Tuesday 28 July 2015

HUGHSIE;S LAST WINDSOR MONDAY EVENING HOORAY

Monday night racing at Windsor, took a slight step into the history books.
Richard Hughes, three times and current champion flat jockey. Took his last steps as a jockey at the course.
A course that nearly saw him make major sporting history with his Severn out of eight winners in 2012. And at the start of the 27th July 2015 Monday evening meeting wetting the lips of the racing fraternity, that possibly they could witness a great hooray from the Dublin born champion with six fancied rides from the six race card.

Richard Hughes on his way to his last ride at Windsor

The first race of the evening was a two year old maiden. At least 85 mm of rain fell on the Berkshire course over the weekend making this juvenile event a five horse runner race with good to soft ground.
Hughes and Hannon, who are the usual victors of these type events at the course, sent to post 3/10 favorite Nisser. Who duly romped home by three lengths from his challengers.

Hannon, Hughes and Nisser

This Bay colt, by Dream Ahead, disappointing the trainer on his earlier starts. Has potential and is sure one to keep an eye on now he his on the way.

The second race, another six furlong dash for the maiden's saw again a possible chance for the Hughes,Hannon team.  Grey colt Fast and Hot getting a lot of attention from the bumper crowed on this overcast and blustery July evening.
But Whatcombe trainer Paul Cole and 3 lbs claimer Cam Hardie riding Shakerattlenroll, put pay to this beating the grey into third place by a length and a half.

Shakerattlenroll


Jockey Cam Hardie getting a two day suspension from the Windsor stewards for careless riding during his evenings work  
The biggest pay out race of the evening was the £7250 Supporting racing welfare fillies handicap. Again over the six furlong straight.
With the ground drying in the blustery conditions, jockeys were undecided on what rail to follow, leading to horses stretching from the inside to outside rail at the line.
Mehronissa, trained in Newmarket by Ed Vaughan and ridden by Frederick Tylicki. Went to post 7-2 favorite, and did not disappoint her backers taking the prize by two lengths.

Mehronissa

The fourth and fifth race of the evening also going to the home of British Flat racing.
George Margarson trained Snappy Guest winning the three year old Handicap over one mile, Tom Queally on board.
And  Rae Guest taking home the one mile 2 furlong handicap with Memoria,ridden by David Probert
Snappy Guest

Memoria

The final race of the evening, The racing welfare Farewell to Richard Hughes Handicap.
Could this see a fairy tale end as a jockey for the champion, who rarely stays for a ride in the last.
Riding for Gary Moore on Shalianzi, the jockey took a rousing round of applause as he went to post,acknowledged by the Irishman with a wave, who rarely shows emotion. But alas could not bow out with a winner for the appreciative crowd. Finishing well down the field, the race going to Marcus Tregoning trained Oskar Denarius, ridden by the possible replacement in the Hannon stable Pat Dobbs.
Pat Dobbs on Oskar Denarius

Which really is poetic justice to continue the story........
Hughsie as he is known throughout the industry presented with a memento of his time at the Royal Windsor course by clerk of the course Jeff Green at the end of racing.


The story of the evenings event can be seen at