14 April 2010 Preview: Dartmoor - Flete Park
by Lucy Johnson
Flete Park, a few miles east of Plymouth in the South Hams, is the glorious setting for Saturday's Point-to-Point, the first of two meetings staged at the location.
Six races are set to be staged at the track which is always popular with visitors who use the raceday as a rare opportunity to enjoy a day out in the stunning parkland.
With two pony races kicking off the card at 1pm, the Members race begins the main card at 2pm and with several winners entered it could be competitive. Clerk of the course and master of the Dartmoor Mike Weir has entered two recent Maiden winners - Miss Nosey and Freeze The Dream - who won at Upcott on Saturday; Wreford Lake was a winner at Great Trethew.
Glacial Call, like Wreford Lake trained by Nikki Frost, has won four of her six starts this season and was second on the other occasions and David Rogers' True Tara deserves a win this season after some consistent efforts.
The national championship title is within the grasp of Trainer/Rider Richard Woollacott and with plenty of decent horses from his yard entered at the meeting he could be booting home a winner or two. Maiden winners Will Scarlet and Therceccessionbeater are both entered in the Restricted and they could be up against Caroline Furse's My Nicole who won her Maiden at Great Trethew.
Come What Augustus has won four this season and Woollacott wil be bidding to make it five in the four mile Mens Open. Other entries include Double Honour and Minella Tipperary who are both ridden by the Hobbs sisters and the Frosts' Sporting Rebel.
Audrey Goodwin's home-bred Carrie On is a course specialist having won twice at Flete last year and she has an entry in the Ladies Open race. She's won twice this season. Kingsmill Lake and Walter De Wodeland are both course winners and their trainer Jackie Du Plessis is in great form.
Henri Prends Garde has won three this season and is another one for Woollacott in the Confined, Madame Noso looks the pick in the Intermediate having won twice this season and the Maiden race could go the way of Gorgeous Girl, who finished a promising third at Great Trethew.
The course is situated about two miles west of Modbury, Ivybridge and with plenty of trade stands, catering, a licensed bar and bookies as well as good viewing it's the perfect venue for a family day out. Entrance is £20 per car or £10 per car with one occupant.
