December 2007 - Posts
The first race of Sunday’s (Dec 30) South Devon Hunt Club meeting at Ideford Arch has been brought forward to 11am to accommodate over 180 entries. Both Maiden races have had to be divided, with numerous challengers from outside the area likely to make the journey to Devon.
Some useful performers hold entries in both the opening Club Members’ race and the Mixed Open. These include Double Honour and Premium First, who each won five times last season. The latter is being talked of as a hunter chase prospect by Worcestershire trainer Andy Hobbs. Tsar’s Twist is also doubly engaged, and he already has a win on the board this month.
The Mixed Open is a qualifier for the Volkswagen Touareg series and has the makings of a terrific contest, with Black Forest Open winner Lord Trix and runner up Cowboyboots ready to renew rivalry. Concert Pianist and Let’s Fly will have benefited from their runs at Wadebridge. John Tudor could ride Minsgill Mans, and Jalons Star is another of the 30 entries to catch the eye.
There are 22 nominations for the Club Members Novice Riders’ event. Kingston Banker and course winner Lady Myfanwy earned high ratings last season. Dracaena has been placed twice so far this season, and winning chaser Taksina is a useful recruit to pointing.
The 24 entries in the Red Mills Intermediate include Fred Hutsby’s smart youngster Rash Move, who impressed when winning the Black Forest Restricted on the opening day of the season. He could be opposed by Little Ed, runner up on that occasion, who went on to win at Dunthrop. Lile Na Casca improved for Polly Gundry last year, and in a hot looking contest a case could be made for Ballybrown, Sargent Malarkey, Simon’s Seat and Theatre Call.
The two and a half miles Maiden for four to seven year olds has 26 in each division with plenty of promising youngsters holding entries. Come What Augustus ran well at Black Forest and could be the answer in the first section. Present of Flame could take advantage of her four year old allowance in the second division.
The three mile Maidens look very competitive. Noeud Vert was prominent when unseating at Dunthrop recently, but has NH experience with the Hobbs yard and should be in the shake up in the first section. The 21 entries in the other division include Grey Hall, who was well backed on his debut at Tweseldown earlier this month. Josh Be Yourself also looks sure to win a Maiden this season. He stayed on nicely at Wadebridge for Richard Woollacott and had been placed in Ireland.
“We are delighted with the quality and quantity of the entries, and particularly pleased with many entries from other parts of the country”, said secretary Julian Greatrex. “We also have entertainment for the children lined up and look forward to a great meeting.” Entrance for cars is £20 with single occupants £10. The course is situated just off the A380 between Exeter and Newton Abbot (signposted from the A380)
Many of you are now aware that Sarah Gaisford was seriously injured following her fall at Exeter Racecourse just before Christmas.
Sarah now faces a long journey on her road to recovery and she will need as much support and help from her many friends and acquantances as possible. A blog has been created for her so that you can send her your best wishes which will then be taken to Sarah in hospital by area point to point PRO Lucy Johnson.
If you have the time, please send her a message - every little bit of support will help her.
Please log on to friendsofsarahgaisford.blogspot.com
Children wanting to race their ponies at the Mid Devon point to point pony races should make some vital preparations now.
Check that the pony's vaccinations are up to date - if not there is just time to start a new course - and get qualifying!! You can qualify by either going out 'exempt' hunting with your local pack or by attending four pony club rallies. You need to get a declaration form - downloadable from the pony race website - www.pra.gb.com - signed by either the master of the hunt or your DC.
Spend the Christmas holidays building up your pony's fitness and you will be ready to go!!
Don't forget that this year there will be extra prizes so you may win something even if you don't finish first past the post.
THERE was much to talk about after the North Cornwall Club’s superb point-to-point meeting at Wadebridge on Saturday where the Reverend Simon Beveridge became the first minister of the cloth to ride a winner between the flags and Colin Heard trained his first ever treble.
Rev Beveridge rode into the history books when Fort of Gold strode on up the steep climb to the winning post to land the restricted race, thus making positive progress towards his ambition to ride in the Grand Military Club at Sandown in the spring.
It was the reverend’s fourth start in a point-to-point and approaching the last it looked like they would have to be content with a place. But the seven-year-old proved he has stamina in abundance and took the lead close to the winning line to win by half a length from Charlotte Tizzard on Fully Loaded.
Jimmy Frost, whose wife Nikki trains the winner, had told Beveridge, a serving chaplain with the Royal Navy, to aim to complete, and finish in one piece, and he did just that, looking stylish in the saddle and earning plenty of plaudits as he declared he had done his praying before the race.
“It’s a good adrenalin rush,” added Beveridge after his 50-1 win.
The winner was found for Beveridge in Ireland by Gerald Penfold, a former stalwart of the Westcountry point-to-point scene who has made his home on the emerald isle.
Colin Heard, who trains with his wife Karyn near Boscastle in North Cornwall, had saddled 6-4 favourite Unusual Suspect to win the men’s open race for the GB Friends, a group of Devon-based owners who include John Burrows, Charlie Britton and Royston Britton and John Gardner. The eight-year-old led from two out and won well from Angello who stayed on up the run in to hold on for second place from Merchant’s Friend.
And the day just got better for the Heard family who then saddled Innocent Rebel to win a competitive ladies open under national champion Clare Allen who was making her first visit to the Cornwall track. A stone off the diminutive six-year-old back proved the winning ticket for the gelding who will be aimed at two and a half mile hunter chases.
Then it was the turn of Talikos’ who proved the most impressive winner of the day after he took the Connolly’s Redmills intermediate race having made all the running. With Gary Wilson owning Innocent Rebel, this time it was his wife Caroline who enjoyed the winning moment having purchased Talikos for the princely sum of 23,000gns at Doncaster Sales in the spring.
The aims with the well-bred six-year-old, a former charge of Henrietta Knight who made all the running under Will Biddick , are the intermediate finals at Exeter and Cheltenham.
“I think we’ll turn them all out now,” said Karyn whose husband added: “I love Wadebridge!”
There was a shock in the opening North Cornwall Club members’ race which saw Tsar’s Twist win the three-runner contest easily under Lucy Gardner after odds on favourite Sea Snipe failed to get into his race under his young novice Emily Nozskay. Tsar’s Twist is now trained in Cornwall by Lucy’s aunt Roma Cook and the eight-year-old enjoyed dictating the pace, bowling along in front and jumping for fun.
Velvet Blu took the faster of two maiden divisions under Darren Williams for owner/trainer Pauline Harkin who had made the long journey south from Northamptonshire. The well-bred five-year-old comes from the same family as Florida Pearl and was bought out of a field. Harkin admitted after the race: “It’s a difficult track and we didn’t think she would like it.” But the five-year-old was eased on the run-in and could have won by much more than the length winning margin.
The first division went to Yufo, trained on Exmoor by Camilla Scott and ridden by Neil Harris. “He’s a nice horse but he needs to grow up a bit,” said Mrs Scott after the win.
ENDS
RESULTS
The North Cornwall Club Members’ Race: Tsar’s Twist (Miss Lucy Gardner) 1; Sea Snipe (Miss E Nozskay) 2; Indian Raider (Mr W Biddick) 3. Mrs R Cook; 8l, dist; 6.15
The Men’s Open: Unusual Suspect (Mr W Biddick) 1; Angello (Mr N Wilmington) 2; Merchant’s Friend (Mr R Bliss) 3. Mr C Heard; 2l, 1/2l; 6.10.
The Ladies’ Open: Innocent Rebel (Miss C Allen) 1; Happer Shopper (Miss C Tizzard) 2; Doof (Miss A Mills) 3. Mr C Heard; 4l, 6l; 6.01.
The Restricted Race: Ford Of Gold (Rev S Beveridge) 1; Fully Loaded (Miss C Tizzard) 2; Knightsbridge Hill (Mr D Edwards) 3. Nikki Frost; 1/2l, 1l; 6.06.
The Connolly’s Red Mills Intermediate: Talikos (Mr W Biddick); Gallamora (Mr L Rowe) 2; Castle Cazza (Miss R Green) 3. Mr C Heard; 10l, 2l; 6.11.
The Open Maiden Div I: Yufo (Mr N Harris) 1; Kinsford Cowboy (Mr J Barnes) 2; Josh Be Yourself (Mr R Woollacott) 3. Mrs C Scott; 2l, nk; 6.21.
The Open Maiden Div 2; Velvet Blu (Mr D Edwards) 1; Tandori (Miss J Carr) 2; Wee Fly (Miss P Gundry) 3. Mrs P Harkin; 1l, 7l; 6.14.
Pony Racing, open to riders between the ages of 9 and 15, will be coming to 10 point to points in the Devon and Cornwall area next season, starting with the Mid Devon at Blackforest Lodge near Exeter in February.
Many young riders have their sights set on getting their ponies fit and qualified to run. If you have thought about trying the sport with your pony, why not give it a go.
It can be great fun and all you need to do is get your pony club or hunting pony a bit fitter than usual to take part. Two things you need to think about in advance though. Races are generally held in two divisions - under 148cm and under 138cm and if your pony is close to the upper limit of these heights you will need a JMB height certificate. Also your pony will need to have been vaccinated against equine influenza to take part.
This year the races will all be under the umbrella of the PRA, the Pony Racing Authority, and riders will need to pay £20 to become a member before they can ride in a point to point pony race. The £20 will include public liability performance, and a copy of the new rule book.
To qualify the rider and their pony will need to attend at least four pony club rallies or to have been hunting with a local pack. You will need to get a form signed by your pony club District Commissioner or by your local hunt master to say you have done so. This is to ensure that the combination are competent to take part.
It isn't all about thoroughbred ponies-in-training. There will be various spot prizes on the day for things such as 'best local' and there will be two new trophies at the end of the season. One will be given for the rider accruing most points during the season (points will be given from first place to 10th) and another for the best effort during the season.
The entry for the race costs £15 and must be made to the secretary of the point to point staging the meeting at least a week before the event takes place. You will be notified by the hunt, after entries close, if you have got a place..
On the day the host hunt will have a riders' briefing meeting and a course when you will be shown where the start and finish will be and told what to expect during the race. You will also be told where to declare your pony to run and that you need to take along his/her passport so that the vaccination details can be checked.
Tack will be checked prior to the ponies parading in the paddock before the race to make sure that it is correctly fitted - if your kit is suitable for pony club it is more than likely to be ok for racing - but check the rules carefully before you turn up to make sure. The tack details are in the rule book and on the PRA website.
You can ride in your usual cross country riding kit - your colours and details of you and your pony will be printed in the racecard - and it is advisable to wear goggles to protect your eyes from flying mud! Medical armbands, as used for pony club cross country rallies and competitions must be worn.
There will be 10 races in the Devon and Cornwall area this season - Dates (to be confirmed)
Mid Devon on Sunday, Feb 3, (Emma Dixon 01647 432895);
South Devon at Ideford Arch, Kingskerwell on Saturday, Feb 9 (Julian Greatrex (01822 880274); South Pool at Buckfastleigh on Sunday, March 16 (Eileen Ashby 01548 531490), Eggesford at Upcott Cross, nr Okehampton on Saturday April 12 (David Gruncell 01363 83633);
Dartmoor at Flete Park, nr Modbury, Saturday April 19 ( Lee Glanville, 01752 830439);
Axe Vale at Stafford Cross, near Seaton on Sun, April 27 (Shirley Cork 01884 821752);
Modbury Harriers at Flete Park, Sat May 3 (Lee Glanville 01752 830439);
Dulverton West at Bratton Down, Exmoor, on Saturday, May 17 (Clare Wright 01598 710495);
South Tetcott at Upcott Cross on Monday, May 26 (Mike Clark 01409 231106)
Torrington Farmers at Umberleigh on June 14 (Judy Congdon 01271 858244).
Points accumulated go forward to the final meeting where trophies and
prizes to the winners will be presented.
Races are held over approximately six furlongs, and will vary from course to course, often being run in an opposite direction to the point to point .
For general information look at the website - www.pra.gb.com - or for Devon and Cornwall information contact coordinator Mrs Lee Glanville on (01752) 830439.
I am thinking that if there is such a thing as reincarnation then I am going to come back as a town dweller and just stick to indoor sport!
This last weekend has been a real test of character as far as riding out was concerned. On Sunday morning I got up early to ride out before going off to support our mates at Black Forest Lodge point to point - which had a start time of 11am - only to be greeted by horizontal rain and gale force winds. Every venture outside involved wearing full foul weather waterproofs and I only managed to get out on the horse at 11am when the rain stopped. I even rang Talking Point twice to see if the races were still on! My friend Jennie Salter reported from Black forest where they were hatless and didn't even need welly boots on a not-bad-at-all December day!! Oh well, at least I got some housework done.
Well, the new point to point season is under way already but the ideal Christmas present for any fans of the amateur sport whether owner, trainer, rider, punter or just interested spectator is the Mackenzie and Harris Hunter Chasers and Point to Pointers Annual.
Allegedly pocket-sized (for the deep pocketed anyway), the 49th annual is a massive 1167 pages long packed full of facts, figures, and the traditional wry observations about the 2007 season, which will help you successfully pick winners in the season to come. From the most lowly, to the top of the handicap Whyso Mayo, there are comments and information about every horse that raced under rules and those who have been lucky enough to see a copy already were probably on Colyton owner Jackie McCullough's Sulawacee (see report) Trained by Monique Pike in Sidbury - the yard is in fine fettle, the Pikes having had a winner under rules last week - Sulawacee was learning his craft last season and came into his own in the Maiden, getting both the ground and the course to suit.
Mackenzie and Harris Hunter Chasers and Point to Pointers is available price £40 plus £2 p&p from Weatherbys Chase, Sanders Road, Wellingborough, Northants.
THERE WAS A perfect start to the new point-to-point season at Black Forest Lodge on Sunday where quality racing with big fields was the order of the day.
Former champion Rachel Green opened her account for the season on Jackie McCullough’s Sulawacee in the first and fastest division of the open maiden.
Jackie, who lives in Colyton, has her horse trained by Monique Pike in Sidbury. By Wace, a stallion who stands near Axminster, Sulawacee had some promising runs last year but this time has come into his own this year and enjoyed the ground.
The venue has proved a happy hunting ground for trainer/rider Fred Hutsby who scored a double at this meeting last year and repeated the dose this time with Rash Move in the restricted and Lord Trix in the mixed open.
Sixteen went to post in the open which had attracted some interesting new recruits from National Hunt including Fool On the Hill, Cowboyboots and Frederic Forever, but it was Lord Trix who was backed into favouritism and he rewarded his followers with a half length win.
Hutsby was denied a treble in the following intermediate when Oscar Royal looked the winner until Greet You Well rallied well on the run in under Mark Wall to stride away and score a five length victory. It was Mrs Holloway’s first visit to the course from her Herefordshire home where she trains using former champion trainer David Nicholson’s old gallops.
Another name familiar in racing is that of former commentator John Hamner who was in the winners’ enclosure to greet Candarli after he provided Chloe Boxall with her first ever win in the novice riders’ race. Hamner, who was famed for calling the Grand National for the BBC, said: “We bought the horse privately from David Gandlofo where Chloe works. She’s a terrific rider and has ridden a few for him as well.”
The second division of the maiden went to Rhys Hughes on Jobsworth who pulled it out of the bag when it mattered to win by seven lengths from Jacobin.
Carey Buckler had taken the first race on the card when We Got Him, trained by her father Bob, won the first division of the maiden over two and a half miles and the second division went to the Gordon Edwards owned and trained Knightsbridge Hill who was ridden to victory by his son Darren.
The next point-to-point in the Devon and Cornwall Area is the North Cornwall Club at Wadebridge on Saturday, December 15.
Abbie Hughes is a real up and coming talent in the equestrian world and really has the determination to get to the top.
She is slowly but surely gathering a portfolio of sponsors and their backing is helping her access top level competition and training. Beviss and Beckingsale have just started to support her.
She is getting great results with John Bevan and Peter Appleford's Leacourt Touch and Go and is very excited about eventing Leacourt Pippin next year. Abbie started her competitive career and is still a member of Axe Vale Pony Club.