SOME EXCUSESOMEWHERE, BELLE OF BROOKLYN, TAIMATE ANGUS, ON MARKET
Burnham trainer Mark Jones is going through an experimental process with Some Excusesomewhere, who could eventually join his Sydney stable if not sold in the interim.
The Overport Lodge team were to the fore with their three runners at Marlborough on Friday with Some Excusesomewhere and Belle Of Brooklyn saluting, and one-win squaregaiter Taimate Angus, finishing strongly for second to Red Hot Poker in the rating 49 & faster trot.
However, all three, could find new homes as ready-made racing propositions if there is buyer interest.
“As everyone knows I am a big seller as I like to maximise my owners returns, so yes, all three are for sale,” Mark said.
“The market is quiet but all will do a good job at what they are priced at.”
Even though Some Excusesomewhere had been racing regularly since August, he came up with a strong win on Friday in a rating 40-59 pace.
Having just his second stand start, he gave his rivals a good start from last, improved four wide turning for home, and gave his rivals a sound beating in a 2:02.1 rate for the 2300m.
This was his second start since joining the Overport Lodge team, with a line being put through his first run when checked out of contention mid-race at Oamaru on June 17.
He’s the first horse prepared by Mark for Cambridge owners, Ollie and Irene Haines, who earlier raced this horse’s relative, Just An Excuse, for two New Zealand Cup wins in 2003-04.
Just An Excuse, who won 17 of only 39 starts for $1,047,157 when prepared by Raglan trainer Robert Mitchell, was by Live Or Die from My Excuse.
Some Excusesomewhere’s grand-dam Sarah’s Excuse, who won three, is a half-sister to Just An Excuse (1:55.6), and one of eight individual winners from My Excuse (Smooth Fella-Good Excuse).
This is also the family of other stand-outs such as D B Bopper (1:50, US), Second Wind (1:49.8, US), former top filly Smooth Performer (1991 NZ 3YO Pacing Filly Of The Year) and dam of 2003 Australian Derby winner Franco Sequel (1:51, US).
“I’ve never met Ollie,” Mark said of Mr Haines, a successful breeder-owner, and former administrator.
“I only got this horse as he was going to send him to my Sydney stable but we agreed on trying the beach first.”
“Regan (Todd) had him at the beach for a few weeks and he’s only been at Burnham around three weeks.”
“He’s a nice horse and all the credit goes to Clark Barron (previous trainer) for making him into the horse he is.”
“He could have been a handful if it wasn’t for Clark’s patience and education.”
A tall free-going type, Some Excusesomewhere was recording his fourth win from 23 career starts on Friday, including a career best 2:57.1 win (mobile 2400m) at Winton last December.
He should also be a good each-way to repeat on Sunday.
Belle Of Brooklyn, a 3YO filly by Christian Cullen and the first foal from big-winning mare Telemecanique (1:52.2, US 15 wins & $185,615), also gets a chance to repeat on the second day.
Driver Sam Ottley made the most of the ace draw with Belle Of Brooklyn on Friday, trailing the grey Arcano and having the last say to win going away by 1 and 3/4 lengths.
She rated 1:59.4 for the 2300m, the leaders last 800m in 57.7s.
Raced by Mark with Dave Neal, Belle Of Brooklyn was recording her second win in 21 starts.
She earlier won her maiden at Kaikoura on October 31 in a 2:00.3 rate for the 1900m, finishing best from a one-one sit over the leaders last 800m in 56.6s.