Mark Jones Racing

Mark Jones Racing Welcome to the page for Mark Jones Racing.

A former world champion driver, Mark is now a leading trainer of standardbreds in New Zealand as well as training a small team of thoroughbreds on the outskirts of Christchurch.

After a really impressive win from Dawn To Dark yesterday, we'll look to keep the roll going tonight at Addington with t...
06/11/2025

After a really impressive win from Dawn To Dark yesterday, we'll look to keep the roll going tonight at Addington with three chances for the night.

Race 5: #3 Wicked Annabella - Brett Beckwith
"Still getting the hang of the racing game really, but she does have a good motor and if she was to do everything right tonight it would be no surprise to see her run a bold race."

Race 5: #8 Switch On - Blair Orange
"Very much depends on which version of Switch On turns up. The one with manners would be competitive in a race like this and if she can do everything right, you'd think she's a strong chance."

Race 6: #11 Major Torque - Blair Orange
"Good to get that win last time out and he is really getting back to somewhere near his best again which is great. I've been very happy with him since that last run and he gets into a very winnable race tonight if things pan out well from the draw."

Good luck to the owners of all three runners tonight.

06/11/2025

Just the one for us at Oamaru today.

Race 5: #5 Dawn To Dark - Jonny Cox
"In good form at the moment and finds a nice race today. Should be able to get handy and be a strong each way chance."

Good luck to our owners.

Back at the South Bay Racecourse after a good day yesterday for day two of the Kaikoura meeting. Race 3: #7 Tokyo Rose ...
02/11/2025

Back at the South Bay Racecourse after a good day yesterday for day two of the Kaikoura meeting.

Race 3: #7 Tokyo Rose - Santtu Raitala
"She's racing really well at the moment; her Ashburton run was great given where she was at the 800m. Tricky draw and a good field to deal with today which makes it tough but she's honest enough to run top four."

Race 4: #3 What The Bell - Sam Ottley
"Manners the big key with her, she needs to bring them. No issues with the track as she's a former winner here and if she brings her best then she shouldn't be too far away."

Race 6: #1 Rush - Sam Ottley
"Finding some form nicely lately and gets in her OK from a good draw. If she can step quick and get a nice trip on the markers then she shouldn't be too far away again."

Race 7: #2 Tempo Warrior - Sam Ottley
"Great stand start horse so should land himself on the speed early won't be easy though because he's up against a very smart field."

Race 10: #1 The Coalman - Ricky May
"Hasn't missed a cheque on the track so enjoys it here. Should appreciate the drop back from a strong field at Motukarara last time too. Small field suits and shouldn't be too far away."

Race 10: #3 Zoom X - Sam Ottley
"He deserved a crack at the Sophomore last time but just found it a little too tough from a tricky draw. Much better suited here and if he runs up to his Timaru effort two starts back he shouldn't be too far away."

Good luck to all our owners today.

We kick off the annual Kaikoura weekend with five runners today. Race 3: #11 Kowhai Sunburst - Sam Ottley"Racing really...
01/11/2025

We kick off the annual Kaikoura weekend with five runners today.

Race 3: #11 Kowhai Sunburst - Sam Ottley
"Racing really honestly and seems to be handling the next grade up since winning a maiden well. Looks a good place hope today."

Race 5: #3 Wicked Annabella - Michael Nimcyzk
"She has to behave herself but the short course mobile should suit her if she does. Not the worst chance in this line up."

Race 5: #9 Switch On - James MacDonald
"She might get the kind of run she needs here along the markers and I wouldn't be surprised to see her claiming a top four finish today."

Race 6: #10 Bettor Way - Sam Ottley
"I'm pretty happy with him this week but it won't be easy from the second row draw but can play a role with luck."

Race 10: #7 Blazing Knuckles - Sam Ottley
"She was thrown into that race last week and duly delivered. She gets in really well again here and should be our best winning chance of the day."

Good luck to the owners of all our runners today.

Off to Ashburton today for a big day of racing. Race 2: #9 Connie Golightly - Sam Ottley "Probably not going quite as g...
26/10/2025

Off to Ashburton today for a big day of racing.

Race 2: #9 Connie Golightly - Sam Ottley
"Probably not going quite as good as she can at the moment but will eventually pick one up. Good field today so we'll need all favours."

Race 4: #5 Ripples - Jonny Cox
"Heading into this one a bit on the short side with a view to having her really ready to go in a couple of weeks. Her work has been OK and the trial was good but she'll need a few things to go her way."

Race 7: #5 Tokyo Rose - Blair Orange
"Really good win last time out and her confidence levels are up. This is a big step up though so she'll be looking for all the shortcuts."

Race 7: #6 Francent - Sam Ottley
"Great to get the win with her last time and from a front line draw with her early speed she's a chance to get onto the speed again and be a decent each way player."

Race 12: #5 Kowhai Nugget - Sam Ottley
"Will be better for that last run but perhaps still on the way up and there's a couple of smart ones in here that will make things a little tricky."

Good luck to all our owners today.

25/10/2025

Four for us today on the grass at Timaru.

Race 1: #13 Blazing Knuckles - Sam Ottley
"Coming into this on the fresh side but with one crack at them she should be pretty hard to beat in this field."

Race 7: #6 Bettor Way - Sam Ottley
"Improving with each run and good last time out. Gets into a good race today and should he a decent top four chance again."

Race 10: #15 Rush - Sam Ottley
"Right kind of race for her today and she does like the grass. Will need to do everything right but can be in the finish."

Race 11: #2 Dawn To Dark - Sam Ottley
"In good form at the moment and we get a good draw to work with. Blinds go on and we'll be pressing forward so should be a good chance."

Good luck to the owners of all four horses.

Two for us tonight at Addington Raceway. Race 2: #4 Major Torque - Sam Ottley "Heading back in the right direction and ...
24/10/2025

Two for us tonight at Addington Raceway.

Race 2: #4 Major Torque - Sam Ottley
"Heading back in the right direction and lands in a nice race tonight should be able to ping onto the markers early and be a nice chance from there."

Race 6: #2 Burnham Girl - Sam Ottley
"Improved a bit off the first run back but there's a couple of smarties in here who will make it hard to get the win this week."

Good luck to the owners of both horses tonight.

Addington for us this evening with two runners in for the meeting. Race 3: #9 Switch On - Sam Ottley "A bit more like h...
22/10/2025

Addington for us this evening with two runners in for the meeting.

Race 3: #9 Switch On - Sam Ottley
"A bit more like her kind of race today. But still a few to get around at some point. She's capable of running a decent race provided she brings her manners."

Race 8: #9 Connie Golightly - Sam Ottley
"Probably going a little better than the form looks but up against it from the wide draw. Would need a bit of luck to be an outside top four chance."

Good luck to the owners of both runners today.

Six for us heading to Oamaru this afternoon.Race 3: #10 Dawn To Dark (Sam Ottley)"Finds the right kind of race this wee...
18/10/2025

Six for us heading to Oamaru this afternoon.

Race 3: #10 Dawn To Dark (Sam Ottley)
"Finds the right kind of race this week and even from the second row I'd expect him to be putting his hoof in the till."

Race 6: #3 Bettor Way (Sam Ottley)
"Slowly getting back to full fitness but this is a bit of a step up so needs some luck to be a top four chance."

Race 8: #2 Tokyo Rose (Blair Orange)
"She disappointed us last week. We've thrown the blinds on this time around and that should freshen her right up and I'm expecting a strong performance."

Race 8: #7 Tempo Warrior (Sam Ottley)
"He never got a crack at them last week. This is his kind of race today and he's a decent top four chance."

Race 9: #6 Wicked Annabella (Gemma Thornley)
"She got it wrong on Wednesday, which she can do. But, if she did everything right today she is more than good enough to be a top four chance."

Race 9: #7 Kowhai Sunburst (Sam Ottley)
"She handled the step up from maidens really well last week. This is the lady one-win only race for a while so we're having a crack and hoping to make the most of it."

Good luck to the owners of all of our team today.

Just two for us tonight at Addington. Race 1: #3 Burnham Girl - Sam Ottley "She gets a good draw to use and has trialed...
16/10/2025

Just two for us tonight at Addington.

Race 1: #3 Burnham Girl - Sam Ottley
"She gets a good draw to use and has trialed up really well a couple of weeks ago. She'll improve with the run, but I think she's a really strong chance tonight."

Race 8: #11 Zoom X - Sam Ottley
"Nice race to throw him in, hopefully they will have more like it. He's taking each step up that we ask of him really well and while this is a massive step he has earned his place and won't disgrace himself."

Good luck to the owners of both horses tonight.

Out to Motukarara today to do battle. Race 4: #6 Connie Golightly - Sam Ottley "She needs a bit of luck in the running ...
11/10/2025

Out to Motukarara today to do battle.

Race 4: #6 Connie Golightly - Sam Ottley
"She needs a bit of luck in the running but she is good enough to finish in the top four if everything goes to plan."

Race 6: #13 Kowhai Sunburst - Sam Ottley
"Good to see her get the win last time out. Hard off the unruly up in grade but she's not the worst chance."

Race 7: #13 Dawn To Dark - Sam Ottley
"Draw really hurts as he's actually racing quite well. We'll need some luck but he's capable of finishing in the middle of it all."

Race 10: #3 The Coalman - Sam Ottley
"Gets off the front tape today which will be a good help but even the 30m handicap should probably stop the really good ones from winning."

Race 10: #11 Tokyo Rose - Blair Orange
"She's racing great but hasn't had any luck recently. Looking for a bit today and she could be an upset chance."

Race 10: #17 Tempo Warrior - Wilson House
"He's getting back to his best but he's pretty hurt by the handicaps here with some good horses around him. Will run his usual honest race."

Race 12: #2 Kowhai Nugget - Sam Ottley
"We've got a draw to work with but also a pretty smart one drawn inside us so we'll be looking for a bit of luck."

Good luck to all our owners today.

Team of runners for us tonight at Addington on a massive night of racing. Race 1: #7 What The Bell - Sam Ottley "She's ...
10/10/2025

Team of runners for us tonight at Addington on a massive night of racing.

Race 1: #7 What The Bell - Sam Ottley
"She's improving and if she does everything right and has that bit of luck then she can be a top three player."

Race 1: #13 Switch On - Wilson House
"She's going well at the moment but this is a huge step up from what she has been racing and will probably struggle against some of these."

Race 2: #4 Major Torque - Sam Ottley
"He's been a bit unlucky in his last two starts and gets a good draw to lead and roll them along. Should be a top four player."

Race 5: #14 Rush - Sam Ottley
"She was much better last week but in no man's land in the ratings at the moment and will need a lot of luck in this."

Race 10: #1 Francent - Sam Ottley
"She seems really well and finally gets a draw to work with and if we can get a good run then she can definitely be a big player from the draw."

Good luck to all our owners tonight.

Address

259 Grange Road
Christchurch
7677

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Mark Jones Racing posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Mark Jones Racing:

Shortcuts

Share

Category