The Racing Horse had a fabulous day out at Home Farm, Allensmore on Sunday 19 July 2015 watching the harness racing. The weather was glorious in anticipation for the 8-race card plus the qualifiers. Our only problem was that the time passed so quickly that we did not speak to all of those we wanted too and we were not able to watch every race. Our thanks to Stella, Martin and the team once again for their lovely welcome. Please go to the facebook page of Hereford and Borders Harness Racing Club to see who they are: 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/324045930946843/

Sand Storm unlucky?

Without taking anything away from the juvenile 3yo Caenwood Jack for Julian Price our sympathies must go to Alan Westwood and his 5yo mare Sand Storm (pictured) in the Enos Evans Memorial Maiden Mile. She looked to have stolen a march and was travelling nicely enough when breaking on the Hereford turn. We are not saying she would definitely have won but it would have been close. The Julian Price runner clocked a winning time of 2.10.9 and won by 6l but after equating the break of Sand Storm, his charge would have needed to better that time to win. Of course racing is all about opinions, ifs and buts, whereas the one thing we know is Caenwood Jack didn't break and his name is now in the book!

Most popular winner of the day was Cash Point

The most popular winner of the day must have been Cash Point winning the Cailan and William Morris Novice Mile for trainer Rebecca Baker. The Racing Horse was at this track to see him win his Maiden on the first meet here and he duly followed up but this time driven by Andrew Rees. Driver Roy Wilson missed out on this winner as he was at a christening. Cash Point won by 1/2l and clocked 2.09.4 and was also nominated as the best turned out horse:

 https://www.facebook.com/sue.seale.77/videos/1610102669248144/

Chinatown Kolt wins the Wales & West Pacing Series and £400 prize money

The big race of the day was next up and was part of the Wales & West Pacing Series with £400 going to the winner. The betting suggested it was between the 5yo horse Chinatown Kolt and the 8yo Rhyds Artist and that is how it finished with the Glenys Jones owned Chinatown Kolt, trained and driven by Mike Evans winning by a length in a thrilling finish in a time of 2.05.3 The Robert Vaughan trained Rhyd N Write finished third.

Win treble for Lee Morris

The top driver's honours went to Lee Morris for a winning treble on Ystwyth Valley in the first race race the Kitty and Bernard Nock Memorial Members Handicap. This race was kindly sponsored by Maureen Westwood in memory of her parents. Lee then won again on the same horse in the Saunders Dragon L Grade Pace before winning the Happy 85th Birthday Chris Roberts Grade 3 to 5.

Special thanks to Sarah Thomas

We were particularly pleased to meet Sarah Thomas (Vice Chair of the SHRC). We have enjoyed reading her blogs on harness racing especially as we share many of her views on the sport. She had been at Tir Prince on Saturday night before coming to this Allensmore meeting. We asked her of her thoughts regarding the day, she told us: “There was some good finishes, competitive races and as ever, a relaxed feeling at Allensmore. Stella and her team cannot be faulted for the efforts they make in trying to broadcast the sport, but in that part of the country I believe there to be a lot of competition from other events which impacts on the crowds coming to Allensmore.”

Good luck to Blue Desperado and Matthew Staples

The Racing Horse was pleased to meet Matthew Staples from Leominster who had only just purchased Blue Desperado a week ago and then saw him win his qualifier. We wish him much success in the future.

Other thanks...

It was great to chat to Rachel Sydenham and Sarah Allen and we hope to do a piece on Sarah's driving style in the near future. Our thanks also to Bret Strickland and Martin Roberts who shared some of their thoughts on harness racing in an attempt to give us a clearer understanding/insight to the sport.

There is one more fixture at Allensmore this season on Sunday 9 August 2015. For more information including results and fixtures check out the British Harness Racing Club:

http://www.bhrc.org.uk/racing/

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