The Racing Horse enjoyed a fabulous day’s harness racing at Tregaron in lovely sunshine and on decent racing ground! The meeting was significant by the amount of promising youngsters on show giving impressive performances.

Tremendous to see so many local winners - Huw Evans

Speaking to Huw Evans after racing he enthused: “Tremendous to see so many local winners, Meadowbranch Josh, Ffaro, Mattriarch, John Barley, Beacon Spellbound, Llwyns Delight and of course Tenor Meslois as well as standout performances from Alexander Camden given a brilliant drive in the final (Richard Hughes would have been proud of that one) and Sportstrick who has come of age.”

He continued: “It was definitely the correct decision to postpone the date two weeks ago and a big thank you once more to both Wales and West and the British Harness Racing Club for facilitating the date change. It was a great meeting and the weather makes such a difference to the racing - the horses are more spectacular and the public can sit back and enjoy it rather than keep running for cover.”.

Ffaro takes home the Little Welsh Jug for fastest Maiden!

Monugs Boy won the first maiden (2.12.6) but was beaten to the Little Welsh Jug (fastest Maiden) by Ffaro (Dylan Lloyd Jones) in the second when he beat the 3yo filly Greenhill Gracie (Michael Lord) in an absolute thriller in a time of 2.09.7. The winner Ffaro was second at Tir Prince last week and our banker of the meeting but he was made to work hard winning by a head. Both drivers excelled in the finishing straight and the race set the scene for a glorious afternoon.

Llwyns Delight wins the Novice

Race 3 was the Novice and this was won easily by Llwyns Delight (Lee Price) but the victory was made easier  by the antics of Blue Desperado (David Bevan) who threw his head around and forced to race in the death seat for much of the race. This one needed a cold sit or a rail lead but he still plugged on for third place offering much for the future.

David Bevan drives perfect fractions from gate to line with Beacon Spellbound!

The heats of the Camden Stud Spring Handicap made up races 4 & 5 where the first four in each went into the final in the ultimate race. The heats went to Alexander Camden (Michael Lord) and Beacon Spellbound (David Bevan) respectively but the races were very different! Alexander Camden won in a time of 2.06.2 despite Garry O'Grady driving Kite Hallmighty shouting vociferously across the track 'I ain't gonna let you go'. After the race Lord told the spectators through commentator Darren Owen that the horse is still learning. The drive of the day for us was by David Bevan who stacked them up like a concertina before a frantic sprint home. Beacon Spellbound won by a short-head but 5 seconds slower than the first heat in a time of 2.11.1. This was race riding at its best and definitely one where the driver won the race!

The unexposed John Barley bolts up - has big targets now!

Race 6 Grade 1 (Division 1) was won by Lady Claires Best (James Haythornwaite) beating Shark Penlan (Alan Jones) by 2l in a time of 2.11.9 but Race 7 Division 2 was more interesting. The unexposed 4yo John Barley was the winner of the 2015 BHRC National Pacing Derby at York and he bolted up here giving driver David Bevan a win double. He won by 6l in a time of 2.07.5. He is another with big targets having shown his class today.

Dylan Lloyd Jones also grabs a win double

Dylan Lloyd Jones is another driver who struck twice when the beautiful grey mare Mattriarch spreadeagled her field in Race 8 winning by 7l and 6l in 2.06.3

Tenor Meslois very impressive in the trot!

The 9yo Tenor Meslois was very impressive in the trot, confidently driven by Rhys Evans and a great winner for the Chairman. His last run was in December last year but well prepared for this and he was always going to be a danger to the 11yo Robec even without the gate start. Ultimately Robec appeared to blow up after his absence but the winner never looked like getting beat. The official margin was 2.5l in a time of 2.49.2 (1.25miles plus). The first prize was worth £1,000 with a rug kindly donated by Emyr Edwards. Bravoure De Mai was unfortunate to lose second place, he was disqualified after breaking close to the finish.

Meadowbranch Josh shows bags of pace to win for Willie Greenhorn

Race 10 Meadowbranch Josh showed his usual bags of pace for Willie Greenhorn when winning for the first time this season in a time of 2.05.5 beating Fool Around by 3l. The driver could end up in Canada in the future.

Sports Trick clocks fastest time of the day

Race 11 was the Doonbeg Senior Dragon for 4yos and this race produced the fastest time of day where Sports Trick (Alan Haythornwaite) clocked 2.03.6 and took home the £1,200 prize money. This was not a complete surprise as he spent a fair time behind the leading 3yos last year and had not finished out of the top three and he won at York 12 months ago. The favourite Coalford Tetrick could only manage third place and Frisco Frisk was a non-runner.

Alexander Camden routs rivals in the Camden Stud Spring Handicap Final!

Alexander Camden (Michael Lord) overcame a bad start and came from last to first to win the Camden Stud Spring Handicap Final with the guidance of Mick Lord by a massive 10l margin. The aim now is Musselburgh. In stark contrast to his heat win in 2.11.2 the winning time of the final was 2.04.3 and the second fastest of the day highlighting the 4yos well-being.

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