WORKOUT WINNER SATURDAY . . . RACING FRIDAY
Mark Jones, on four driving wins for the new term after landing Cheval De Triomphe home at Addington last Friday night (August 20), has picked up a nice catch drive for the spring behind the Tim Butt-trained Raglan.
Mark reined last season’s Amberley and Northern Southland Cup winner to a head win over the Tim Butt-trained stablemate Cullen’s Creek at the Rangiora workouts on Saturday, August 21.
The stablemates and another smart one in the same grade, last week’s impressive Addington winner Stunin Cullen, provide Tim Butt’s Premier Stables with three of the nine acceptors in this Friday night’s 6 win and faster Vero Handicap Pace at Addington.
Raglan, also driven by Mark when outzipped by Stunin Cullen first-up at the Addington trials last week, stepped up after trailing Cullen’s Creek at the workouts. He moved out to challenge on the home turn and kept up a strong run.
The Sands A Flyin gelding ran the 2600m (stand) in 3:21.3, the leaders quickening over the last 800m in 56.9s and final 400m in a sharp 27.5s.
Beaudiene Christian ran on well from midfield to dead-heat for third with Ohoka Arizona, who also ran on from the third line.
Hunter Cup winner Bondy, resuming for David and Catherine Butt, settled last after starting off 30m and wasn’t extended, but appears forward being timed over his last mile in 2:00.3 and his final 800m in 56.6s.
Georgetown, also being aimed towards November’s Christchurch Casino NZ Cup by West Melton trainer Ken Barron, settled back off 30m and also wasn’t asked for a serious effort.