by Terry Neil
JONES and Brown are two common names but they might become even more familiar for harness followers after Bathurst trainer-driver Amanda Turnbull aims up with two uncommonly talented pacers with those names in next Saturday’s $25,000 Country Series Finals at Tabcorp Park Menangle.
Mrs Browns Boy NZ and Jonah Jones NZ each won $10,000 heats, for C0/C1 and C2/C3 respectively, at last Wednesday’s Group One Feeds Paceway meeting, to add to already impressive records.
Between them, the pair have won nine of their last 10 starts.
Mrs Browns Boy began well from the second row to settle mid-field in the running line, before producing a good sprint turning for home to quickly put the issue beyond doubt, with the Bernie Hewitt pair Lethal Promise and Taylor Hood also qualifying for the Menangle final.
Jonah Jones settled in the ‘death seat’ before taking up the running, and let down with a 27.7s final quarter for a runaway win, leaving Casino Grin and Rocknroll Angel to fight over the minor places.
With mile rates of 1:56.1 and 1:56.3 respectively, the wins will appear quite similar, but the horses themselves are very different, according to their trainer.
“I drove Mrs Browns Boy in his first Australian start, and I didn’t think that he would amount to a lot but he’s just kept improving all the time. He still does quite a bit wrong, but he’s got so much raw ability it’s not funny, and when he finally gets it all together, he’ll be very good,” Turnbull said.
“For a big horse, he’s very quick on his feet, and he goes from slow to really fast in about two strides, as you saw tonight.
“Jonah Jones is a beautiful horse to do anything with, and he tries so hard and gives you everything in his races. I just love him.
“I do think, though, that Mrs Browns Boy will prove to be the better of the two. He just doesn’t realise how good he is!”
Perhaps they’re living up to their namesakes: one, an unruly son of the irreverend Mrs Brown in the popular television series; and the other, a silky smooth jazz musician who delighted American audiences last century.
Amanda Turnbull has a number of former New Zealand pacers filling the boxes at her Lagoon training establishment. She says they have no problems adjusting.
“We usually give them a very easy time the first week after they arrive, then they’re into the routine, and they adapt to everything very quickly.”
Her double was matched last Wednesday by Dubbo trainer Barry Lew, who prepared Karloo Threeothree (Mat Rue) to win in C1-C3 grade, an all-the-way effort, and Karloo Damajor in the fast-class, where driver John O’Shea earned the Drive-of-the-Night award after skilfully working clear of the four-pegs spot turning for home.
Lorenzo Shannon (McAyler Barnes for Peter Bullock) backed up from a tough Parkes run three days earlier to lead throughout in a conditioned class ( to take McAyler within two of her goal of 15 wins for the season), and Uncle Ryan ( Chris and Anthony Frisby) backed up from a win at the same Parkes meeting to hold on grittily in 2YO grade, after looking vulnerable close to the line.
Goulburn visitor David Hewitt closed out the meeting with a driving double, behind a pair of very talented three-year-olds.
Spike Robyn NZ led for most of the C0 sprint, to record his second 3YO win over here, and will head to the spelling paddock now. His trainer-driver is expecting big things next season from the half-brother to Miracle Mile runner Salty Robyn.
Vettel NZ, for trainer Brad Hewitt, set the standard for the night with a 1:55.9 mile rate and closing sectionals of 28.2 and 27.5, in bolting away with a 3YO sprint. He’s a close relation to Breeders Crown and Queen of the Pacific winner The Agent Orange, and looks to have inherited the high speed that mare possesses.
You could hardly expect any less from a horse named after a four-time Formula One driving champion, could you?
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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