19 April 2011 Preview: Vine & Craven - Hackwood Park
by Robin Gray
DAWN DISPLAY: Could help Philip York reach the top of the Gentlemens' Leading Rider board
photo: Christina McElhinney
A strong entry for racing at Hackwood Park on Monday ensures competitive racing on ground that is being watered.
The Mens Open race has 14 possible runners headed by last Sunday's Tweseldown walkover winner Cape Stormer. The evergreen 16-year-old, winner of 30 races, had finished second to Freddies Return the previous day and rider Marcus Gorman is certain the horse will improve for that run.
Cape Stormer will not have matters all his own way. Launde, who ran a super race in the Aintree Fox Hunters' until falling three fences from home, is a serious rival. Mount Benger, who unseated his rider in the same race, is a recent hunter chase winner and Strong Weld, who won here a month ago, has an obvious chance.
Philip York, who lies second on the national riders leaderboard, partners Launde once again and will ride his own Dawn Display in the Club Members Race. York has several other possible rides and it will be a rare occasion if he goes home without a winner.
Clerk of the course Bill Welling, who has upgraded this long established track in the last two years, will put substantial amounts of water on the racing surface on Thursday and again on Saturday, and also points out that there is fresh ground on both top and bottom turns with a good cover of grass.
First of six races is at 2.00pm, preceded by pony racing at 1.00.pm. Entrance for cars is on three levels at £40, £30 and £20, with a discount for single occupancy. Pedestrians are charged 5.00.
Hackwood Park is due south of Basingstoke adjacent to the M3 on the A339 - postcode: RG25 2JZ.
