Harness racing's rising driving star has his sights firmly set on a 70-year-old record held by perhaps the greatest New Zealand driver of them all, reports MICHAEL GUERIN.
A rare Tony Herlihy mistake has given Mark Jones a shot at winning the New Zealand drivers' premiership.
And the young Canterbury horseman is planning an expensive assault in his attempt to become the youngest ever winner of the title.
Herlihy was suspended for two nights after admitting his drive Falcon's Blue Jean checked Clement Craig in the Woodlands Stud Mobile at Alexandra Park on Thursday. Falcon's Blue Jean was disqualified from fourth.
The suspension has been deferred until July 20 so Herlihy can compete in the World Driving Championships in Scandinavia, for which he leaves on Thursday.
That trip plus the suspension upon his return means Herlihy will not drive in New Zealand again this season, giving Jones the motivation to chase the premiership.
Jones was on 102 wins halfway through last night's Addington meeting, 11 behind leader Herlihy on 113.
Jones has eight meetings to secure the wins he needs for the title so is likely to fly to every northern meeting - three at Alexandra Park and one at Cambridge - next month.
His chase will mirror his successful attempt last season to become the first New Zealand junior driver to drive 100 wins in a season, a feat he achieved on the last night of the season.
"Obviously it is a shame for Tony to get suspended but it does makes things interesting," said Jones.
"I had given up on the premiership because there is no way you are going to catch a driver as good as Tony if he is driving but with him on the sidelines I have got to have a go.
"It is not every day you have a chance at winning the premiership. It should be fun."
If Jones is successful he will end the domination Herlihy and Maurice McKendry have had over the national premiership for 17 years, when Peter Wolfenden last won the title in 1984.
And at 20 he would pass the legendary Maurice Holmes as the youngest premiership winner, a record the maestro set as a 22-year-old in 1931.
This season could be Herlihy's last chance to win the premiership as he starts his new career as a trainer next term.
Herlihy said while he would like to win another premiership he was happy Jones would be heading north chasing the title.
"It will be good for harness racing to have a chase like this and good luck to Mark if he can do it."
But Herlihy has another reason for being happy to see Jones coming north. While in Australia last week Jones collected from their manufacturer the four news sets of colours which will grace Herlihy's stable runners next season.
"Seeing how Mark is going to be in Auckland over the next month he can drop those colours in," joked Herlihy.
Regardless of the outcome Herlihy and Jones have already developed a friendly relationship - Herlihy gifted Jones a winning drive on Champagne Party late last season to help him to 100 wins.
Racing: Herlihy opens the door for young gun
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