Mark Jones Racing

05/09/2026

Off to Methven today with three chances.

Race 5: #10 Wattlebank Will - Sam Ottley
"Better for the first up run last time and will pick one up quick enough. The wet grass track is a bit of an unknown but a nice enough chance."

Race 10: #3 Tinkerbelle - Sam Ottley
"Back from up north and heading to the breeding barn this season. She's capable on the grass and not the worst chance today."

Race 11: #7 Zoom X - Sam Ottley
"Into another pretty even race again and was good last time. Can be a player once again."

Good luck to our owners.

03/09/2026

A couple of chances for us tonight at Addington.

Race 9: #3 Tact McLeod - Sam Ottley
"He's bounced through his first run well and we're expecting some natural improvement from him tonight. He will still keep getting though, the more racing he has the fitter he'll get after such a long time away. Wouldn't be surprised if he ran a cheeky race tonight though."

Race 12: #8 Selsey Anne - Sam Ottley
"Nothing went right at Ashburton last week and we've copped a pretty tough draw to work from this week. Will be hoping for a bit of luck early to find a good spot and if we're close enough turning for home she'll be finishing off strongly."

Good luck to the owners of both horses tonight.

31/08/2026

29/08/2026

Sunday racing action for us today at both Ashburton and Gore.

Gore
Race 2 #3 Sensitive To A Smile - Sarah O'Reilly
"Sneaks down south looking for a win after some really strong runs lately. Gets in a really winnable race and with manners should be quite hard to beat."

Ashburton
Race 6 #4 Mattie Nevin - Sam Ottley
"Great run first up at Addington last week and has taken good improvement off it. A couple of smart ones out wide, but she can be a top three player with the right run."

Race 6 #5 Queen Lizzy - Anthony Butt
"She'll also take good benefit out of her run last week. Things just didn't quite pan out during the race. She's capable of being competitive here with her best form."

Race 7 #11 Selsey Anne - Darnika Williams
"Really encouraging first up run at Addington and sharper for it. Second row draw might work out really well and with gaps at the right time should be running home strongly."

Race 10 #1 Zoom X - Sam Ottley
"Another great draw to work with today and if he can find the right kind of trip his best would be competitive here."

Good luck to all our owners today!

27/08/2026

Back to Addington we head tonight.

Race 3: #10 Mighty Flying Miki - Sam Ottley
"Has been good since winning his maiden a couple of weeks ago. Should be competitive in this line up but will need some luck from the second row."

Race 8: #2 Kowhai Star - Sam Ottley
"Not a lot of luck last week after getting trapped away on the fence. Something similar could well unfold here too. But with a good tempo, she should be rounding things off strongly."

Good luck to the owners of both horses tonight.

23/08/2026

Winners are Grinners!

Congrats to stable junior driver Darnika Williams on her first winning drive today!

She saluted on Royal Belle for Pete and Mitch Robertson with a great drive on the favourite.

A hard working and key part of our team, we are sure this is just the first of many.

Well done Darnika!

📸: Race Images

22/08/2026

Just the one runner for us today out at Rangiora.

Race 2 #6 Sensitive To A Smile - Sam Ottley
"Showed real improvement from the first start of the campaign to the effort at Oamaru last week. Shouldn't stay a maiden too long and if the manners are there again today then she is sure to run another bold race."

Good luck to our owners.

20/08/2026

Addington bound tonight for 'Road To The Cup Starts Here' Race Night.

Race 1: #1 Zoom X - Sam Ottley
"A couple of handy runs recently and slots in here quite nicely with the right barrier draw in the right grade. Should be able to hold a forward position and not be too far away from them at the finish."

Race 6: #4 Mattie Nevin - Anthony Butt
"She's a filly we have always had a bit of time for and she's had a good break and a nice steady build up. Her trial last week was really good and while she's forward, she'll take a lot of benefit from the run. Small field suits and won't be too far away."

Race 6: #5 Queen Lizzy - Sam Ottley
"Has been super all year in some very good races especially in the north. Given a break and has two trials to get ready and both of them have been very pleasing. Will get better with racing but is forward enough to be a major player tonight."

Race 8: #5 Tact McLeod - Sam Ottley
"It's just great to have him back at the races. He's been in work for a long time and has plenty of miles under the belt. But there's nothing like race fitness to really bring him on. This is just the first step for him tonight on a hopeful path to the second Tuesday in November. Classy at his best, but will get better the more racing he does."

Race 9: #1 Kowhai Star - Sam Ottley
"Racing great at the moment and gets a nice bonus run in the grade after winning a penalty free race last time. Ideal draw and hopefully with a nice trip she can prove hard to beat again."

Race 9: #4 Selsey Anne - Robbie Close
"Been off the scene for a long time but has always been a nice mare. Three trials to help get her ready for the return but she's another who will need a few starts before she gets right back to her best."

Good luck to all our owners tonight!

15/08/2026

Oamaru bound today with three to race.

Race 2: #5 Sensitive To A Smile - Sam Ottley
"Not completely disappointed with the effort first up. Needed the run having had no trials. Has been back to the trials since then too so strips a lot fitter. Manners need to be there, but is a top four chance with them."

Race 3: #3 Wattlebank Will - Sam Ottley
"He's a horse we've always had a little bit of time for. Returns from a spell here today and has had two trials to get ready. Better for it, but good enough to be in the action somewhere."

Race 7: #4 Mighty Flying Miki - Sam Ottley
"Really brave win at Addington the other night. Did work and stuck to the task strongly to win. Getting better with racing and while stepping up here, should be competitive."

Good luck to all our owners today.

08/08/2026

Off to Ashburton today for racing action.

Race 2: #12 Switch On - Kate Coppins
"Manners the key, as always. But Ashburton does suit and with a complete performance could be an upset top four chance."

Race 6: #8 Dawn To Dark - Kate Coppins
"Racing really well at the moment and doesn't mind a bit of a dogfight. Speed should be on which will help and looks a decent each way chance."

Race 6: #10 Kowhai Star - Seth Hill
"Super effort last time out. Really found the line well. Draw could be a help, but also a hindrance. But, with luck at the right time will be storming home on them late."

Race 9: #8 Tempo Warrior - Sam Ottley
"A good effort on Friday night in a strong field. On the quick back up here but that doesn't usually worry him. A good beginning off the 10m handicap and he should be close enough to play a part once again."

Good luck to all our owners!