Or at least, it
is in my world, where I am in charge.
As with the
quiet abandonment of my Harnesslink reports mid-season, this blog could have
wound up for the season without much notice. And as much as that would
have suited me, as short on time now as I ever was (what with the
responsibilities of home ownership added to the never-ending list of things to
deal with), it simply wouldn't be fair.
We all know how
much Big Burd loves fairness in the world, and to wrap this up on the sly by
simply ceasing to post about the remaining fixtures of the season would be to
serve an injustice upon those who celebrated success, worked hard and for one
reason or another, put a smile on my face in the closing weeks of the season.
On we must
march, therefore, into the seasonal highlight at Corbiewood: The Murdock
Weekend.
In every
standard year (classing last year's golden anniversary as an exception), the
Murdock Weekend is Corbiewood's sole two-day fixture (I'm not referring to
'back in the day', when it was 'Musselburgh week' and you 'raced for 7 days
straight and everyone was so drunk they couldn't remember anything and oh how
we all wish it was like that again' - move on people, live in the present before
it becomes the past and all). The Saturday low grade handicap this year
was for the Bob Kennedy Memorial, sponsored by the Kennedy family (who are the
loveliest of people), with the Sunday high grade handicap being the Joe Murdock
Memorial sponsored by, you guessed it, the Murdock family, which includes my
former life coach (the artist formerly known as 'King of the Tubes').
Full results for
the Saturday with links to the videos can be found on the SHRC website on the
following link. Personal highlights for me, aside
from meeting my friend Netty's significant other for the first time and scaring
him senseless over the course of the afternoon, were Dougie McLean's Yokalady
winning the second heat of the Bob Kennedy Memorial handicap on her first start for
new trainer John Kemp (and other than her unplaced run in the final the same
day, she went on to be placed in every other start at Corbiewood until the end
of the season on 15th October) and Cardigan Flash Man winning heat and final
for Alf and Joy Swinbank. The 4YO son of Doonbeg has had a long season
running in all corners of the country, but has been consistent throughout with
multiple wins to his name. Also credit to Robhall who won the Dark Rum
FFA in a time of 2.01.87, which I believe to be the season record at the track
(more on Robhall to follow on a seasonal roundup post, as he is now being made
the scapegoat for what some believe to be a flawed framing system at
Corbiewood; personally I like to see the horse winning as he is one of
Scotland's finest).
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| Cardigan Flashman winning the Bob Kennedy Memorial Final with Richard Haythornthwaite (Bill Cardno photo) |
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Onto Sunday, and
you can find the full race results and links to the videos here. I was a touch
delicate after a few alcohol beverages the night before but had to be sharp as
we had two runners from our stables. I was (thankfully) ably assisted by
Samantha, the Jockey's daughter, as the Gaffer was absent and Smarty is too
busy being a bookie or something to help. Ace didn't run so good (so we
made the decision to turn her away for the year when we got home), however big
old Cassius Clay ran a stormer to record our FIRST (and as it turned out, only)
win of the season. Breaking stride momentarily at the start, which is not
like him at all, he sat two wide for a large portion of the race which might
have looked a little foolhardy to some spectators, however Cassius is a big
rolling horse who takes time to get up to fifth gear (and doesn't appreciate
the pace being slowed down - which means the Jockey has been told numerous
times to ignore his basic instinct to jack the pace when in front).
The victory was
that little bit sweeter for two reasons; one, Darren Owen was present to call
the race (personal goal of mine); and two, the Jockey's family were also there.
Along with his youngest daughter (and my chief helper) Samantha, was his partner Mary, his eldest
daughter Nicky, her husband Billy and their son Lewis.
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| Cassius Clay heading to victory with The Jockey (Bill Cardno photo) |
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| Celebrating with family and friends |
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| Samantha and her new favourite boy! |
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My other
highlight of the day was seeing No Brakes win heat and final of the Joe Murdock
Memorial Handicap. This was a massive achievement for a 3YO in aged
company and came off the back of some tremendous performances all season to the delight of owners Bob and Linda Thomson. Winning the £4000 final pushed No
Brakes well clear at the top of the earnings table at the track, with him
finishing the season on £5,200 at Corbiewood alone (not taking into
consideration his multiple successes across Wales and England).
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Well done to all
winners over the course of the weekend; also special thanks to the following
people who made Saturday night (and indeed the entire weekend) so much fun:
Both my former
and current life coaches - King of the Tubes and West End Cod
Lisa 'Ladyford
Lad' Farelly & Karen 'Evenwood Ruthless' Kennedy (although no thanks for
the cross-country hike to the pub!)
Darren Keegan
(for the shots)
Hayley, Rachael
& Netty
Jonjo McMeekin -
for giving me one dance seeing as I was no longer top bidder for the meal with
him!
Abbie Cairns -
for listening to my advice about boys with a straight face
Over and out,
#1 Groom
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