Bits N Bridles

Two full brothers – three year old Zanda Man and two year old Baystyle won consecutive races at Melton last Friday.

Both are by Art Major out of the Big Jim mare Miss Atlanta.

Zanda Man is trained by Jack Barker, while Baystyle comes from the Geoff Webster barn.

They were both bred and are owned by D.S. Glynn and H.R. Glynn.

Tomorrow night sees the running of the DG Jones/Banks Peninsula Trotting Cup named after the great Derek Jones.

Derek Jones drove more than 46 seasons and reined 817 winners. He had his first drive at Methven as a nineteen year old and his first winner was Quite Clever at the Hororata meeting at Riccarton Racecourse two months later in December 1946.

He moved north and drove several winners for Dan Fraser, an influential trainer in Wellington. He contemplated moving to Auckland but shifted south in 1949, taking his smart young pacer Soangetaha which went on to win two Auckland Cups.

Over the years he developed Smokeaway (12), Disband (14), Leading Light (13), Premiership (14), Hands Down (31) and Blossom Lady (43).

Derek’s son Peter has driven two Banks Peninsula Trotting Cup winners – Joe Junior (1989) and Sundon (1990), while his grandson Anthony Butt has won it three times with Hickory Stick (1992) and Lyell Creek (1999 and 2000).

Trotting filly Duchess Maria (Father Patrick) has come through her run at Addington last Friday well.

After returning to the racetrack after a year away and an interrupted preparation, she was run down late by Becky’s Girl in the Macca Lodge Sires’ Stakes Three Year Old Trotting Fillies Classique.

“I was so thrilled, relieved and proud of her with the way she went,” trainer driver Nathan Williamson said.

A plan will now be drafted for the pathway to her main summer target the $125,000 New Zealand Trotting Oaks on 6^th November.

“I’ve got to sit down with John and Katrina (owners John and Katrina Price) and talk about what we’re going to do. On the programme for the age group trotters there are a couple of runs over sprint trips and then the New Zealand Oaks this year is over 2600 metres. I’d like to get a couple of races into her with a wee bit of distance. I’d quite like to race her locally if possible.”

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink