A picture postcard December morning.
Cold and crisp, some
would say not so even. But all would say the second week of the new season
certainly off to a great start.
Two meetings on the first week, only Barbury for the second for trainers to get their early season charges out for a run.
A few remained in the stables and not declared, the home bend
being in for some controversial comments on the state of the ground, the winter
sunshine not yet glowing over the turf to take a slight frost on the grass off,
request for the rail to be moved waved off by the powers at the course.
Six races, Dale peters one half of controversy last week at
Cottenham, continuing this week with a fine double.
The first came on Tommy Morgan’s Teeton Power in the mares
and fillies’ open maiden.
The five-year-old chestnut made good use of the lead
and showed great courage, four out the mare took up the race the rest looking
in trouble making for an easy run in down the hill to the final two fences.
‘she
is a class horse,’ mentioned peters. ‘I gave her a slap two out and could
hardly pull her up she could be something special and has plenty of scope.’
 |
| Tommy Morgan’s Teeton Power in the mares and fillies’ open maiden. |
Only on her second run, the first a third in May at Dingley,
Tom Morgan who has had a good season already bagging winners at Cottenham
mentioned,’ this mare has it all, she jumps and travels well we are very
excited about her, I was hoping we would have got a better price than 4/6, but
over the moon.’
One to note I feel, the horses, yard and jockey on form.
Dale Peters second of the day came in the last race, the
4,5,6 year olds maiden over two miles 4 furlongs. Wither or Not winning in fine
style.
‘This horse will get further I think, I was a bit worried they would
catch him for toe around here but we knew he was right as he has been doing
well at home,he just got a little lazy in front as soon as he got the others
beat down the hill he pricked his ears and though that was that, but I knew he
could gallop and gallop at a good pace to.’
 |
| Dale Peters second of the day came in the last race, the 4,5,6 year olds maiden over two miles 4 furlongs. Wither or Not winning in fine style. |
This ex Irish horse showed great heart and stamina, Dale
peters certainly getting his horses right for the start of the new season.
A quick note on Mr Merch that ran second last week at
Cottenham, a horse Dale is very hopeful with, the report was he has come out of
the race well, Peters certainly with this Saffron Walden six-year-old also can
look forward to as the season marches on.
 |
| Teeton Power |
 |
| Wither or Not |
Karinga
Dancer ridden and trained by Laura Thomas took the
Dodson & Horrell PPORA member race, again winning in fine style.
The
ten-year-old by Karinga Bay who probably is at his best over shorter distances
seemed to take the three miles in his stride and took to the last well clear of
the rest of the field.
 |
| Karinga Dancer ridden and trained by Laura Thomas took the Dodson & Horrell PPORA member race |
‘He could have gone
around again really he went so well, he jumped well and got the trip with
more in hand, I'm quite excited about his future actually.’
Laura one of the flock that requested the rail to be moved
on the home turn said,’ I take it back actually, the ground rode really well,
no problems at all.’
Again, a great start for a team that had success in the west
country on the opening day with Full Throttle and very intense both ridden by
Johnny Bailey Laura mentioning, 'I don’t want it to stop really, it’s great, I
have a good string this year so very exciting.’
Note should be taken that the winner had to carry 3lbs more
than it should, an error on weighing out seemed not to affect this horse, looking at him he would not have minded carrying a few pounds more.
One yard I
feel to follow.
 |
| 'I don’t want it to stop really, it’s great, I have a good string this year so very exciting.’ |
The mixed open was again taken by a trainer rider
combination, Sam Jukes on Iberico took and beat a good field of pointers to
land the prize.
‘I’m delighted with that performance, it was a bit of pressure
on with his first run for me, but he has overwhelmed me on how he has done it
really.’
The horse now on seven wins from fifteen starts is a type that could
be very handy for the season, his jumping being the only thorn in his side,
today though not a hint of that trait, jumping well from fence to fence.
‘I walked the course yesterday and nearly didn’t run him,
but he handled the ground well and we won.’
Sam with a small string attached to the Ledbury hunt mentioned he had a
few horses that he is really excited about this season. The well road being one
in particular
 |
| Shaun Houlihan |
Ridden by Shaun Houlihan the Kings Theatre gelding had to work a little over the last, Royal Riviera challenging up the straight.
‘He has done that so well, beings he has had a long time
off, Shaun has given him a beautiful ride, giving him breather where he could
and it has helped him in the end, I’m really happy for him.’ mentioned the trainer.
Only three got home in the race, the jockey who is with the
yard of Phillip Hobbs doing enough to see the horse home. ‘it would be good to
get above the eight winners I had last season, the possibility of turning
conditional not being out of the question.’
The horse owned by the KP & The nuts racing club, one of
the members being clerk of the course at Royal Windsor Jeff Green will probably
have a month off and then another race looked for, one to watch out for
especially if he comes back to Barbury.
 |
| Princely Player |
Jack Andrews got his start to the season of well with a
winner in only his second ride of the new campaign.
Last year’s leading novice
ridder on Lara Horsfall’s Treacyswestcounty took the Connolly’s Red Mills
Intermediate race by making virtually all the running, Sam Jukes on
Chasforgold chasing down five lengths behind looking for a double for the
afternoon.
 |
| Lara Horsfall |
‘He is like a little terrier really,’ mentioned the
trainer.’ Even at home if something comes to challenge him he finds that bit
more, he has always been good, rapid over his fences, but under pressure last
season seemed to buckle, today though perfect.’
The eight-year-old took his time to win his intermediate,
with a string of placed runs last year looks a type that has possibly found his
form, a horse that takes a bit of time to get over his races may not be
seen until well into the new year.
The jockey mentioned, ‘It’s early for me to get a winner
really, this one is a clever sort of horse and gets from A to B so fast, I’ve
probably got one fence out the back straight wrong, but he got me out of
trouble.’
 |
| Treacyswestcounty took the Connolly’s Red Mills Intermediate |
Next racing at Barbury, will be in new year now with the
Barbury international, in the meantime the season marches on with three
meetings to choose from this weekend.
The Cornwall Hunt Cub has six races at
Wadenbridge. The triple H’s. Hursley Hambledon Hunt have their meet at
Larkhill, one of many meetings at the Wiltshire course this season and the
Ratcheugh racing club have their meeting, the first northern meeting this
season at Alnwick, incidentally this could be the where the Dale peters
roadshow continues his quest.
More images, podcasts
and write up at
