By Matt Markham
Mark Jones put his near perfect day at Methven yesterday down to one mitigating factor – Sam Ottley.
The Burnham horseman enjoyed a gold letter day at the first grass track meeting for season, winning three races and picking up a second placing as well from his five runners for the day.
And Ottley was on board all of them, continuing her golden start to the season as the combination between her and Jones continues to prosper.
“I’ve got to give a lot of the credit to Sam,” Jones said.
“She summed each one up perfectly and had them all in the right places at the right times, she really is driving as good as anyone going around at the moment in my opinion.”
The Jones/Ottley combo kicked things off with Rocknroll Nevin, who despite running up the track down the back straight, was too good for her opposition – surprising her trainer slightly.
“She was pretty good last week at the trials, but I probably didn’t expect her to win the way she did.
“She’s always been a nice horse, and everything fell into place for her which helps.”
The run continued in the very next race when Ammisaduqa backed up a very good trial at Methven eight days earlier with a strong victory over the 3000 metres.
After a handy enough run on debut the Gotta Go Cullect gelding was driven confidently by Ottley and he won impressively by a length to break the maiden status.
“He was the one I was most confident with I think, his trial last week really impressed me.
“I didn’t give Sam any instructions, but she drove him perfectly.”
When Perrisa led the feature pacing event of the day and was too tough for her opponents, things started to look even better than Jones could have dreamed of at the start of the day.
The former claiming mare, who could have been picked up for a fair price a few weeks back, got her own way in front and ran away at the top of the straight.
“We’ve had a few problems with her but the grass is her real go in life and when she gets her own way she’s pretty hard to peg back.
“We’ll keep targeting grass track racing for her over the next few months before she heads to stud later in the season.”
The three win haul was nearly four when Zena Mac was very good when finishing second behind Shadow Rider in the last.
Jones has made a grand start to the season winning seven races from just 30 starters – and he’s pretty surprised about it.
“It’s the smallest racing team I’ve ever had I think, but there’s some really nice young ones.
“I’m looking forward to next season.”
Ottley’s start to the season has been just impressive, she’s won eight races from 30 drives and continues to kick goals when given the chance.
Jones reported yesterday that his star mare Rocker Band would be heading North this week for her immediate racing.
“She’ll go to Barry Purdon and we will target the Spring Cup in a couple of weeks and then the Holmes DG a fortnight after that.
“Alexandra Park have been great and really looked after us and the best part is she should get a race every week up there without having to take on the best of them.”
Stable trotting star, Master Lavros, is progressing nicely towards resuming later in the year.
The Dominion is off the table and Jones is looking at a first up run in the Green Mile at Methven in December.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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