SYNDICATE LOOKING FOR CHANGE OF LUCK
Tiz Tough, a useful qualifier for the Mark Jones stable at the NZ Cup trials at Addington on Wednesday, November 3, will be trying to bring a change of luck to a Leeston syndicate in her scheduled race debut at Motukarara on November 29.
“The Red And Blue Syndicate have leased a half-share. They’ll race her with Peter Fry from Nelson, who bought her mainly to breed from,” Mark said.
The 3YO Falcon Seelster filly is from the useful Soky’s Atom mare Tizaway Tiz (five wins), a grand-daughter of the late Alister Kerslake-trained former tough racemare and NZ Derby placegetter In Or Out (12 wins including the 1975 NZ Oaks and 1976 NZ Standardbred Breeders Stakes).
Tizaway Tiz’s ill-fated half-brother In The Way won five at two and three including the 1990 NZ Golden Slipper Stakes for trainer Graham Court, while their dam Laudit also won five including a DB Fillies Heat.
True Lies, a half-sister to Tizaway Tiz, who also won five, has left good northern winner Percy The Punter, while the family also produced Smooth Crusa, who did a big job in Australia winning over $A428,000 and ran third in the 2008 Miracle Mile.
“The syndicate’s had no luck with the horses they’ve had, but she goes alright,” Mark said.
“Blair Orange (who drove her in the qualifer) said good things about her so thats a good sign,” he added.
The catch-driver trialled a new American style sulky behind Tiz Tough.
The filly will now have a week off, then prepare for her race at the end of the month.
“The syndicate have got a big day out there, so she’ll have one start and go back out,” Mark said. “She’ll get better with time.”
Tiz Tough trailed eary before taking over with 1400m of the 2000m trial to run.
She held Franco Hemmingway, who finished well from three back on the markers, by 1 1/4 lengths in a handy 2:31.5 (2:01.8 mile rate) for the mobile 2000m, quickening over her last 800m in 58.3s and final 400m in 29s.
Classie Emma (3f Bettor’s Delight-Ruling Delight), a stablemate of Tiz Tough in the Mark Jones stable, also picked up her qualifying ticket with a solid third, 2 3/4 lengths away.
She moved up parked for driver Steven Golding, running 2:32.2.
A third Jones runner, Come Tomorrow (3f Red River Hanover-Sassi), also qualified, running 2:33 for sixth in the hands of Regan Todd after settling back then being forced wide turning for home.
The Mark Jones Racing Stables also produced Texas Terror (2c Western Terror-Alicia Maree) and Born Running (3g Red River Hanover-Rashanne) to qualify in the previous mobile 2000m pacing heat.
Texas Terror, after trailing three back on the inner mostly for Regan, went 2:41.2 for fourth, with Born Running (Mark), who settled back from a wide draw, running 2:31.4 for fifth.
“Apart from Tiz Tough the other qualifiers can have a holiday and have a quiet time for cup week,” Mark said.
OK Courage, preparing to resumed on NZ Cup day next Tuesday, bounced back from a disappointing Rangiora workout run on October 23 with a strong display in the 1-5 win pacers heat on Wednesday.
After setting a solid clip, he was joined by the Mark Purdon/Grant Payne-trained NRM 3YO Sires’ Stakes runner Hands Christian in the open over the last 600m.
The pair drew out in the run hom by two lengths over Datmymulligan with Hands Christian putting his head in front inside the final 100m to win the heat narrowly.
The 2600m from a stand was run in 3:20.2, the last 800m in 56.5s and final 400m in 27.6s.
In Like Magic, back on the inner mostly, ran sixth in the 3 or more wins trot won by Sno’s Big Boy in 3:29.3 (2600m stand), the last 800m in 58.4s. North Island visitor Raydon put in the performance of the trial to run third after galloping early and losing 50m.
North Canterbury mare Kiwi Ingenuity was untroubled to lead throughout and beat four rivals in the Christchurch Casino Cup Trial.
Kiwi Ingenuity ran the 2600m (stand) in a strong 3:16, quickening over her last 800m in 56.1s to hold the Hill stablemates Power Of Tara and Monkey King (slow early) by two lengths.
By Jeff Scott