WALES AND WEST HARNESS RACING ASSOCIATION

HELD UNDER BRITISH HARNESS RACING CLUB RULES

 

Chairman: Stella Havard Burghope Farm Dinmore, Wellington, Herefordshire HR4 8ED Tel:01568 797403/07876 553641 email stella.havard@standardbred.co.uk

Secretaries:   Karina Pugh & Robert Millichap Correspondence :  Robert Millichap Grove House Tillington  Herefordshire HR4 8LW Tel: 01432 760186 email rmillichap@wyenet.co.uk

EMOTIONAL EVENING AT LEOMINSTER, 26th May. 

There was very special feel to the evening meeting under BHRC rules at Leominster, with the charged atmosphere laced with exhilaration and emotion.

The feature race of the evening was in memory of Bill Grosvenor, one of the long-serving and popular judges who died suddenly in April, and it was one that everyone who knew Bill was keen to contest.

As the runners for this mile and a quarter handicap battled up the straight, it looked as if I Am The Man would take the coveted Rosebowl for Kim & Joe Alman, close friends of the Grosvenor family. But his valiant surge with Sarah Mould had not ‘burned off’ the mighty Fearless JR and Richard Owens, another to whom Bill’s memorial meant much. Just when it looked as if Fearless JR had triumphed, his half-brother, Fearless Scoot, partnered by Richard’s daughter, Libby Lloyd, thrust his nose in front in the dying strides to grab the glory.

Tom Sawyer has always been a crowd-pleaser in his thirteen years, and scored for the 24^th time in his illustrious career when just besting Symlog Double D (Karen Lowes) in the Pathfinders event. In the winner’s circle, owner/driver, Robert Millichap announced Tom Sawyer’s retirement from the circuits, and his courageous staying performances will be much missed.

It was certainly a night for the unexpected, and Wales & West video-man, Keith Thomas didn’t even have time to shake with excitement as his gutsy little performer, JJ Jules (Terry Laventure) hurtled with a late challenge to wrest a splendid victory from the fancied horses. Gareth Price picked up a chance drive on Trefor Morgan’s improving Ystwyth Daniel, and rallied him into a late burst in another exciting finish and his first win of the season.

Elaine Thomas was ecstatic when her home-bred Scoots Mischief (David Bevan) won her second race in three days despite a handicap in the first maiden division. North Wales raider, Joss Edwards produced a breathtaking success in the second division with Dunitagain, a daughter of top class mare, Pretty Rare.

 Driver Jason Podmore is in demonic form, and added another double to his impressive tally with novice Magical Star and the incredible mare Quality Time who passed the whole field at the speed of sound from her backmark. in the top grade mile event.

Next meeting: Walton Sunday 6^th June. 2 pm.

Going: Firm. All races over 1 mile, 200 yds except for race 8.

SYMLOG STUD PATHFINDER

1 Tom Sawyer (Robert Millichap) 10 yds; 2 Symlog Double D (Karen Lowes); 3 Mosside Solitude (Barry Satterthwaite) 20 yds

2:28.0. 1/2L, 2L.Owned by Robert Millichap, trained by Bernard Millichap, Tillington.

DELIGHTFUL DEBBIE MORRIS MAIDEN Div 1

1 Scoots Mischief (David Bevan) 10 yds; 2 B J Dizzy (Barry Satterthwaite); 3 Caenwood Mystic (Julian Price).

2:30.2. Neck, 11/4L. Owned by Elaine Thomas, trained by David Bevan, Maesmynis.

Div 2

1 Dunitagain (Joss Edwards); 2 Misbehavin' (Jason Podmore); 3 Saunders Towner (Mark Pritchard)

2:25.6. 16L, 11/2L. Owned by Robert Webster, trained by Joss Edwards, North Wales.

WELLFIELD STUD NOVICE IMPROVER DIV 1

1 Ystwyth Daniel (Gareth Price) 10 yds; 2 High Heel Star (Terry Laventure) 20 yds; 3 Leckwith Destiny (Sarah Mould)

2:27.2. Short hd, hd. Owned & trained by Trefor Morgans, Aberystwyth.

BRIGHTWELLS NOVICE/IMPROVER DIV 2

1 Magical Star (Jason Podmore);  2 Radnor Beauty (Mark Pritchard); 3 Briwyn's Starlight (Brian Davies)

2:30.9. Sht hd. 41/2L. Owned by Muriel Loverock, trained by Jason Podmore, Uttoxeter.

CASTLE CARVERY (RHAYADER) OPEN HANDICAP MILE

1 JJ Jules (Terry Laventure); 2 Wellfield Winston (Debbie Wakefield) 10 yds; 3 Misleadin' (Mark Pritchard)

2:27.0 Sht Hd. 11/2L. Owned & trained by Keith Thomas, Llanybyther

THANKYOU LAYTON FAMILY OPEN HANDICAP MILE (Handicap reduced by 20 yds)

1 Quality Time (Jason Podmore) 20 yds; 2 Briwyn's Jamocha (Patsy Morris); 3 Davie Crockett)

2:24.8. 21/2L, neck. Owned by Muriel Loverock, trained by Jason Podmore, Uttoxeter

BILL GROSVENOR MEMORIAL MILE AND A QUARTER OPEN HANDICAP.

1 Fearless Scoot (Libby Lloyd) 20 yds; 2 Fearless JR (Richard Owens) 60 yds; 3 I Am The Man (Sarah Mould)

3:03.1 Sht hd, 1L.Owned & trained by Libby Lloyd, Much Cowarne.