the Chariots Of Fire, Queensland Derby, Australian Oaks, NZ Sires Stakes 3YO Fillies Final, Southland Oaks and NZ Premier Mares Championship.
Oaxaca Lass won scored 19 wins for $456,134 in stakes.
On The Prowl is also a half-sister to Ides Of May (TT, 1:57.4) and the hardy Another Homer, the winner of six and $85,313 in NZ for breeder Graham Pearson and now a 1:52.2 miler in North America.
Her grand-dam Catarina was a smart Smooth Fella filly for Pearson, winning twice in a limited career and is also the ancestress of the good winners Shiraz Matazz (1:51.2, USA) and big Queensland winner Alberto Contador (1:56.7 m.r, 2138m, 12 wins, $208,418), formerly a runnerup in a 2YO Jewels Emerald for Mark Purdon.
Jaccka Len, a newcomer to the Mark Jones stable after being purchased out Southland by the Butterworth Racing Syndicate, stepped out from his new quarters at Tuesday’s trials.
The 4YO McArdle-Lets Go Jaccka gelding won his debut and only start to date at Winton on September 8.
Jaccka Len, given a good trip two and three back on the markers by Michelle Neilson, fought well behind three-race winner Messini and Jumbo Jet in a C1 mobile 1950m heat.
Messini, returning after winning twice in Australia, led early, trailed Lady Godiva inside the final lap and ran clear to win by two lengths in a 2:03.6 rate 1950m.
The leaders had the speed on over their last 800m in 55.7s and final 400m in 28.5s.
Superior Desire, also raced by the Butterworth Syndicate, had a conditioning trial in the C2 and faster mobile heat.
Also driven by Michelle, Superior Desire trailed on the outer in a fast run heat and was sound finishing fifth to unbeaten Bettor’s Delight 3YO filly Willow.
Willow, winner of the $147,2000 Alabar Sires Stakes Fillies Championship at Auckland on New Year’s Eve, trailed two and three back on the inner.
she unwound best to hold stablemate Isaiah, who trailed the winner, with Elios running on late for third.
North American import Johnny Rock, who took over at the 1300m, tired after trying to slip the field on the home turn.
Willow winner rated 1:58.4 for the mobile 1950m, the leaders running their last 800m in 58.3s and final 400m in 31s.
Giant-sized trotter Master Lavros will have another chance to impress the Glenferrie Farm Challenge selectors with a further mobile 1950m trot at Addington on February 15.
Overport Lodge trainer Mark Jones said Master Lavros hadn’t been invited as yet to the $A200,000 Challenge at Tabcorp Park, Menangle on March 2.
Master Lavros, now the winner of over $200,000, and preparing for Sydney next month.
However, he said he was expecing the invite to come after Master Lavros led up and won the $25,000 Seelite Windows & Doors Summer Trotting Free-For-All at Addington on Friday, January 31.
Master Lavros kept up a strong run to hold Sheemon by half a length, rating 1:58.6 for the mobile 1950m, trotting his last 800m in 58.6s and final 400m in 28.3s.
The race eventually started after two false starts, which gave Mark time to reassess his start plans.
Master Lavros resented being held back off the gate and mixed his gait in the first two score-ups, but Mark put him up on the gate the third time and he was perfect.
“I’m not concerned about the gate (mobile) with him,” he said.
Master Lavros, a strapping son of Sundon and Lavra Noblesse (by Sierra Kosmos), will become more adept with more mobile racing.
Friday’s run was just his fifth start behind the mobile gate.
He had previously placed once behind the mobile, recovering from an early break for second to Stig over 2600m in May. This was his first mobile start victory.
Master Lavros, this season’s Group One Dominion Handicap winner, ticked his earnings over the $200,000 mark with Friday’s win, his 12th from only 23 starts.
The victory in the Group Three trot lifted his earnings to $210,868 for owner Kypros Kotzikas.
By Jeff Scott
Race 4: CINSARAH (9, Blair Orange), mob. 1850m: “She’s having her one and only start for us, then off south to Wayne Adams. She’s just average.”
Race 7: EASTBURN MARA (8, Blair Orange), 2500m std: “He’s freshened up after going good the second day at Nelson. Should have an each-way chance.”
Race 8: KOWHAI SUNRISE (19, Mark), UR 5, 2500m std: “If she goes away, she’s actually going good enough to be a chance.”
Mark’s Outside drives
Race 5: SMOKIN CHICK (1), 1950m: “She’s been going ok. Place chance if we can stay handy.”
Race 9: CALA (5), mob. 1850m: “She raced good on the Central Otago circuit. Should be competitive.”
Race 7: GOODNESS GRACIOUS ME (10, Jonny Cox), mob. 2400m: “They deleted her race, a fillies and mares mile down there, so she’s in this instead. Providing she gets a bit of luck she’s an each-way chance against the colts. She’s a tough wee thing. she lacks brilliance but tries hard enough.”
