The last few weeks of dry weather may have been welcomed by many who were keen to see the mud dry up and their gardens spring into life but they have put a lot of pressure on racecourses across the country, professional and amateur. Watering courses brings considerable costs, both in water and manpower, and not every course can justify taking those risks.
In the Midlands Area we are extremely lucky to have the water supplies available at Dingley (last week and next), and at Garthorpe for this meeting, but this preparation would not be possible without considerable effort by a small group of people. Many thanks to Charlie Reynolds from Dingley who lent the bowser and oversaw the watering at Garthorpe this week, and even greater thanks to Pete and Joss who worked tirelessly throughout the week to produce what one official described as the best ground they had seen anywhere in the country this week.
These efforts paid off as top trainers arrived on Saturday morning and came back from their course walks with smiles and compliments for the Clerk of the Course, who had delayed his most recent going report by 12 hours because he thought the ground wasn’t quite as good as the Course Inspector believed and would benefit from more water.
The six race card brought 31 runners and a crowd which tested the Tetris skills of the hard-working parking team. There was a double for Jack Andrews and wins for Ellie Callwood, Louis Hadfield, Sam Lee and John Dawson.
The feature race of the day was the Robert Whowell and Partners Mixed Open race which was contested by three high class pointers: Lift Me Up (Jack Andrews), Caryto des Brosses (Dale Peters) and Janika (Rupert Stearn). Much of the running was done by Janika and Caryto des Brosses, who tried to keep the speed up and put the pressure on the experienced hunter chaser Lift Me Up. With two to jump it looked like we were in for a storming finish, with Caryto des Brosses piling on the pressure in an attempt to avenge his loss to the younger horse and Janika having tailed off. Then, approaching the last, Dale Peters’ mount just got a bit deep in to the fence and lost momentum, allowing Jack Andrews and Lift Me Up to gain the length or so they needed. The two horses had completely synchronised strides in the run-in but as they passed the judge it was the Grafton raider Lift Me Up who had edged ahead, ending David Kemp’s two-year hold on the prestigious Quorn Gold Cup. Christian Horner was on hand to pick up the trophy and confirmed that this was a freshening-up run before targeting the Horse & Hound Cup at Stratford in May.
Hugo Moss won the opening race of the day, the Easyfix-sponsored Maiden for four and five year old horses, in a close finish which saw the winner, second-placed In The Congo (O. Gilligan) and the horse in third, Rebel Tribesman (S. O’Connor) finish within three lengths. Winning jockey John Dawson said, “He’s a nice horse who we’ve given plenty of time to as he was coughing in February and then, like everyone, we’ve been waiting for the ground, which they have done a great job of!
Hopefully, he will be a promising youngster for owners, John and Jenny Nellis, and we are excited for his future.”
The second race, a Level 2 Conditions race sponsored by Judith Pashley, produced a popular win for local jockey Louis Hadfield, riding Coeur Serein. Louis owns, trains and rides the eleven-year-old Fame and Glory gelding when he isn’t working for trainer Laura Morgan just up the rode from Garthorpe. The first season pointer has now completed four similar conditions races, winning two and finishing second in a third. “Jumping down the back straight I thought Coolagh Park was getting away from me but I knew I was still in contention at that point.” Louis said. “After jumping the third last I started asking him for more, and then jumping the second last I was on Izzie’s heels and then went on upsides. I saw Coolagh Park didn’t have much more to give and Corey flew past and sailed home nicely. I was quite happy to win again, especially my first ride at Garthorpe, it’s my home track.”
After the Open six runners contested the Manor Farm Rehabilitation Restricted race which saw Jack Andrews score a back-to-back double, this time on Pillar Rock, trained by sister Gina, who herself finished fourth on the favourite, Havock. The six-year-old winner finished ten lengths clear of Graveside Lad, ridden by Alex Chadwick for Edward Turner, with Artiste d’Ainay (Ellie Callwood) in third, for Andrew Pennock.
The (NWFAA) Maiden, following this, was sponsored by long-term supporter William Hercock, and nine horses declared. Eight-year-old Shakermaker, trained by Mary Sowersby, gave Sam Lee a winner with his only ride of the meeting. Constitution Grove was second with Ellie Holder, riding for Gina Andrews, and Willielle was some way back in third, trained and ridden by Jack Teal.
The final race of the afternoon was a Conditions race for horses of eight-years-old and over which was scheduled at short notice to replace the point-to-point flat race, so that watering could be concentrated on the jumping track. Four runners were led home by the Tommy Morgan-trained ten-year-old Somptueux, ridden by Ellie Callwood, who finished four lengths ahead of Young Rich, also ten, under Molly Legg. Maskadam was the only other finisher, ridden by Dale Peters, who had a slightly frustrating day.
There is no break for Midlands Pointing enthusiasts, as next Sunday, 4th May, we return to Dingley for the penultimate meeting of the season in our region, the Fernie. Work is back underway at the Market Harborough track where they aim to, as last time, provide a surface which is as close to good as possible. We will be updating both the Midlands Pointing web page and our social media with regular updates during the week.