Report from South Pool Harriers Point to Point
meeting held at Buckfastleigh Racecourse on Sunday 20th February
2005.
Despite messages
that the heavens were going to open up and shower snow all over us, we arrived
at the racecourse in lovely weather.
The wind was a little keen but some wintry sunshine was evident and all
looked good for a full days racing.
People from some areas a little further North and East reported they had
left snow at home but here, all was well.
Out of 185 entries a good turnout of runners was expected and did
prevail. I walked the course and found it in good condition and would race
'good to soft' and no doubt the bends would churn up a bit before the last race
of the day but all in all conditions were 'right'. I found that a somewhat clumsy rabbit decided he would make a
little home quite near the edge of the home straight but the very attentive
Clerk of the Course, Michael Lethbridge dealt with this obtrusion which had
arrived without planning permission and was quickly demolished.
We start the day
off with a maiden race for geldings and horses which will give these runners
fresh ground and make their task possibly a little easier than having to run
after six or seven other races have been run.
Fifteen will go to post and a NRF (no recent form) AWARD ME AN OSCAR
from Ollie Jackson's yard is made clear favourite. The fact that he is owned by David Pipe also had something to do
with it. Another one that took a
considerable amount of investors money was MISTY BROOK but I chose JOLI CHRISTMAS (W White) to
carry my first investment for the day as this one was a little unfortunate not
to have won at our own meeting (North Cornwall). I saw that Ruth was in the bag for some 'material' and she was
off also to wager on the same horse.
Off they go! At the first we lost JOY DE DISSE (R
Woolacott) and I believe MO'S O FRIENDLY (G Rowe). The remainder looked great
as they streamed along the bottom in the afternoon sunlight. Passing the judge for the first time it was
T Boon's CARGO FLIGHT ( Kath Northcott) pulling hard and leading the field by
about 8 lengths but this was short lived and along the bottom he was pulled
up. The field began to stretch right
out and it was GRANDE BRETAGNE (C Prouse) who brought them up the hill for the
second time with WENDYS DYNAMO and MISTY BROOK sorting out the second
position. Down to the final ditch with
four in a line with probably WENDYS DYNAMO landing first. Miss out the first along the bottom leaving
just four to jump and WENDYS DYNAMO was still taking the field along with JOLI
CHRISTMAS close up. Two to jump and
JOLI CHRISTMAS jumping well was just holding WENDYS DYNAMO but now MISTY BROOK
was joining the leaders. Willie White
was now pulling out all the stops on our concern and it was with relief that I
saw his head appear over the top of the final fence first. WENDYS DYNAMO got the inside line and went
ahead. MISTY BROOK (L Gardner) fell and
now Willie was giving it his all. He
got away from WENDYS DYNAMO but now GO BOY(M Holmes) was on the scene and
looking very dangerous. Lots of
shouting and screaming saw a good race to the line and let the judge sort it
out. All happy in the camp, we won by
half a length, first JOLI CHRISTMAS second GO BOY and finishing like a train,
WENDYS DYNAMO two lengths back in third.
Both tin and bag very happy.
Here's one for the future WENDYS DYNAMO because although we won this one
was a tad unlucky and finished really well in a decent time.
Next came the
Exeter Racecourse Intermediate race with fourteen going to post. Ruth and I go for different horses in this
one. I chose ON HIS TOES (W White)
whereas Ruth picked the favourite
MISTER SWALLOW (M Miller) to increase the amount in the bag after his good run at Chipley Park. He took the field over the first and around
to the judge for the first time with the Clerk of the Course's runner BY MY
SIDE (C Heard) and Mrs Dunne's MARQUIS MAX having his first run for the season,
in close company. Down to the first open ditch and it was BY
MY SIDE that was taking them along followed by MISTER SWALLOW and MARQUIS
MAX. Into the back straight where BY MY
SIDE increased his lead and was travelling at a good pace. Unfortunately MARQUIS MAX got in a bit close
and we lost him along here. BALDAR (R
Woollacott) now moved up into third followed by my selection. Passing the crowd for the final time it was
still BY MY SIDE by two lengths to MISTER SWALLOW with my selection now
travelling in third position and looking good; SEA SNIPE (T Cave), BALDARA (R
Woollacott) and BALDHU JAY ARR (L Gardner) following on. Over the ditch, round the bend and off down
the back straight BY MY SIDE pushed on but was now being challenged by ON HIS
TOES who drew up alongside. These two
now clear of MISTER SWALLOW; SEA SNIPE up into fourth. A mistake by my choice, ON HIS TOES slowed
his pace and he was not going to get back at the leader. Towards the hill for the final time it was
BY MY SIDE a couple of lengths up on ON HIS TOES with MISTER SWALLOW making ground followed closely by SEA SNIPE. Over the last it was BY MY SIDE with MISTER
SWALLOW closing up on the inside. Race to the line and the result from the
judge had to be awaited. MISTER SWALLOW
got the verdict by two lengths from BY MY SIDE with ON HIS TOES third place and
SEA SNIPE in fourth. Ruth is filling up the bag quite nicely whilst I was
really out of luck this time. I can
wait!
Two divisions of
maiden races for mares followed with the second division being split. The three
races were decided by clear cut winners.
The first by the Bishop family with their SPANISH OATH who ran a good
race to finish fifteen lengths ahead of RYDON BROOK (J Snowden) and Rachel
Green another length back in third on GOLDEN SPIRIT. The result might have been different had Les (Jefford) managed to
stay up on TRIGGER MEAD; (he certainly tried very hard to do so!) this Double
Trigger mare ran extremely well but needs to brush up on the jumping side of
things.
Sara Gaisford gave
Rachel Welch's LITTLE APPLE BAY a good ride in Division two part one, but was
no match for Alex Michael who brought home Mrs Evans's MOLLYCARRS GAMBUL in
fine style to win by eight lengths. LITTLE APPLE BAY in second was ten lengths
ahead of ANNIE DIPPER (T O'Brien).
The second part of
division two saw a horse who definitely has great potential. Miss DuPlessis and N Edmonds's MISS
ZIGGERSON with Sue Young up finished the three mile course without having to do
much more than steer and her charge never bothered to break sweat. Passing me to win by fifteen lengths from
Vanessa Shaw on Mike Weir's LA SENORITA and another two lengths clear of third
horse, ESSEX BIRD (Liam Heard). All
three races were completed in practically the same time, six minutes twenty, so
a reference to the finer points of the stop watch was necessary before the
final race of three was nominated to be the one to collect the silver.
Fourteen to post
for the men's open race with Richard Woollacott setting off on the favourite,
POLAR FLIGHT with many of the others trying to get the position of second favourite. It was probably STONE VALLEY (A Glassonbury)
that eventually took that honour although PROVINCE (L Jefford) (there
you are Mrs Winzer!!) , FIRST
OFFICER (T Dennis) and IVANOPH (M Miller) were also being fancied in the arena.
A steady pace from the off and half a circuit was completed (PRIESTTHORNE Richard Bandey pulled up!) until they passed
the judge for the first time with FINEWOOD leading from STONE VALLEY (A
Glassonbury) who, incidentally I had chosen to carry most of the tin's
contents, close up in second. We lost
TAW PARK (D Edwards) at the first fence going down the back straight but the
lead hadn't changed. POLAR FLIGHT in
third followed by PROCEDURE. IVANOPH got to the front and brought the field out
of the back and up the climb followed by FINEWOOD, STONE VALLEY and POLAR
FLIGHT. IVANOPH and FINEWOOD were soon
relegated and then DANNY DOLITTLE and FIRST OFFICER came on the scene. At the final ditch it was FIRST OFFICER who
led the remaining field over, followed by STONE VALLEY and PROCEDURE. By passing the first down the back straight
it was STONE VALLEY who went on by about a length from POLAR FLIGHT; FIRST
OFFICER is in third. Along the bottom
and to the rise we saw some really good racing from the first two with FIRST
OFFICER maintaining third but not able
to make an impression on the leaders.
Up the hill and into sight again first it was POLAR FLIGHT then STONE
VALLEY but it was my concern who managed to get his head in front on the inside
and then they raced to the line.
Yippeee! The result of STONE VALLEY by three quarters of a length will
just about fill the tin to overflowing and Securicor has been ordered. POLAR FLIGHT in second and FIRST OFFICER
some ten lengths back in third. Something crackled over the loudspeakers but I was
too interested in arranging the car boot so that there would be room for a
larger tin until Securicor arrived. It
was some time before I was informed that a stewards enquiry was outstanding
further complicated by an objection to the winner. No! it cannot be true!
Yes said Ruth, it is true!
Cancel the call immediately as I would look silly with a Securicor Hiab
crane preparing to lift the tin with nothing in it! We had to wait a long time for the really
bad news that the finishing order of the first two would have to be
reversed. I have nothing more to say on
the matter except - it all looked alright to me but then it would - wouldn't
it? Nothing for the tin and it is empty! Pick yourself up off the floor Anne as it is
very serious and don't tell the other half of Wheddon Cross!
Two divisions of
the restricted race were now on the card and thirteen would run in both. In division one Ruth is still going to stick
to ITCHEN MILL (R Green) because remember she had a three-greats grandpa who lived
at Itchen and he had a mill. That's the
way to pick them! Well she did come
from a long way back at Chipley Park - a real long way back! I cannot invest in
this race as I have yet to make borrowing arrangements with Ruth as I know the
bag is healthy but permission has of yet - not been granted for me to use a
little! Ruth's choice is clear
favourite and another group of young men along side us are also very interested
and have invested a lot of money on this one coming home in first
position. THE DITLIR and ASKERS JACK
will probably go off second favourite.
Off they go and unfortunately
THE DITLIR (Liam Heard) came down at the first fence and in the commentators
same breath he announced that ITCHEN MILL has been left a long way behind
(normal for this one!) about twenty lengths last says the man with the
microphone! Mike Weir's RYDERS HILL (V
Shaw) appears to be enjoying himself a little more this time and is bowling
along nicely behind FAUGERE (M Miller) and the leader IMPREVU (Claire
Heywood). ITCHEN MILL has made up a
little ground. All remaining runners
over the first open ditch. IMPREVU by
about eight lengths as he come up the hill for the second time. ITCHEN MILL in sixth place having made up
very good ground and being coaxed along beautifully by Rachel. Down the hill towards the final open ditch
with IMPREVU still out in front but the lead being reduced all the time by
RYDERS HILL (who made a mistake at the ditch and Vanessa did very well to
remain onboard) and ASKERS JACK. These
three went on to open up about a five length gap from the remainder. ITCHEN MILL is still reeling them in. Two from home it was ASKERS JACK who had
taken it up from IMPREVU with ITCHEN MILL now about to challenge. ASKERS JACK leading by about five lengths
with ITCHEN MILL into second place. It
is about now that the three young men with a massive investment plan at stake
are beginning to look a little worried and pale to go with it! Rachel is doing her stuff well. ASKERS JACK on the inside and climbing the
hill well and Rachel is going to have to come round if she wants to get in
front now. Upsides now and at the last
together. To the line they race and it
goes to ITCHEN MILL by a length with ASKERS JACK in second and RYDERS HILL,
some twenty five lengths back in third. Whew!
Well done Ruth and of course the three young men are now telling how
easy it all was as they queued to collect - lots!
It will take a
little courage to arrange a loan during investment time and with Ruth doing so
well I wont bother her while she is busy and I will leave the next race as well
and keep it all for the final Ladies open.
The sun is getting a little low now and the open ditch will be omitted
for the next race and probably for the final one as well. Ruth is ignoring the fact that Chloe
Roddick has anything to do with Paul Nicholls's stable or Paul Nicholls and
that BODDIDLEY is owned by the NH trainer and that he will go off odds on and
she is going to support Mandy on her FRONTENAC for the division two and once
again she proved right to do so. Mandy
brought this one home to win by one length from BODDIDLEY who had travelled for
most of the race down the field but made up a lot of ground to challenge near
the end, and ROGUE RIVER (T
O'Brien) back in third.
Finally came the ladies
open race and arrangements have been made for a transfer from bag to tin on a
'temporary basis'. How 'temporary'
depends on SANDY DUFF. I haven't really
recovered from the last run at Wadebridge and my investment on Mary that day
went astray and that was followed by FREE GIFT
(Hunter Chasing) also coming into a position other than first, so this
is it - all on SANDY DUFF to win the ladies open. Off they go and I have
invested at 'even money'. All nine
travelling well but I can see that Mary has her hands full again. Only seventeen flights as the ditch is
omitted. MR WOODLAND (Lucy Gardner)
setting a good pace; FAITH AGAIN (Tanya Newman) travelling well. With the field
now strung out they go off on the final circuit. I could see from looking from behind Mary that she was having a
tough time with strong SANDY DUFF but I was so please to see her take it up as
she ran down the hill. No open ditch
and down around the bottom of the course with five left to jump. Still tight up front as they head down the
back. SANDY DUFF is increasing his
lead. Got a little close to that
one! PERKY'S PRIDE (Charlotte Tizzard)
is closing. 'Reeling the leader in' or so says the commentator. They disappear from my view for about two
hours (two minutes really!) and when they reappear PERKY'S PRIDE is trying to
get up the inside but SANDY DUFF responded well and did what was asked of him,
got away, popped the last and went on to win by twelve lengths from PERKY'S
PRIDE with FAITH AGAIN five lengths back in third. Easy really but then we all
say that after the race!
Well done, the bag
has been repaid and there is a little for next weekend and I will now be
keeping my eye on LOUISE'S CHOICE and hopefully be on that one when she learns
to go straight.
An excellent days
racing in near perfect conditions and now to prepare for next weekend. I love Hunnycot (I know its Holnicote but I
am attempting to keep a few locals happy!) but Black Forest Lodge is calling on
Saturday so we will be at the latter and then on to Great Trethew. (1130 start!) BE THERE!
Ruth and Fred