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

17/12/2025

We're off to Methven this afternoon for a twilight meeting with a team of runners engaged.

Race 5: #15 Switch On - Sam Ottley
"As always, manners the key - but with them wouldn't be the worst chance in this field. Might be one to look for running home strongly late."

Race 6: #11 Matilda Too - Sam Ottley
"A shade disappointing last week at Rangiora. We'll be looking for a much better effort from her today."

Race 8: #12 Mighty Flying Miki - Sam Ottley
"He was OK at Oamaru last week when fourth he just got a bit too keen and didn't pace 100 per cent. Hopefully we've ironed them out and he can run a strong race today."

Race 11: #8 Meandad - Sam Ottley
"Handy enough in both runs back from a spell and with good manners he looks a decent top four chance today in a wide open field."

Race 12: #6 Bettor Way - Sam Ottley
"Has just been OK lately, but looking for a return to form here in what looks a race he should be competitive in. Good draw to use so is an each way hope."

Good luck to all our owners this afternoon.

12/12/2025

In action at both Addington and Alexandra Park tonight - chasing Gr.1 glory in the north.

Auckland
Race 6: #11 Francent - Sam Ottley
"Not probably the draw we wanted with her but she was really good last week and has enjoyed a good week. A little reliant on what happens in front of us early but if she gets her chance she won't be too far away."

Addington
Race 1: #1 Kowhai Star - Blair Orange
"Not bad last week when fresh up from a spell and has taken benefit from that. Good draw to use tonight and if we can get a nice run then we might not be too far away."

Race 1: #4 Burnham Girl - Mark Jones
"Forced to race wide at Orari last week and it told late. Back to Addington tonight and with a good draw we're not the worst top four chance."

Race 4: #3 Wanna Play A Game - Mark Jones
"Good at Orari last week and should come on with that run. Manners will be the key again but not the worst upset top four chance."

Race 5: #3 Tempo Warrior - Mark Jones
"Wasn't too bad at Wingatui on Sunday. He found the line OK. This is a lot tougher though and he'll need everything to go his way to be a top four chance."

Race 6: #4 Sensitive To A Smile - Mark Jones
"Nice young trotter in the making and has benefited from some time in the paddock. Will keep getting better but gets into a race today where a strong effort wouldn't surprise."

Race 7: #5 Zoom X - Mark Jones
"Gave him a wee freshen up after Cup Week as he'd had a busy few weeks. Has sharpened up with that time and from a handy enough draw if he can ping away he's not the worst knockout chance."

Race 7: #7 The Coalman - Seth Hill
"A bit disappointing last weekend at Orari but hopefully he can get himself into a nice spot here tonight and not be too far away from them."

Good luck to all our owners tonight!

10/12/2025

Congrats to Sam. Well done and here's to many more, especially in the black and white.

09/12/2025

We've got a truckload of runners heading south to Oamaru today for an evening of grass track racing.

Race 1: #2 A Bettor's Legacy - Sam Ottley
"First up from a spell after taking on a good field on debut at Gore back in August. Time is going to be a great friend but two good trials have him ready to run a race here."

Race 2: #3 Mighty Flying Miki - Sam Ottley
"Good run first up and will have taken plenty of benefit from that. Into here quite nicely and we get a good draw to work from so shouldn't be too far away."

Race 6: #6 Meandad - Sam Ottley
"Not a bad run first up from a spell for second last week. Capable trotter who should be one to follow over the coming weeks as we approach circuit racing. Manners the key today but can be an upset top four chance."

Race 7: Kowhai Sunburst - Sam Ottley
"Much more like it with good manners last time out and can build on that. Likes the grass and with a good beginning can be handy enough from where she'll be a top four chance."

Race 9: #6 Stormy Vista - Sam Ottley
"Superb run first up last time out and lands in here really nicely with a good front line draw. Can ping out onto the speed and be a major player from there."

Race 9: #14 Bettor Way - Mark Jones
"Few to get around here from the 10m handicap but is racing really well and hopefully with a quick beginning won't be too far off them and should be running on strongly."

Good luck to the owners of all of our runners today.

05/12/2025

We're off to Samantha's old hometown today with a team of horses for the annual Geraldine meeting at Orari.

Race 5: #5 The Coalman - Sam Ottley
"Good win last time out and it was a penalty free one too which is a bonus. Stays in same grade but a little harder today. Good stand start manners will put him in the right spots though and he's a good chance the way he's going."

Race 6: #1 Wanna Play A Game - Olivia Thornley
"Won at this meeting last year when quitting maidens on debut. Comes in here fresh off a good spell and has raced that way before but with no workouts or trials might need one or two to reach full fitness."

Race 6: #8 Paramount Lady - Sam Ottley
"Won really well last time out and looks set for a good campaign. Couple of handy ones in here this week so it's definitely a lot harder but going well enough to be a sneaky top four chance."

Race 11: #7 Burnham Girl - Sam Ottley
"In good form and finds another race in which she should be quite competitive. Drawn out wide but gets a chance to push forward early and find a good spot and she should be an each way hope."

Good luck to the owners of our four runners today.

05/12/2025

We're in action at both Addington and Alexandra Park tonight to kick off a busy weekend of racing.

Alexandra Park
Race 6: #7 Francent - Sam Ottley
"Travelled up well and goes north with some good form in the bank. Will be better for the look at the place and from the wide draw it makes things tough but we're looking for a good run ahead of next week."

Addington
Race 5: #2 Better Together - Wilson House
"Better for the run at Oamaru on debut like we expected and will keep getting better too. Comes up with a good draw which will help and hopefully we get a nice trip and are running on at the finish."

Race 5: #9 Miss Ethel - Mark Jones
"Still has a fair bit to learn about the racing game but is going to be a nice horse in time. Second row draw probably doesn't hurt as we'll be looking to be finishing off strongly."

Race 7: #8 Kowhai Star - Mark Jones
"Freshened him up after his last start win and he's had the one quiet trial under the belt. Will improve with racing but does go well fresh and can run a cheeky race and be an outside top four chance."

Good luck to our owners tonight.

26/11/2025

Off to Oamaru today with a team of four runners.

Race 5: #7 Bettor Way - Mark Jones
"Good win at Kaikoura and can build off that and keep moving forward. Nice race for him today and he's an each way chance."

Race 6: #4 Bettor Together - Brad Williamson
"Probably still a few runs away fitness wise and needs another six months to strengthen right up. Experience is going to be great for her today."

Race 6: #5 Miss Ethel - John Morrison
"Still has a lot to learn as she's a bit green. That said, she's got ability and if she does things right then she's a top four chance."

Race 6: #8 Mattie Nevin - Mark Jones
"We have a bit of time for her, she's a nice filly in the making. But, like the others, she'll need a run or two probably to see her best. She's still a strong hope today though."

Good luck to the owners today.

20/11/2025

Massive night of harness racing tonight at Addington and we're there with a team of five to take part.

Race 3: #5 Tokyo Rose - Sam Ottley
"Absolutely no luck at all last week when we thought she'd be a good chance. If she can get away well and land an economical trip throughout then she's a chance in this field."

Race 4: #13 Rush - Sam Ottley
"She really deserved that win last week after some good performances. A bit of a step up in class here though, but she's trotting well and confident so is an upset top three chance."

Race 5: #4 Queen Lizzy - Sam Ottley
"The race map didn't really work out for her in the big one last week but this week's one might and with the right kind of trip she can run a big race."

Race 5: #9 Ripples - Luke McCarthy
"No luck from the draw last week and we're banking on a bit of it this week from the draw again. She's good enough to bounce back though, and we're expecting a big run."

Race 12: #8 Dawn To Dark - Sam Ottley
"Not a lot went his way on Friday last week. We'll need a lot of luck tonight from a tricky draw but he's going good enough that if everything fell into place he could run a cheeky race."

Good luck to all our owners tonight!

19/11/2025

Off to Rangiora today with three horses to do battle across the day.

Race 5: #1 Paramount Lady - Sam Ottley
"Good run first up but has been away from the races a wee while since then. Ability is there and it looks a nice race for her but she'll improve with the run."

Race 5: #5 Kowhai Sunburst - Blair Orange
"A rare mistake last time from her. But she'd been OK prior to that. If she can get herself into a nice spot from the mobile then she's not the worst top four chance today."

Race 9: #7 Switch On - Sam Ottley
"Manners have been letting her down of late but we know the ability to win a race like this is there. All comes down to what kind of mood she's in when she gets out there."

Good luck to the owners of our trio of runners.

13/11/2025

Back in action today at Addington including chasing success in a couple of the feature races of the day.

Race 4: #4 Zoom X - Sam Ottley
"Perhaps not quite at his best in the last two runs but gets a chance to turn things around again here. Nice draw and he's a pretty capable horse so looks a good top four chance with luck."

Race 4: #9 Dawn To Dark - Jonny Cox
"Big win at Oamaru last time out and he just keeps getting better and better this horse. Wide draw really hurts us today so we're relying on a bit of luck to bring us into play and only a knockout chance."

Race 4: #12 The Coalman - Ricky May
"Didn't get a lot of luck on Tuesday but he's best when driven like that. He'll be out to find a helmet again today and hopefully he's running through the line strongly."

Race 6: #12 Tempo Warrior - Sam Ottley
"Getting hurt by bad draws in the mobiles and it makes it very hard for him. He's up against a pretty good field here today and will need a lot of luck."

Race 7: #8 Rush - Sam Ottley
"Found the line really well on Tuesday from a tricky spot. Hopefully she can step well today and put herself a little more forward in the field and she's a decent top four chance if things work out."

Race 8: #6 Tokyo Rose - Sam Ottley
"She was good at Ashburton I thought and we get a chance to roll forward here today and try and land on the speed. Probably not quite as good as the best of them in this but she won't be far away."

Race 9: #5 Queen Lizzy - Sam Ottley
"She's had a couple of quiet trials to get her ready for this and they've both been what we wanted. Front line draw is a plus and hopefully she can find a good spot and be running home strongly at the finish."

Race 9: #13 Ripples - Jonny Cox
"She's come through the Ashburton run really well, I'm very happy with her. Race tactics are going to dictate our chances a little bit off the second row but she's good enough to be there fighting out the finish and can go close with the right amount of luck."

Good luck to all our owners today.

12/11/2025

Just three for us today at Ashburton on what looks to be a wet old day.

Race 6: #10 Bettor Way - Sam Ottley
"Great to get the win at Kaikoura last week. Racing really well and while stepping up in grade a little it again looks like a race we should be quite competitive in."

Race 8: #4 Kowhai Sunburst - Sam Ottley
"Racing well since winning the maiden and handling the next grade nicely. Should be able to get handy enough to the speed today to be a top four chance again."

Race 11: #17 Switch On - Sam Ottley
"Proving a little costly at the moment but does have a motor on the right day. Would need to trot the whole way and there's a fair few to get around but a knockout chance."

Good luck to all our owners this afternoon.

10/11/2025

Cup Day today at Addington, good luck to everyone involved especially the owners of our seven runners across the day.

Race 1: #12 What The Bell - Sam Ottley
"Manners, they're the key. Hasn't been getting it right lately which has been frustrating but, on his day, he'd be competitive in a race like this. No mistakes, and we're in play."

Race 2: #2 Burnham Girl - Sam Ottley
"She's raced herself into form at the right time and gets into a race today where she can be competitive. A good draw to work with and if she can find the markers then she's a decent top four chance."

Race 4: #10 The Coalman - Will Rixon
"Better at Kaikoura when third and will appreciate the strong tempo that comes with race day. Bonus too that we'll be on the markers the whole way and covering no extra ground. Can sneak into a top four finish if things unfold well."

Race 4: #11 Zoom X - Sam Ottley
"We had to try and lead up at Kaikoura, and it just told late in the piece. I am happy enough with him though, and if we can get a nice trip through from the second line and be close enough turning for home, he's not the worst chance in an open field."

Race 7: #3 Rush - Sam Ottley
"She's going well at the moment, and her usual good stand start manners will put her on the speed early. Some pretty nice ones chasing us though as you'd expect but with the right kind of run, she could sneak a place with her best effort."

Race 9: #1 Blazing Knuckles - Luke McCarthy
"We've got the draw we wanted with her. She's racing well is fit and ready to go and while she might lack the class of some of her rivals, she's an honest filly who should get a quiet run on the markers and will be looking to round the race out strongly"

Race 13: #14 Tempo Warrior - Sam Ottley
"He found the going a bit tough at Kaikoura, but he deserved a crack at that race. Not helped here by the barrier draw at all and he'll need plenty of favours to fill a top four spot from there."

Enjoy the great day of racing ahead.

Mark Jones Racing

17/12/2025

12/12/2025

10/12/2025

09/12/2025

05/12/2025

05/12/2025

26/11/2025

20/11/2025

19/11/2025

13/11/2025

12/11/2025

10/11/2025

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