05 May 2009 Report: Modbury Harriers - Flete Park
Polly Gundry kicked home a four timer at Flete Park on Saturday where a record crowd enjoyed racing in glorious sunshine.
Audrey Goodwin's home bred Carrie On showed her liking for the course when following up her maiden success two weeks ago with an easy win in the Restricted. "I asked her to quicken two out and she did. She's a nice horse who needs good ground and we came to Flete for that," said Gundry. She added that the horse had come to her to train with a slight back problem. "She was very fat when we got her but as she's got thinner the problem seems to have sorted itself out."
All In The Stars provided owner Suzie Haywood with her first ever winner when landing the four mile Ladies' race under a well timed ride from Gundry. Double Honour had taken up the running with three fences to go and held the advantage approaching the last but was caught on the run-in by All In The Stars who pulled away to record a two length success. Gail Haywood, who trains the eleven-year-old for her aunt, said; "I promised I would be the first person who would train a winner for my aunt and I'm so pleased I have."
Karrot Kake had gone into plenty of notebooks after a promising debut run at Trebudannon where she finished second. She duly justified favouritism with a six length success in the 2m4f Maiden race. Graham Brown's home-bred five-year-old, a sister to Kave Girl and named after his wife Annie's cake making skills, was sent to Gundry and her partner Ed Walker to train three months ago. "They live on a farm just below ours and I have to say Polly is the absolute best. She seems to be able to sort out problems with horses no one else can do anything with." said Brown.
Kitley Hassle recorded his fourth win of the season, and put himself firmly in contention for the area's leading novice horse, when winning the Confined. Trained by Nikki Frost and bred by Josie Bastard on the nearby Kitley estate, the seven-year-old was a long odds-on favourite to win the race under Gundry. He did so in style, recording a four length win for owners Chris and Jane Brake.
Crazy Music got up in the dying strides in the Open Maiden to win by a head. Ridden by his owner/trainer Lucy Gardner, he showed real determination to win; sticking to his task to see off Road To Recovery who had led over the last. The home bred five-year-old had pulled up on his debut at Trebudannon, but Gardner explained he had learned from the experience. "He needed that run as he was very novicey. Also, the step up to three miles has helped him. He's a lovely horse, one of the nicest we have to hunt, and he's done everything properly."
Louise Rycroft kept up her good run of form, training her fourth winner from six runners, when Celtic Society won the Men's Open race. Ridden by her partner Ryan Bliss, the eight-year-old proved very moderate under Rules but was bought as a fun horse. "We bought him at Ascot last summer and he's been very uncomplicated and easy horse to do," said Bliss.
