With the Breeders Cup UK & Ireland just a few days away, the racing action at Tir Prince was heated up this past Tuesday with the North Wales Owners Association 4YO Pace, the LeTrot Series and Crock Of Gold heat headlining the action packed program.
Here is the recap of the nine-race program.
Race 1 Saw nine maiden 2 year olds go to post and Patrick Kane led out with Springhill Glory he was taken on for the lead by Rhyds Voodoo and the pair clocked a very fast quarter of 30.7.
As they turned into the straight Shane Lee made a huge move on Boos Fury who had broken stride early on she got to the lead at the half and tried to pull away in the back straight but Patrick Kane had the move covered on Springhill Glory cruising up alongside the leader leaving Richard Haythornwaite trapped on the rail on Rhyds Voodoo. Voodoo was so full of running she tried to run over the top of the leader and broke stride putting paid to her chances.
Springhill Glory hit the front and quickly put the race to bed with Boos Fury staying on for second and Rhyds Rockstar running into third, the winning time was 2.08.4 and the distances were two lengths and a head.
Race 2 was a ten runner maiden and novice affair and Gassy T led out with a very sharp 30 second first quarter, Blytheview Peach was the first to come out of the pack to challenge and seemed to be making some headway in the back straight getting within a length of the leader.
At the three quarter pole Irish raider Triplicate showed a great turn of foot in making a bid for the front and striding away to win in a time of 2.04.9 with Rhyds Gem in second and Wellfield Ginger in third the distances were four lengths and half a length.
Race 3 was a Le Trot Race and Univers De Crennes led from start to finish to under a confident Jason Podmore drive when interviewed post race Podmore said "We knew if he led out he would take some catching"
He sure did! After a slow start to the season Podmore has now driven 5 winners in two weeks and is well and truly off the cold list! Vif Du Layon caught the eye running into second place off a twenty yard trail and Alza La Belle stayed on for third.
Race 4 was a conditions race for horses grade 1 to 4 without a win in their last five starts. Ystwyth Valley lead out comfortably and at the half it looked like it would win comfortably under a trademark Rocker Laidler front running drive but as they hit the three quarter pole the challengers were stacking up in behind and it was Oakview Duke under the drive who C Class Driver Catherine Lord who got up in the straight to win from AllAmericanBounty in second and Ystwyth Valley stayed on for third.
This was Catherine's first win in the sulky and massive congratulations are due for a fine drive well done Catherine.
Race 5 Was the last heat of The Crock Of Gold and the runners were vying for a place in The Northern Trading Cumbria Crock Of Gold Final which takes place on Saturday 20th August. Porterstown Chris drew one and led out of the gate he was pressed by Lyons Eryl Hall but would not give up the top spot for anything clocking the first quarter in 27.3 seconds and the half mile in 57.7 seconds!
Lyons Eryl Hall tried to make an impression on the leader as they went up the back straight but couldn't get any nearer than his tail as Porterstown Chris showed that he is a true free for all horse winning by five lengths in 1.57.5 with Lyons Eryl Hall staying on for second and Stoneriggs Mystery running into third and clocking the last half in 57 seconds after being drawn eight forced him to be taken to the back of the field.
Bath Lane also ran well in fourth place. The 20th August promises to be some race so don't miss out.
Race 6 Saw the closest finish of the night as Sam's Teatime sat parked out the whole trip eventually tackling long time leader Rhyds Merlin at the three quarter pole he was challenged in the straight by favourite Ayr Trooper they crossed the line together and there was a long delay in the winner being called as the stewards analysed the stills in the commentary box it transpired that Sam's Teatime on the inside had just held on by a nose.
The Apprentice came from a long way back to finish third in a great race. The time was 2.03.9 and the distances were a nose and one and a half lengths.
Race 7 Was on Open Preferred Handicap for Grade 5 to 8 horses and Lyons Mischief led from start to finish in a tough front running performance the son of Hasty Hall has been slightly disappointing since winning at Appleby in the Spring but bounced back to form here and never ever looked like being headed. Blue Incredible caught the eye running into second and Serrano Hall ran well enough in third.
Democrat broke at the start and never really featured. The time was 2.01.5 and the distances were 3 lengths and 1/2 a length.
Race 8 was the Mares division of The NWHOA 4 Year Old Championship and four runners went to post in a very open betting heat. Shaba Hanover led out from the one draw and was challenged by stable mate Articulation Hall but Steve Lees on Shaba was not interested in giving up the top spot and clocked 28.2 to the quarter and 59 seconds to the half!
As they reached the three quarter pole Articulation Hall tried to make her move again however it was Frisco Frisk coming three wide who swept passed them both to win by lengths in a time of 2.00.9 amazingly the other three runners crossed the line together resulting in a triple dead heat which has never been se en at the track before.
Race 9 was one of the most eagerly awaited races of the 2016 season as the top four year olds went to post in The North Wales Horse Owners Association.
Rewrite History led out clocking a 28 second first quarter he maintained his lead to the half and as they went into the back straight Lyons Premier tried to strike a blow on the leader but it was Sports Trick and Alan Haythornthwaite who came three wide to glide past the leader and quickly put good distance between himself and the rest of the field.
As he turned for home the result was never in doubt as this son of Sportswriter showed real class to put a quality field to the sword in a time of 1.59.
The performance was even more impressive given the fact that he was produced from the five draw! Mikey Camden was second and Rewrite History was back in third. The good news is that most of this field should be back again for The Stobart's 4 Year Old Championship on Saturday 20th August.
by Eric Witherspoon, for Tir Prince Raceway