Jones’s six for Addington

Burnham harness racing horseman Mark Jones will be taking six runners to tackle Addington Raceway tomorrow night. 

The most interest will be in the return in Race Six of quality five win pacer Deny Everything (A Rocknroll Dance) who’s been away from the racetrack for seventeen months. The now seven year old has been readied for his return with three trials, winning his last two.  

“He’s had leg troubles and maybe two or three wind operations so we’re lucky to get him back to the races. His trials have been okay without being super. He’s one that’ll improve a lot with racing. He’s an outside top three player in that field. On his day he’s a good horse but we’ll probably never see the best of him,” Jones said. 

His entry in Race Two is well bred young trotter Eyre I Will (What The Hill). He was an impressive winner at Winton, then at Rangiora after sitting parked, he ran fifth. 

“He probably raced a couple of lengths below what he can do. He’s going into tomorrow night a bit fresher and will probably need the run. I’m not 100% happy with him, put it that way. In time he’ll be a nice trotter. He’s quite a big horse and it’s a step up racing non-winners to multiple winners. He just needs a bit of racing.” 

The Coalman (Pet Rock) faces a large field in Race Four. He’s resuming and starts off the ten metre mark for stable driver Sam Ottley. 

“He’s a great wee horse who tries like hell. It’s just going to be hard fresh up off ten metres with a full field in front of him. He’ll settled a long way from the lead and will need the run. If he runs on, he’ll be one to follow in the coming weeks.” 

Artatac (Art Major) joins his stable mate (Deny Everything) in Race Six. He was a game winner at Timaru and starts off the fifteen metre mark. 

“He’s a great warrior and you forget he’s only five. He’s banging on one hundred starts and has won fifteen races. In that race being a small field, he’s got to be an each way chance but Donmaro (A Rocknroll Dance) looks too good for that field.” 

Destiny Dance (A Rocknroll Dance) represents the Jones stable in Race Eight. A recent addition from his owner Robert Higgin’s stable, he’s had two trials from his new base. 

“His first trial was just fair. He’s got a lot to learn but his second trial was a lot better so he’s on the improve. From the draw he’s going to need a lot of luck. I think he could win one at short notice. I’ve taken the fixed deafeners off him. He’s a bit dumb so hopefully that’ll sharpen him up. I’ve put the blinds on him to wake him up too. He trialled good with them on last week so it should help.” 

In the last race Lizzie Richter (Sweet Lou) starts from the outside of the second row for stable junior Gemma Thornley. This is the horse’s second run back after a spell. 

“Fitness wise she’s still on the way up but should be competitive. Whatever she does this week she’ll improve on. She’s my best bet and an each way chance from the draw.” 

Meanwhile Leeston trainer Katie Cox is happy with the progress of trotter Spa Da Moment (Monarchy) which will run in the Paul Renwick Joinery Mobile Trot over 1980 metres tomorrow night. 

“He’s had a bit of a break between races, will be better for the run but should go a good genuine race. It’s quite a nice field. He’s getting into the ratings (band) where he’ll be quite competitive and he’s a horse that suits the 1980 metre mobile because he likes to roll up on the gate before he goes. He races a lot better that way. That’s his go in life,” Cox said. 

For complete race entries, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink