Overport Lodge heads to Blenheim with confidence levels high
Matt Markham - Raceform • January 15th, 2026 3:51 PM
He hit the ground running in 2026 with great results through the first two weeks of racing, and Mark Jones will be out to continue that run this weekend in Blenheim.
The Burnham horseman has already produced nine winners and eight placegetters from 31 starters – a strong platform to build on following a very successful 2025 season.
“It’s been a good start, we’ve had the right horses in the right races and managed to grab a few wins which is great for the owners and everyone involved,” Jones told RaceForm.
A successful sojourn down to Central Otago early in the New Year has played a good part in the success and it’s a trip to the other end of the South Island this weekend that is hoped to repeat the dose.
Jones will line up five runners at Friday’s meeting, the first of two for the weekend on Blenheim’s Waterlea Raceway’s grass track surface, including two in the first day’s feature – the Marlborough Cup Prelude.
Grand campaigner Tempo Warrior is back for another trip to the Tasman, having enjoyed his time there last year where he picked up a win on the first day and then ran a cracking second behind Wild Willow in the Marlborough Cup on the Sunday.
“He seemed to really enjoy it up there last year, and I suppose it’s a track that suits him a bit, because it can be really well suited to those on the speed.
“His great stand start manners always put him close to the markers and he doesn’t mind following a hot tempo, so hopefully we can get one of those.”
The now seven-year-old son of A Rocknroll Dance will have start 117 on Friday, but with 13 wins on the board and close to $200,000 in stakes, he’s been a great horse for the Schmacks and Barry Phillips who race him.
“You wouldn’t mind a stable full of horses like him, he’s never too far away and has been able to slide his way up and down the ratings a fair bit during his career. His last few runs have been good and a sign that he’s getting back to somewhere near his best.”
Tempo Warrior finished third at Cromwell in behind Hacksaw Ridge at his last start.
While he brings plenty of experience to the country cups scene, his stablemate Mystery Beach who starts in the same race is very much just starting to dip his toes into the competitive grade.
As just a four-race winner, the son of Bettor’s Delight has always possessed his fair share of ability and could be the surprise packet second-up from a spell.
“He is a nice horse and will win a few more races, but it’s a tough ask for him. He’s just in that tricky spot in the ratings where he has to go around against the better ones and he’ll either step up and compete with them or find his way back to the right grade.”
Blair Orange will take the drive on Mystery Beach while Samantha Ottley is on board Tempo Warrior.
Outside of his two Cup Prelude hopes, Jones looks to have a strong hand to play late in the day with both Stormy Vista and also Kowhai Star. The former has been in great form without winning of late, with three placings in his last four starts, and Kowhai Star is forming a strong career record with three wins from her nine career starts including a penalty-free win at her last start at Rangiora on New Year’s Day.
“She’s getting better with racing and getting a bit stronger too, you’d like to think she could pick one up over the weekend with the right amount of luck.”
Kowhai Sunburst rounds out the stable’s chances on the first day, starting off 30 metres behind the maidens.
CLICK HERE to subscribe to RaceForm and get your copy delivered each week.
