DAUGHTER OF FLYING SANDS WINTON-BOUND
Supreme Gem, the first foal from speedy racemare Flying Sands (11 wins, 1:56.5 mile rate, 1950m), will be aimed at a maiden mile at Winton next month after clearing out at the Rangiora workouts on Saturday, September 25.
Mark recalled he was bidding for the Christian Cullen filly to help the vendor at the yearling sale when he ended up with the winning bid.
“I was bidding for Vicki Cowan at the yearling sales. She said if I go to 60 she’d buy her back. I got caught on a $60,000 bid. When I said I got that horse for you, she said thats a good buy for you !”
However, Vicki has subsequently retained a share in the filly.
“By the time I got from boxes back to the sale ring I could have sold her five times over,” Mark said.
“She will get better with time as she’s quite a big lean horse.”
“Murray Alfeld broke her in. The quiet second prep he gave her was probably the makings of her,” Mark said.
“I’ll most likely look at racing her on Wairio mile day at Winton on October 17.”
“You’ve got to win some money down there to get in the Southland Oaks this season, but she’s got to improve a bit yet to think about that.”
“There’s a maiden here at Addington next week, but I’d rather take her down there.”
Supreme Gem has only had one official trial, qualifying at Ashburton in April.
She cleared out by 5 1/2 lengths in a 2YO fillies mile pace in 1:59.1, running her last 800m in 57.3s and 400m in 27.4s.
Supreme Gem was untroubled to lead throughout Saturday’s maiden heat.
She ran clear in the straight to win as she liked by five lengths in 3:32.4 for the 2600m (stand), running her last 800m in 59.2s and final 400m in 28.1s.
King Of Strathfield, a newcomer to the Mark Jones team, led out then trailed Conagher in the 1 win or faster trot.
The Armbro Invasion gelding rallied well in the run home King Charlie (Nigel McGrath) stormed home to win by a length in 3:27.5 (2600m stand), the leaders running their last 800m in 59s and 400m 28.2s.
“Neil Munro has ripped the muscle away from the bone on a bicep, so he’s left him with me until after the NZ Cup meeting. King Of Strathfield’s a good addition to the stable,” Mark said.
Guadeloupe, back in the Burnham stable, broke early and tailed the field afterwards.
My Man Dan, after moving up parked over the final 1200m, was an improver’s 5.1 lengths fourth behind Kiwi Ingenuity (30m), Indy Village and Four Starzzz Flash, in the 4 wins or faster special handicap pace.
Kiwi Ingenuity kept up a strong effort to win by two lengths for Robbie Holmes in 3:15.1 (2600m stand), the leaders running their last 800m in a serious 56.1s and final 400m in 27.2s.
Juvenile fillies Rose Fire (Courage Under Fire-Zara Rose) and Saskia Finn (Artsplace-Maggie Finn) stepped out for the Mark Jones stable in the 2YO mobile pace over 2000m.
Rose Fire, after trailing, was a sound fourth a length from winner Internationaltuffguy, who ran the mobile 2000m in 2:38.1, the last 800m in 60.2s and 400m in 28.6s.
Both the winner Internationaltuffguy, and runnerup Scandalman, are prepared by John Thompson).
Saskia Finn tailed the field of five throughout.
Meanwhile, Mark teamed up with the promising Andrew Stuart-trained Mr Chrome in the 1-2 win stand start pace at Saturday’s workouts, in preparation for next Friday’s Addington premier meeting.
Mark was one of three drivers Andrew Stuart utilised for his trio of wins at Forbury Park on Friday night, partnering Siena Franco to finish best from the trail to upset front-running favourite Hasana Franco in the fillies and mares 1700m.
Mr Chrome, the winner of three (one penalty-free) of only five starts, stepped well to lead at the workouts, then trailed Limited Edition from the 1200m.
They were too good in the run home coming clear by 2 1/4 lengths to stop the clock at 3:25.3 (2600m), the leaders quickening over their last 800m in 57.3s and 400m in 27.8s.
By Jeff Scott