Harness racing fans from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales converged upon the home of the Crock of Gold, Tir Prince, and were treated to a thrilling 8-race card including the 4YO Sire Stakes divisions and the first handicap heats and finals to be staged on the same day at the track in 20+ years.
Young Stephen Lees Jnr was back at the mic calling the three qualifiers before racing, following on from his maiden call at York on Sale Day last season. Meanwhile, race commentator Darren [Owen] and I found a quiet spot to settle down for a race night preview, which (I think if you're friends with Darren at least) you can view here.
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| Darren & I enjoying the racing preview on Facebook Live a little too much... |
1. Itsmycheck
2. Rockin Mambo
3. Teddy Camden
4. Springhill Calaburn
5. Emirat Du Levant
6. Rhyds Mystique
7. Rhyds Rock Star
8. Rockin Mambo
I got off to a stormer, despite Darren's assertions that Itsmycheck, a horse he is involved with as a co-owner, had wintered 'too well' and may need the run to get to race fitness. The Scottish-owned Share A Smile led out; Itsmycheck and Alan Haythornthwaite committed early and sat parked for the latter five furlongs and took up the running just after the three quarter marker. The Irish owned and trained grey, Springhill Rob, came with a strong, late run to finish second but the leader was not for beating. Plan B finished third with Frankie Camden making up the quartet going forward to the final at the end of the night.
Jack Swagger for the champion trainer/driver team Alexis and Rocker Laidler led out in the second and made the running for much of the race. As they rolled down the back straight for the last time I started to cheer on 'Maxi' (as he is known) and then it dawned on me that there was supposed to be a horse in the race to be a real danger to the leader. For a split second I couldn't remember what that was; and then Marc Jones turned on the gas and Rockin Mambo came out of the clouds down the outside of the field with a blistering turn of foot to take up the running coming off the last bend and win in 1.59.2. The long time leader finished second, with the Irish duo Springhill Biscuit and Meadowbranch Roman filling up the minor placings.
Two from two for this tipster and going into the first of the maiden and novice divisions with confidence as I'd selected the short-priced favourite Teddy Camden. Impressive in a qualifier the week before at Portmarnock, connections weren't present on the night to enjoy his success as he held off the always-improving Oakwood Ideal to give the Irish challengers their sole victory on the night. Bobby Camden who finished third was an eye-catcher as he appears to have come on leaps and bounds from his 2YO season last year and could be one to watch with interest this year.
The second of the maiden and novice divisions got off to a bad start when a hook up on the first bend saw drivers Vicky Gill and Jonathan Dunne (who partnered Teddy Camden in the third) landing on the deck. American Mistress and Coffee Mate completed one further lap of the track of their own accord before pulling up and turning back to handlers to be caught before the three quarter marker. Neither was allowed in the re-run, which meant two fewer opponents for my selection - Springhill Calaburn. The largely unknown Hawthorns Henry with Leo Arnett set the pace up front and took the race to the more experienced horses and drivers, and as Rocker Laidler and Springhill Calaburn took up the running just before the 7/8 it looked as though they would be runaway winners. Hawthorns Henry dug in and put up a good fight although the result was never really in question and the champion trainer and driver recorded their first win of the season on opening night.
My ability to pick winners took a nosedive at this stage as the 4YO French Trotters took to the track. Darren and I had mentioned nearly every horse in the race between us during the preview, and he had assured me that my selection (a horse he co-owns) could not win due to the 'controversial handicap system' which was being employed by TROTBritain (the horse was on a 40 yard trail). The horse broke shortly after the start (although came back down quickly) so I was out of the game early on during the 1 1/4 mile race. Drama in the latter stages where they began to gallop in the same way pins fall when hit by a bowling ball, meant the level-gaited Enez Leman and trainer/driver Mike Evans shot clear coming off the bend to record a 10 length victory. Multiple dead heats in the placings mean this writer can't remember who finished where, but it was something similar to a blanket finish just a long way back from the winner. Surprisingly, there was only one disqualification due to breaking gait, which I wouldn't have mentioned if it wasn't for the difficulty I faced in trying to explain to holidaymaking members of the general public why the horse they had bet hadn't finished the race. Turns out, they don't really know the difference between trotting and galloping. But then again, neither do some of the horses.
Back to pacing races and I thought I might get myself back on track here. I had made strong representations about the Mather family's Another Affair during the preview as she had impressed the week earlier in the qualifier and workouts at the track. This was a big step up in class for the novice on only her third start, although she held off the early attack from Rhyds Mystique to take up the running for the first half of the mile. When JD asked Mystique to quicken after the half, Another Affair was passed with ease and it looked as though I was right to stick by the champion 2YO and 3YO filly. However, in the closing stages of the race veteran driver Mick Lord proved that there is no substitute for experience as he produced his charge, Rhyds Hokey Cokey, to get up close to home for a surprise (and, according to some sources, controversial) victory.
Breeders John & Grethe Wright from Rhyds Stud were certainly able to take pride in their produce as Rhyds Rock Star graced the track straight after the mares. The British 3YO Colt of the Year was my nap of the meeting and it was a case of 'blink and you'll miss it' as he powered to victory. I'm not kidding, in the time it took me to walk from the joint to track side with my clipboard, they were already going in to the back straight with Rock Star a solid 6 or 7 lengths clear. My mind wasn't able to comprehend that this was the second lap so I made the assumption that he'd already gone clear in the first quarter. As they rounded the bend he extended his lead further over the Scottish owned and trained No Brakes and Darren appeared to be calling a finish...I looked to the clock by the line to figure out what was happening and all I saw was 1.47, 1.48, 1.49...in those seconds I had flashbacks of Doonbeg at Amman Valley the night he broke the World Record for a mile-on-a-less-than-a-half-mile-track (try saying that when you're drunk, go on). As James Haythornthwaite guided him over the line the clock stopped at 1.56, which became 1.56.1 as the official time and a NEW TRACK RECORD. The previous record of 1.56.2 was held by Forafewdollarsmore (now standing at stud in Wales, having already stood a season in Scotland) and then equalled on Crock of Gold night last year by joint-winners Miraculous and Evenwood Sonofagun. We knew Rock Star was good, but did we know he was that good? Well, all the signs were there. He propelled through last season going from one win to the next in increasingly difficult company and seemed to thrive on victory. I know he's going to enjoy more of it this year; once the 4YO races are out of the way the next step for him has to be FFA class with the big boys...I. CAN'T. WAIT.
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| New Track Record Holder: Rhyds Rock Star (Hasty Hall-Tonda Star-Albert Albert) & James Haythornthwaite winning the BHRC 4YO Sire Stakes (Colts & Geldings division) (Graham Rees photo) |
It didn't last long, as I had put all my eggs in one basket with Marc Jones and Rockin Mambo despite their 50 yard trail. Turns out the front markers were able to make full use of their advantage, and it was a training 1-2 for Teresa Haythornthwaite as son James partnered Plan B to victory over stablemate Itsmycheck and (husband) Alan. Owners Les and Jean Fell were clearly delighted to be picking up the cheque and rug for the Anto Russell Memorial Final, kindly sponsored by Dean Russell and family from Ireland who were there on the night to present winning connections.
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| Plan B (Hasty Hall-Sassy-Abercrombie) & James Haythornthwaite winning the final (Graham Rees photo) |
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| Sponsors the Russell family presenting winning connections of the final, Team Haythornthwaite and owners Les & Jean Fell (Graham Rees photo) |
Post-racing, BHRC blogger and assistant trainer to Michael O'Mahony, Kayleigh Evans, joined Darren and myself in the commentary box for the review of the night's racing, which (again, if you're friends with Darren most likely) you can see here. I selected five from eight which I think is a fairly solid start to the season when all I could really go on was last season's form and the advice of my fanatical in-house bookmaker (who doesn't always get it right, fortunately for all you punters).
Two points to note for those who put on these races and this meeting: the concept of handicap heats and finals on the same day at Tir Prince is GREAT. Similarly, the Blossom Kelly heats and finals at York last year worked just as well, and I am glad to see those working behind the scenes at Tir Prince embracing this concept. Secondly, whoever made the decision to stage the 4YO Sire Stakes races early in May deserves a round of applause for two reasons: the races work in conjunction with the Senior Welsh Dragon at Tregaron which falls a week later, thus giving connections of 4YOs two major events to prepare for early doors; and the 4YO Sire Stakes has, in previous seasons, gotten lost amongst other major events when sandwiched in the middle to latter part of the season creating walkovers (which nobody likes to see, especially me as I stand at the joint trying to explain to the holiday makers what on earth is happening).
Tir Prince is in a unique position insomuch as it attracts a large number of non-harness racing spectators. To this end, it is of paramount importance that the public are engaged from the word go - if we can capture their imaginations in the first few races, they are more likely to stay longer, come back again, and spread the good word. Unlike tracks such as Corbiewood, where the feature races are suited better to the end of the card, Tir Prince must ensure that the start of the meeting has two or three solid, competitive races (from whatever grade) to keep the public interested. In the Thoroughbred world, often the last race is a bumper or maiden/novice-type event with the feature races being in the middle of the card and competitive races kicking things off, for no other reason than to suit the general public. This may be something that race meetings across the UK without a final might wish to consider.
Onwards we march to the Spring meeting at Tregaron next weekend. Perhaps not some of the bookmakers' favourite tracks, but I can't wait - I love harness racing and for many, this is the home of it.
Over and out,
#1 Groom
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