20 December 2011 Report: South Midlands Area Club Report - Whitfield
by Andrew Norman
Briery Star - Whitfield Winner
The South Midlands Area Club at Whitfield became a marathon ten-race card as 102 horses, desperate to run before Christmas, descended on the Northamptonshire circuit. The meeting defeated a sharp overnight frost with the aid of covers on all take-offs, landings and vulnerable sections of the course. Although officially 'good, good to soft in places', the ground became increasingly testing throughout the afternoon.
The most impressive winner of the day was Palypso De Creek, who gave Claire Hart every reason for excitement, after running away with the AGA Ladies Open by 30 lengths. Having been beaten into third place by the same margin on his pointing debut at Barbury, this victory showed his renewed assurance and fitness.
He jumped impeccably and kicked well clear of his rivals when asked. Hart, who rides and trains the eight-year-old, says she is taking it one step at a time: "It's all been about getting his confidence back. He fell in the Grand National then he fell in a chase six months later, lost all his confidence and went down the pan under rules. Charlie Longsdon trained him previously and asked if I would like him as a pointer as the owner didn't want to let him go. I jumped at the chance as I thought if I get him right he might be my chance of a spin round Cheltenham in the Foxhunters. He hasn't touched a proper gallop in the whole time I've had him as it's all been about keeping him sweet and loving life - I'm thrilled he's come right so soon. At Barbury he was a gentleman but today he ran away with me and was completely in control. He's relished the lifestyle of hunting and pointing and just being a pet really - the main thing is for him to be happy. I'm so excited - it's been such a challenge and it hasn't sunk in that he's won a race so impressively. I'm a very, very lucky girl."
The next stage of the dream is to win another Open, where Hart will be hoping to secure a win on similarly soft ground. If that goes to plan, a hunter chase campaign will surely beckon.
Von Origny, ridden by novice Derek Smith, was the surprise 20/1 winner of the Men's Open, holding off the much fancied Shouldhavehadthat by half a length. The ten-year-old, who failed to get his head in front last campaign, gave a much improved display in what was his first run since joining Cheshire trainer Richard Edwards. "We've done different types of training with him to get him sweetened up including plenty of hill work. We'll have three going to Chaddesley next week" Edwards said.
Punters following the form line from the first South Midlands Area meeting of the season two weeks ago will have delighted in 5 of the 10 races at Whitfield being won by horses that had appeared at Barbury. The first, Nobby Kivambo, profited from a typical front running ride under Mark Wall to secure a ten length victory in the first part of Maiden division one. Frequently placed over hurdles in the last couple of years, the six-year-old was considerably quicker than anything else on the day and gives Gary Hanmer's What A Laugh a considerable form boost. Owner/trainer Jason Warner said "I haven't had a pointer for years so I thought he'd be a fun horse for the season. We'll try and win a restricted then go for a novice hunter chase. He stays forever so possibly over an extended 3 miles."
The second part of the first division went to Rich Live, trained just five miles away at Steane by Annie Connell. Ridden out by jockey Richard Spencer, Connell has trained the six-year-old for two years, running him in hurdle races under rules and he took to fences at the first time of asking.
Mark Wall secured a double as odds-on favourite Where's My Slave took the second division of the Maiden after holding off a late rally from As It Is. Making his racecourse debut, the runner-up definitely looks one to watch next time. Michael Hawker, the owner/trainer of the winner said: "She didn't jump as well as at Barbury [when second to Pretty Penny]. I think she was a bit unsure of the ground today. Whether she will progress on I don't know - she made hard work of that. Let's keep our fingers crossed! I bought her as a replacement for Sheknowsyouknow, who hasn't got anywhere else to go really."
Jack Savage rode his first winner in just his second race ride aboard Bright Decision, staying on well to deny Son of Swallow by a neck in division three. Third in the 2m4f maiden at Barbury two weeks ago, the five-year-old was clearly suited to the step up to three miles. Owner/trainer Jo Davis said, "He's a very talented horse but under rules last year was probably too early for him. Jack's been with me since he was fourteen. I'm so proud; it means more to me than any other winner. He deserves it."
Seventeen-year-old Savage looks to have a promising future: "I'm hoping to turn conditional eventually. Hopefully I can get some hunter chase experience this year as an amateur to prove myself. I used to ride ponies and got the buzz then. The first time I schooled for Jo I was hooked. I'm there full-time now."
Jack's The Lad, a fourth season pointer previously unsuccessful in 8 attempts between the flags, bypassed its maiden and made every post a winning one, going on to take division one of the Restricted. This gave Ryan Hatch his first point-to-point winner, despite riding two recent winners under rules. Owner/trainer Alice Reader explained the decision to run in restricted company: "We bypassed a maiden as he likes to dominate and there can be so much carnage at the first couple of fences. He progressed well last season but seemed to need the run at Barbury. I think he runs best going again quickly after his last."
The second division went to Direct Line, who made up for jockey Evan David and trainer David Brace's disappointment earlier in the day with Son of Swallow. The six-year-old won by only two lengths but hinted he is the type to progress through the ranks. He became the first horse to win two races this season. David Brace gave his thoughts on possible future plans for the horse: "Last year in Ireland he was a bit of a baby mentally but now he's gaining in confidence. He would have gone round again according to Evan. We might take him to the Dunraven Bowl (a novice hunter's chase sponsored by the window company that Brace founded in 1979) - I've never won it! He'll be one to pencil in to have a go. Ask The Thatcher [who was second to Southwestern at Wadebridge last weekend] is another one I could aim for Chepstow. I've got about 20 in this time so I think I'll be clocking up the mileage! You have to come to these great courses; we'll have runners at Chaddesley next."
Whitfield specialist Doctor Kingsley outstayed Miss Lightning to record his third course success in the Intermediate. The triumph handed Will Telfer, the area's leading male jockey last season, his first points of the campaign. Sarah-Jayne Davies's runner-up should have no trouble scoring in a similar event elsewhere but defeat is no option for Doug and Pauline Harkin's nine-year-old at this circuit. "He loves it round here. He's a bit of a monkey at home but responds to kindness. He just needs that extra bit of TLC!" trainer Pauline said.
Last season's leading mare in the South Midlands Area Briery Star was victorious in the Club Members Conditions after being given a fine ride by Sam Davies-Thomas. With three still in with a chance as they jumped the final fence, Sylvia Edmunds's eight-year-old battled stoutly up the run-in to record a third straight win at the track. "She's such a game little mare, you could run her every week - she'd love it. Sam's been schooling her and I'm delighted with their partnership after Jamie [Goss] has gone travelling" Edmunds said. Marcus Foley and Sam Painting maintained their leads in the area's trainer and jockey standings respectively as Heathyards Flyer ran into second place.
