After a good yarn with Mark Jones early morning yesterday, I come away thinking I must put a few dollars on some of his runners for tonight’s (Oct. 6) harness racing action at Addington Raceway.
The fact I’m sitting here late on a Thursday night writing and not bothering to watch the last leg of pick six and the quaddie tells the story! Hopefully, Harnesslink followers fared better than I did.
While I’m not retiring from my day job, it was enjoyable to see Samantha Ottley and the Jones colours returning to scale in quick succession throughout the evening.
The Jones/Ottley onslaught started early and although it wasn’t a winning performance, the run of Tact Teel (American Ideal) for second in race two was a good one. Ottley found the front a lap and half from home and was beaten for speed by the smart looking Spreydon Lodge debutant, Franco Novelist (Sportswriter).
Next was the 5th heat of the Nevele R Fillies Series where Jones reported that his talented daughter of Bettor’s Delight, Monaco Grace, was back to her usual spritely self around the barn at home.
He also suggested that followers turn the page on her last start effort, believing she had the gate speed to land handy and make her own luck if she had too in what he felt was a weaker heat of the prestigious series then some of the previous affairs.
After watching the race unfold, I regret not asking the Burnham trainer for a horoscope reading as well.
MONACO GRACE REPLAY
Monaco Grace was away quickly, settling in behind the Regan Todd trained Fernleigh Blackbird (He’s Watching) before working around to take the lead with 1400m left to travel.
From there, Ottley ran the opposition ragged and did enough to prevail in a tidy 1:57.7-mile rate suggesting the effort was much better than just a walk and sprint home. It was career victory number two from start number 15 for the Woodlands Stud bred and owned three-year-old with her only other win coming in a Sires Stakes administered race ($50k Listed Magnafique). She also paid a very handsome $18.70 on the tote.
Next was Major Torque (Art Major) in race five where Jones had earlier said: āWe thought he would be the one to beat at his last start, but he galloped so we put a line through that. He was balloted out the Sires Stakes heat with his lack of form but heās a nice maiden and drawn well enough so with any luck he is going to be pretty competitive in that race.”
Ottley once again worked forward with Major Torque and found herself in front again at an almost identical spot to where she wrestled control of the race with Monaco Grace.
The pair didn’t muck about and despite having company from the two favoured runners in Carrera Rapido (Art Major) and Holy Hecka (Sweet Lou), Major Torque outstayed them up the Addington straight for career victory number one. He cleared maidens at start number seven and should get a look in come the next Woodlands Stud Sires Stakes heat should Jones and connections choose to pursue it.
MAJOR TORQUE REPLAY
They say good things come in threes and having just sent my old man a text asking whether he had read my earlier Harnesslink report on the Jones team, stated: “As good as they’re going, I’d be surprised if Hot To Trot beats Highgrove on his merits.”
Blow me dead, Hot To Trot (Creatine) came out and brained a quality field of New Zealand Trotting Derby aspirants to draw a fateful thumbs up emoji from the old man in response.
The first three home were all very good, as was the Trent Yesberg trained Feel The Moment (Andover Hall) having just his second start on race night finishing into fourth.
“We’re having a good night Nige,” said Ottley to Nigel Armstrong of Harness Racing Unhinged after the race.
“He’s a very nice three-year-old trotter and hopefully with the big ones coming up, he will continue on the same path and keep progressing,” she said.
Ottley had started the night in eighth position on the driver’s premiership and one win behind the leading female driver for the season in Sarah O’Reilly. After six races on the card, Ottley had found herself two winners in front of her.
By now, $1 each way backers were nearly $50 in front following the Jones team and I was about the same out of pocket following my nose.
Refreshing my results feed, I was half pie expecting the one-horse Jones didn’t rate as a winning chance to have got the chocolates in the last.
Alas, it was not to be with Major Memphis (Art Major) the only Jones runner to not finish in the money but was far from disgraced in finishing fourth.
The night finished with a message from Jones adding: “Something for the battlers tonight so feel free to write a story on team anytime, first time in long time I had bit of luck!”
For complete Addington results, click here.
byĀ Brad Reid, for Harnesslink