NORTHERN VELOCITY PREPARES FOR SIRES HEAT
Northern Velocity, winner of the Listed $146,250 2YO PGG Wrightson Yearling Sales 2YO Fillies Pace at Addington on May 15 for former trainers Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen, is set to resume racing next week for Overport Lodge trainer Mark Jones.
The half-sister by Mach Three to former NZ FFA winner Pembrook Benny (1:53.6) was purchased out of the Allstars Stable by Australian interests late last term and switched stables.
Northern Velocity leads stablemate Coringa Delight in the run home at the Rangiora workouts on October 21.
She resumed with an unplaced run at the Methven workouts on October 10 then had her second workout in her 3YO preparation at the Rangiora workouts on Wednesday, October 21, leading from an outside gate in the C1 and faster pace for her trainer.
“I was happier with her yesterday as she is still on way up. She will go around in the Sires heat at Addington next week then go to Auckland to race,” Mark said.
Northern Velocity, also a half-sister to Pembrook Caesar (1:53, Aust) and former useful Overport Lodge filly Holme Fire (1:58.8), will target the Alabar Sires Stakes 3YO Fillies Final at Auckland on December 31.
She as untroubled to hold trailing stablemate Coringa Delight (Wayne Higgs) by three-quarters of a length on Wednesday, pacing the mobile 2000m in 2:31.7 (2:02 mile rate), quickening over her last 800m in 56.7s and her final 400m in 27.1s.
Last season, Northern Velocity won three of eight starts.
Besides her big fillies win, she also won the Group Three American Ideal Leonard Memorial at the Cheviot meeting on March 1 and the Group Three Caduceus Club-Southland/Nevele R Stud Fillies Classic at Invercargill on March 21.
She was also the runnerup to Arden’s Choice in the Group One $113,405 Woodlands Stud/Caduceus Club 2YO Fillies Classic at Auckland on April 17.
Northern Velocity last raced for the Allstars team when sixth to former unbeaten stablemate Dream About Me in the Harness Jewels 2YO Diamond at Ashburton on May 30.
Ice Crusher stretches out for trainer Mark Jones to win at the Rangiora workouts on October 21.
Ice Crusher is earmarked to head south for the Riverton meeting at Invercargill on Sunday, November 1, after winning a C0+ heat at the Rangiora workouts.
He also won a mobile 2200m heat at the Motukarara workouts on October 17 in 2:52.5.
The 3YO Christian Cullen-Helena Kilena gelding unwound well at Rangiora to win by a length and a half from dead-heaters Perfect Circle and resuming racewinner Return To Sender in 3:28.5 for the 2600m (stand), the leaders last 800m in 58s and final 400m in 27.7s.
Also resuming in this heat was former NZ Derby winner Locharburn who wasn’t hurried by trainer Kevin Chapman.
Ice Crusher showed promise in three juvenile outings, holding Hickstead in the Listed $11,700 PGG Wrightson NZ Yearling Sales 2YO Open Consolation at Addington on May 9.
Meanwhile Overport trot star Master Lavros had a conditioning run in preparation for Kaikoura when he followed the field around off 40m in the C0 and faster trot heat.
He made ground for third behind Prince Fearless (20m), who resumes for the Allstars Stable at Ashburton on Monday, and Willie Shine (front), the winner trotting the 2600m in 3:25.7, the last 800m in 59.5s and final 400m in 28.3s.
Dynamic Party, a C3-assessed newcomer to the Mark Jones stable after previously winning five for Terry and Glenys Chmiel, resumed in the C1 and faster heat and tracked home behind the Allstars quartet of Didjamakem Bolt, Itz Bettor To Win, Have Faith In Me and Willow, who all resume at Ashburton on Monday.
Didjamakem Bolt held by a neck in 3:23.9 for the stand start 2600m, the leaders running their last 800m in 57.6s and final 400m in 27s.
By Jeff Scott