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

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.

06/12/2024

We kickstart a busy racing weekend with a bit of dual code action today with one runner at Riccarton and four headed to Addington for Derby night.

Riccarton
Race 8: #4 Correction - Terry Moseley
"Back on the poly which should suit but probably needs to find a few lengths on some of the recent performances. Best wouldn't be too far away."

Addington
Race 1: #4 What The Bell - Sam Ottley
"Mobile conditions should suit and allow an opportunity to find some rhythm early on in this race. Good enough to be a top four chance but will need to bring the manners."

Race 4: #3 Tokyo Rose - Sam Ottley
"Found things a little too rich last week but gets in here OK against some smart enough types. Good draw to use which should put us on the speed and at best would be a good top four chance."

Race 10: #4 Zoom X - Sam Ottley
"Encouraging start to the career with a couple of really handy runs. Again we've got a draw in which we can maybe roll the dice early and get up onto the speed. Should be a strong each way chance again."

Race 11: #8 Tempo Warrior - Sam Ottley
"Going near enough races lately without really grabbing one. Wide draw makes it a little bit tougher but if the speed is on and we can get into it at the right time, won't be too far away."

Good luck to all our connections tonight!

28/11/2024

We are casting the net far and wide today including going international with Tact McLeod set to kick off in the Inter Dominion Series in Australia!

But there's also Cromwell Gallops and Addington Harness at home too.

Cromwell
Race 6: #1 Correction - Floor Moerman
"First up since September so should improve off the run but finds a nice race to kick off in and if we can get a bit of luck from the wide gate won't be too far away."

Race 8: #5 Ladyswey - Terry Moseley
"Won on this day last year and while the form might not be flash is actually going OK. Another wide draw doesn't help the chances but can be an outside top four chance."

Addington
Race 3: #6 Tokyo Rose - Wilson House
"Good win last week at Motukarara but this is a whole lot harder. Has gate speed so should be able to settle handy enough to the speed and isn't the worst top four chance with luck."

Race 5: #14 Rush - Sam Ottley
"Has come through the two runs at Cup Week really well. It is hard off a handicap, but she's closing out her races well and with any luck should be a decent each way chance."

Race 8: #5 Tinkerbelle - Sam Ottley
"Great for connections to have a horse in the NZ Trotting Oaks. Shame we are up against an absolute freak of nature but if we trot the whole way she'll give a decent account of herself."

Race 10: 10 Helloveamoment - Sam Ottley
"Better at Timaru but had to sit parked. Better coming from off the speed and if we get a bit of luck from a tricky draw then it wouldn't be a surprise to see a big run."

Newcastle
Race 5: #8 Tact McLeod - Anthony Butt
"He's travelled over well. Not an ideal draw first up which means we have to drive him for a bit of luck but the right man in the bike to handle that, will be better for the run and the experience."

Good luck to all of our connections today!

23/11/2024

Tempo Warrior spearheads the three-strong team for Phar Lap Raceway later this afternoon.

Race 4: #5 Tempo Warrior - Sam Ottley
"Turned the corner in the past couple of weeks with a change in training. Very good on both days during Cup Week. Nice race today, should be able to get away fast and be on the speed and is a decent each way chance."

Race 6: #3 Zoom X - Sam Ottley
"A shame they've got such a small field for a good stake. Not a bad run on debut and should keep improving. Miki B looks very hard to beat, but if we were to run second that would be a great result."

Race 9: #3 Helloveamoment - Sam Ottley
"Mistakes have been creeping into the last few performances, so needs to do it right here today. More than capable of being a good each way chance if able to do everything right."

Good luck to the connections of our three runners today.

14/11/2024

Back to Harness HQ for the second day of Cup Week later on today with five chances.

Race 1: #2 What The Bell - Sam Ottley
"I think the mobile will really suit today but we're heading up in grade too so there will need to be some improvement there to be a serious winning chance."

Race 4: #13 Tempo Warrior - Sam Ottley
"Great run on Tuesday and was held up enough around the last bend to cost us too. Bit different here with the mobile and a second line draw so we'll need to find a bit of luck."

Race 5: #1 Tokyo Rose - Sam Ottley
"We've got a good draw to use again with good gate speed and I think we'll be an upset top four hope this time around as we had no luck at all on Tuesday."

Race 11: #6 Helloveamoment - Blair Orange
"Made a mistake on Tuesday which was a bit out of character. He'd been going good before that too. Good field to take on here so we might need a few things to go our way."

Race 11: #10 Rush - Sam Ottley
"Really good work late on Tuesday, flashed home. A happy and healthy horse but this is a decent field and we'll probably need a bit of luck to make something happen."

Good luck to all our owners today.

11/11/2024

Massive day of racing with Cup Day at Addington and we’re pleased to have a big team of runners in throughout the day. Looking for a bit of luck in some races, but a number of runners could be strong each way chances if the luck does come.

Race 3: 10 Helloveamoent – Sam Thornley
“The 2000m stand should really suit us and if he can put himself into the race at some point, he should be in it for a very long way.”

Race 3: #14 Rush – Sam Ottley
“It’s going to be very hard for her off a handicap over the short course, but I’ve been very happy with her work over the past week and if she got the right trip, she wouldn’t be too far away.”

Race 6: #4 Tact Teena – Anthony Butt
“She’s had a few tie up problems but does seem to be over them now and I think the stand start will suit her. She’s not the worst chance if she can get away and find a nice spot.”

Race 6: #11 Tempo Warrior – Sam Ottley
“I’m quite happy with him, we’ve upped his work and he’s drawn well out wide. Hopefully he can step quickly and find his way onto the speed and be a decent knockout chance.”

Race 6: #18 The Coalman – Ricky May
“He’s just not racing as good as he can at the moment and from this draw it is going to be very hard for him to find a spot that could bring him into play.”
Race 9: #6 Strikem – Sam Ottley
“Consistent wee performer who is doing a decent job, but he’s likely to find a couple a bit too rich for him here.”

Race 9: #7 Mystery Beach – Anthony Butt
“A bit like Strikem, is likely to find a few in here a bit too good. But a wonderful achievement for his owners to have two runners in such a great race”

Race 10: #6 What The Bell – Sam Ottley
“Had to win last time but good to see him doing everything right and getting the job done. A step up here today, but he is the sort of horse who could do everything right and be a strong each way chance.”

Race 12: Tokyo Rose – Sam Ottley
“Much better at Kaikoura and with the aid of a good inside draw here today, she might not be the worst chance as she can punch out and hopefully get a nice run before looking to sprint late. Needs a bit of luck, but can play a role.”

Good luck to all our connections and everyone involved with Cup Day.

08/11/2024

Kicking off Cup Week with a runner in today at Riccarton

Race 11: #13 Ladyswey - Sam Spratt
"She seems really well at the moment. She's fit and ready to go a big race but we haven't been helped at all by the draw. So, we'll need a bit of luck."

Good luck to connections.

07/11/2024

To Rangiora we head today with a team of four engaged.

Race 1: Tinkerbelle - Sam Ottley
"She's probably a pretty good place chance today behind Greg and Nina Hope's horse who is a nice two-year-old."

Race 6: Bullit Train - Carter Dalgety
"He's got to get the right run, but you'd like to think if things panned out well for him he's good enough to be in the fight at the finish."

Race 9 Kowhai Summit - Sam Ottley
"We're in a pretty tough grade at the moment and we've copped a wider draw which doesn't help. I'd imagine from there we will need a lot of luck."

Race 9: Meandad - Harrison Orange
"Probably finding the step up from maidens to taking on some of the more experienced ones a little hard at the moment. Will get there eventually but needs to improve a bit yet."

Good luck to the connections of our team today.

Mark Jones Racing

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

06/12/2024

28/11/2024

23/11/2024

14/11/2024

11/11/2024

08/11/2024

07/11/2024

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