Report
from South Cornwall Hunt Point to Point held at Trebudannon St Columb, by kind
permission of Mr R Weldhen and Mr D Knight
on
Sunday 18th May 2003.
This course is handy bye so we did not have to leave home quite so early but although we might have been the first spectators to arrive, I found diligent workers, Rundle and 'Iggy already busy finishing off the course and I must say it wasn't much later that young Lucy and her best mate, Katy Wills also arrived (plus Mum) and continued with the all important preparations that are needed for a successful meeting.
Even in showers, this is a spectacular course with superb viewing and despite the pessimists that voice their opinions far too loudly, this course will provide an excellent day's racing. If this course doesn't suit your horse, change your horse, take it elsewhere but don't attempt to get others to do the same. This course will be here next year and it will be better and no doubt for many years to come it will continue to increase in popularity. A BIG thank you to all the team that provided this arena in such a condition for today's event. Well done!
Race one, Hunt Members Race and only three to post but these are three quality horses and two of them have won their last starts with Viv Dunne's (the one in the red jacket her daughter said!) MARQUIS MAX with her usual jockey in the plate (Wayne Smith) looking a picture in the paddock, and The Ansell Partnership's NEVERADULLMOMENT (Simon Edwards) has arrived here fresh from his victory at Stevenstone. The third member, Mr Andrews's PICK-N-CRUISE (Lucy Gardiner) has not struck form yet this season but if she enjoys herself squeezed up between two little boys, (both gelded but she might not know that!) then who knows what might happen! Well it was soon evident that she did not like the arrangement and dashed off for a short canter with Lucy across the adjoining grassland and took no further part in the race after the first fence. The remaining contestants continued to race at a steady pace with MARQUIS MAX possibly in the lead more often than NEVERDADULLMOMENT. The final circuit saw the pace increase and it was MARQUIS MAX that led the duo into the final straight and off for the line but NEVERADULLMOMENT was not going to give in and the race was won by him after the last fence as he managed to get ahead by two lengths on the line. Very exciting finish by two good horses. The tin has profited. I wagered at even money that that was the order the would finish in and hey presto, it came up trumps. This is going to be a good day! None for the bag on this occasion.
The Confined Race produced seven excellent pointers and to pick a winner was going to be difficult. Colin Blank has taken the going conditions into his reckoning and will run his very promising BENGAL BULLET with Sarah Gaisford in the plate, the Rogers's stable will be represented by BELITLIR (S Young), Roma Cook has brought her consistent COUNTY BASH (L Gardner), down from Mrs Frost's stable comes Derek McKenna to ride her DEFENDTHE REALM. Mrs Trueman's LEAD STORY from Gordon Chambers's stable with Richard Woolacott up has not reached his peak yet but today could be the day. Paul Tylor's GURU RINPOCHE and J Berwick's YOUNG GENERAL (Richard Darke) are the outsiders of the field. These two led this field off down the back straight but it was not long before BENGAL BULLET showed keen interest and it was this one that led the field over the ditch. It was here that the commentator changed the name of one horse and DEFENDTHEREALM became NEVERADULLMOMENT and it was some time before the correction was overcome but ! BUT ! although there were plenty of the spectators crying up to the commentator to point out this small mistake I don't remember a huge list of volunteers for this job when an advertisement appeared recently on the retirement of Peter Wakeham as commentator. An excellent commentator. At the open ditch for the second time with a four length advantage the field was led by BENGAL BULLET who has a wonderful charisma about himself and really enjoys his work. He was followed by DEFENDTHEREALM and GURU RINPOCHE and the remainder of the field in a bunch. Over the last fence the next time found it was still BENGAL BULLET out for a comfortable days racing followed by DEFENDTHEREALM followed by GURU RINPOCHE and COUNTY BASH. This was the order out into the country and as Derek was getting to work on DEFENDTHEREALM so BENGAL BULLET increased his jumping to near perfection and was gaining at each fence. As they reached the made up ground BENGAL BULLET maintained a couple of lengths lead with DEFENDTHEREALM, COUNTY BASH, GURU RINPOCHE following closely. Another couple of really good jumps by BENGAL BULLET and his lead began to increase considerably. Up until now we had not heard much of Sue Young onboard BELITLIR but this mares presence was now about to be witnessed and she came flying at the end making up considerable ground to do so. BENGAL BULLET won by fifteen lengths in the fastest time of the day followed by BELITLIR and then YOUNG GENERAL. The tin has now been reduced by as much as I previously deposited ! too late now! A voice from the background tells me that the bag will increase its depository evidence of good racing by the amount of winning at two to one! The owner of the bag makes it sound SO easy ! after she has won!
Here come more class. Where else have you witnessed such good competition this season? The Mixed Open Race sponsored by Roger Young Landrover will see four classy individuals with thirteen wins between them, go to post. Charlie Rush's KESTICK (T Cave) fresh back from Cheltenham and Exeter hunter chasing, Rebecca Welsh and Deborah Treneers's ever so consistant BOMBA CHARGER (C Heard). Lucy (Gardner) will be up on Auntie Roma's HASTEN BAK who has won his last three and one of them by 20 lengths and the horse that doesn't know how to lose a race, the Young's FOSSY BEAR. This is point to pointing class! Even money FOSSY BEAR, three to one KESTICK, four to one HASTEN BAK and five to one BOMBA CHARGER. I consider I am quite knowledgeable about these horse as I have seen them all throughout the season, noted their going preferences and the times about their winning margins etc. I have not got a clue who will win! KESTICK had a hard race at Exeter but the astute trainer would not come here on the owner's local course, to get beat! Arguments about all the others are available. Why should BOMBA CHARGER travel down to Cornwall to interrupt his flow of wins? Why should HASTEN BAK travel out of county to get another win when one is possible here locally! FOSSY BEAR doesn't like horses in front of her, particularly 'on the line'! I am on FOSSY BEAR and hopefully he'll redeem what I 'loaned' away yesterday on TRACK O'PROFIT!!! Ruth has tipped the bag on KESTICK! A good pace and a rag could cover them all for most of this race. BOMBA CHARGER doing most of the leading work. Jumping by all is a lovely sight to watch. With two clear circuits to go BOMBA CHARGER led with FOSSY BEAR on the inner followed by HASTEN BAK and KESTICK. FOSSY BEAR took the lead down the back straight. BOMBA CHARGER got up again. KESTICK still in the rear but a smaller rag will now cover them all! No room here for pinching saddles, wrong bits and arguments about the going, you have to be top to be amongst this little group. At the tenth fence it was a lively jump from FOSSY BEAR that put her up to lead from BOMBA CHARGER then HASTEN BAK then KESTICK. All over the open ditch for the second time! Safely of course! With one circuit to go it was KESTICK who injected a little pace to keep the quartet up to their work but Tabitha was soon back in a watching position as FOSSY BEAR and HASTEN BAK took them out into the country. The perspiration running down my back had nothing to do with the cold I am carrying and the owner of KESTICK had at this time taken up Flamenco dancing on the spot ! most unusual! Not the owner, the dancing! You see it is not usually done with a fag in your mouth! BOMBA CHARGER was the first to feel the pinch. On entering the made up ground for the final time it was KESTICK who took a little closer order and closed FOSSY BEAR with HASTEN BAK in third. KESTICK jumped well! At the open ditch my money began to look safe as FOSSY BEAR led KESTICK over it with a good lead over HASTEN BAK. With two fences to go they rise together! To the line they race and it was KESTICK that managed to hold on the better and crossed one and half lengths ahead of FOSSY BEAR with HASTEN BAK a further eleven lengths back in third. With this the second fastest time of the day, take note! BENGAL BULLET did it in faster! What a super race! The bag owner is also practicing Flamenco! I am happy to have witnessed one of the more classy races of the season.
Mr Barber has brought down a couple for this meeting and it was Mr Maltby's RED NATIVE who caught the eye in the paddock and with Nick Williams up was sure to be sent off favourite in the Intermediate Race. Although he only came home by two lengths to the good of Lucy Gardner on her BAK ON BOARD I am sure there was more available if required. It was also good to see Steve Long's stallion BALDHU JACK (A Barnett) on the race course, I suppose he took time off from being 'father' to get here. Just goes to show how important this point to point racing is, when the intended father tells the 'mothers-to-be!' to wait until I come home. The experienced gained by the novice riders in this race is immeasurable. Well done Mary, Vanessa and Will.
The Stag Inn St Austell Restricted Race was one of the bigger fields of the day and saw ten go to post. Mr Maltby's second runner of the day from the Barber stables LORD OF THE MIST (Nick Williams) was made favourite at even money but I did not consider this value and this long striding horse might not suit this course. I will take the Heywood's IMPREVU to come home in number one spot but Vanessa (Shaw) is up again on Mike Weir's TENINAROW and we remember her winning her maiden here and in what style at the Four Burrow Meeting. Reuben Chapman has probably been giving his INDIAN RAIDER (A Glastonbury) a little bit of get up and go training after getting the bug from winning the members at the previous meeting. Tim Dennis will ride C Furse's CHANGE and Colin Heard will ride Mrs Laurence's ARMAGNAC EXPRESS and all have a chance of coming second after LORD OF THE MIST, at least, that it what the investing arena has to say. Off they go! It wasn't long before IMPREVU established a good lead over INDIAN RAIDER The lead increased! The lead increased some more! Whew! What a lead? Over thirty five lengths! INDIAN RADER, SILVERMAN and TENINAROW following. At the open ditch for the second time Claire (Heywood) had a distance lead on her IMPREVU. Sure my money is looking good! With a circuit to go it was still IMPREVU followed by INDIAN RAIDER and now TENINAROW. LORD OF THE MIST took closer order and came up into second place and commenced the run down the back straight gaining a little on IMPREVU. TENINAROW jumping very well for Miss Shaw continued in third place with CHANGE joining the race in fourth. INDIAN RAIDER now back in fifth. As they approached the open ditch for the final time it was LORD OF THE MIST who took it up from IMPREVU then TENINAROW and CHANGE. At the second last it was LORD OF THE MIST, TENINAROW and CHANGE who had relegated IMPREVU to fourth place. Over the last practically together and the race will now be won on the distance to the line. One helluva race to win this is necessary with the three pilots doing all they can to get that last ounce out of their charges. The young lady who has crossed this hallowed line in first place here once before ! DID IT AGAIN! By one length from CHANGE and two lengths from LORD OF THE MIST, Vanessa took the spoils on Mike Weir's TENINAROW. A really good race. IMPREVU tripped up on the second last fence and despite attention, insisted on getting his breath back before moving, no matter who wanted to use the course next. When HE was ready he got up and walked away!
The safety factor dictates that a split will be necessary so two divisions of the Maiden Races are to follow. Excitement in abundance! Will Lady Earle's QUIZZAL (R Woollacott) get the better of the Young's LIRKIMALONG, or will N Stephens's SECOND PICK (J Snowden) better his last two placings? QUIZZAL goes off favourite! At the first of the open ditches it was LIRKIMALONG that led the field followed by M Rangor's ICENI QUEEN (S Robinson) and QUIZZAL on the outside. All safely over that one. The pace set by Sue Young was one that could only be matched throughout this race by QUIZZAL and the remainder dropped off. It was just two left to race for the line in this division and when it mattered it was LIRKIMALONG who got up by two lengths from the continually challenging - QUIZZAL. Ah! Now the tin is looking a little better AND the bag, would you believe?
The final division sees the consistent Reuben Chapman's NATIVE CHRISTY out to win his maiden. This Be My Native gelding has been knocking on the door so I am not surprised to see that he is four to six on in the investing arena. Hello! Here's that man Mr Charlie Rush with his PANTO PIXIE with Tabitha Cave up also trying to win his maiden. Then Sue Young will be riding Miss Du Plessis' MISS ZIGGERSON who hasn't sparkled yet but may do this time. Off they go in lovely weather for the final one! BRIT OF A BABE saw young Miss Mills fall off quite early but I believe both are well! Colin Heard's charge, The Miles Apart Partnership's ABSEAL did not like the shape of the course and ran out leaving seven now to compete and NATIVE CHRISTY continued to lead from MISS ZIGGERSON and Mrs Hussey's RUNAWAY MAN (K Ford). All safely over the open ditch. It was NATIVE CHRISTY and MISS ZIGGERSON who took the field out into the country for the first time. Unfortunately MISS ZIGGERSON fell and left NATIVE CHRISTY out in front by about four lengths. JAUNTY JANNER (D Stephens) and HAWKERS COVE T Dennis) following with PANTO PIXIE held up back in the field. By the time they reached the home straight NATIVE CHRISTY had decided to take himself out of the race by running wide which left HAWKERS COVE in the lead . The set up now changed a little and it was HAWKERS COVE followed by JAUNTY JANNER, PANTO PIXIE, RUNAWAY MAN and RED CAP that went off into the country for the final lap. Over the final ditch, onto the second last and it was going to be a race between HAWKERS COVE and PANTO PIXIE to the line. Tabitha kept PANTO PIXIE up to his work as he has been known to fold up before the three miles is complete. Much screaming, shouting, hollering and cap waving saw PANTO PIXIE arrive at the winning line some seven lengths ahead of HAWKERS COVE and RED CAP ten lengths back in third place. Super! Bag and tin are opened, addition to contents poured in slowly, lovingly and without shame. We have both won on the day. Hoorah!
That was a great day out, thank you all once more for your efforts and I have not heard one complaint about this venue but I have heard some extremely complimentary remarks and they didn't all come from those with winners!
My mother taught me:
ANTICIPATION
"Just wait until we get home!"
Next week Dulverton Farmers, Berks and Bucks and South Tetcott ! BE THERE!
Fred and Ruth
