Racing: Real Torque looks chance to bolt in

Mark Jones.
Mark Jones.
Mark Jones did not rate Real Torque when he first began training the filly.

But he is quickly adjusting his opinion of the 2yr-old after her exploits over the past few weeks.

The daughter of Real Desire was a stand-out winner on debut at Alexandra Park two weeks ago, and will have her first crack at the c1 grade back at the park in race 4 tonight.

''I'm really happy with her,'' Jones said.

''We didn't think much of her, but she's kept improving. She stood up in her first race and was pretty impressive. With the step up in grade, I'd say she'll compete pretty well in the c1 grade - she's quite a nice filly.''

Jones is likely to send her to Cambridge for a Breeders Crown heat on July 9, although her trip is far from guaranteed.

''She's only 50-50 to go to the Breeders Crown, but if she can probably win two or three up there over the winter then go back there at Christmas time as a maiden, it's good business.

''She's going to be better at 3, but she should do a good job in the next month to six weeks.''

Jones does not plan to give any driving instructions to junior reinswoman Kimberly Butt, particularly after the filly's tough debut win.

''I'm surprised she sat parked and won last start so she showed toughness,'' he said.

''But she is pretty quick too so Kim can do what she wants with her really.

''She's just got a good attitude, so we'll leave that up to Kim.''

Rocker Band (race 5) is another Jones-trained filly chasing the cash at Alexandra Park over the winter months.

She drops back from finishing eighth in the 3yr-old diamond division of the Harness Jewels on May 30, when she paced the mile in 1.52.6.

''I thought she probably could have finished off a touch better,'' Jones said.

''But I've freshened her up, and her work this morning was good up there. With a drop back [in class], I would like to think she would be pretty hard to beat.''

''She probably is looking for a break but she hasn't won any penalty-free races as a 3yr-old so she will just race up there until the end of the season, then have a good break and come back for Christmas.''

Jones suggested punters stick with Landora's Girl (race 3), despite bad mistakes over the past two weeks.

''She should win a maiden straight away the day she trots,'' he said.

''As a rule, she's normally been pretty good, but she's just been pacing away. We've changed her shoeing, so if she did trot all the way, she'd be very hard to beat.''

Oasis Dream (race 8) needs plenty of luck from barrier 8, and Jones said his future racing would be in Australia.

The Jones racing team in the North Island will be strengthened over the weekend with the arrival of Saveapatrol.

The 2014 Invercargill Cup winner heads north this weekend as a trial winner at Addington earlier this week.

''He trialled on Monday and then he goes to Auckland in the weekend, and races on the 26th.

''Providing he goes good there, he will go to Brisbane for the winter carnival.''

Best bet: Barabbas (race 2) - did well from barrier 8 three weeks back, and gets in a bit closer here.

Each way: God Forbid (race 5) - forced to work overtime last week and did not toss it in. Great chance with economical run.

Roughie: Djokovic (race 6) - blew apart when leading last week. Chance to take up a front-running role again here.

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