Monday, 28 March 2016

ONCE, TWICE, FIVE TIMES A LADY AT THE FINAL HORSEHEATH 2016

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.

Second placed dead heat Carlanstown(nearside) Defying Gravity (farside)
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
My Alfie with Jockey and connections



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