Report from Dart Vale and Haldon Harriers Point to Point meeting at Buckfastleigh Racecourse on Sunday 19^th March 2006 

 

Very little traffic on our journey to Buckfastleigh saw us get to the course for this meeting even earlier than normal and I was able to walk the course without let or hindrance.  It was very cold but with a promise of being brighter later.  The course was in fine fettle and would race 'good', 'good to soft' in places.

 

The 'Farmers' race saw five go to post and we would witness Colin Blank's BENGAL BULLET (Tabitha Cave) making his seasonal debut and the Assistant Clerk of the Course has chosen a soft race to get this one back on track.  The price of two to one on in the investment arena did nothing for me but Ruth chose to do the straight forecast and chose KARINGA COIN (R Darke) to be second to this odds on favourite.  Other who may upset her choice are HANNA BAY (A Mills), GUNNERS MISTAKE (A Holdsworth) and ROMANY TWISTER (J Tickle).  Unfortunately a hip problem has set in and Ruth cannot get to the investment area as walking on rough ground is out of the question but we are now in radio contact and as the signal was received to invest on numbers one and six in a straight forecast I dashed off to her bookie, John Bocock (from Newquay) but had to divert en route and take four to one from another bookie as John was not doing forecasts.  I watched as the favourite's price remained steady but number six, KARINGA COIN was being invested on quite heavily.  Off they go!  Three miles, nineteen fences and they all settled quite quickly.  Up the hill for the first time and over the fence in front of the paddock it was HANNAH BAY that led the field closely followed by KARINGA COIN and then came BENGAL BULLET.  All over the ditch and the positions haven't changed.  With a complete circuit left to race it was still the same up front with the pace increasing a little.  Along the bottom straight Tabitha asked BENGAL BULLET for an effort and got immediate response and came up the hill holding KARINGA COIN and went on to win by four lengths with HANNAH BAY eight lengths back in third.  Well done Ruth, the bag, a profit already, I will collect it and keep it until I go back to the car later.  I had doubled the investment so there was also some for the tin.

 

Two division of Open Maiden races were scheduled but due to over subscribing the Division Two had to be split, making three races in all.  The head strong LOUISE'S CHOICE took Mary (McCarthy) around this track well to the fore for the first lap and was hell bent on doing the same for the final lap but then decided to run out before the final ditch. MIRAMAR was now left in charge followed closely by the favourite HEEZAWIZARD (M Miller) who was about to unseat his pilot.  Richard Hawker on SWEETSHOOTER now asked for more and got it and took the field to the line defying all challenges to win by a length from WREFORD LAKE (B Moorcroft) with MIRAMAR (W White) five lengths back in third.  In division two part one Michael Miller made sure of staying with his charge and raced SWIFT WOOD prominently throughout the three miles and crossed the line a neck clear of Richard Darke on CLAYMILLS with Guy Weatherley on LOOSE LIPS a distance back in third place.  The first and second were closely matched in the investment arena and the third horse was also fancied to give some money back but SWIFT WOOD did it in the end.  I had trusted CLAYMILLS but Ruth, who is enjoying this radio messaging has won again by informing me to put her cash on SWIFT WOOD.  The only reward I have is that she doesn't want to put it in the bag until after racing.  Unless the tin wins more, that particular action is going to hurt me!  The second part of division two was a race where I should have picked the winner but didn't.  The winner was Ben Dixon on best turned out  HERSWELL CASTLE and I remember that whilst we walked the course together up at Barbury Castle he did say that this one would improve for the run up there and as I had no information on any of the others this should have been enough to alert me - it didn't!  Well done Ben, who crossed the line two lengths ahead of Jenny Congdon on OH SO NAUGHTY with Tim Dennis another two lengths back in third place on SERVE TO LEAD. 

 

Onto the Exeter Racecourse Intermediate race with a disappointing turn out of only four runners with a very clear favourite being established in best turned out SHEPHERD'S HUT (J Barnes) whose price soon became odds on. The Hawkers CHARLIEBOB (R Hawker) was next best with A ROMP TOO FAR (Will Biddick) not too far away and CAREFREE LOVE (Sarah Gaisford) not thought much off.  The order when passing the judge was SHEPHERD'S HUT followed by CHARLIEBOB two lengths away, then came A ROMP TOO FAR and CAREFREE LOVE; all looked to be going well and a steady pace.  The order had not changed as they were about to travel out on the last lap but it was noticeable that Tigger Barnes was encouraging SHEPHERD'S HUT to produce a little more than he was at present and I did not see any kind of response.  This is suiting my plan as I have invested in CHARLIEBOB to outstay SHEPHERD'S HUT; Ruth has preferred A ROMP TOO FAR.  Tigger Barnes soon felt he was fighting a losing battle and pulled up SHEPHERD'S HUT.  Will Biddick now decided to ask A ROMP TOO FAR for a greater effort and the response brought him upsides CHARLIEBOB.  CAREFREE LOVE continued but was a long way adrift of the leaders.  Final one down the back and my concern was just ahead but Will was not giving up.  When they breasted the rise it was difficult to see who had the advantage.  Over the last and a great race to the line saw CHARLIEBOB win by half a length from A ROMP TOO FAR.  CAREFREE LOVE was a distance away third.

 

Eight will go to post for The Mixed Open Race - The Westcountry Champion Chase and the winner will take home £700.00 as well as a lovely trophy. The favourite is soon established as Paul Nicholls's ASK THE NATIVE (Chloe Roddick) with a skimpy price of even money on his head.  After seeing this one run at Barbury Castle and coming in a poor third I will be searching for better value.  LADY MISPRINT (D McKenna) has run some good races but also some that she should have done better in.   Who knows how VENN OTTERY (Will Biddick) will perform.  The Millers MISTER SWALLOW has had a run and maybe now up to this level again, FINEWOOD had his tune up at Great Trethew and best turned out LEON GARCIA (T Bishop) had a run round Holnicote.  Both the bag and the tin have invested in Richard Woollacott to get FINEWOOD home and across the line in first place.  The first to fail was VENN OTTERY who didn't make the second fence.  It was Vanessa Shaw on the family's GUDLAGE and Michael Miller on MISTER SWALLOW who took the field over the first of the open ditches but LADY MISPRINT fell here and was out of it.  Along the bottom GUDLAGE was making it followed by MISTER SWALLOW and in third place and travelling well was FINEWOOD.  Up the hill and passing the judge with a complete circuit to go it was MISTER SWALLOW now from GUDLAGE with FINEWOOD about six lengths back in third.  ASK THE NATIVE was now beginning to show more interest and was making up ground.  On the route down to the final open ditch GUDLAGE unseated Vanessa and was out of it.  Final ditch MISTER SWALLOW was still there but only by a length from FINEWOOD with ASK THE NATIVE back in third.  BUSH PARK, LEON GARCIA and POSSIBLE PARDON followed.  With five left to jump ASK THE NATIVE took it up and went on from FINEWOOD and a weakening MISTER SWALLOW.  It really is a lovely sight to watch good horses racing along the bottom straight here at Buckfastleigh and you can really appreciate good jumping when the pilot asks for a big one and gets it.  FINEWOOD went on and raced home well to win in the fastest time of the day by five lengths from ASK THE NATIVE with MISTER SWALLOW two and half lengths back in third.  An excellent ride by Richard Woollacott, nicely timed and good jumping makes him the deserved winner of the cash.  Ruth and I will be happy with our little bit.

 

A much better turn out for the Confined Hunts Race with eleven going to post.  The favourite is the horse that filled the tin at the Western meeting.  Ben Robarts's JALONS STAR but I am not so sure in this race as there are a couple of others knocking on the door, POLIGANA (R Woolacott) and PERTEMPS PROFILE (Will Biddick) are two such horses and VAGUE IDEA (Tabitha Cave) is no slouch if the good side of him turns up.  I remember Bratton Down one day and Newton Abbott the next!  The radio is buzzing, Ruth has gone for POLIGANA; I am taking each way PERTEMPS PROFILE.  The Luscombe's SILENT GUEST was left at the start.  I get more than a little upset over this unfortunate happening as I think of all the work involved in getting the damn things to the races and down to the start and then it has a reason to change his/her mind.  Ruth and I have had our troubles with this dilemma and we found it very difficult to cure.  DANNY DOLITTLE did start but was pulled up just before reaching the judge for the first time.  Lame I think!  PROCEDURE (Colin Heard) was taking the field along at this time and was setting a good pace down to the open ditch, round the turn by two lengths from POLIGANA and another two lengths back was PERTEMPS PROFILE.  Up to the judge and on they go for the final time it was still PROCEDURE followed by POLIGANA and now it was JALONS STAR in third place and close up was PERTEMPS PROFILE on the inside.  Over the final ditch and round the bend and through my glasses, although PROCEDURE was taking the field along, it was JALONS STAR that was travelling the best back in second place.  A little bunching up along the straight but JALONS STAR was travelling well.  PROCEDURE had dropped back and was soon the back marker.  The race as it was going looked like the favourite was going to be entering the home straight with a two length lead.  It is known that this one does not like it in front and it appears that coming over the last he was NOT now giving his all.  PERTEMPS PROFILE was at him and Darren Edwards had kept creeping up on FONTENAC and was also there.  Lucy Gardner had closed up and was in with a chance on ROYMILLON.  Over the last and the race to the line saw JALONS STAR veer to the left and show his dislike at being out in front and allowed FRONTENAC to get to the line first, a length to the good of PERTEMPS PROFILE who had a length and half over Ben Robarts in third.  Disappointing for Ben but he will have to get his timing sorted out.  The tin managed a little boost.

 

Race eight is the Restricted Race and twelve will go to post.  No clear favourite for a while and when GENERAL O'KEEFE (J Barnes) was on the boards at three to one so was MALOY (Will Biddick) and then best turned out HORIZON HILL (N Schofield) took some money, but I think it was the mount of Tigger Barnes that went off with the honour.  Very soon after the off ONWARD BOUND (S Gaisford) ran out so this left eleven to fight it out.  Passing the judge with two circuits to go it was FOXY JUDAS (D McKenna) leading the field with SANDERSTEAD (A Charles-Jones) close and the remainder following in a bunch.  Out into the country for the final time the field was still being led by SANDERSTEAD from GENERAL O'KEEFE.  FOXY JUDAS was still there as was ZESTA FIESTA; MALOY looked to be travelling comfortably as well.  Unfortunately SLIPPERY FRIEND (S Allwood) was a faller and brought down HORIZON HILL.  At the end of the back straight and up the hill the race was well and truly on with Will Biddick asking MALOY for more and to go and get at ZESTA FIESTA and SANDERSTEAD.  These three had pulled right away from GENERAL O'KEEFE and FOXY JUDAS.  To the last and it was ZESTA FIESTA laying it down to SANDERSTEAD with MALOY close up in third.  ZESTA FIEST raced SANDERSTEAD to the line and got there by a length. Unfortunately just before taking the last MALOY went down with a broken shoulder and will not take any further part in life, the jockey was unhurt.  GENERAL O'KEEFE went on to get third, fifteen lengths back.

 

Two pony races followed and a good number of the crowd remained on course to see this spectacle.  It was fast and furious but no trouble for the favourite in the first race.  This setup from Llangeinor are travelling around picking up the prizes with a very good pony in STAMBROOK MARQUESA and a very capable jockey in Connor Flint (aged 10) and they came home 25 lengths ahead of STOCKHAM MAYDAY also ably ridden by Rachel Leysham (aged 11).  Half a length back in third place was HIDEAWAY MIRACLE ridden by Phillip Rogers (age 14). Fourth place was Michael Heard (aged 13) on his pony, a very smart Welsh section B Chestnut filly, HONEY.

 

Only three runners for the second race.  Closer competition here though and eventually it was James Best (15) GODLEE AMERINO who went off with that honour and although his close challenger gave a good account of himself.  The favourite was the one to be on and came home clear of George Hiscock (14) on GYPSY  with Ian Hargreaves (15) back in third. 

 

Well done to all riders and supporters of this event, let us hope it will soon be the norm!

 

That was a very good days racing and the settling up of accounts for bag and tin will be carried out on the way home.  The chances of the tin reaping a bigger reward than the bag are very slight. In fact the odds against that happening are quite big.

 

Next week Kilworthy for the Lamerton meeting BE THERE!

 

Fred and Ruth