2022 First Meeting
The first meeting of the local trotting season was held on Saturday in glorious sunshine on the all-weather track at Tairgwaith near Ammanford. The enthusiastic crowd enjoyed some good racing, with everyone enjoying a ‘catch up’ after the long months of winter.
The afternoon began with the nursery race which is for the beginners in the sport, however the three entries were obviously well schooled as they took on the challenge of the fast track. They provided a good race with an exciting finish, perhaps the experience of Andrew Hardwick in the seat was decisive for the winner Red Regal owned by Dave Sargeant from Llandrindod Wells who claimed a narrow victory, while the places could only be sorted with the use of the camera, second was Richard Staples from Merthyr with his own Dernol Ebony while Liam Middleton, Newbridge on his horse Carrie on Fred was third.
Four novice horses lined up for the next race with a spread of handicap of twenty yards. They all had strong credentials, the back marker Beg for Mercy shot into the lead on the first corner, and led until the final corner, when the others swarmed up the home straight, with the camera again being crucial to declare the winner. This was Luminite driven by Jonny James for his partner Elizabeth Collingwood, from Huntington, this is a lovely mare out of the superb race mare Bon Bethan while Lawless (Elder, Blaencelyn) was inches away in second and Afanbellsprincess and Oliver Jones from Cribyn was third.
In the Grade B the talented Alibis Dream driven by Oliver (OJ) Jones for owner trainer Sam Lloyd from Gladestry had pole position and they were able to dictate the race from the front, so securing probably the most comfortable win of the day. Halfpenny owned by long-time supporter Ken Lloyd from New Radnor was second with Blythview JJ (Pike, Merthyr) in third.
The Baby Novice race was the next on the card, the back markers were a little too anxious at the start which led to disqualifications, but it was still an interesting race, Bethany another daughter for the renowned Bon Bethan, adding to the illustrious dam’s reputation with a progeny win. She is homebred, owned and trained by the Weigel family from Llanddewi Velfrey and driven by Janet Thomas. Close behind in second was Fold Allstar owned by (Lorna Bird, Evenjobb) while Steve Lloyd from Painscastle with G G Rogue was third.
The final race of the day was the Grade A, these are the champions of the sport, again Oliver (OJ) Jones from Evenjobb had pole position this time on the in-laws’ little mare, Second Affair. They made the most of that position and although they were challenged Second Affair (Perks, Presteigne) claimed victory from Dernol Yankee (Wozencraft, Llangurig) with Lakeside Pan (Elder, New Quay) in third. OJ enjoying a notable double of wins on the day.
Next week the racing is again at Tairgwaith, on Saturday May 21st starting at 1.30pm, as the season continues each week throughout the season.
Detailed Results
Race 1 - Nursery | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Position | Horse Name | Handicap | Prize | |
1 | Red Regal | Gate | £0 | |
2 | Dernol Ebony | Gate | £0 | |
3 | Carrie On Fred | Gate | £0 | |
Time: 2.099 | ||||
Race 2 - Novice | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Position | Horse Name | Handicap | Prize | |
1 | Luminite | Gate | £120 | |
2 | Lawless | 10 | £40 | |
3 | Afanbellsprincess | 10 | £25 | |
4 | Beg For Mercy | 20 | £0 | |
Time: 2.051 | ||||
Race 3 - Grade B | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Position | Horse Name | Handicap | Prize | |
1 | Alibis Dream | Gate | £200 | |
2 | Half Penny | Gate | £50 | |
3 | Blytheview JJ | Gate | £30 | |
4 | Lakeview Meg | 10 | £0 | |
5 | Llwyns Mercy | Gate | £0 | |
Time: 2.085 | ||||
Race 4 - Baby Novice | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Position | Horse Name | Handicap | Prize | |
1 | Bethany | 10 | £100 | |
2 | Fold Allstar | Gate | £30 | |
3 | GG Rogue | 10 | £20 | |
DQ | Blackfield Okydoky | 20 | £0 | |
DQ | Immortal Storm | 20 | £0 | |
DQ | Lanehouse Girl | 20 | £0 | |
Time: 2.087 | ||||
Race 5 - Grade A | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Position | Horse Name | Handicap | Prize | |
1 | Second Affair | Gate | £250 | |
2 | Dernol Yankee | 10 | £50 | |
3 | Lakeside Pan | 30 | £30 | |
4 | Ontop Shouder Cuda | 60 | £0 | |
Time: 2.039 | ||||