Mark Jones Racing, 259 Grange Road, Christchurch (2026)

21/05/2026

Just a couple of runners for us tonight at HQ on a huge night of racing.

Race 4: #6 Mystery Beach - Gemma Thornley
"Deserved the win last time out and took it well. Big step up here and lose some advantage with the mobile. Hopefully we can find a nice spot and he's running home strong at the finish."

Race 10: #14 Blazing Knuckles - Sam Ottley
"We'll just put a line through the last start. Had been going really well prior and hopefully we can recapture that form. Draw makes it really tough, but hopefully they roll along and it gives us a chance to get into it late."

Good luck to the owners of both runners tonight!

16/05/2026

Few chances for us out at Rangiora today.

Race 9: #4 Mystery Beach - Blair Orange
"Racing welk and finds the right kind of race today. With a good beginning should end up on the speed and with any luck can play a big role here."

Race 9: #9 The Coalman - Sam Ottley
"Doesn't know how to run a bad race and that is unlikely to change here. Bit of work to do from the 10m handicap but with any luck shouldn't be too far away from them."

Race 11: #7 Dawn To Dark - Darnika Williams
"Better for the fresh up run last week and will be better again for this one. Tricky grade too so looking for a bit of luck."

Race 11: #8 Seaside Croft - Sam Ottley
"Nice type back from a spell and has been good in trials. Will need a run under the belt but is good enough to be a strong each way hope in this field fresh up."

Good luck to all our owners today.

07/05/2026

Last NZ start for Francent

Canada is calling talented pacing mare Francent who has her final start on NZ soil tonight at Alexandra Park.
Sold into the stable of Canadian horseman Jacques Dupont, the 12-win mare is a $1.40 favourite to win tonight’s Charles Roberts N.I.S.B.A Stakes in Auckland, looking to sign off on a successful career here in the right fashion.
And for trainer Mark Jones, the daughter of Vincent is one he won’t be forgetting in a long time.
“She’ll always be well remembered around here fondly,” he said.
“You can laugh about it now, but we actually sacked her as a young horse and she returned to be our stable flagbearer for the past 12 months, so it’s a pretty unique story.”
Bred on the West Coast by Bob Higgins and raced by a syndicate of family members, Francent has been a victim of her own success and with opportunities limited going forward the decision was made to sell.
“She’s done an amazing job and is actually getting better but it’s not fair on her to have to race Marketplace and Got The Chocolates. She can head to America and only ever race against her own sex.”
Jones said being able to be a part of such a special story for the Higgins family was a real highlight.
“Being the first Gr.1 winner for Bob after 50 years of breeding was pretty cool, especially with the family ownership. A lot of thanks has to go to Steve Little too, he spent a lot of time with her helping when she was over on the coast.”
They’ll all be able to follow with interest from afar after tonight and take confidence in the fact that new trainer Dupont knows a little bit about Kiwi mares, especially ones from Overport Lodge.
One of his stable’s leading players at the moment is the former Jones trained mare Let’s N Joy who has won nine from 11 this year and is one of the best mares in Canada.
Crystal Hackett will be in the bike tonight for the final hurrah for the big mare with the big motor and with 12 wins, eight placings and close to $270,000 in the bank there’s room for a little bit more to be added to the passport before she heads to her next adventure.

Tonight's team.
Alexandra Park
Race 5: #8 Francent - Crystal Hackett
Race 7: #5 Queen Lizzy - Crystal Hackett

Addington
Race 3: #3 Layton David - Sam Ottley
Race 6: #10 The Coalman - Sam Ottley
Race 9: #7 Blazing Knuckles - Sam Ottley

Good luck to all of our owners tonight!

02/05/2026

Heading out to Rangiora today with three horses.

Race 1: #2 Kowhai Sunburst - Sam Ottley
"Near enough efforts of late and finds a nice race today. Good draw to use and hopefully with a nice trip we can sneak a top four."

Race 6: #10 What The Bell - Sam Ottley
"Going well when the manners are there and is always an each way chance if the right version turns up. A top four hope today."

Race 8: #7 Mattie Nevin - Sam Ottley
"Much more like it here last week when winning but this is a decent step up from that. Wide draw is a little tricky but with a bit of luck and a good tempo we'll be running on well."

Good luck to the owners of our team today.

01/05/2026

Group One racing in the north and a two-strong team at Addington for us tonight on Friday Night Lights.

Auckland
Race 6: #5 Queen Lizzy - Crystal Hackett
"Continues to race really consistently without being able to grab a win. Another opportunity tonight for her to run us a big race at the elite level. She seems well and with luck can sneak a top four."

Addington
Race 6: #6 Tempo Warrior - Sam Ottley
"Going good at the moment and while this is a little harder than some of his recent assignments, a good beginning and he can find a spot to be an upset top four chance."

Race 7: #3 Wanna Play A Game - Sam Ottley
"She seems well at home but we'll need to be very good tonight because there are some nice ones chasing off the handicaps. A good beginning and we can find a nice spot and hopefully give some cheek."

Good luck to our owners tonight.

25/04/2026

Off to Rangiora today with a strong team engaged.

Race 5: #3 What The Bell - Sam Ottley
"Capable on the right day but it all comes down to manners. Hopefully from a good draw we can land in the right spot and be there and ready to pounce turning for home."

Race 5: #12 Kowhai Sunburst - Darnika Williams
"Going well at the moment without really shining. Gets a chance today although will need a bit of luck early from the draw. Can be a sneaky top four chance."

Race 7: #2 Tempo Warrior - Darnika Williams
"Back into form on Friday night with a good run. He won't mind the quick back up and if wr can find the markers early again then he's a top four chance once more."

Race 7: #3 The Coalman - Sam Ottley
"Going great the moment and gets in here pretty well too. Will step quick and look to get to the markers and with the right kind of run he can be a major player again."

Race 8: #2 Mattie Nevin - Sam Ottley
"Probably a bit disappointing in the last few starts but is quite capable. We've got a draw to use and hopefully we can find a nice trip and be running on well at the finish."

Good luck to all our owners today.

24/04/2026

Massive night of racing tonight across both islands and we're pleased to be a part of both meetings once again.

Alexandra Park

Race 3: #4 Queen Lizzy - Crystal Hackett
"Has done nothing wrong this campaign and is always there or thereabouts in her races. Just a little more luck in the running and she can grab a victory tonight. A good each way chance."

Race 9: #6 Francent - Crystal Hackett
"Super winning at Cambridge a couple of weeks ago and has really come on from that run too. Wide draw here over the mile is a little tricky but if she brings her best she shouldn't be too far away."

Race 10: #2 Layton David - Tony Cameron
"Another who has been good throughout this campaign. We get a nice barrier draw to use here tonight and hopefully that can turn into a nice trip making him a decent each way chance."

Addington

Race 1: #3 Wanna Play A Game - Sam Ottley
"Good again last time when fourth and gets a chance to jump and run early. Going well enough to be a top four chance once again in this field if things pan out."

Race 3: #12 What The Bell - Sam Ottley
"A little in and out this time in so far but no doubting the ability is there. With manners and a nice run through from the second row shouldn't be too far away."

Race 5: #3 Blazing Knuckles - Sam Ottley
"We've been really happy with the way she's been going lately and she looks primed to run another good race here tonight. Some nice ones in the field but she'll give a good account again."

Race 7: #7 Tempo Warrior - Sam Ottley
"Hasn't probably been at his nest in the last couple of runs, but gets an opportunity here to use his good stand start manners and get on the speed early. A nice trip and he's a rough top four chance."

Race 7: #10 Mystery Beach - Gemma Thornley
"Racing really well at the moment and sneaking in on the outside of the front row here over the 2000m can really help his chances. If he was able to find the markers then he's a real winning hope."

Race 8: #1 Seaside Brucie - Sam Ottley
"Another who is racing well and he gets a really nice set up here tonight from the inside draw. That gives us a bit of hope because on the markers and out of trouble he's capable enough in what is a pretty good field."

Good luck to all our owners tonight!

10/04/2026

Huge night of racing tonight and we're in action at both venues, Addington and Cambridge.

Cambridge
Race 1: #4 Layton David - Tony Cameron
"Disappointing last time out but we've made some gear changes and he's been back to the trials and was good. Looks a strong chance tonight."

Race 5: #10 Queen Lizzy - Crystal Hackett
"Not really a fan of the 1700m distance at Cambridge, but we should hopefully get a nice run through and she'll be a good each way hope once again."

Race 10: #6 Francent - Crystal Hackett
"She went as good as she possibly could have here last week. Step up in distance tonight and a much better draw mean she should be very hard to beat."

Addington
Race 1: #6 The Coalman - Sam Ottley
"As honest as the day is long and he should be able to get away well and find a nice spot and be a chance here."

Race 1: #7 Tempo Warrior - Darnika Williams
"Will make a good beginning because that's what he does and with a nice run and a bit of luck he should be rounding the race off well."

Race 1: #8 Mystery Beach - Gemma Thornley
"Racing really well at the moment and if he can get handy to the speed and grab the right kind of trip he can play a role here."

Race 4: #3 Wanna Play A Game - Sam Ottley
"The catch me if you can tactics didn't quite come off last time but we're going well enough to be a player here if things fall into place."

Race 5: #3 Mattie Nevin - Sam Ottley
"Probably a little disappointing in front at The Mot on Sunday and should have been a bit sharper. Capable of turning things around and running a race tonight."

Race 9: #7 Seaside Brucie - Sam Ottley
"Really good win here last week when leading all the way. Might not get it quite as easy this week but is capable of playing a role in this despite it being a good field."

Good luck to all our owners tonight!

03/04/2026

Chasing Easter Rewards this afternoon at Addington.

Race 1: #15 Blazing Knuckles - Sam Ottley
"Good win last time out and has done well since. Draw is a little niggly today but does have the class to overcome it and be a strong each way hope."

Race 5: #7 Seaside Brucie - Sam Ottley
"Just had to do a little bit too much in front last time but was still OK. Better the start prior. Good maiden field today but with the right kind of run can be an each way chance."

Race 10: #4 Wanna Play A Game - Sam Ottley
"Excellent effort last time when finishing second and should be better for that run. Big field here with some handy ones off the handicaps but a good beginning and we won't be too far away."

Race 11: #10 The Coalman - Sam Ottley
"Hasn't put a foot wrong for quite a while now and continues to race really well. We will need some luck from the inside of the second row but if the gaps come he'll be getting home strongly."

Good luck to all our owners today.

31/03/2026

We're off to Timaru this afternoon for some grass track harness racing in South Canterbury with a team of runners engaged.

Race 4: #14 Switch On - Sam Ottley
"Strong effort late last time out and touch wood we've seen more good than bad lately. Big field to negate here, but a bit of luck and good manners again and we're a chance."

Race 6: #5 Zoom X - Blair Orange
"Got it wrong on Friday night from the stand so needs to sort that out. Wouldn't be the worst in this field though if he was able to find the markers early."

Race 6: #9 Tempo Warrior - Sam Ottley
"The old fella isn't perhaps quite as sharp as he once was, but this is a decent enough race for him today and if he can get away well and find a good spot then he's an each way chance."

Race 7: #3 Menadad - Darnika Williams
"Not a lot to write home about in the last couple but go back a few starts and we're in good form. A chance to perhaps jump and run here today and be on the speed and a knockout top four hope."

Race 7: #13 What The Bell - Sam Ottley
"First up from a spell and will improve with the run but doesn't mind the grass tracks and seems well at home. Can run a cheeky race here to open the new campaign."

Good luck to all our owners this afternoon.

Mark Jones Racing

21/05/2026

16/05/2026

07/05/2026

02/05/2026

01/05/2026

25/04/2026

24/04/2026

10/04/2026

03/04/2026

31/03/2026

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