18 December 2009 Preview: Harkaway Club - Chaddesley Corbett
by Pete Mansell
Lady Dudley Cup winner DISTANT THUNDER: heads an impressive Mens Open field
photo: David Dew
The Harkaway Club's decision to apply for a December date has paid dividends with Secretary Corinne Swarbrick receiving 238 entries for their meeting on Monday 28th December.
With such a large number of entries (more than the combined total for the Cambridge Harriers (124) and the South Devon Hunts (92)) the start time has been bought forward to 11am to allow for anticipated divisions. Top class racing is assured so a crisp winters day and a good crowd would be the icing on the cake.
The Conditions race sets the standard for the rest of the meeting where Elgar from Zoe Hammond's Abberley stable and Burntoakboy from Dr Richard Newland's stable at Claines near Worcester will be battling it out with Bon Accord and Just Talking for the honours.
In the Restricted Enville trainer Diana Williams will be hoping to put last year's cough ravaged season behind her and Egmont Heights or Pillbox will be carrying her hopes. New Series won at Eyton in 2009 for Alison Dare while Premier Buck ran well for a long way at Cottenham recently.
Isle of Skye is progressing in the right direction, while Hanley Swan trainer Andy Hobbs won last year's race and will be keen to repeat that success with Ben Ryan. Leading West Midland trainer Julie Houldey is still waiting for her first winner of the 2009/10 campaign so all eyes will be on Big Bird, who disappeared after her solitary success at Barbury in January.
The Ladies Open has attracted the Welsh flying machine Chesnut Annie who won 10 races last season, although easier opportunities lie in wait for her at Lydstep a few days later. Conicavel is an interesting entry as she won a hurdle race in France as a 3-year-old and not many 4-year-olds run in Ladies Races.
Himbleton trainer Angela Rucker holds the key to this race as she can choose between Cedrus Libani (a Cottenham winner before Christmas), Honest Endeavour (who won last year's equivalent race) and Petit Lord. The stable selection is bound to run well but may have to give best to Snowtre from Helen Needham's Kidderminster yard.
Dick Baimbridge used to have a stranglehold in these types of events but his power base has been undermined, although Skyhawk has won two races for the Berkeley trainer and must be one for the short list.
The 36 entries for the Mens Open include last year's Dudley Cup winner Distant Thunder, who may have to face up to challenges from the aforementioned Cedrus Libani and Burntoakboy. Irilut has been a regular winner over this course in the past, while Wickford and Worship the Stars add their weight to an already competitive field.
Mister Banjo's appearances are few and far between but he has to be feared wherever and whenever he runs and he could provide young Jack Sherwood with yet another winner.
Sherwood steered Posh Dude to victory at Cottenham recently and they could reappear in the Intermediate where they could face Sweden, Maranach and also Ice Cool Benny, who won three races in 2009.
With 44 entries for the Non Rules Maiden and another 33 in the other Maiden divisions on the day have to be a distinct possibility.
Entrance is £10 per person, with under 16s admitted free of charge. Racecards are £3.00 each, or £5.00 for two.
