SACKED AT TWO, NOW A SUPREME TURNAROUND
Burnham trainer Mark Jones edged a step closer to the training century when Supreme Christian led over the last 1400m for driver Regan Todd at the Forbury Park Tuesday meeting on September 28.
Mark, in only his 4th season as a public trainer, advanced to 97 career NZ training wins with the victory.
The Tuesday win was Mark’s seventh training win for the new term, putting him only one behind former employer Cran Dalgety, and cousin Tim Butt, on the early premiership table.
Mark kept his driving total ticking over with a well-timed finish with favourite Partyboysimon for Rangiora trainer Andrew Stuart to win the claiming pace on the programme _ Mark’s 14th driving win for the new term.
“Supreme Christian was a bit of a tricky one because I qualified her at two, then sacked her,” Mark said.
“I thought she was going to be quite good then she disappointed. The owners ended up giving her a decent break and the fella that works them up for Mike Stratford got her going again.”
Now four, Supreme Christian bounced back with two useful Motukarara workout wins, before leading up then being run down for third in her race debut at Forbury Park on Friday, September 24.
She improved with the outing for Tuesday’s fixture, having to work early from the outside front row alley.
After being left parked, Regan sent the favourite forward with purpose to wrest the lead from Rock Of Ireland (Dexter Dunn) mid-race and she was much too good in the run home.
Supreme Christian came clear by two and three-quarter lengths from Rock Of Ireland to win in 2:50.1 for the mobile 2200m, quickening over her last 800m in 58.8s and final 400m in 28s.
Regan was picking up his second driving win of the season and his 39th career win.
Supreme Christian has enhanced her eventual broodmare potential win the win.
She is the second foal and the first to race from lightly-raced winner Supreme Holmes, by Holmes Hanover from Supreme Adios, whose single win came for trainer Tim Butt at the expense of Hei Di Votion, Pay Me Tu and subsequent NZ Oaks winner Caps Off, in the $15,000 Sires’ Stakes Silver for 3YO fillies at Cambridge in December 1999.
Supreme Holmes, a half-sister to Adios Atom (14 Aust wins, 1:58.3h, 1700m) and Oh So Fair (11 Aust wins, 1:57.7h, 1700m), rated a smart 1:58.8 for the 1700m that day, running her last 800m in 57.9s and final 400m in 27.6s.
Supreme Adios, the dam of Supreme Holmes, was an unraced Bachelor Hanover sister to the former Alister Kerslake-trained Derby winners Bachelor Star (1971 NZ Derby) and Main Star (1978 GN Derby), and half-sister to other NZ Derby winners in Game Adios (1979) and Main Adios (1975).
Supreme Christian’s 4th dam Adio Star was the 1978 NZ Broodmare of the Year.
By Jeff Scott