MID SURREY FARMERS GODSTONE MEETING 6TH MARCH 2016

Riders of the Mid Surrey Farmers Hunt

The second South East meeting for the season, and the Godstone point to point courses first of the year.

Charing had the pleasure the first race meeting of the area, were only 20 or the 58 horses declared completed the full course. 

Godstone, with its sweeping climbs and turns, offered its entrants the going of soft.

To walk the course again one had to think. How many would actually get round? But the horses proved that most went through the soft going fairly well.

The meeting had huge ups and down all afternoon, but a good attendance showed that the course was popular with its public.

After an amuse bouche of Pony racing, the six race card began with a members conditions race, sponsored by a new major sponsor for the pointing circuit Volvo.

Six runners went to post. David Maxwell’s Minerfortyniner, going off as one of the fancied entrants due to the seven year olds course wins last season in maidens and restricted. 

With David’s horses running in fine form over the past weeks it was no surprise to see the gelding  romp home in front by a distance from in second Excitable Island ridden by the inform novice rider Jack Andrews.

‘I rode him twice last season,’ mentioned the jockey. ‘He is a very nice horse, and I was aware in my mind with this course if you’re on a good horse you kick on at the open ditch, I knew I had plenty under me so let him run.’ 

The horse in the winners’ enclosure seeming a little uncomfortable after the jockey got off him. ‘ that’s just him really, he gets a little wound up after the races, but he is not that bad at home, it’s just the way he is.’

David who has had some nice winners at the start of the season, and none more so than his winner at Fontwell a week earlier, Mendip express who goes to the foxhunters at Cheltenham in ten days time. ‘He is A1 at present, and will be a very nice ride around there, so I’m looking forward to it.’ David seemed very positive, not only about his ride, but also the chance of great media coverage of the race due to the fact Victoria Pendleton could line up. ‘I really hope she gets there, it’s been great for the sport this season, and with now the introduction of Sheikh Fahad Al Thani’s presence as an owner, the sport looks healthy.

Minerfortyniner, David Maxwell

The second race for veterans and novice riders certainly got the racegoers on their toes in the final stages. Izzie Marshals mount Cronkies Lad went to post as favourite due to the fact of the ten year olds win in a ladies open at Charing in February. 

But on the day could not keep up with the staying power of the three horses that took the field on for most of the course. Hunters Lodge, Mazuri Cowboy and Broughtons Bandit,who had the field well stretched by about three out.It was the for mentioned two up front Hunters Lodge, Mazuri Cowboy, who came away to attack the line together, so much so the judge could not split them.

Mazuri Cowboy over the last in front. Hunters lodge tucked behind in third

Jennifer Harbison on Mazuri Cowboy and Gareth Henderson on the Kent Grand national winner Hunters lodge, both off the point to point rating of about 90 flew over the final two. Jennifer on her horse landing over the last just in front. ‘It’s the first time I have ridden the horse, and we went a very good pace.’ Gareth mentioning that he had no choice really other than to go with it. ‘ we hit the front, and he is the sort that when he does get his head in front he thinks he has done enough, which allowed the rest to come back at me.’ mentioned the rider of number 12.

Mazuri Cowboy

                                                                  Hunters Lodge

‘My horse has really stayed on well,’ mentioned Hunter Lodge’s jockey the popular Gareth Henderson. ‘I managed to get up Phil York’s inner (jockey of third placed horse Broughtons Bandit) which isn’t an easy thing to do, but my fella really try's for you, and it’s great we have another win for him for everyone involved.’

The third race the mixed open, sponsored by Investec, who are popular contributors the racing game, seven runners went to post. The favourite being the David Maxwell’s mount of Many Stars.

David Maxwell receives his prize on the investec zebra

Little is known about the eight year old by Oscar, other to say that he is coming out of a yard that seems to of hit form.

Again the race seemed close with a handful sweeping around the bend to meet the rising ground of the Surrey course, local horse and Veteran runner 13 year old Mr Bennett and from Sussex, Wor Rom from the Grissell yard challenging the winner.

Many Stars

The eight year old winner is surly one to be noted on his next outing and with the experience of Maxwell in the plate would look a sure favourite to continue his six year old form.

A sad day for Peter Bull as soon after the line Mr Bennett in third pulled up and needed urgent medical attention, a horse that the owner, trainer has put and lot of work into over the past season.

The restricted was a race that had seen many of its runners out at the beginning of the season.

Miss Alice Jones, Nimbus Lad all horses that have been around the tracks the past few months, but it was Zuccotti Park an ex Irish pointer and placed in restricted races last season who made up for an unlucky fall last time out at Charing. 

The eight year old by Flemensfirth seemed to lap up the soft ground on offer, that linking with a shorter distance of two and a half miles seemed to motor away from his rivals at two out, to beat maiden winner Letskeepitsimple by eleven lengths. 

‘I was never happy with him at Charing,’ mentioned Dale Peters his jockey.’ He was never going as well as he was today, the ground there was so tiring, but he got through it well today, he really needs three miles to be fair as there was a lot in the tank today.’ 

A horse with speed and stamina is a rare find and would be a horse to take serious note of on good jumping ground. ‘ the owners would like to take him hunter chasing, but I’m not too sure, he is know qualified for the Subaru Final at Stratford, so we will have to see if he takes his chances, he’d be nice to leave for next year really, a nice open horse.’

owner, trainer and jockey Zucotti Park

Dale Peters who trains and prepares horses for yards as well as rides, has nine horses under his charge at present. ‘Dad trained so I took over from him really, but it’s going well at the moment, I have some nice horses and owners.’ And one to take note of from the yard? ‘This horse Zuccotti Park, and one my dad owns Mr Merk who I like a lot and might run in a maiden soon.’ So two horses to place in the note book there.

Zucotti Park

The Open maiden saw six to post, with only two finishing. 

From around three out maiden horse Margot Fontane ridden by Peter Bull and the well fancied nick Pearce's charge of Clondaw Nell were left on their own.

Peters Bull's Margot Fontane

Over the last it was the maiden though who had the upper hand and went on from Clondaw Nell who’s jumping wasn’t that great early on under the talented Sam Davies Thomas.

‘I’m really plesently surprised and delighted.’ Mentioned the jockey, trainer and breeder of the six year old mare by Tobugg, who earlier in the day lost his veteran horse Mr Bennett in the mixed open.

 ‘It’s been a hard day, but this little mare has made it a little more bearable.’ The admiration for the local trainer/rider well in evidence as throughout pats on the back and hugs were offered by all. ‘The plan was to let her run and find herself really, she was working so well at home, but you just never know until you bring them to the races. She was taking me forwards the whole time and I never really asked her a question which was what I wanted, I didn’t look what I was up against all I wanted her to do was get some experience, she is such an honest mare, we hunt, cross country everything really, she is just a nice little mare. I suppose we will have to go home and think what next know, but she’ll have a bit of a break, and then go on.’

 And rightly so as this small built mare has beaten a horse well that has decent form.

Owner, trainer, breeder and jockey Peter bull receives his prize.

Peter bull speaking affectionately about his veteran Mr Bennett. ‘It was very very sad, he has been with us in a field for a long time, he came with a bit of an attitude and we calmed him down, he was enjoying life. I would have loved to have had him as a young horse as he had serious ability, but we must look forward, and this little mare can help with that.’ 

One to watch I feel Margot Fontane.

Lord Multiflex, Ukranian Star, Counting House

The last race of the day, a South East Hunts club member’s race saw only four runners to post. 

The fancied runner being Lord Multifix who finished behind Hunters Lodge in the Kent Grand National who was involved in the dead heat earlier in the day. 

But it was the top weight Counting House, trained by Richard Gurney and ridden by Anna Sansom who beat the fancied Lord Multi fix by three lengths. 

‘I thought the ground was a bit soft to start with, but he’s stayed on it well and jumped well, which has won him the race really.’ The jockey in her first ride of the season only just getting her licence back after being sidelined with an ankle injury which prevented her getting granted a riders permit. ‘He is a nice horse, we had him last season, he was placed in a couple of opens, won a conditions race and this was his first outing this year.’

Anna Sansom

At thirteen, the chestnut gelding by Kings Best would need some placing for a repeat performance, maybe watching the form of the second placed horse would show where the winner sits in the grand plan of the season.

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LARKHILL DRAMA WITH THE NEW FOREST HOUNDS POINT TO POINT

SATURDAY AT HORSEHEATH WITH THE THURLOW

With a bracing wind blowing across the hills of Horseheath Point to point course, a venue with excellent viewing and facilities, a fair crowd came out in support of a seven race card for the Thurlow Hunt Point to Point. 

Six races were billed but the last race an Open maiden just crossed the safety factor line of eighteen runners, and split into two divisions. So, a bonus race to those who gave up their Saturday trip to the shopping malls for the day.

The first race, a club members event, saw a quality eleven go to post with horses such as the Shelia Crow trained Abbeyview a horse well placed last season after having a rocky start.

  Green Winter, a winner at Larkhill, placed at Barbury and a winner last season in a Hunter Chase. And from the David Kemp yard Brave Encounter, a winner here at Horseheath last time out.

Green Winter with Abbeyview

Shelia Crows charge was sent to post 7/2 fav, but it was the John Bryan charge Green Winter who claimed the race. 

Sam Davies Thomas took the field on from the start, but it was not until three out that he was joined by the fancied runners of Abbeyview and Green Winter. It was then over the last the winner got busy, with Jockey Zach Baker, younger brother to flat jockey George Baker bringing the eight year old chestnut gelding home up the straight.

The young jockey with a fair book of rides for the day mentioned ‘This was perfect ground for him today, he deserved to win. The last race was a good contest, so coming here we are happy he has come home in front.’

Abbeyview having a better start to his 2016 campaign than previous seasons tends to come into himself with a few runs under the belt. Finishing second to Green Winter would warrant this horse to be well fancied next time out.

Green Winter(inside) Abbeyview (outside)

The second race was for novice riders, and anything that the younger sibling of the Andrews clan Jack, is a board would have to be taken seriously.

And this was the case with the ten year old Done a Runner, already a winner in a novice rider’s event at Higham, and a horse that looks very versatile at home on staying and galloping tracks, proving himself as with the placed horses Kriss William and Curraigflemens coming over the last together, he pulled away up the straight to win the contest by five lengths. 

Already with a Point to Point rating of 100 the son of Alderbrook would be sure to be put up a few more bars on the fence.

Jack Andrews on Done a Runner

‘The horse went really well for me, jumped well and I was very confident. It was nice to get a winner at this meeting again, last year Gina, Bridgette and I rode a winner here which was fantastic, so it was nice to maintain my hold on the Novice rider’s championship.’

Done a Runner

Again Victoria Pendleton continued her education of the racecourse with the Alan Hill trained Supreme Danehill.

 Finishing unplaced, she got her mount home, ready for another Hunter Chase run on Pacha Du Polder at Wincanton mid week, her hopeful ride in the Foxhunters at Cheltenham.

Paige Fuller on Goodnight Vienna

With Hunter chases in mind, it was Paige Fuller the leading Hunter chase rider at present with two winners under her belt, that bought home Goodnight Vienna by six lengths from Irish Rebel in the Ladies open.

Seven runners went to post, the favourite, It was me a winner of four events at the course falling at the ninth in mid contention. 

it was me departs at the ninth fence

This left Fuller and her ten year old mount to claim the race, and well deserved as last time out at the course he was tuned over up the straight by Gina Andrews aboard Berties Dream.

 ‘This is such a nice horse to ride,’ mentioned Paige. ‘He jumped so well, gaining lengths in the air, and I was surprised he took me to the front, he just never stopped galloping.’

This was the jockeys fifth win of the season, two of them being on professional courses Hunter chasing.

Goodnight Vienna

The Men’s open was a superb quality race.

 All horses in the field with possibly thirty wins in Point to points between them. But it was the quality eight year old Mr Mercurial under the steerage of Paddy Gerety who got up on the line to beat the unbeaten Glint of Steel who, at post having nine successes from nine starts in an average time of the day of 6m 15 secs.

Paddy Gerety  receives his prize

Trained by Shelia Crow this Cheltenham Foxhunter contender, who won the same race last season took his inaugural 2016 show well. ‘The ground here is just right for him,’ mentioned Gerety.’ The aim would be if it is good ground at the festival he will take his chances, at the price of 50-1 he would possible worth a small bet.’ The son of Westerner certainly beat no slouches in the race, and would be well worth a look in a few weeks time.

Mr Mercurial

Tom Ellis and Gina Andrews

The Restricted race, eight went to the tapes. Again a fair quality to the race with horses such a Lule Kyle who finished just behind the quality mare Galros Lady at Ampton and the eventual winner from the Andrews/Ellis combination Total Compliance, a winner here at the track last time out beating Wivannie. 

 Jockey Gina Andrews mentioned.' Finally he's got it, he started as quite a green horse at home, but seems to be improving each time he comes to the races. He has been really well at home and would possibly be a nice ladies open horse in time.’ 

Gina Andrews on Total Compliance

It would be interesting to see how far up the bar this seven year old by Milan can go if continues to improve the way he has been going. But be sure he will have every help from the quality guiding by the husband and wife, trainer and jockey partnership, one to watch.

Gina who know goes one above contender Clare Hart in the Ladies jockeys rankings mentioned how well her season is going.

' I'm in front today, but Clare will probably ride some winners tomorrow.'

Total Compliance

The final race of the day, an open maiden saw the race go one over the safety factor of eighteen. Two divisions in that case were put out to the course. 

Trainer Gerald Bailey greets Alex Vaughan-Jones on Ignite a Light

Nine runners for division one saw Alex Vaughan-Jones bring the Gerald Bailey trained

Ignite a Light home by half a length from the placed horse here last time out Pettistree. 

The jockey mentioned that the horse who was bought at the Doncaster sales suited the left handed courses better than his previous  pulled up outing on a right handed track, 'with the better ground also it all suited him well here today. We had him at home until November doing a bit of show jumping and cross country, but he is a horse that just wants to get on with it, so he is probably not the easiest to train, he would have some improvement to him for sure, he will possibly want to come back here at Easter, but we’ll see how he come out of this race.’

Ignite a Light with Larger Thn Life

Division two of the open maiden saw ten runners to post. 

Bengo who finished in front of Pettistree, both behind the winner that day Pedro King here last time out was sent on the form correctly off at 11/8 fav.

Bengo again showed he had a small advantage over that day winning the race by half a length from Againn Dul Aghaidh the third horse home Ballalough beaten a neck. 

Bengo with third placed horse Ballalough

Owned, trained and ridden by a member of the Ferguson family and registered with the Thurlow the six year old Irish bred horse seem like the winner of the first division to be improving. 

Jockey Alex Ferguson said ‘ he finished second here last time out, if possibly we had this type of ground that day he might of won,to easy to say know but he is the type that just keeps plugging away, but we got there today.’ Alex who has been riding under rules as well as points is certainly getting the experience which can only help maiden horses of this calibre.

Alex Ferguson on Bengo

Both divisions incidentally were run at 6 min 25 secs, which goes to show the winners have very little between them. And it would be interesting to see what paths they follow next.

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HIGHAM HIGH FOR RICH AT THE WAVENY HARRIERS

Good racing ground greeted the 56 declared runners for the days Point to Point at Higham. That coupled with a flat galloping track, and some some very competitive racing.

Good sized fields, without being overcrowded, saw top quality pointers try their luck as most yards know are rise to their crescendo for the season.

 Horses that have already have caught the pointing officialdoms eye on display to continue, or not their continuum.

None so could be so true for the winner of the first of the seven race card. 

The Hunt members race, Six runners to post which included Carlanstown, returning to racing after a gusty second place to Court Red Handed at Ampton. 

And Nightscape, a winner only seven days previous at a fast paced Cottenham track.

Nightscape

Charlie Buckle on the horse rode him with every confidence.,the horse seeming to thrive in being pushed to the limits. The time for the race average at 6m 11 secs, saw the rest of the field finish quite tired, Carlanstown and Weather Warning, horses with runs under their belts this season picking up the minor places.

 This new addiction to the Cundy yard, must be enjoying his new regime, though the generous 20-1 odds placed at Cottenham, not on offer from the rails today. It would be interested to see if the owner/Trainer places this one in hotter contests to see what they have on their hands Or, hunt for races where the chances are tipped in the favour of the horse.

 But the way he won today, may just answer those questions.

Basic Fact, Nightscape

The PPORA member’s race saw ten to post. Andrew Pennock sending Play the Ace to post, with the talented Richard Collinson on board. This one also running on to win a members race seven days back at Cottenham, beating Picaroon by five lengths. 

This week though, a placed horse at the meeting here at Higham last month, Susquehanna River making it a win for Play The Ace by the shortest of margins, a head. 

Play the Ace’s jumping was no more than conservative most of the way round, but Dickie Collinson mentioned ‘We were flat out, he a gusty type, but will only give what he has to do, and no more. If it had been further we would have got beat for sure, but luckily these races at three miles and no more. 

He’s certainly had a hard race today, last week he wasn't meant to run in the member’s race he won, but it paid off nicely,today though was the plan for him.’ 

Collinson not the full 100% himself, suffering with a cold, mentioned the horse did better that the jockey for sure.

Asked if he still gets a buzz out of his racing the jockey in need of a good vapour rub himself said ‘yeah I love it, I have nice horses to ride and it’s nice to have the family involved.’ Richard clutching his young daughter, as she was part of the races presentation.

Play The Ace

Broken Eagle, Owners Mr J Exelby, Jockey Joe Hill

The men’s open was all really about one horse. 

Tipsters well punted that the Alan hill trained Broken Eagle, was a class act. Running and winning twice already, albeit in Members conditions races, the eight year old took his step up to open events in mighty fashion.

According to the trainer as being not the easiest at home, Broken Eagle made most of the running, and with still a circuit to go showed his class by pulling away from his field. 

A rocket of a pace was set, recording the fastest of the day at 5 min 57 secs, which took the trainer a little by surprise.

Jockey Joe Hill seemed very enthused by this son of Broken Vow, and seemed to want to tell the world and his wife about how easy he found it.

A smart future me thinks’ for the charge from the Hill dynasty. But possibly would not get an easier race than this one for the rest of the season. We wait with baited breath his return. 

Certainly the Hill Family deserve no better after losing their talented horse, Harbour court at the track on the last meeting.

Broken Eagle

The ladies open saw eight go off at the start. Another race that saw only a small handful of horses showing any sort of class.

Owners of Top Smart Mrs Susan E. Busby, Jockey Kelly Morgan

Sharp Suit, who has had six wins out from ten starts, and placed behind the talented Berties Dream and Gina Andrews at Ampton,and Top Smart ridden by stand in jockey Kelly Morgan.

Top Smart seemed to have run the race as well as could be expected for the replacement pilot, and though going through the last fence, went on well to take the race for Sharp Suit and Gina Andrews in second. Gina stepping off the winner in order to ride the Alan Hill runner. ‘We’ve done that well, he travelled nicely and jumped well for me,' mentioned the winning jockey,’ It’s nice to get rides like that, it’s not that often you get a chance.’  But chance she did and took it well.

Top Smart

The open maiden saw twelve to post, the biggest field of the day. 

Richard Collinson again on form, despite the cold, bringing home Counting stars by fifteen lengths from Verdasco. 

This horse second to Emperor Arcadius at Ampton a few weeks back seemed to relish a more galloping track. Ampton on that day showing that staying power rather than speed was needed.

Counting Stars

Though making untidy work of the last, the momentum was kept going forward, giving the jockey a brace of winner for the day. With the talented Galros Lady to come for him in the last.

Not a race to be fair to set the world alight, and certainly a lot of runners behind would be ones to monitor for the present. The winner though should progress and with good placement, should visit the winner’s enclosure a few more times, until the season closes out.

Counting Stars, Jockey Richard Collinson

The Restricted race, as most this season, showed a mix bag on entrants.

The Ellis establishment saddling Sea Current to improve on his poor run from about three weeks back at Milbourne St Andrews.

It was fair to say at that meeting in the West country, a lot of races were run at a false pace, which saw a few of the horses that will win this season not get home. 

Owner of Sea Current Mrs Shona Westrope

An honest pace on a galloping track, as was it at Cottenham on Sea Currents first win of the season, saw the Gina Andrews mount show it’s true potential, beating The Master remover by five lengths. 

You could almost see the look of relive on the trainer Tom Ellis’s face for the son of Pilsudski, who you would know hope develop further. 

With decent ground and conditions, the horse could now take on more serious races.

Sea Current

The final race of the day, (bar two pony races in the failing light) saw the return of the talented mare Galros Lady. Top of the points in the Subaru Restricted Championships, and top horse in the Point to Point Owners and riders Awards for young horses.

Galros Lady

The mare not seen on track for about a month, was just asked enough from the jockey of the day Richard Collinson with a treble for his efforts to beat Watneys Way by four lengths.

 ‘This is a really nice horse,’ mentioned the delighted jockey.’ She would win a nice Hunter chase in time,’ the mare who would be entitled to a mares allowance in weights, maybe would be one to look at if placed well. Certainly at the end of the season will be a horse on most point to point follower’s lips. And only at six years old, has plenty of scope to improve for the following season.

Galros Lady

Victoria Pendleton, who this week has had plenty of media coverage, on her quest for Cheltenham, kept her promise at Fakenham this week by getting straight back on the with the racing.

Finishing unplaced this time in Ladies Open, the Olympian did not have no hesitation in leading the field, until about four out. And seemed in good spirits  throughout the day.

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