SQUAREGAITERS WIN AT THREE DIFFERENT VENUES
Burnham trainer Mark Jones advanced to 16 training wins for the season with a winning trot treble December 7-9 _ Master Lavros (Auckland), Commander Jewel (Timaru) and Juneamy Castleton (Methven) _ taking the stable earnings to $108,315 for the term.
The team also picked up seconds with pacers, Suerte and Alex, at Timaru, and newcomer Cup Day Spur, in the 1-2 win trot at Methven.
“They were all in the right races,” Mark said.
A return to winning form for former New Zealand Trotting Oaks winner Commander Jewel was pleasing at Timaru after a disappointing couple of seasons where she failed to recapture her best form.
The big 5YO CR Commando mare was returned to her original trainer by owner “Jim” McDonald, after picking up only a minor trot win in Australia in November, 2011.
She stepped safely off the inside of the 10m line in the 1-4 wins Timaru Curry Club Discretionary Trot, avoided an early breaker on the first turn, then was sent to the front beginning the final lap.
Commander Jewel, taken on by Good Hest over the last 800m, kept kicking without being fully extended to hold Tyron Lochie, who trailed over the final lap by half a length.
She was recording her sixth career win from 26 starts for $46,148 in stakes, and advanced to a four-win handicap assessment.
Juneamy Castleton, raceplaced at two, also showed good manners to open her winning account in the Fulton Hogan Trot at Methven.
The 3YO Majestic Son filly led after the opening 200m and held by 3/4 of a length from Bim Bom Bay in 3:18.7 for the 2400m, quickening over her last 800m in 60.8s.
Juneamy Castleton is a half-sister to other winners in Georgina Castleton, Castletonian and Heather Castleton, being from Anna Castleton (Gee Whiz II-Amy Castleton), the winner of four when trained by Barry Ward.
She was bred and is raced by Lex and Heather Williams, who raced top trot mare One Over Kenny to win nearly $1.1 million a few seasons back, and also now have Cup Day Spur in the Mark Jones stable.