Racing: New challenge for Jones

Mark Jones wishes two of his stable stars were as fit as he is heading into the weekend's racing.

Jones, the youngest-ever reinsman to win 1000 races in this country, has been tackling a new sport as a distraction from racing and is set to have his first boxing bout in less than a month.

"I actually started boxing training last year because I was going to do a charity fight but it got called off," said the Canterbury horseman.

"But my trainer registered me with the boxing association and I have been training ever since.

"So then he decided to find me a fight so at this stage it looks like I am on for April 16."

Jones says the training has not only helped him lose 5kg and put on some muscle but has changed the way he thinks about horse training.

"I have realised from being so tired myself after big workouts that you have to give the horses time to rest and not work them so hard after big runs," said Jones.

The new approach has worked miracles, with Jones having prepared 40 winners this season and well on his way to becoming one of the country's training elite.

However, he is going into this weekend unsure about the fitness of his two leading lights: Shezoneoftheboyz at Addington tonight and My Man Dan in the $50,000 Invercargill Cup tomorrow.

Shezoneoftheboyz is unbeaten in three starts and downed most of the country's best 3-year-old trotters in the Hambletonian last start.

Jones has been easy on her since and she missed an important workout last weekend.

"She is close enough to the mark but she won't be at her peak this week," said Jones.

"So with Chocolate Brownie in there it should be a good race."

Long-term Shezoneoftheboyz could be the horse Jones has been waiting for. "I think she is one of the best trotters I have driven."

"I have driven Lyell Creek so, obviously, you have to take him out of the equation but she would be as promising as most of the other open-class trotters I have been behind."

Jones has been a huge player on the country cups circuit in the South Island and says he thinks that can continue in the Invercargill Cup tomorrow, but just not with the well-supported My Man Dan.

"I actually rate Crystal Star the better of my two chance," said Jones.

"She is a good honest mare racing really well. Whereas I haven't been all that happy with My Man Dan in the last 10 days. I gave him an easy time after his latest win and I think he has got away on me a bit fitness wise."