South and West Wilts
February 2022 Review
A bright sunny early Spring day brought out an enthusiastic and large attendance to watch a total of nine point to point races plus 3 charity races at the South and West Wilts Hunt Point to Point at Larkhill on Sunday. The charity races in aid of Racing Welfare and Wiltshire Air Ambulance were well supported with a total of 29 horses taking part and, in the process, raising over Fourteen Thousand for the charities. The Point-to-Point races were competitive events with the highlights being riding doubles for Zac Baker and Freddie Gordon, a training double for Jenny Gordon and another success for the veteran Southfield Theatre.
Ridden as usual by Lily Bradstock Southfield Theatre belies his fourteen years of age and continues to retain his unbeaten record this season when winning the Lycetts Mixed Open Race. Setting off in front as usual he was chased all the way by Zamparelli and Cheltenham De Vaige but despite their efforts he was not for passing and had a length to spare over Zamparelli at the line. Watched by his owner Angela Yeoman he relishes the good surface and will not be asked to run on a softer surface. Ridden at home by his trainer Sara Bradstock he is described as ‘not being easy’ and will continue to race in Ladies Open or Mixed Open races whilst his enthusiasm remains at the same level.
Highway One O One was the first leg of the double for Freddie Gordon and his mother Jenny in the Pat Awdry Memorial Conditions race. Pat who was a stalwart supporter of the South and West Wilts Hunt died last summer and it was fitting that a race was run at Larkhill in his memory. Highway One O One had only run at Badbury Rings seven days ago but despite this and the admission that Freddie’s father Chris had admitted that he had told Freddie that he had to jump the last fence three times at the Dorset course (it is only twice) he was a convincing winner of the race. Freddie who is still at school at Gregg School Southampton is starting to make a name for himself and this was his second victory on the gelding who had been suffering from the handicapper under Rules but is relishing his role as a schoolmaster.
Freddie and Jenny’s double came in the Symonds and Sampson Conditions race for Novice Riders. This time riding Captain Bucks he set off in front and despite the attentions of Monsieur Gibraltar ridden by Olive Nicholls and Dandy Dan ridden by Laure Keen -Hawkins he stayed on to record a head victory at the line. Explaining his improvement in form Jenny advised that first time use of a visor had certainly helped and the front running tactics had given him more enthusiasm. His previous trainer Paul Nicholls had advised Jenny to use waiting tactics but his runs this season had allowed him to doss behind so this change brought about a revival in his form.
The Milton Indoor Storage Services Open Maiden race was divided on the day and rider Zac Baker won both Divisions. Firstly, riding Far from Over for owner/trainer Maurice Linehan he was always prominent and stayed on well to record a two a half lengths victory over Lift Me Up. Bought by his owner who trains at Great Tew in Oxfordshire at Goffs as a 3 -year- old he has given him time but revealed that he had not really asked the five -year- old any serious questions at home. He may be heading for the sales but as Maurice is currently looking to apply for a permit to train under Rules, he may decide to retain the gelding.
Zac quickly doubled his score for the day and three for the weekend when riding Kauto No Risk for owner John Hargreaves and trainer Joanne Priest. This was an easier win than the previous race as he had ten lengths in hand at the winning line. Bought by former jockey turned bloodstock agent Jerry McGrath after running in two Autumn Point to Points in Ireland he had been recommended to Joanne and her owner John Hargreaves. The dam of the winner Kauto Karolyna is a full sister to the mighty Kauto Star and if he has a small proportion of his uncle’s ability, he will be an exciting prospect.
The other Maiden on the card was for four-year-olds only and was sponsored by the Thoroughbred Breeders Association over 2 and half miles. The previously raced Boy De La Vis looked to have the race at his mercy before falling at the third last leaving the unraced filly My Little Toni ridden by Bradley Gibbs to finish alone. Owned by Tim Talbot from Cheshire under the name of Ratkatcha Racing he had arrived at Bradley’s stable last summer having done some work at Oliver Greenall’s yard but has been brought on by Bradley and his partner Claire and their member of staff Natalie.
The biggest field of the day of 12 horses took part in the Woolley and Wallis Restricted race over two and a half miles. Finistere had been prominent throughout under James King and he stayed on to hold off the challenge of Bloodstone ridden by George Henderson by a length. Previously with Dan Skelton he won at Charing earlier in the month and continues to be on the upgrade for owners Julie Wadland and Janet Bird.
The concluding Bumper was also divided on the day with the first division being won in decisive style by Hilltown owned and trained by local National Hunt trainer Seamus Mullins. Ridden by Paddy Barlow who was securing his second ever winner Seamus explained that Paddy comes in to ride out periodically and he wanted to give him an opportunity. As Paddy is a vet student at Nottingham University this is not as often as he would like. Seamus added that Hilltown was acquired in rather unusual circumstances in that he had gone to a dispersal sale at the Hilltown Stud in Ireland and had acquired a total of 9 horses. This is the last of them to run and he decided to give the name of the Stud to the gelding. He might make a Hurdler in time or could go down the point -to -point route next season.
The concluding division proved to be a much closer contest with Nairobi Girl just holding off the attentions of Rockafela ridden by Bradley Gibbs. Owned and trained by Sarah Bailey at Badminton the mare’s dam had been bought to produce an eventer but she had been showing enough at home to warrant trying her as a racehorse. She has been doing a number of different equine options including hunting with the Duke of Beaufort’s. Given an excellent ride by Luke Scott Sarah advised that he had been recommended to her by James King.
Our next meeting at Larkhill Racecourse is with The New Forest Hounds on Sunday 27th March 2022. The first race is at 12.30pm and is pre-ceded by Pony Racing. We hope to see you there.
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