Jones Venturing South

Bruce Stewart Journalist

Burnham trainer Mark Jones will make the most of the small window of opportunity to firm up his qualifiers for the Southland Oaks which has been reprogrammed for October.

The Southland Oaks and Supremacy Committee announced last week that the qualifying period for both features has been extended until the end of July and that three meetings in Southland are now available for trainers to qualifying their three year olds.

“I think it’s pretty good timing as its two weeks before Cup Week. It works out well for our ones because they’re high up in the grades and can come down to Southland and race their own sex rather than take on the good horses round Canterbury. So it’s a pretty good option,” Jones says.

Both features will be run on Diamonds Day on Thursday 29^th October at Ascot Park and will carry a stake of $30,000 and a Group Three listing.

Three year old filly Lu Lu La Mans is one of the horse Jones is sending south.

“She’s coming down as she needs another start and some more money to qualify.”

Lu Lu Le Mans impressively won by three and three quarter lengths at the Northern Southland March meeting.

Lu Lu Le Mans winning for Sam Ottley at Ascot Park – Photo Bruce Stewart

He says there’s a chance quality filly Stylish Memphis will also venture south.

“I’ll just see how she is. It’s touch and go whether she’ll be ready but there’s a possibility, put it that way.”

In her only run in the south, Stylish Memphis won at Wyndham in November in the hands of Ricky May.

Stylish Memphis winning at Wyndham – Photo Bruce Stewart

Impressive Addington winner Plutonium Lady also trained by Jones is also qualified (4th).

Plutonium Lady

Jones already has two horses at this stage qualified for the Alabar Southern Supremacy Stakes: Burnham Boy (9th ) and Willison (12th).

Burnham Boy

Willison

“They probably won’t come down but it depends on what races are programmed for Addington because they’re in the same grade. They’re more likely to come down in August as four year olds and chase a penalty free race.”