SMART PREMIER DAY WIN BY CAPTAIN PEACOCK
Burnham reinsman Mark Jones had no luck with stable runner Lethal Rocket on premier Summer Cup day at Addington, February 5, but extended his winning association with the smart Dean Taylor-trained pacer Captain Peacock.
Lethal Rocket’s sulky received a punctured tyre during the running of the United Fisheries Ltd _ Southern Blue Whiting Fillets Mobile Pace, but the Jones runner maintained a solid formline by fighting solidly for fifth to front-running winner Franco Jamar.
Two races earlier, Mark drove last season’s NZ Derby winner Captain Peacock confidently for a decisive win in the 3-4 wins Nevele R Stud Mobile Pace _ his 39th driving win for the season.
After easing back to second to last early from a wide gate, Mark sent Captain Peacock forward from the 1500m, taking the lead from Four Starzzz Flash with 1200m to run.
Win favourite Captain Peacock kept up a strong run, kicking clear turning for home, and winning with authority by 2 1/2 lengths from second favourite Four Starzzz Flash, who couldn’t run the winner down.
Third elect Alchemy fought gamely for third after moving up parked outside Captain Peacock beginning the final lap.
Captain Peacock paced a new Addington class record time for a 4-win pacer over the mobile 2600m of 3:10.8 (1:58 mile rate).
This was 1.3 seconds inside the former class record mark.
The leaders were timed over their last mile in 1:56.9, the closing 800m in 56.7s and final 400m in 27.3s.
Mark was modest about his part in the win.
“They’re all good drives when they win,” he said.
Captain Peacock, who holds an Inter Dominion nomination but was ranked 54th on the second rankings, will add interest to the 4YO features this season.
The Live Or Die-Enchanting gelding took his earnings past the $200,000 mark with Saturday’s win, his eighth from only 15 starts.
By Jeff Scott