TEXAS FOR INVERCARGILL CUP
Ohoka Texas, fast developing as a potential New Zealand Cup contender in November, will be put to the test over the extreme distance at Invercargill on January 28.
Burnham trainer Mark Jones confirmed he will send the Christian Cullen south for the $40,000 Ascot Park Hotel Invercargill Cup on January 28.
Ohoka Texas couldn’t have been any more impressive when he trounced his rivals by 7 3/4 lengths in the $40,000 Pelorus 4YO Classic at Waterlea on Sunday, January 15.
After striding to the front with 1500m to run, Mark kept the pace strong with Ohoka Texas, who had his rivals off the bit turning for home.
They won untouched in a fast 1:56.6 mile rate for the mobile 2300m, finding the line strongly over his last 800m in 55.7s and his closing 400m in 27s.
“That was pretty pleasing. He goes pretty good on raceay !,” Mark said.
Ohoka Texas ran a fast 2:46.7 for the full 2300m _ the second fastest in the Pelorus behind Likmesiah’s 2:45.7 (1:55.9 mile rate) for Mark Purdon in 2005.
Mark was recording his second driving win in the Group Two Marlborough feature, having earlier reined London Legend to score in 2004.
Ohoka Texas has now won 10 from 18 starts, taking his earnings to $118,397 for owners Katie, Olivia and Adam Carville.
Since teaming up with Mark Jones this season, Ohoka Texas has won four races from five starts _ his only defeat this term coming when beaten a nose by Magical Mel at Addington on New Zealand Cup day.
In hindsight, Mark felt he may have not gone fast enough with the staying 4YO that day.
In his three subsequent starts, Ohoka Texas has at Addington, Winton and Waterlea by a combined margin of 24 1/2 lengths !
Magical Mel was unable to get close to Ohoka Texas in the Pelorus 4YO Classic at Marlborough, but won the race for a distant second.
After being given a good run on the outer, Magical Mel outfinished Major Mark (parked) for the runnerup’s cheque.
Falcon Crown ran on late along the inner for fourth, ahead of Jellignite, who was given his chance three back on the outer, but peaked on his run over the last 100m, finishing fifth.
Major owner Katie Carville enjoyed dual success on Sunday with Ohoka Colorado (3c Christian Cullen-Millwood Krystal) winning his third race in his last four starts when taking out the last on the grass at the Morrinsville meeting.
Mark Jones also scored an upset win with Art Major mare Rockabella on Sunday at Marlborough, the Marlborough double advancing his training total to 28 wins for the season for $197,694 in stakes.
After settling midfield on the outer, Mark had her on the move on the home turn, sending her clear as hot favourite Classie Mach was held up turning for home in the trail.
Rockabella, raced by Queensland’s Greg Brodie, kept up a strong run to hold by a neck in a 1:59.4 mile rate for the 2300m, the leaders running their last 800m in 58.9s.
By Jeff Scott