By Matt Markham
There’s an air of confidence about the way Mark Jones is speaking of his exciting filly, Delightful Memphis, this season.
And coming from a usually reserved and measured horseman such as Jones, that spells good signs for fans of the daughter of Bettor’s Delight with some hefty assignments in front of her in the next month.
An impressive winner fresh up at Addington a month ago in a heat of the Sires’ Stakes Series, Delightful Memphis returns to Harness HQ again tonight for another heat – this time with just four other runners lining up against her.
“Initially I didn’t think we would come back for another heat, but it’s worked out pretty well,” Jones said.
“We knew we were going to draw the outside so that didn’t matter but it’s been made a lot easier by having a small field to go up against.”
Jones is keeping the imposing filly’s racing spaced as much as he can as he tries to handle what could be a big season on the track and everything she’s done so far is keeping her boss impressed.
“I’m really happy with her, she’s ticking along perfectly, I am definitely much happier this time around than what I was ahead of her first run.”
The opposition tonight includes Spanish Armada who was, until the Jewels, the dominant filly of the crop.
Partyon potentially moved ahead of her with her dominant performances, but she will provide a good yardstick for Jones when the clash horns tonight.
“I think if we had picked up a few of the draws Spanish Armada had last season we might be the one with $300,000 in the bank, so I’m not concerned about her, but do respect her.
“We can pick and choose our battle this week which is good. She showed she’s good coming off the speed but then last time she was just as good in front and ran away from them late.”
Tonight’s meeting also sees the return of Eyre I Come from the Jones stable.
The talented trotter, who has been plagued by injuries throughout his career takes on a handy field first up.
“He’s a day to day proposition, so we are just taking it one step at a time, but I’m happy with him.
“He’s probably only 80 per cent in terms of fitness but there are some nice races coming up for him in the next few weeks.”
Two other stable stars are getting close to stepping out as well.
Master Lavros will most likely make an appearance in between heats at Sunday’s Mt Hutt workouts at Methven before trialling at Rangiora while Whittaker is also progressing nicely.
“We are looking at a race on the 16th for Master Lavros then up to Auckland if everything goes well.
“With no Monbet it makes sense to go up and have a crack.”
Whittaker is also being aimed at an Auckland appearance but his major target is the Harness 5000 early next year.
Super Selector – By Matt Markham
Race 1: Delightful Memphis, Spanish Armada, Smiley Sophie, Major Rocket
Race 2: Don Pierre, Eja Patron, Loose Cannon, Bettor Backim
Race 3: Riccardo, Pirate Bay, Burst Out Laughing, Unice Enchantress
Race 4: Kingdom Come, Debaneyre, Ruthless Success, .BK Dawn
Race 5: Mighty Flying Major, American Tart, Letspendanitetogetha, Bronze Over
Race 6: Tiger Thompson, Mikey Maguire, On The Rantan, The Fixer
Race 7: Lavros Jack, Shona Mary, Topnotch Titan, Spots Gold N Girl
Race 8: Mongolian Storm, Freedom Fighter, Bailey’s Rock, Sparkling Delight
Race 9: Maninthemirror, Smouldering Ashes, Royal Jester, Eastwood Suzy
Race 10: Gee Up Neddy, Twelve Monkeys, Donegal Bettorgretch, Eyre I Come
Race 11: Blade, Lloydin Magic, Missinmemate, Stop Means Stop
Best Bet: Riccardo (Race 3)
Value: Gee Up Neddy (Race 10)
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
Driving The Future Of Harness Racing
