Racing: Jones won't pass Cup drive by

Canterbury horseman Mark Jones got a surprise call from good friend Tim Butt last night.

"What are you doing around 5pm tomorrow?'' Butt asked.

"Cause if you aren't busy would you like a drive in the New Zealand Cup?''

Jones, a former World Championship series winner, got the last-minute call-up to partner Pass Them By in today's New Zealand Trotting Cup.

The former North Island pacer got into the race only after Jimmy Johnstone was scratched because of a lung infection.

"He is a good stayer who follows the speed so we are happy to have him in there,'' said trainer Butt.

That gives him two in the race, the other being last season's fourth-placed Mah Sish.

Pass Them By is rated a $101 and his inclusion in the field doesn't change the front-line size, with Caribbean Blaster still to start from one on the second line.

Meanwhile, the connections of Franco Ledger will be looking for harness racing's biggest consolation cheque in today's Cup.

Because they have lost what they thought was their best chance of group one victory today.

Many of the syndicate who race Franco Ledger are also in Pay Me Mach, who was scratched late yesterday from the day's other feature, the $180,000 Sires' Stakes.

That caps a tough week for his Southland connections after Franco Ledger, a one-time third favourite for the Cup, drew the second line, negating his standing start brilliance.