Wales, UK – The Crock Of Gold Final was staged at Tir Prince on Saturday night. Persistent rainfall in the days leading up to the night meant that the track was wet but definitely fit to race and the sea breeze on the night meant that it dried out with every race that passed.
The first winner of the night was Rockin Mambo for Marc Jones the son of Rocknroll Hanover put the race to bed with a race winning move in the back straight. This three year old possesses serious ability and will be back in the winners enclosure very soon based on this performance. Wellfield Ginger ran into second with Rhyds Ideal staying on for third. Race Time 2.04.8 Distances 6 Lengths and 3 Lengths.
Race two was son by Sacha Of Carless the French Trotter made it two out of two under an excellent drive from Steve Lee's. This geldings head movement is a little unorthodox but he trots lovely and won this by five and a half lengths from Totem Turgot in second and Salvado Bello in third. Time 2.41.5 (1.25 Miles) Distances 5 1/2 Lengths and 5 Lengths
Race three was The Stagbi Mares Open Preferred Handicap and Shades Of Grey cemented her place as the top mare in the country with a superb performance to win by four lengths from ATM in second and Desert Rose in third.
The Cam Best mare ran flat here last time but trainer Teresa Haythornwaite admitted that she needs a bit of time between her races and they had been guilty of going to the well too often. Her short layoff had certainly done her the world of good as she was terrific and once she made her move in the back straight there was only ever going to be one winner. Time 2.03.1 Distances 4 Lengths and a 6 Lengths
Race four was taken by Articulation Hall in her first start for Joanne Cairns. Driver Andrew had to get fairly serious with the daughter of Well Said but she got the job done to win by a length from Ystwyth Valley in second and Elysium Thunder in third. Time 2.05.2 Distances 1 Length and 1 Length
Race five was taken by Sire Pazenais under the stewardship of Paul Mather Junior after a great battle down the straight with Titan De Prelong. Very Cornulaillaise stayed on for third from a twenty yard trail. Time 2.41.6 ( 1.25 Miles) Distances 1 Length and 1 1/2 Lengths
Race six was the Junior Free For All and Ayr Regal took advantage of his number one draw to land the spoils from Fool Around in second. Rhys Evans had kicked for home on Fool Around but Richard Haythornwaite had the move covered producing Ayr Regal in the straight to go on and win by a length and a half. Blue Incredible stayed on for third. Time 2.02.1 Distances 1 1/2 Lengths and 4 1/2 Lengths.
Race seven was the Stobarts Four Year Old Championship and Coalford Tetrick was all the rage in the betting ring beforehand coming into this on the back of a very impressive win in Ireland. Steve Lees went straight to the from his number two draw but was soon taken on for the lead by Frisco Frisk.
Going into the stable bend for the second time Rocker Laidler made his move on Mikey Camden and once he got to the front he never looked like getting beat. This was a very impressive performance by the four year old son of Cam Luck and he could be another horse who joins the Free For All ranks in the future. Time 2.00.7 distances 3 1/2 Lengths and 3 1/2 Lengths.
Race eight was the big one and the atmosphere was electric before the race. Porterstown Road is a superb horse when allowed to lead and once he led from the three hole he was always going to take some passing.
He hit the half in 1.00.3 and the three quarter pole in 1.30.2 all that was left was for him to come home but as he turned around the sea bend he seemed to be emptying and Lyons Mischief and Stoneriggs Mystery were on the charge.
It was Lyons Mischief who came out of the pack and he was closing with every step but Porterstown Road showed his class and courage to hold on by a head to take the prize. Time 2.00.2 Distances Head and 4 Lengths
by Eric Witherspoon, for Tir Prince Raceway