WARWICK 10TH AUGUST
2002
By
Claire Taylor
MARK
SMALLMAN MAKES HIS RETURN TO RACING A WINNING ONE AT WARWICK
Warwick, 10th
August, was the only evening meeting for the Arab Horse Society
racing this season. Heavy showers during the day and previous
evening meant the going was soft, however no more rain fell and
race goers were able to enjoy a pleasant evening of competitive
racing.
The first
race, an Open Maiden, went to a grey stallion making his racecourse
debut. Owner/trainer Mark Smallman and his wife Claire bred Horizon
after winning a stallion nomination to Sambist through the AHS
raffle several years ago. Looking very frisky in the paddock Horizon
obviously had a lot to learn about racing, and the benefit of
having an experienced jockey on board soon became apparent as
the race developed. Cassariah jumped off well to make the early
running with Princess Eos, while Horizon dwelt at the start and
lost a few lengths on the others, and then got squeezed for room
on the home turn when making a forward run, despite these set
backs, jockey Mark Alston kept his horse balanced and produced
him in the home straight to just do enough to beat Benha and John
Crofts by a short head. Mark Smallman was thrilled to bits with
his winner and explained that the jockey had started riding the
horse out at home when Mark had gone touring in Ireland with his
band the Rolling Clones; being an ex-thoroughbred jockey, Mark
Alston thought that Horizon had a bit of ability and was keen
to race him. Coincidentally the first prize included a Stallion
nomination kindly donated by Jenny Lees of Pearl Island Arabians.
Jockey John
Crofts was able to celebrate after the third race when Debbie
Crothers’ Just Taurean won by 6 lengths with a short head separating
second and third. Island Benedict had set off to make the running
and was soon challenged for the lead by Sakit Sura, these two
pulled away at a very fast pace which allowed the winner and second,
Drongo, to pick them off in the final furlong.
Sugar Dandy
maintained his form by winning the Crabmill Anglo/Part Bred Stakes
by a comfortable 12 lengths from Chiloe with Spring Harmony 2
lengths behind in third. Spring Psalm had set off to make the
running while Carolyn Green had her horse travelling well into
the final bend where she took up the running and only needed to
push Sugar Dandy out with hands and heels. Connections must be
very proud of their horse who has run at every meeting so far
this season and finished in the first two each time, including
three wins.
Jockey Phil
Collington and trainer Jenny Candlish enjoyed a double with Inspector
Morse and WFA Leopard. In the Secret Mission AA/PB Open Stakes
Phil made most of the running on the winner to finish ahead of
Jenny Peyton’s Hardtoback, better known as a sprinter jockey Rob
Woollard held up ‘Harry’ to get the trip who came with a fine
run to take second. There was disappointment for connections and
some punters as the favourite, Pride Of James, had whipped around
at the start and was effectively out of the race.
The final
race of the evening was a very competitive sprint with several
previous winners amongst the ten-runner line up, including Ibn
Munir, Floriferouz and Island Rover. Pierre Deymonaz set off very
quickly on Floriferouz closely followed by Sam Morris on Island
Rover who was always travelling well on the soft ground and went
ahead in the final furlong to finish 1½ lengths the better of
Floriferouz with Ibn Munir in third.