Girlpower prevails in Shepparton sister act

New South Wales harness racing trainer Ellen Jones stood strong at Shepparton on Tuesday (March 18), adding the final touch to a rare family feat.

Jones prepares her team at Narrandera with husband Blake, and joined sisters Beck, (Bartley), of Kialla, and Lisa (Pitt), of Girgarre, in each training winners on the nine-event program.

“The other two put the pressure on me and let me know that nothing but a winner was required,” Jones laughed.

“They did have me under the pump that’s for sure, but I couldn’t let them show me up.  It was pretty cool that each one of us had a win.”

Lisa, 30, combined with her husband Mark, one of Victoria’s best drivers, to score an all-the-way win in the opening race, the Leo, Warren and Kevin Newbound Memorial, with three-year-old filly Sabita (Captain Crunch).

The pacer pinged off the gate to lead and kept a solid tempo rolling with splits of 30.3, 30.2, 29.3 and 28.9 for a strong mile rate of 1.56-9 for the 2190 metres.

The victory took Lisa’s training tally to 58 – although as a driver she has a few more to her name, with 72.

Highly successful big sister, Beck, 33, who trains out of the Shepparton Training Centre, at Kialla, got 11-year-old gelding Mongiana (Life Sign) to another win with a strong performance over the latter part of the Mickey and Dorrie Cormican Memorial Pace.

Sent out a $4 favorite, Mongiana had a 10-metre break over Clear Left (Jack Laugher) with a further 13 metres back to Dressed In Gold (Ewa Justice) in a time of 1.55-5.

Beck, who formerly trained in partnership with Steve O’Donoghue, now has 29 training wins in her own right, although she has excelled over the years as a driver with 503 wins, including Group One success.

Ellen, 31, had Milola Rock (A Rocknroll Dance) , which started the favorite ($1.65) in race seven, the Vin McConnell Memorial Maiden Pace.

“We did think she would go pretty well, because we really like her.  She ran a nice second placing at Leeton first-up,” Ellen said.

“The horse is owned by Rocco Perre, from Leeton, and I think it’s the first one he’s had. We’ll give her a few more starts and then she’ll probably go out for a break.”

Ellen, who works a team of 23 horses, with Blake, now has 401 wins as a trainer beside her name. In the driving department, she has 129 wins.

” We’re certainly kept busy, but we’ve got Ky Bloomfield working full-time for us and Blake’s sister-in-law Sarah cleans out all the boxes each day,” she said.

The Shepparton meeting hosted a special memorial night, dedicated to honoring those who have played significant roles for the club over the years. Those recognized included Kath Muir, Ben and Ann O’Donoghue, Mick and Dorrie Cormican,  Eddie Walsh, Leo, Warren and Kevin Newbound; Gordon Warner, Mick Hayes and Vin McConnell.

“We had over 100 dining bookings, reflecting the deep respect and admiration they earned within the community. It was a heartfelt night of remembrance and celebration,” the club posted.

See all of the Shepparton results and replays here: 

From Terry Gange for Harnesslink