Mark Jones Racing, 259 Grange Road, Christchurch (2025)

29/03/2025

After a great night on Friday night we're back in action at Rangiora this afternoon chasing more success with a big team entered.

Race 1: #7 Switch On - Sam Ottley
"Quite badly rated in this race and a wide draw makes it tricky but is good enough with a bit of luck to run in the top three."

Race 7: #8 Dawn To Dark - Sam Ottley
"He's quite a nice horse going forward but comes in here with only one trial fresh up. There's enough ability there though to take him a wee way."

Race 9: #3 Niamh - Sam Ottley
"Finally gets a decent draw and a decent set up here and with good manners over the 2000m might not be the worst chance today."

Race 9: #8 Meandad - Ricky May
"I think drawing out a little bit wider today and being over the 2000m should suit. Is quite capable of running a cheeky race in this line up."

Race 10: #13 Maryanne Golightly - Robbie Holmes
"She's been beating herself lately by over-racing. She'll need to bring her manners today but as we know she's quite capable if she does."

Good luck to all our owners today.

27/03/2025

Big night of racing for us tonight at Addington with a large team of runners in. Read Mark's thoughts on the team below.

Race 1: #9 Major Torque - Sam Ottley
"Fresh up from a long spell and only had a couple of quiet trials. But I am happy with him and he's a nice each way chance I think."

Race 3: #6 Tempo Warrior - Wilson House
"He continues to race really well and will likely roll forward and bowl along which gives him a chance."

Race 3: #7 Tokyo Rose - Sam Ottley
"Really good down south last time, but hasn't done a lot since then so might need a run to get back to her best. Small field really helps but the 2600m is right at the end of her reach."

Race 4: #5 Lets N Joy - Ricky May
"She's a nice enough filly who I think will keep improving but she's probably just a top four chance tonight."

Race 4: #8 Queen Lizzy - Sam Ottley
"She's had a few niggling issues with her bloods and is on the way back up again. We've drawn the carpark which isn't ideal so we'll need some luck but she's a filly to follow going forward."

Race 7: #2 Helloveamoment - Sam Ottley
"Has to begin this week, which he hasn't been doing and it's a strong field so perhaps only an outside top four chance."

Race 7: #4 Rush - Carter Dalgety
"Didn't like what I saw in work on Monday, but was better on Wednesday. There's a question mark there so one to take on a bit of trust."

Race 8: #5 Tact Teena - Sam Ottley
"She was better last week and will continue to improve. This is a real step up again though so only an outside chance."

Race 9: #5 Strikem - Sam Ottley
"Nice maiden resuming and will improve with racing under the belt but he's definitely good enough to be competitive first up."

Race 9: #6 Mystery Beach - Ricky May
"He's following the same programme as Strikem. His work has been very good, and I think he could be the one to surprise a few tonight."

Race 10: #9 The Coalman - Sam Ottley
"His barrier draw really hurts his chances tonight but that said if he was to get a cart into the race at the right time and it's been a truly run affair he's a sneaky chance."

Good luck to all of our connections tonight!

26/03/2025

Two chances for us at Ashburton today.

Race 2: #2 Wanna Play A Game - Sam Ottley
"Fresh up today but has had a couple of trials to prepare. Will be better for the run, naturally. But enough ability there to be a performer in this line up."

Race 2: #13 Niamh - Blair Orange
"Has found the transition up in grade a little tough in two starts since winning on debut. Is going to be a nice enough horse with experience and capable of being an upset top four chance today."

Good luck to the connections of both runners.

25/03/2025

Come work at Mark Jones Racing!

This is not just your ordinary job advert, we've got a plethora of opportunities available for the right person, or even persons to join the team.
Ideally, we need - a stable foreperson, full time staff, a jogger driver, ground staff and even someone who's keen to handle the shovel and clean boxes.
We're an expanding stable and there's potential and scope there for the right person to potentially take over the barn in the future too.
If you've got a heavy vehicle licence that's a bonus but we can offer good wages, reasonable hours and even some accommodation if needed.

Want to know more? Flick Mark and e-mail with some details about yourself, what you think you could offer and a CV and we can go from there!

E-mail [email protected]

28/02/2025

Just one runner for us tonight at Addington.

Race 8: #6 Who's Queen - Sam Ottley
"Good win last week at Ashburton and well suited again by the mobile. This is a decent step up though with some handy types to take on so might only be an outside top four chance."

Good luck to our owners.

15/02/2025

Out to The Mot today with a couole of maiden trotters.

Race 2: #1 Mass Disruption - Sam Ottley
"On debut and still has a lot to learn. Will have to do things right and bring the right manners but is capable enough and could be a good top four chance if everything falls into place."

Race 2: #15 Heartbreak Hotel - Gerard O'Reilly
"Frustrating horse. The ability is there and has to trot the entire way which probably won't happen."

Good luck to connections of both runners

14/02/2025

Addington bound tonight with a team of four engaged.

Race 2: #14 Maryanne Golightly - Robbie Holmes
"Surprised by the win first up and the fact she behaved. Tonight is a completely different kettle of fish here over the 1980m off the unruly so we'll need plenty of luck."

Race 4: #4 Rush - Carter Dalgety
"The 2000m of tonight's race should really suit her but it's a good even field so we'll need everything to go our way. A definite place hope."

Race 4: #4 Tokyo Rose - Sam Ottley
"Better draw for her this week but we go up in grade as well. She's racing well though so gets her chance and isn't the worst top four chance."

Race 9: #12 Who's Queen - Sam Ottley
"Back to the stand tonight so we've got to do things right but if she can manage to do that she's not the worst each way chance."

Good luck to all our connections tonight.

30/01/2025

Addington bound again tonight with a team of three engaged. Good luck to all our owners.

Race 1 #7 Tokyo Rose - Sam Ottley
"She was really good at Blenheim and seems to have bounced through the trip well too. It's a good even field tonight but she's as good as any of them in there."

Race 7 #2 Heartbreak Hotel - Sam Ottley
"Has to trot and sadly more than likely won't. But if by some miracle the manners are there then we're a place hope."

Race 8: #7 Bullit Train - Sam Ottley
"He's racing great at the moment but this is a whole different kettle of fish to what he has been up against. Probably at best we're an outside place chance."

23/01/2025

Back racing at Addington tonight to kick off a new year at HQ.

Race 1: #5 Who's Queen - Samantha Ottley
"Has to bring the manners and trot the entire but looks a strong each way chance if that happens and a win wouldn't be a surprise."

Race 3: #6 Rush - Carter Dalgety
"She looked a big chance of winning last time before galloping late. If she trots the whole way I'd expect she'll be pretty hard to beat tonight."

Race 3: #7 Helloveamoment - Samantha Ottley
"Win was a bit of a surprise the other day but is capable enough when doing things right. Small field here suits but we'll need some luck."

Race 8: #8 What The Bell - Samantha Ottley
"Hard from the wide draw here but is going well enough to be a decent chance in this field."

Race 9: #4 Tempo Warrior - Wilson House
"He's been great over the past few weeks, a real honest horse who gives everything. This is a tough race for him though so he'll need a lot of luck."

Good luck to all our owners tonight.

19/01/2025

A Marlborough Quartet....

Well done to our owners who enjoyed success on the weekend up at Blenheim. Wins by Tempo Warrior and Tokyo Rose on day one were followed up by victories on Sunday by Helloveamoment and Bullit Train.

09/01/2025

Excited to be up at Nelson for the first of two days of racing from Richmond Park today with three horses engaged.

Race 7: Bullit Train - Sam Ottley
"Racing really well at the moment and gets into the right race again today too. With any luck he should be a good each way chance again."

Race 10: #3 What The Bell - Sam Ottley
"Will improve with the racing over the course of the circuit but needs to bring the manners to the races too. Not the worst chance if they are there."

Race 10: 11 Helloveamoment - Sam Thornley
"Good win last time out but won't be easy today off the back handicap. Will need things to go his way from back there but not the worst top four chance."

Good luck to our connections today.

31/12/2024

Kicking off 2025 today at Rangiora with a team of three.

Race 1 #6 Kowhai Sunburst - Sam Ottley
"Still has lots to learn but can trot along a bit. Small field here means we can be a top three chance with manners."

Race 9 #9 Helloveamoment - Sam Ottley
"Disappointing at Ashburton. But we're coming in fresh today and the ability is there so could be a good top three chance."

Race 9 #12 Who's Queen - Stephen McNally
"Haven't had her all that long and we've had no trials but work at home has been OK. Could be a top four chance with good manners."

Good luck to our owners today.

28/12/2024

We're on the lookout for a new home for one of our gallopers. He's no longer a racing proposition but is 100 per cent sound. He's got a lovely, kind nature and is a pleasure to do anything with. We're looking for a great forever home where he will be well looked after and treated the way he deserves. He's been hard fed daily while spelling over the past few months.

Get in touch if you'd like to know more

26/12/2024

We're down at Gore today with a team of runners engaged.

Race 1: #7 Tinkerbelle - Sam Ottley
"She's got to trot, that's the big thing with her bust she's a definite top three chance if she can handle that small, but rather significant, task."

Race 4: #6 Burnham Girl - Sam Ottley
"Providing she backs up well enough from her Ashburton run she's got be considered a pretty good chance today."

Race 8: #5 Rush - Sam Ottley
"Racing well enough at the moment but this is a pretty good field and we'll need a bit of luck to be a major player."

Race 9: #3 Zoom X - Sam Ottley
"A little bit like Burnham Girl, will need to back up from Ashburton but is more than capable of playing a role in this."

Race 10: #1 Tempo Warrior - Sam Ottley
"Going pretty well at the moment and a good stand start horse so getting a head start is a help. Can run top four with a bit of luck."

Race 11: #10 Bullit Train - Carter Dalgety
"Has the ability to be competitive but does need things to pan out well for him. Hopefully it comes today."

Good luck to our owners today.

26/12/2024

We're incredibly proud of Sam and her effort to become the first female driver to get 100 wins in a season. What a day out at Westport including a winner in the stable colours with Stormy Vista.

Well done Sam.

21/12/2024

Off to Ashburton to kickstart a busy few upcoming days of racing today with six runners engaged.

Race 2: #3 Burnham Girl - Sam Ottley
"We've got a good draw to work with today and she's racing pretty honestly so should be a strong each way chance."

Race 2: #8 Always B Hayley - Wilson House
"She's a pretty green filly with still a lot to learn but there's a bit of ability there and we can hopefully sneak a top four finish on debut."

Race 4: #2 Zoom X - Sam Ottley
"I was pretty disappointed with the run last week, is much better than that. Does seem better this week and with a good draw can turn things around."

Race 7: #8 Tact Teena - Sam Ottley
"We're probably in need of a run today after just a nice quiet trial at Addington. This should bring her right on and wouldn't be the worst top three chance on ability."

Race 8: #6 Tokyo Rose - Sam Ottley
"Decent drop down in grade this week and we've got a decent enough barrier draw to use with gate speed. The 1700m should really suit and she can run a strong one so should be hard to beat."

Race 10: #9 Helloveamoment - Sam Ottley
"Thought we get into this race pretty nicely. Given him a freshen up and he's been good at home. It wouldn't be a surprise to see him figure in the finish."

Good luck to our connections today!

20/12/2024

Just the one runner for us today at Invercargill.

Race 10: #6 Selsey Anne - Sam Ottley
"Slightly tricky draw for a nice filly. Also coming up against a Nathan's good one and Stonewalls who are pretty talented. We're going to get a good line on where we are at and at this stage we're probably a top four chance at best."

Good luck to our owners today.

13/12/2024

Back to Addington tonight with a team of five to go around during the night.

Race 5: #8 Tempo Warrior - Sam Ottley
"Pushed forward from a wide draw last week and was a little too good for them which was great to see. Might not get there quite as easy this week but racing well enough to be a top four chance with luck.:

Race 8: #9 Rush - Sam Ottley
"She hasn't had the greatest of luck in recent times but is racing pretty well. The luck doesn't get much better with the barrier draw but hopefully she can find a nice spot and she won't be too far away."

Race 9: #2 Burnham Girl - Robbie Close
"Really nice introduction to the racing game and has gained some good experience from that moving forward. Gets the best draw of our three in this and shouldn't be too far away throughout."

Race 9: #6 Stormy Vista - Wilson House
"Nice enough type on debut who has been OK at the trials. Likely to improve with the racing under the belt and might be just a watch tonight to see how we handle race conditions, but one to follow."

Race 9: #9 Zoom X - Sam Ottley
"Hasn't done much wrong in the career to date and is getting better with racing. The draw makes it interesting tonight and leaves us largely down to relying on luck. Good enough to feature if things pan out though."

Good luck to all our connections tonight.

Mark Jones Racing

29/03/2025

27/03/2025

26/03/2025

25/03/2025

28/02/2025

15/02/2025

14/02/2025

30/01/2025

23/01/2025

19/01/2025

09/01/2025

31/12/2024

28/12/2024

26/12/2024

26/12/2024

21/12/2024

20/12/2024

13/12/2024

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