Record crowds flocked to Brocklesby Park on Saturday to witness the annual point- to- point races run on ground officially described as “good, good to soft in places”. From 92 entries 46 runners contested the 7-race card with highlights including a scintillating performance from Music Drive in the feature race, a double for jockey James King and an impressive debut from maiden winner Mooserwirt.
Music Drive lined up in the feature Baillie Haylage Mixed open race where, in the fastest time of the day; 6 minutes 13 the 8-year-old saw off his nearest pursuer the Bradley Gibbs trained Jet of Magic by 10 lengths. Music Drive and rider Ellie Callwood, let Jet Of Magic take command of proceedings early in the race before setting sail for home and to win decisively by a comfortable margin. “He will go straight to Cheltenham for the St James Palace Festival Champion Hunters Chase’’ confirmed winning trainer Kelly Morgan in the winner’s enclosure. Kelly is training a dozen pointers this season from her base in Leicestershire.
James King dominated the first hour of racing firstly with the widest margin winner of the day, Boss Man Fred in the opening Grimsby Roofing Services Brocklesby and Lincolnshire hunt members, subscribers and farmers race who put 15 lengths between himself and his two rivals. Boss Man Fred started a 1-6 favourite and totally outclassed his opponents despite Mike Dawson’s Drumlee Brexit’s attempts to defy over a year’s absence from the track. Jack Teal’s mount rallied in the final half mile but was no match for Boss Man Fred. Phil Lutman’s Kostantina and Clara Brewitt finished in third place. Mike Dawson collected a trophy from Lady Yarborough for owning the first locally owned and trained horse past the post.
King very much had things on his own terms once more in the Clark Weightman PPORA Members Conditions Race (Level 2) with Glenmount trained by Julie Wadland. The 7-year-old Court Cave gelding looks to be on the upgrade and beat nearest rival the Cherry Coward trained Red Opium, by 8 lengths. “He’s a nice progressive young horse and this track and ground have really suited him today but he wouldn’t want it any quicker; he’s a big horse”, said the delighted winning rider.
Clara Brewitt, who finished third in the opening members race and had the previous day been beaten just a length and a half in a Bangor hunter chase on Willewonga, gained compensation in the DDM Agriculture 8- year olds and over conditions race (Level 3) when Ocean Drifter outbattled Dale Peters and Wallace Olinger in the closing stages. “He likes a flat track and this course has suited him much better than Horseheath on his last start. It wasn’t the plan to be in front but I couldn’t really hold him and every time something came to his girths, he took off again.” commented the winning rider who did the steering for keeper Tom Britten and family.
The Brigg Office Supplies Restricted race promised on paper to be a competitive event and it did not disappoint. Favourite backers were in luck as it was market leader Mumbo Jumbo who came with a perfectly timed run approaching the last fence, relegating Cash or Card and Dale Peters to second place. Mumbo Jumbo was a seventeenth training winner of the season for trainer / rider Gina Andrews and prevailed by 2 lengths. “Mumbo Jumbo goes on wetter ground than this but gave me a much better feel on this surface. He is versatile trip wise, stays well and has a turn of foot. We shall aim for the Intermediate final as an end of season target.” she said.
The Jockey Club and Beal Homes sponsored the mares and fillies maiden race which was won by Nick Wright’s Salacia’s Storm. This victory brought about a change of luck for Wright who previously hadn’t enjoyed the best of times at Brocklesby and Huw Edward’s only other ride for him had been a faller. “She jumped and travelled well; they didn’t go a mad gallop and the good ground has suited her.” he said.
The closing Nunns Isuzu Ltd Maiden race saw the impressive 5- year old Mooserwirt quicken 10 lengths clear in decisive fashion for Jack Teal. Bought by Jack in partnership with Roger Marley for 34000 at Goffs as a 3-year-old, the Sholokhov gelding will head back to the sales now at Tattersalls Cheltenham. “He will go on softer ground but he has enjoyed this good ground today. I am really pleased with the way he has jumped the Brocklesby fences and he quickened away nicely.” explained Jack.