Burnham trainer Mark Jones became the first trainer to win both the Southland Oaks and the Southern Supremacy Stakes on the same day in the same year, with Stylish Memphis and Burnham Boy winning at Ascot Park today.
In the Macca Lodge/Nevele R Southland Oaks Final, driver Ricky May took Stylish Memphis forward off the mobile with local filly Watch Me Now taking the lead. With 600 metres to run Watch Me Now and Need You Now went to war, with May sitting patiently in the trail. He moved Stylish Memphis off the inside and once the field straightened for the run home the Bettor’s Delight mare let down nicely.
“She ran past them and knocked off. She could have won by a lot more. You don’t get paid for winning by more,” said Jones.
The winning margin was three quarters of a length from Need You Now with Watch Me Now another three quarters of a length away in third.
Her winning time of 3-16.3 created a new race, track and Southland record for mares erasing Bonnie Joan’s record of 3-17.1. The time was also a new all comers record.
“The driver and the draw were in our favour. She’s a good stayer and had been running good times over in Aussie and a truly run 2700 metres didn’t worry her. The first three home are very good fillies.”
It was the fourth time May has won the Southland Oaks. He previously won it on Impact (1996), Flash Tactics (2000) and Mainland Banner (2005).
Stylish Memphis is owned by Wayne Higgs.
“In two weeks time at this stage she’ll head to the Nevele R Final. Wayne is toying with the idea of running in the New Zealand Cup, said Jones.”
Stylish Memphis may also go back to Australia again in the new year. Last season she won the Group One New South Wales Oaks.
“If we place her right she’s definitely good enough to win another Group One.”
The Jones double was completed when Burnham Boy led all the way and held out a game Pembrook Playboy by a neck at the end of the Alabar Southern Supremacy Stakes.
“The way the wee fella’s been going he’s shown he’s pretty tough so when we saw the draw I thought I’d like to roll forward and lead up if I could,” said driver Sam Ottley. “He’s a really genuine horse who drops the bits wherever you put him. When I asked him to go he still had plenty left.”
Both the Southland Oaks and Southern Supremacy were rescheduled after Covid prevented both finals from being run in April.
“We really love coming down here. Southern Harness didn’t have to re-run these races but they did which is great. They’re good races to win.”
Trainer Mark Jones was also full of compliments for Burnham Boy.
“He deserved to win a race like this. He’s no superstar but he tries really hard. He’s a good genuine race horse which you’d like a stable full of,” he said.
The four year old came into today’s final with impeccable form over short distance racing at Addington.
“The short trips back home don’t suit him but the 2700 suited him today. If he got into the New Zealand Cup this year we’d probably start him. After the way he went today we’d probably make the late payment.”
Bruce Stewart