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MENANGLE METROPOLITAN PRIZEMONEY TO RISE

For the majority of the industry, it’s the ‘bread and butter’ races that really matter.

So owners and trainers will be thrilled to hear Club Menangle has announced quite substantial increases to those regular races by adding to the levels of metropolitan prizemoney.

The changes, which commence from 1 November 2019, include:

• Minimum prizemoney on a metropolitan program rising from $11,000 to $14,000;

• Tier-3 prizemoney going up from $16,000 to $18,000;

• Tier-2 prizemoney races will increase from $22,000 to $24,000;

• The premier club will also introduce a second $20,000 division of the M0 each month.

But wait, there’s more!

There will also be some changes to the “Where Horses Fly” Country Series.

The finals of that popular series will now be run on alternate weeks and an additional race will be added to each of these programs.

This ensures that country participants still get the opportunity to race at Tabcorp Park Menangle while not reducing the racing opportunities for the pool of metropolitan horses

Through the cooperation of Club Menangle and Harness Racing NSW, these changes will add $750,000 to the metropolitan prizemoney distribution over the course of a full year.

Club Menangle has already worked with HRNSW to increase midweek prizemoney from $7,500 per race to $9,000.

At the other end of the racing scale, the Club has again combined forces with HRNSW to run the Ainsworth Miracle Mile for $1 million.

According to Club Menangle CEO Bruce Christison: “While it is vital that we offer incentives to race at the elite level, it is just as important that we improve stakes for the horses that are racing week-in and wee-out at the metropolitan level.

“The Club continues to work closely with both the participants and HRNSW as evidenced by the agreed need to increase opportunities for mares, which has been facilitated by the recent introduction of additional open-class mares’ racing.

“Whilst it is always a priority to maximize prizemoney, our Club also has a responsibility to its members to ensure that these levels are affordable and sustainable.

“This year we saw prizemoney return to the levels of two years ago and the increases announced today will take prizemoney to record highs.

“Since the sale of Harold Park we have experienced changes in financial markets never seen before, which have resulted in record low interest-rate levels.

“I am pleased to say that decisions made by the board and management over the past two years have seen strong investment performances over that time, despite the challenging environment.”

Christison explained that the Club would continue to monitor the performance of its investment fund.

“With the on-going pressure on wagering-related revenue the Club will continue to look at ways of diversifying revenue streams with the latest example the introduction of the seven-day a week club, due to open in January,” he said.

“The prizemoney increases announced today, combined with the introduction by HRNSW of the $1m TAB Pace in May next year, reinforces the position of NSW as the premier harness racing state.”

• Courtesy of Mandy Madern,
• Social Media &
• Trot Guide Co Ordinator

Brendon Hill and Mark Jones – Elite Racing

Combining forces was never really on the radar until two of our leading horsemen came together several weeks ago and realised they were both singing from the same sheet.

The discussion involved their own businesses, the state of the industry, but importantly their passion and desire to not only continue but become better.

A few meetings followed, some hard-edged question and answer sessions, mainly financially based, and out the other end came a partnership, Brendon Hill and Mark Jones deciding the time was right to diversify and move forward.

“Exciting” is how ‘Benny’ Hill explains the newly formed alliance with Jones in a training partnership, Elite Racing, set to begin on November 1 this year.

The New Zealand Cup-winning trainer says the time is right for a new challenge and in joining forces with the former world-champion driver he sees no boundaries.

“Really, really looking forward to it, to be honest,” said Benny.

“I think it comes down to us probably enjoying it more – if I was to be honest I could say we’ve both been treading water to a certain degree and this gives us both a really good lift, it’s something very positive and I’m keen to work really hard and give it a good crack.

“If anything, it just takes a wee bit of pressure off both of us to run this as a business together.”

Hill, who trained Monkey King and Carabella to win numerous Group One titles among other very good horses, has worked long and hard to establish a new property in Swannanoa alongside his wife Justine.

“Mark and I have obviously talked about a big property we could perhaps train from together one day. At this stage we will both remain at our own properties, maintain some individual financial security, but bring together our resources and expertise.

“We are both at a good stage of our lives and careers to do this, we’re established, we have the winners on the board, and of course our own properties. And I feel the partnership compliments both parties in a really nice way.

“Justine is fully on board, even more excited than me – she can’t wait to get into it. She has worked so hard for us and this actually gives her a chance to take a wee step backward – she’s a busy person – but still an integral part of this.”

“Mark and I have obviously talked about a big property we could perhaps train from together one day. At this stage we will both remain at our own properties, maintain some individual financial security, but bring together our resources and expertise” – Brendon Hill

Hill did say he has asked Jones to nugget the boots and make a return to race driving in some capacity at least.

“Ricky (May) and Sam Ottley will do a lot of the driving, but I’d like to see Mark drive, too.

“He’s a great driver and a wasted talent – he has driven for me before.  I will encourage him to get in the cart whenever he can. But I know how hard he works in the running of his business and can understand why he’s not been driving so much – hopefully we can free him up to drive more.

“As a training team we will continue to look after our existing clients and build the numbers up with new clientele. It is a numbers game and we have the ability to train good numbers,” said Hill.

“I know Mark agrees. When you look at All Stars (Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen) as the obvious example you can say that is a hard act to follow, but one to aspire to. We think we sit very strongly on that second tier and will be a force to be reckoned with in the years to come.”

Mark Jones owns his Burnham property Overport Lodge which caters for healthy numbers, the 50-acre training establishment formerly the home to owner-trainer Clarrie Sprott then thoroughbred trainer Neil Ridley.

With two Dominion Handicap wins and a Rowe Cup with Master Lavros, and multiple successes to the likes of Saveapatrol, Delightful Memphis, Shezoneoftheboyz, and Rocker Band, Jones has also tasted the highs on Group One day, and echoes Benny’s sentiments on getting back to that level more often.

“This is a new challenge, something we all need from time to time and I am very keen to get rolling, improve myself and my horses,” said Mark.

“Like Benny, I’m really looking forward to this with some excitement. Two good training brains coming together, bouncing ideas off each other, pre-planning our targets – it’s going to work really well.

“We can travel our horses, some may be in Auckland others in Invercargill. One day we could well be on the same property, for now it’s perfect on different facilities with different training ideas we can have the horses in the place that suits them best.

“I see no negatives. Horses do suit one trainer and not another. We’re open to making those changes when needed.”

Communication is absolute key and both Jones and Hill are keen to further increase already strong ownership information with an approach that gives owners ‘a good run for their money’.

“The onus must be on trainers to improve the information owners receive,” said Mark.

“We are focussed on that, always have been.

“And another thing is bringing more professionalism to our race day. Hopefully we will stand out on race day, not only our horses but our staff.  We want to have a professional approach to this from start to finish and Benny shares the same beliefs.”

“Like Benny, I’m really looking forward to this with some excitement. Two good training brains coming together, bouncing ideas off each other  pre-planning our targets – it’s going to work really well” –  Mark Jones

Aside of the current strength in both barns, Jones said the main focus for Elite Racing will be yearling sales time early next year. As both he and Benny know so well, the fresh stock must flow into the stable at sale time to become racehorses of the future.

“And if we can achieve that professional structure that allows me more time then I would get back to driving more.

“Benny has asked me, and I’d like to if it becomes possible.”

NEW FAST 10 CONCEPT FOR ADDINGTON IN DECEMBER

Fast 10 Horse Racing is arriving this December.

Quick Horse Racing Ltd is excited to be bringing you a world first, Fast10 Horse Racing – a live action packed daytime event at Addington Raceway on 20th December 2019, starting from 11.30am.

Fast10 Horse Racing is combining the best of racing for our true racing enthusiasts along with an exciting, action packed event including a colourful array of entertainment.

This event will include ten races each featuring 10 horses in just over 2 ½ hours!

Fast10 is the next level of racing – it’s faster and quicker than ever before, racing in half the time but doubling the fun.

Owners, Tony Russell and Glenn Hames have been working on this concept for over two years and are thrilled to be bringing the first event to Christchurch.

They are both passionate about the racing industry and wanted to “reignite passion and interest in the industry while creating a fun and exciting event to appeal to new customers”.

The concept of Fast10 is similar to other sports such as T20 Cricket by creating a new product based on a traditional sport.

“We have seen how T20 cricket has changed Cricket and we believe that Fast10 can provide that same effect to racing in New Zealand”.

Be sure to check out the HRNZ Facebook page for updates.

Hospitality options will be available soon, we will update the public as soon as they are on sale.

For further information on Fast 10 Horse Racing, please contact:

Glenn Hames – ghames.qhr@gmail.com, or 0272032746

Tony Russell – trussell.qhr@gmail.com,or 0274326522

Pure racing, Pure excitement, Pure fun

Courtesy of Jess Smith, HRNZ

Overport Lodge trainer Mark Jones was very saddened by the passing of former Balcairn trainer Maurice Bailey at Burwood Hospital, Christchurch, on September 29.

Maurice, who died aged 87, was a great supporter of Mark in his early junior driving day.

The North Canterbury trainer enjoyed a top strike rate with a small team until retiring from training in 2000.

He was instrumental in lifting Mark’s profile in his first year as a junior driver, putting him on a big mover in the trot ranks in Andrew Eyre.

Just two months after Mark scored his first career win with Lord Phantom, trained by his father Peter, at Blenheim in November 1996, Mark was winning with Andrew Eyre at Nelson in January 1997.

Andrew Eyre, who had won his Motukarara maiden with Peter Jones driving him in January 1996, came of age in 1997.

After winning for Mark at Nelson, he’d won seven on end by March 29, with Mark steering him home in six of them, and Karen O’Connor saluting in another junior event.

Mark went on to win a Banks Peninsula Trotting Cup in October 1998 with Andrew Eyre for Maurice, and another two Addington wins.

Peter Jones trained the horse later in 1999, with Mark driving him to win the South Bay Trotters Cup at Kaikoura and run a Group One third to Lyell Creek and Sundowner Bay in the 1999 Dominion.

Mark also drove Andrew Eyre in the last of the horse’s 14 wins (from 55 starts) at Addington in December 1999.

“I will never forget how good Maurice was to me and without fail, there was a $200 cash sling after every win,” Mark said.

“I’ve always said I would never be where I am today without Maurice.”

Mark says dirivng Andrew Eyre put him on the map.

Also in May 1997, Maurice gave him drives on Sandtross, winning first-up in May.

Mark scored six pacing wins between May and August, 1997, with the then in-form Macatross gelding.

By 2003, Mark had become a World Driving Champion.

“I’ve also been friends with Maurice’s two sons, Anthony and Phil, ever since driving for him,” Mark said.

“We’ve had great nights since, as they owned night clubs. When I was  17 and winning races for Maurice, it made it easy for me to get in.”

“He was an amazing trainer. He never used a stop-watch. His horses were always great-mannered and had a top strike rate.”

Maurice’s grandson, Cam, is continuing his grandfather’s sporting success.

Cam, a promising sportsman in three individual sports, became a NZ under 18 representative at lawn bowls.

He picked up the sport after going with with his grandfather to the Canterbury Bowling Club, before he was a teenager.

Cam went on to play bowls for NZ under 18 team, winning a NZ secondary schools singles title.

He has also been a stand-out at rugby union at secondary school level, and was also named in the Canterbury wider Training Group for the 2019 Mitre Cup rugby union season.  

Cam has also reached national level as a Australian Rules player, becoming the youngest to represent the NZ Hawks Senior Australian Rules side.

AMANDA GRIEVE CHASING VICTORIA CUP WITH CRUZ BROMAC

By Jeff Scott

Expatriate NZ horsewoman Amanda Grieve, a good friend of Overport Lodge reinswoman Sam Ottley, has been entrusted wth the training of established Australasian Grand Circuit star, Cruz Bromac, in Victoria.

The highly-regarded Kiwi won first-up with Cruz Bromac at Kilmore last Thursday and now goes straight into the Group One $A250,000 Victoria Cup at Melton on Saturday week (October 12).

Cruz Bomac, a winner of of $A555,815 from 21 wins and eight placings in 42 starts, including last year’s Group Two Len Smith Mile at Menangle in 1:50.1, has been a huge success story after humble beginnings at Overport Lodge .

He was formerly a $12,000 Australasian Classic Yearling Sales buy from the Bromac Lodge draft for Canterbury trainers, Mark Jones and Andrew Stuart, with Mark’s aim to get him going for a profitable early re-sale.

Mark gave Cruz Bromac a high ranking, saying he was one of the best horses he’d trained, even before he qualified as a July 3YO at Timaru in a 2:00.4 rate (mobile 2000m).

(Interesting fun fact: He beat another current smart Victorian aged pacer & former well-performed ex-Kiwi Buster Brady into third in his first ever trial win at Rangiora. He was just outside the required time, a week before officially qualifying, but was sharp over his last 400m in 27.7s when driven by Blair Orange).

Mark Jones initially offered him to fellow NZ trainers, Robert Dunn and Terry Chmiel, then Victorian trainer Dean Braun took “Cruz” purely on Mark’s recommendation, without even trialling him.

Dean had been buoyed by the recommendation and success of former Overport Lodge filly, Its Nosurprisesthere, who he’d bought off Mark and won several Oaks races the previous year.

A month after qualifying in July winter of 2015, “Cruz” confirmed Mark’s rating, winning third-up at Menangle over one mile in a fast 1:51.6, when still a 3YO to Australian time.

Cruz Bromac, now eight, was syndicated last year by Geelong businessman Danny Zavitsano with four others, including wife Joanna.

The gelded son of Falcon Seelster and Crown Defender (half-sister by Life Sign to Attorney General, 1:48.8, US) was sent to top NZ trainers, Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen for last November’s NZ Cup, finishing a luckless fourth to stablemates, Thefixer, Tiger Tara and Dream About Me .

Three days later, Cruz Bromac, won the Group One NZ Free-For-All (over Turn It Up, Jack’s Legend and Pat’s Delight)

In December, he was unbeaten in three heats of the Victorian Inter Dominions but had to settle for third from a tough draw to Tiger Tara and Our Uncle Sam in the $500,000 TAB Inter Dominion Pacing Grand Final.

Cruz Bromac also ran third to former stablemate Thefixer in the Group One Ballarat Pacing Cup on January 10, and eighth in Tiger Tara’s Hunter Cup, before rounding out his 7YO season with a third in the $100,000 Canadian Club at Menangle, won by Miracle Mile champ and current NZ Horse of the Year Spankem, in 1:51.5.

The Grand Circuit star then spelled in Australia and returned to Geelong for his current prep.

His current trainer, Christchurch-born Amanda Grieve, is well known in the Canterbuy harness racing scene, after working as a stable foreperson for Cran Dalgety at Kentuckiana Lodge for three years, before returning to Victoria in February.

She previously assisted Dean Braun, then taking over the entire running of that stable for a time in 20154 when she won the Group One Ballarat Cup with the former Colin and Julie De Filippi-trained (Im) Corzin Terror.

She quickly won 50 races from 197 starts for over $A560,000 before returning to NZ, joining Kentuckiana Lodge at West Melton for just over three years.

Dalgety, also a former boss of Mark Jones in his top junior driver days, said Grieve was an invaluable asset to his operation, rating her the equivalent to doing the work of three.

Much to Dalgety’s regret, Amanda returned to Victoria this year to be closer to her parents, who had relocated to Melbourne.

She again began working as stable foreperson for Dean Braun, but Braun has decided not to renew his license this term.

She’s training a team of six at Avalon, 15 kilometres north east of Geelong, including former NZ Kindergarten Stakes winner War Dan Delight (p2, 1:53.3), also under the Zavitsanos ownership.

Amanda Grieve learned the ropes working for father Paul, then had stints in NSW with Paul Fiitzpatrick and her uncle, Dennis Wilson (who starred in the 1990s as the trainer-driver of NZ-bed Lotsnlots, and as a driver of other big-winning NZ-breds, Young Mister Charles and Atitagain).

She then teamed up with Ardmore trainer Tony Herlihy, who described her as one of his most valued workers, doing much of the behind the scenes work with former star trotter One Over Kenny.

She also worked as a starter’s assistant for six years at Alexandra Park, before her initial move to Victoria.

Cruz Bromac is nominated for another New Zealand Cup attempt in November, and the Auckland Interdominions in December, but potential NZ plans will be finalised post the Victoria Cup.

The Grieve stable also have one being considered for the Gold Nugget in Perth in December, but there are logistical plans and movements to work through in coming weeks.

TAKARA TRUFFLE, ROCK N JOY, WIN AT TAMWORTH

The New South Wales arm of the Mark Jones/Aaron Goadsby stable scored a short-priced winning double at Tamworth on Wednesday with Rock N Joy and Takara Truffle.

Both delivered as $2.20 favourites, with NZ-bred Takara Truffle (1:52.8) became a $A100,000 winner with her 15th win from 30 starts.

The six-year-old American Ideal mare overcame a back row three draw to improve to trail over the final lap and held fellow ex-Kiwi Blue Blazer by 7.7 metres in a 1:57.6 rate for the 1980m.

Takara Truffle’s dam, the unraced Truffle (McArdle-Lesdale Rube), is a half-sister to Buzkil (four wins) and traces to the family of smart NZ mare Dryden Amanda (nine wins).

Takara Truffle was good enough to run fourth to Partyon iin the Group 3 J L Raith Memorial at three at Menangle, and sixth in Partyon’s NSW Oaks.

She has been twice a Group Three NSW winner of both the 2017 Harness Breeders NSW Go Girlfriend Series Final., and the 2017 $30,600 Baby Bling Stakes at Menangle in her career best 1:52.8 mile, when trained soley by Aaron Goadsby.

Rock N Joy furthered a consistent Australian formline on Wednesday.

Exported from NZ in April, the Rock N Roll Heaven-Joyfuljoy mare led from the four barrier for claiming junior, Mitch Chappie, in an up to rating 90 pace.

The five-year-old held by 4.2 metres in a 2:00.1 rate for the 1980m, holding over her last 800m in 60.1s and 400m in 30.4s.

She left NZ a winner of 22 starts for $20,245, but has doubled her earnings in six months in Australia.

Wednesday’s win was her fourth in 18 starts there, taking her career earnings to $A42,257.

She has a big going for her on her pedigree page, being the first and only foal to date foal from Joyfuljoy (1:51.6, 17 wins & $480,442), the former 2009 Harness Jewels 3YO and NZ Sires Stakes 3YO Fillies Final winner when racing in NZ for the Allstars stables.

Joyfuljoy is a half-sister by Mach Three to the former speedy Cran Dalgety-trained filly Bettor Joy (1:50.8, US), who won $308,486 in NZ and has won another five in North America in 2019 for $US248,876.

Rock N Joy’s grand-dam Joyfulbelle (1:56.3) was another smart filly, winning eight and being placed 10 times from only 22 starts, for $58,798, for Southland trainer Clark Barron.

Smart pacing filly Stylish Memphis may miss an early heat of the Sires Stakes series but will soon be back on the race track, says Mark.

The full-sister to former star filly Deligthful Memphis (Bettor’s Delight – Memphis Melody), who currently plys her trade in North America, is due back to the workouts soon and good things are expected this season.

“She will miss the first heat and be back trialling at the end of October,” said Mark this week.

“We have given her a nice slow build up and it will be a long season. Whether she heads south to qualify for the Southland Oaks or we go straight to Auckland in December I am not so sure yet.

“I may even line up her during Cup week at Addington if we can find the right race for her.

“Auckland is definitely on the cards. You have really got to go and have a look at the good races up there. Then we’ll come home and look to the second-half of the season, which is a busy one.”

Soon to join Stylish Memphis in work at Burnham is Lulu Le Mans (Bettor’s Delight – Elusive Chick), a good performer in Australia last season at two, and in work with co-owner Derek Jones at present.

“She will arrive here in another week and follow a similar path to the other filly,” he said.

“But she will likely be off to Australia in the New Year and Stylish Memphis will be back home for the Nevele R Fillies heats and probably the Southland Oaks.”

The path to Christmas is already well underway for the team headed for South Island meetings near and far, a number of nice maidens have been set for the holiday period and they will trial in November onwards.

“I have a nice group of two-year-olds set to trial before Christmas and then they will go out for a spell.

“Willison (who rocketed home for fourth at Addington last Friday night) is coming along well. I may find a race for him Cup week, but will wait and see – he could have a break and be back for the Derbies next year.

“I’d like to think he will develop into a horse good enough for those.

“And he’s Vic-bred eligible in Australia, another option.”

FORMER OVERPORT “IZZY” WINS AT PENRITH

Former Overport Lodge pacer Izzy Dagg resumed with a first-up win at Penrith, NSW, for the Tim Butt stable on Thursday, September 26.

The horse, named after the colourful former All Black and Crusader star, and now media personality, was initially co-owned by the sportstar himself for his only NZ win Addington as a spring 3YO on August 3, 2018.

However, the Australian money came calling after the Addington win.

The equine Izzy Dagg, despite being rated well above average by trainer Mark Jones, was soon sold to the developing Tim Butt stable at Menangle.

The entire son of A Rocknroll Dance and Cantana won second-up in NSW in August for the Butt stable at Bathurst in a 1:55.7 rate (1730m). He was still technically a 2YO to Australian time (their age group seasons ending on August 31).

Spelled, the equine”Izzy” only had two 3YO starts in December and February, before being given more time.

Fresh on Thursday, he was the only one the punters wanted as a hot $1.20 favourite in a suitable up to 55 rating pace, holding by a neck in a 2:00 rate for the 2125m.

The Mark Jones stable also race “Izzy’s” half-sister, She’s A Dagg, but the Art Major filly has yet to fire in three 3YO filly starts.

Cantina, the dam of the equine Izzy and She’s A Dagg, time-trailed in 1:54.1, winning four and picking up 13 placings in 44 starts, for $39,160.

Bred by the late former HRNZ chairman Ralph Kermode, Cantina (by Christian Cullen-Gucci Girl, by Vance Hanover-Reasonable, by Noodlum from top 1970s racemare and champion producer Black Watch), won her maiden for Pukekohe trainer Peter Blanchard.

She then another three after West Coast races after being purchased by Westport trainer, Rodney Dickson.

Cantina is the dam of six of racing age, for four individual winners, and a place-getter.

She’s the dam of another useful Australian winner in (Our) Black Diamonds (1:55.5, Aust, five wins from 11 starts for $42,395), who had his last start when sixth against a top line-up (including Cruz Bromac) to Beaudiene Boaz in the December 2015 Group One McInerney Ford 4YO Classic at Gloucster Park.

Her other winners are Bon Accord Babe (one from only five starts), and another former Overport Lodge winner, Sheeza Sport (2:01.6) four wins & $27,642).