19 April 2011 Report: Worcestershire - Chaddesley Corbett
by Pete Mansell
SURENAGA - Lady Dudley Cup hero
photo: Jackie Oliver
Two local stables recorded successes at their home meeting at Chaddesley Corbett on Saturday afternoon, where the whole event was bathed in brilliant sunshine and a large crowd was treated to an exceptional days racing.
Martin Weston brought Johnny Kilawee from his stables at Hindlip on the outskirts of Worcester to contest the Members . Though the gelding lost about 10-lengths at the start and encountered further problems when losing his off hind shoe soon afterwards, he overcame this handicap and took up the running from Virginia Preuil on the home turn. Tom Weston's mount held a clear advantage at the penultimate, and whilst Virginia Preuil fought back gallantly on the flat, he was still one and a half lengths in arrears as they passed the judge.
The trainer went on to explain "we brought the horse privately in Ireland last autumn, but he seems to have an aversion to the tape flying back at the start, which explains why he lost ground here."
The winner carries the colours of a syndicate headed by Weston, with the other members comprising the father and son combination of Robin and William Woodhouse and Keith Webb.
Himbleton owner Katherine Smith Maxwell has an embarrasment of riches at the moment, with Double Mead and Rainbow Tree both qualified for the AGA Ladies Final at Cheltenham on 4th May. The latter earned his ticket with a hard fought victory over Lucky Nellerie after the two horses had been inseparable at the second from home and there was only a neck in it at the finish.
The Lady Dudley Cup is one of the sports most prestigious prizes and 2011 saw a worthy recipient in the Surenaga. Worcestershire representative Cedrus Libani led down the back straight, but Surenaga had made effortless progress to sit on the heels of the leader. The favourite started up the hill with a clear advantage and turned for home with an unassailable lead.
"I thought he had gone too soon, but the horse was going so easily and he obviously knew what he had in the tank," commented trainer Sally Randall after the race. Asked if she was worried about the distance of this race she replied "No - he always puts his best work in at the finish so the extra distance was a bonus".
Fergal O'Brien's stable has made up for lost time in recent weeks and the Naunton trainer teamed up with Sam Drinkwater to record a double with Creevytennant (Confined) and Plettenburg (Open Maiden).
"I wish we had gone for the Dudley Cup now," said O'Brien after the race. "I've been telling him that all week," replied his wife Jelly, to which O'Brien responded "but he likes to be up with the pace and we thought he would set it up for other horses in the Dudley Cup."
Plettenburg and Aim For The Stars had the race to themselves during the closing stages of the Open Maiden, but the winner's path to victory was eased when his rival departed at the last. Owner David Mason said afterwards "we brought the horse as a four-year-old at the Brightwells Sales at Cheltenham. I like my horses to gain experience in Point-to-Points before they race under Rules."
Richard Burton and the Ruckers looked as though they would gain compensation for Cedrus Libani's defeat in the Dudley Cup with Hall Kelly in the Restricted but his effort petered out in the home straight where Rob Jarrett and Rocalixjide swept past their floundering rival to claim victory, leaving the Burton representative in third.
