Some would say only 29 horses declared on a six race card
point to pointing disappointing.
But the facts of the matter are that over the
Easter period a whole heap of pointing fixtures are available, this did not
I feel detract from the final meeting this season from Horseheath.
The card saw close finishes, dead heats and a five timer.
What more could you ask for.
The first race, a member’s race saw four horses to post, two
horses in their own right, Ballyboker Boy and Tommy O’Dwyer who have been running in quality events since the seasons dawn. Baltic Blue an improving sort, in running over the past few outings.
Tommy O’Dwyer,
ridden by Alex Ferguson and trained by Nicolas Wright started the proceedings off
with a neck victory over the improving Baltic blue ridden by Clare
Williamson, the recipient of the first female member of the Horseheath Hunts club over the line, and pick up the
Royal Hunt salver.
 |
| Clare Williamson |
Both horses fought bravely to the line from the last, keeping
the good sized Easter crowd on their toes, basting them for the rest of the
meeting.
 |
| Tommy O'Dwyer (farside) Baltic Blue (nearside)
Tommy O’Dwyer,
incidentally by Milan who is well clear of others for the leading stallion
crown.
|
 |
| Tommy O'Dwyer Alex Ferguson |
 |
| Floreat Tim Domworthy |
The open maiden was won impressively by nine year old Floreat also by Milan.
Ridden by Tim
Domworthy and trained By James Owen. The
gelding who has not been out of the first three all season won the race with
lengths to spare from second placed horse Know more Oats from the well in form
yard of Ed Turner.
The Jockey who is pupil assistant to William Haggas in
Newmarket seemed very happy with the win, especially with a local horse on a
local track.
 |
| Floreat
The third race a six runner ladies open saw Popaway, trained by Pauline Harkin and
ridden by Immy Robinson take another runaway victory. Again beating an Ed Turner
trained horse in Sa Kaldoun.
Popaway
The eleven year old mare by Nomadic Way backed up her
February victory by seven lengths at Thorpe Park, and impressive third at the
Garthorpe with this victory, with the ground now on the turn this could be a sign
that the mare could go on to pick up a few more races at the back end of the
season.
Popaway Immy Robinson
The Men’s open saw horses that had previously been out at
Ampton two weeks back.
Empire Builder,
trained by Gerald Bailey and ridden by Gerald Greenock took to post the 2/1 on
fav and supported the trust on the rails by duly running up a distance winner
from the two horses in second place that could not be split by the judges.
Defying Gravity and Carlanstown.
The winner owned by Countess Cathcart had been waiting for the
ground and showed that his respectable fourth last time out here at Horseheath to the Cheltenham Foxhunter
runner Mr Mercurial had not been in vain. Owners and trainers were delighted
and may run this gelding sooner rather than later in order to utilize the
surface he desires.
 
Countess Cathcart with Gerald Greenock and Empire Builder
The intermediate race saw the four time winner this season
and leading point to point mare Galros Lady take on three other contenders.
Abbeyview though, ridden by Paddy Gerety going to post as Favorite.
Galros Lady
The race was run at a fair pace and it was not until two out
that Dicky Collinson sent his mare out to challenge for the lead.
7/1 shot Blue
Benny and the Favorite Abbeyview going with her it took all her heart to keep
off the rest and on the run in pull away from her two rivals by a length and a
half.
‘This is the best horse I have sat on’ mentioned the
emotional Collinson, who could not hide his delight for the mare and her owners. The two farmer and butcher partnership.
At only six years old she has a vast future ahead of her in
pointing. Surely know connections would try her in the hunter chase field,
Stratford and Fontwell being two meetings that could attracted their attention. But the shrewd backers at Horseheath were surely on the 5/4 price given for
this mare with a big heart.
 
Galros Lady R. Collinson on board
 |
I think this mare that is the most versatile horse I have
seen in a time, winning on left and right-handed tracks. On stiff and galloping
tracks and most types of going. At six years of age she shows she has what it
takes. What next?? The story continues.........
 |
| Galros Lady with owners The two farmers and a Butcher Partnership and Dicky Collinson
The start of the day’s proceedings was taken by a close to
the line finish. And it was only correct the final race of the day followed
suit.
Six runners to post, the favourite Bengo ridden by in form
jockey Alex Ferguson trying back up the maiden win last time out over course
and distance,the second placed horse in that race Ballalough winning a race at
Bradfield soon after.
But halfway into the race you could clearly see that the
favourite was not happy and Ferguson having to push the horse into any sort of
contention. ‘He just was never going or wanting to take part,’ mention the
bemused jockey.
This left My Alfie and
Rupert Stearn to take up the race with Ignite the light ridden by Alex Vaughan
Jones.
My Alfie coming out the
eventual winner by a neck, beating the 2/1 priced Ignite the light.
Second place horse No 6 Ignite the light, with winner My Alfie (nearside)
The favourite pulled up from 5 fences out will have to be
looked at and the battle plans re- drawn, clearly something was amiss and time
will tell if we see this maiden winner out again this season.
The winner and the second may need to be looked at, dependent on the company they take on next time out as clearly there previous
form shows this race was a little out of the blue. One to note I trust.
 
My Alfie with Jockey and connections
|
