Sunday 31 August 2009
The Jersey Race Club’s final meeting of the 2009 season took place yesterday afternoon saw trainers Alyson Malzard and Vicki Lucas have two winners each with the latter landing the seasons top handicap with High Octave.
The feature race of the afternoon The Clarendon Handicap sponsored by Charles Le Quesne (1956) Limited saw ten runners go to post. Sans Sa Dame who had won his last four races was sent off the clear favourite and together with Pole Star ensured a strong pace from the start, whilst Pole Star dropped away tamely three furlongs from home Sans Sa Dame led the field into the home straight but was soon passed by High Octave who under a patient ride from Mattie Batchelor made his race winning move eventually passing the post two lengths clear of Crystal Reign with Garden Party a further length behind in third.
The opening race of the afternoon was The See You Next Season Handicap Hurdle, Tanikos led the field of four until he surrendered his lead at the penultimate hurdle to both Khuzdar and Silver Silence with the Alyson Malzard trained Khuzdar out jumping Silver Silence over the last to obstacles to finish five lengths ahead of his main rival with Tanikos a further three lengths back in third.
Malzard completed her double on the card in the next race The S G Hambros Handicap when Grenane was produced with a well timed challenge by jockey Jemma Marshall getting the six year olds head in front just prior to the finishing line to deny Secret Assassin by a short head with Buckie Massa two lengths back in third. This was the third race of the season for the S G Hambros Championship Series and despite never being able to get into the race on ground that would be much quicker than she would enjoy eventually finishing well down the field, the Lavender Racing Club owned Wall Street Runner took the series together with the £1,000 prize money awarded to the horse gaining most points over the three race series for the second successive season.
The Glory Bee Joan May Memorial Handicap sponsored by Joan Le Brocq is restricted to horses that have not saluted the judge during the season, this went to the “Honest Nev” owned Fine the World ridden by Rob Kirk and appropriately trained by the race sponsor. Kirk took over the lead from stablemate Robinzal as the field passed the furlong marker to hold off a late challenge from Top Pursuit by three quarters of a length with Robinzal two lengths back in third. This race produced bumper payouts on the tote as the winner paid 16/1 compared to the bookmaker’s odds of 6/1 and those with the foresight to predict the forecast collected £105.10 for their £1 stake.
The season’s finale was The Animal Trust Handicap run over five furlongs, sprint races at Les Landes frequently produce tardy starts however there was no hard luck stories yesterday as the whole field got off to a level break and as the field made the home turn, and in a driving finish it was Top Level who got the better of Toggle by a length and half with the English raider Talamahana a head away in third. The first two are not only both trained by Vicki Lucas but also have the same owners and by virtue of landing this one two The Stirling Partnership won The Joan Valerie May Trophy which is awarded to the owner who wins most prize money throughout the season.
After racing trophies for the various championships were presented the Eileen Le Q Amy Memorial Perpetual Trophy for the Channel Islands Racehorse of the Year went to the Stephen Arthur trained and Des Ahier owned eight year old Silver Silence. The trainer’s championship which saw both Joan Le Brocq and Alyson Malzard still in contention for the title as the field were sent off for the last race was won by Le Brocq with twelve wins. The male jockey’s title was won by Tony Procter having ridden fourteen winners with Kylie Manser taking the ladies title with six victories.
Sunday 16th August 2009
Pleasant weather and a bumper crowd attended Ladies Day. This penultimate meeting of the season saw numerous human fillies, mares and veterans competing for the Best Dressed Lady, the Most Outstanding Hat and the Best Dressed Young Person. Lots of prizes and champagne were handed out by David Gainsborough Roberts, who presented and judged, ably assisted by his Marilyn Monroe look-alike Susie Kennedy along with Carly Lockart and Oscar Puffin. The feature event was sponsored by RBS Coutts and Ladbrokes ( Channel Islands ) Ltd. Sponsored the other four races. IFM Trust generously sponsored best turned out in each race.
The feature event, The RBS Coutts sponsored handicap was for horses of limited ability. Jane Edgar and Johnny Mercier’s gelding Cronkyvoddy is now an 8 year old and prior to this season his best performance was a dead heat in a very low level race a few years ago. He is now a veteran in flat racing terms but did win a low level event in July. Today the Alyson Malzard trained runner came with a well timed late run, appropriately today ridden by female UK jockey Kylie Manser, to beat the female pair of the gallant old mare Snow Lark and Amy Baker. Top Pursuit, who had run in France 24 hours earlier was third. The trophy was presented by His Excellency The Lt Governor of Jersey and Mrs Andrew Ridgeway.
The first event on the card was a handicap hurdle and three went to post. Tanikos tried to lead from the start and as they came to the final hurdle, the Stephen Arthur trained Silver Silence was upside for jockey Proctor and owner Des Ahier. He made the slightly better jump at the last and went on to a half length victory. Tanikos, better known as a steeplechaser, will probably try to win a little race in France.
The second race saw another close finish with the quirky Majestical at last getting up in the final few strides for Ron Vibert and his Manor Farm Racing syndicate. This was yet another win for the Arthur/Proctor team. The nice three year old filly La Verte Rue finished a neck away in second with Secret Assassin half a length back in third.
Race number four saw Kylie Manser and Alyson Malzard clock up a four timer for the Stead/Guiton/Amy partnership with Sans Sa Dame.. He quite easily disposed of the gallant top weight Buckie Massa and the fast finishing High Octave, who were one and a half lengths in arrears in a dead heat for second.
The final event, The Ladbrokes Celebrity Football Bet Handicap saw the Joan Le Brocq trained Derby winner Carr Hall of 2007 drop to a wining weight and ably assisted by Vince Slattery, he disposed of his stable-mate Crystal Reign by one and a half lengths, with Garden Party back in third. The winner paid15/2 on the tote, the biggest outsider of the day.
On a day when there were few if any hard luck stories, most of the winners were quietly fancied and punters had a good day out.
Sunday 2nd August 2009
Whilst the Jersey Derby is far removed from its English and French equivalent’s this year’s renewal which was run at Les Landes yesterday sponsored by Brady & Gallagher Ltd in front of a bumper crowd produced the type of thrilling finish which its more prestigious counterparts would be envious of.
Prior to the race all the focus had been on the well vented credentials of Acropolis, however the Sadler’s Wells six year old appears not to be suited by the tight left handed turns of the local track and finished a never nearer fourth. As for the race itself as expected Koka Fast who was chasing the second leg of the local triple crown put the early pace to the race and remained in pole position until the field turned for home when Tony Proctor made what proved to be a race winning challenge on Stephan Arthur trained and Poynton & Morton owned Danehill Dazzler up the stands side of the track eventually holding off the late challenge of fast finishing Wall Street Runner by a head with Koka Fast half a length back in third.
The afternoon’s events started off with a conditional hurdle which was restricted to horses that had not won more than one hurdle race. Once again the race featured a runner who has competed at the highest level in the UK, as the Alyson Malzard trained Tanikos has run no less than three times at the most prestigious of jump racing meetings the Cheltenham Festival when trained on the mainland by Nick Henderson. These days the ten year has his eyes set on much lesser events as was the case in the Robin Rumboll sponsored Presidents Party Intermediate Hurdle. A confirmed front runner and out and out stayer meant that jockey Adam Jones took the eventual winner into an early lead in order to put the jumping of some of his lesser experienced rivals to task, and although being headed by High Octave as the pair jumped the final hurdle Tanikos rallied on the run in to see off the challenge by half a length with Robinzal twelve lengths adrift in third.
The Entwhistle’s of Gorey Fish and Chips Handicap ran over five furlongs saw one of the best weight carrying and courageous performances seen at Les Landes for many years as High Voltage made it a hat trick of successes over the minimum distance this year. The Joan Le Brocq trained and Vince Slattery ridden seven year old has now carried top weight of 10st 12lbs in all three wins this season and whilst on each occasion he has appeared to have just got home he continues to get the better of his well weighted rivals. Yesterday he held off the late challenge of Top Pursuit by the shortest of short heads despite giving his closest pursuer no less than two stone with Toggle a further six lengths back in third. High Voltage has been a revelation since winning over the minimum distance at the August Bank Holiday meeting last season and if he can win at the corresponding meeting this season he will be completing a five timer. Those who had the wisdom to predict the first two home on the Race Club tote forecast were rewarded with a handsome payout of ninety pound fifty pence for their one pound stake.
The sprint was not the only race to provide racegoers with the opportunity to swell their funds by getting the forecast up as trainer Alyson Malzard completed a double on the card when outsider La Verte Rue under the guidance of Amy Baker sprang a surprise in The Supporters Handicap holding off the challenge of Secret Assassin by a head, which resulted in the forecast paying a handsome two hundred and thirty eight ponds seventy pence. Buckie Massa was unable to complete a double on the afternoon for his Jersey Derby winning owners Messer’s Poynton & Morton as he finished a length back in third. The start of this race once again was delayed by the antics of Mobus Wan who after being the cause of a false start at the first time of trying eventually planted himself refusing to race as the rest of the field was sent on their way.
Final race of the afternoon The Les Landes Handicap run over one and three quarter miles sponsored by Anthony & Sandra Taylor who had already tasted success during the afternoon as owners due to the victories of both Tanikos and La Verte Rue, saw jockey Emmett Stack display a text book copy display of front running on Crystal Reign as when the starter sent the field on its way he found himself at the front of the field by default due to none of his rivals wanting to make the running, as the field went past the post for the first time Stack slowly wound up the pace to poach a twelve length lead by the three pole and despite his rivals giving chase cruise to the afternoons easiest win coming home twelve lengths in front of Snow Lark who finished a head in front of English raider Hassadin.
Ther are just two fixtures left on this year’s Race Club calendar the first of which is on Sunday 16th August which is the annual Ladies Day fixture
Sunday 19th July 2009
Koka Fast win in The Corbiere Phare Restaurant & Apartments sponsored Champion Hurdle was the highlight of a treble on the afternoon’s card for trainer Alyson Malzard.
Despite finishing second behind Silver Silence in three handicap hurdle races prior to yesterday’s Champion Hurdle, Koka Fast was sent off as the 5/4 favourite for this level weight contest. Having been taken into an early lead by jockey Adam Jones, Koka never saw another rival and had all his rivals in trouble well before the home straight, eventually coming home fifteen lengths in front of Silver Silence with Pole Star five lengths further back in third, with veteran Off Minor running a disappointing race back in fourth. The Race Club’s decision to run The Champion Hurdle as the last race on the card was innovative but the 45 minute break between the last two races did seem too long and if racegoers opinions carry any weight and the club wish to run the hurdle race as the last event on the card, the time gap between races must be reduced.
The prize money for the first two races on the afternoon’s card had been raised at the previous evenings Summer Ball and both carried the same race title, those who arranged and attended the previous evenings function need to be applauded for their efforts at a time when sponsorship is at a premium.
The mile and a half Summer Ball Handicap saw Sans Sa Dame provide Malzard with her first winner of the afternoon in a race that saw the stable fill the first three places, leading from pillar to post despite being pressed by 2007 Jersey Derby winner Carr Hall until the field turned for home rider Kylie Manser had enough in hand to hold off late challenges by stablemate’s The West Awake and Khuzdar by a head and half a length respectively
The second race on the card to benefit from the previous evenings fund raising event was run over nine furlongs and saw Top Level come with a well timed late challenge under Amy Baker who produced her charge late in the final furlong to get the better of long time leader Mobus Wan by a length and a half with Garden Party a further three and a half lengths back in third.
The other two races on the card saw two gambles fail to pay dividends, firstly in The Bloodstock Advisory Services Handicap as the well backed Majestical after being the cause of two false starts just failed to land the odds as he was just held off in a driving finish by the afternoons second p[pillar to post winner High Voltage failing to land the odds by half a length with Toggle two lengths back in third.
Second gamble on the card saw Top Pursuit fail to hold off the challenge of Grenane who was completing trainer Malzard’s treble. Top Pursuit looked as if he had made a race winning burst as the field headed towards the furlong marker, but jockey Tony Proctor produced Grenane with a late challenge to win going away by two lengths with the veteran Snow Lark running a fine race at what would be too short a distance four lengths back in third.
As a result of the afternoons proceedings the race for the Champion Trainer look set to go to the wire as Joan Le Brocq leads on nine winners one clear of Stephen Arthur and Vicki Lucas and three clear of Alyson Malzard. Tony Proctor leads the Jockeys Championship four clear of Emmet Stack.
Next meeting on Sunday August 2nd sees the running of the Jersey Derby with the first race due off at 2:30pm
Saturday 4th July 2009
The Jersey Race Club experimented with their first ever Saturday evening meeting and whilst their initiative failed to attract a large crowd those who did attend were rewarded with five close finishes with lady jockey Kylie Manser riding a double for trainer Alyson Malzard as the stable’s runners gave notice that after a quiet start to the season they are starting to find their form.
The first race on the card was the George & Leonora Handicap Hurdle sponsored by The Sullivan Trust saw the Des Ahier owned and Stephen Arthur trained Silver Silence complete a hat trick of wins over hurdles this season. Koka Fast who has now also completed a hat trick over the jumps this season (albeit an unwanted three times second) took up the lead from flag fall and whist easily seeing off the stands side challenge of Groomsman between the last two flights he was joined on the far side by the eventual winner as the pair jumped the last and although Adam Jones’s mount kept on gamely the odds on favourite passed the post half a length in front. The question is how much has Silver Silence improved as attempts complete a four timer when meeting his opponents at level weights having been the recipient of weight in the past, will he win? The form book suggests that without further improvement both Koka Fast and Anemix (who was a non runner on this occasion) both have his measure, however it might be worth staying on the side of the improver as the eight year old once again won with a little bit in hand, another interesting contender at the entry stage is Pole Star who has yet to threaten the judge on the flat, however with eight hurdles to negotiate he could well spring a surprise. Incidentally the Race Club break with tradition at the next meeting as instead of being the first race on the card, The C I Champion Hurdle will bring events to a conclusion.
Next race on the card was for The Grosnez Handicap, and saw the much awaited but belated Les Landes debut of the 2004 “Arc” fourth Acropolis, whilst being fair to say that his form has tailed off since competing at such heady heights, it was disappointing to see the derogatory comments in the race card pointings, as the introduction of this type of horse provides Jersey racing with renewed interest for the local racegoer. As for the race itself Acropolis only beat one home but will no doubt strip much fitter next time out. Sans Sa Dame led from pillar to post under a confident ride from Kylie Manser and although it appeared that her mount was going to be engulfed on either flank by Off Minor and Carr Hall as the field passed the furlong marker the six year old stayed on well enough not only to see off these two rivals off but also to withhold the late challenge of High Octave who sprouted wings in the closing stages and failed to repeat his success of last year in this event by a neck.
The following race saw the Joan Le Brocq trained Flighty Fellow succeed where High Octave had failed, as he landed the corresponding Trainers and Owners Handicap over one mile and a furlong for the second year in succession. As expected the headstrong Mobus Wan made the early running under Adam Jones and as the four runner field turned for home he appeared to have most to fear from his stablemate King Kenny and odds on favourite Danehill Dazzler, however having seen off both their efforts he failed to find an answer to the late burst of the eventual winner who under a forceful ride by Vince Slattery who got his charge up to win by the shortest of short heads in a thrilling finish.
Pre race betting for the fourth race of the evening The Epwell Handicap sponsored by the Bennett Family suggested that it was a case of who would finish second to odds on favourite Grenane, however as is often the case these “Good Things” fail to justify such support as was the case this time round as Grenane finished a never nearer fifth just under three lengths behind the Mattie Batchelor ridden Toggle who held off the late challenge of Nathan Cook on Fast Freddie by a short head with the ever consistent Secret Assassin a length back in third.
Final race of the evening once again saw another close finish together with a steward’s enquiry as Cronkyvoddy came with a late challenge which started up the centre of the track but under a right handed drive the eight year old hung left and drifted across her three closet rivals to eventually pass the post scraping the far side rail a length ahead of Lord of the Wing with Top Level three quarters of a length in third. The resultant enquiry found that the winner had not caused sufficient interference to his rivals and confirmed jockey Manser and trainer Malzard had completed doubles on the night and that despite finishing second on a number of occasions Cronkyvoddy’s connections were visiting the winners enclosure for the first time since their charge had dead heated with Top Pursuit in the Glory Bee Handicap way back in August 2006. As expected with a large field lining up there was problems as the field set off, Top Pursuit, Snow Lark and Countrywide Pride all gave their rivals a huge advantage by tardy starts, eye catching was Countrywide Pride missing the start for the second meeting is succession and when taking into consideration his owner/trainer pilot put up a colossal thirty pound overweight! The eleven year old should not be discounted when competing in races over a mile and two furlongs without the burden of overweight.
As previously mentioned next meeting features the CI Champion Hurdle which could provide local racing with the most enthralling local jumps race for many years should all the main protagonists turn up, this is to be held on Sunday 19th July with a 2:30pm start.
Friday 19 June 2009
Last season’s champion trainer Alyson Malzard visited the winners enclosure for the first time during this campaign last night.
Malzard after a string of close calls, eventually got off the mark with Sans Sa Dame winning the second race at the first of this season’s evening meetings.
The Jersey Race Club’s evening meetings are often plagued by inclement weather that deter racegoers and disappoint corporate sponsors however last night’s well supported meeting was held in ideal weather conditions which showed off one of the UK’s most beautiful racecourses in all its scenic splendour.
Feature race of the evening The L’Etacq Handicap over the minimum distance of five furlongs was won for the second year in succession by the Joan Le Brocq trained High Voltage. According to the betting the seven year old was the least likely winner out of the stables two runners as Secret Assassin was sent off the hot favourite, but after being set alight at the start by jockey Vince Slattery the winner never got a glimpse of his rivals as he led from pillar to post, eventually finishing two lengths in front of a never nearer Fast Freddie with Toggle a further length back in third. Punters who chose to back this winner on the tote where rewarded with odds of five to one which was over double the odds offered by the bookmakers.
The evenings opening race, the Les Landes Handicap Hurdle which was won by the much improved Silver Silence. This race run over two and a quarter miles is the longest race on the Race Club’s calendar, so it was no surprise to see Mattie Batchelor take up the early running on out and out stayer Tanikos, however as the four runners turned for home the eventual winner took up the running and eased to a comfortable six length success under pilot Tony Proctor from Koka Fast. Disappointment of the was Anemix who never got competitive, although his shrewd connections will no doubt have him fully primed for another tilt at the CI Champion Hurdle.
In the second race Malzard trained Sans Sa Dame led the field from flag fall and although it appeared that the six year old was going to engulfed by the rest of the field turning for home he found an extra gear under pilot Kylie Manser to come home the length winner from race favourite Danehill Dazzler with Khuzdar four lengths away in third.
The Plantagenet Handicap also looked as if it was going to be a case of a pillar to post victory, this time for Mobus Wan, as Adam Jones appeared to have the rest of the field hard at work well before the final turn, however Rob Kirk aboard the Guernsey trained Garden Party produced his mount with a well timed challenge to get his nose in front on the line, with Grenane a further two and a half lengths back in third.
The final race of the evening which had been unable to attract any commercial sponsorship saw the well backed Vicki Lucas trained Top Level ease to the nights most comfortable success. Under the guidance of Mattie Batchelor Top Level won by six lengths from Nordic Affair with Cronkyvoddy running his best race of the season a couple of lengths back in third. The running of veteran Countrywide Pride in this race should be totally ignored as he whipped round at the start giving the remainder of the field at least a twelve length start which meant that he enjoyed a racecourse gallop rather than a race.
The second of this seasons evening meeting see the Race Club stage their first Saturday meeting for many years on the 4th July starting at 17:30, however once again it appears that the card is going to be lacking in corporate support. The Race Club would no doubt welcome contact from would be sponsors, as if local racing is to thrive it needs support from local companies, and judged on last night’s serene surroundings there cannot be a better local sporting venue to entertain staff and clients alike.
7 June 2009
Inclement late morning weather resulted in a sparse crowd attending yesterday’s race meeting at Les Landes, however those hardy racegoers were rewarded with a dry but windy afternoons sport which saw all five races end in tight finishes
Feature race of the afternoon, The Warwick Vase, which the Jersey Race club had to dig into their coffers to sponsor, was won by the Des Ahier owned veteran Catcando, taken into an early lead by Jockey Tony Proctor the eleven year old was never headed and although as the field turned for home it appeared that the long time leader was about to be swamped, jockey Proctor asked his charge for another effort and Catcando gamely dug in and passed the post a length in front of Khuzdar with Sans Sa Dame another length and a half back in third. This was the longest trip that the winner has ever won over and formed the middle leg of an afternoons treble for the winning rider and trainer Stephen Arthur.
The combinations first winner came in the opening race The ED Group Maiden Hurdle sponsored by The Crawford Family. The Joan Le Brocq trained Wall Street Runner who had won at both Les Landes meetings this season was sent off the warm favourite and according to the betting only had to jump round to win. Stratn Jack who had been responsible for a false start at the first attempt took a strong hold as the race got off at the second time of asking and although putting in some sketchy jumps managed to complete one circuit of the course before running out as he approached the third last crashing through the wing of the hurdle and then through the running rail eventually finding himself on the inner training track. Stratn Jack’s dramatic departure left the favourite in the lead until just after the final hurdle when she was joined by Nordic Affair who passed the post a neck ahead of Wall Street Runner with High Octave only a head away in third.
Trainer Arthur and Jockey Proctor completed their treble when another of the stables stalwarts Off Minor won The Grosnez Handicap generously sponsored by Europa Capital Partners. The twelve year old held off late challengers from Koka Fast and Groomsman to display that although advancing in years he still has the appetite for the game.
Europa Capital Partners has also kindly sponsored the second race on the afternoons card The Europa Handicap and once again this proved to be a close finish as Emmet Stack come through on the rails on Secret Assassin to get the better of Buckie Massa by a length with the runner up’s stable companion Highland Flight two and a half lengths back in third. Jockey Adam Jones who had survived the antics of Stratn Jack in the afternoon hurdle saw his afternoon get even worse as Mobus Wan charged the tapes as the field lined up at the first attempt to start and then displayed his the mulish side of his temperament before finally being withdrawn.
The Crawford Family also sponsored two events on the card the second of which was The ED Group Handicap won by the Vicki Lucas trained Top Level under the guidance of Mattie Batchelor by a length and a half from favourite Silver Silence the front two having drawn six lengths clear of Lord of the Wing.
The Channel Island racing season reaches its halfway point of the season at the next meeting which is the first of this year’s evening race cards on Friday 19th June with Joan Le Brocq and Stephen Arthur sharing the lead in the trainer’s championship with six wins a piece, whilst last season’s leading trainer Alyson Malzard still awaits her first visit to the winners enclosure this season. In the race for the Jockeys title Tony Proctors three winners on the afternoon now gives him the lead with five winners one ahead of Emmett Stack.
May 25 2009
The Channel Island equine fraternity returned to the more familiar surroundings of the anti clockwise track Les Landes following the annual excursion to the sharp right handed course at L’Ancresse in Guernsey last month, with the feature race seeing trainer Stephen Arthur and jockey Tony Procter complete doubles on the afternoon’s card.
The Jersey Guineas is traditionally the feature race at the Jersey Race second meeting of the season and this year sponsored by the Hemmings family provided the large bank holiday crowd with a thrilling finish as Danehill Dazzler get the best of Catcando in a driving finish. Turning for home it appeared the eventual runner up had the rest of the field hard at work as the runners turned for home; however Danehill Dazzler who was sent off the 5/4 favourite finally got up on the line under the strong driving from stable Jockey Tony Proctor to see off his veteran stablemate by half a length. The third placed King Kenny ran an eye catching race as he appeared to be outpaced in the early stages of the race but stayed on well to finish just five lengths behind the main contenders but seven lengths ahead of the rest of the field, when taking into account that he would of been receiving over a stone in weight from the front two King Kenny looks to be a winner in waiting.
This completed an on the card double for Arthur and Procter as the combination who had taken the winning honours in the opening race gained a facile victory in the three runner Straight Schweppes Hurdle sponsored by Mrs Cynthia Rumboll. The “race” eventually getting started eventually in earnest after the three runner field had sauntered over the first quarter mile of the race, this played into the hands of Silver Silence as his two rivals appeared to need a true test of stamina, so it was unsurprising the eventual winner out sprinted his two rivals over the last two furlongs to win by four lengths from Anemix with out and out stayer Tanikos the same distance away in third.
Sandwiched in between the Arthur/ Proctor double was an unexpected win for the Vicki Lucas trained Toggle in the Hemmings family sponsored Rumsey Handicap. After seeing off two rivals in what appeared to be an uncompetitive three runner affair over a mile at the Easter meeting the Emmet Stack ridden five year old made late progress under a forceful ride over the minimum distance of five furlongs to see off Les Landes debutant Fast Freddie by a length with another of Stephen Arthur’s veterans Highland Flight two and a half lengths back in third. The Sterling Partnership owned five year old has shown improved form in his race this season and it would appear that he could run up a sequence of victories as he is still lowly rated.
The final two races on the card provided back to back wins for trainer Joan Le Brocq who has started this season in unfashionably fine form , most punters had her 2007 Jersey Derby winner Carr Hall down as the afternoons “banker” on the card” in the Geoffrey Edwards Memorial Handicap, but after making stealthy headway halfway through the race the favourites challenge went out like a light and it was left to stablemate under the guidance of stable jockey Wall Street Runner to see off the challenge of the Aly Malzard pair of Sans Sa Dame and Khuzdar by one length and a head respectively
Le Brocq’s second winner of the afternoon in the was once again won by what appeared to be the stable second string in the Cynthia Rumboll sponsored “Windsor House Stakes as the Le Brocq Boys owned Crystal Reign stayed on under strong pressure from jockey Emmett Stack to hang on gamely from his fast finishing stable companion Lord Of The Wing by a length with Top Level a further length and a half back in third.
Racing at Les Landes continues this season on Sunday June 7th with a 2:30 start.
Easter Monday 2009
A large Bank Holiday crowd enjoyed a sunny start to the Jersey Race Club’s 2009 season with the S G Hambros Handicap providing drama prior to the start and after the finish of the afternoons feature race.
As is traditional the season started with The IRB Memorial Handicap Hurdle race sponsored by Peter & Judy Bailey, the declared field of four was reduced to three following the withdrawal of the only Sarnian entrant last year’s CI champion hurdler Anemix due to lameness. In his absence the reigning champion race Koka Fast was sent off an odds on favourite, but favourite backers where tearing up their tickets as the three contestants approached two out, this was where Tevere under the guidance of jockey Vince Slattery took control of the race and eventually finished eight lengths clear of the favourite with the veteran Off Minor bringing up the tail twelve lengths behind.
The Channel Islands Racing and Hunt Club sponsored the second race on the card which saw out and out stayer Tanikos make the early pace of the race but with two furlongs to run bottom weight Lord of the
wing made his effort, however if jockey Vince Slattery would of had the aid of wing mirrors he would of seen Tony Procter sitting just behind taking a strong hold on his mount, and when Procter asked Silver Silence to quicken the race was over within a couple of strides with the pair eventually finishing a cosy four lengths clear of Lord Of The Wing with Tanikos ten lengths adrift in third.
The afternoons feature race sponsored by S G Hambros was sandwiched by two most unfortunate events as prior to the race the Race Club’s computerised tote system went up in smoke meaning that bets taken on the race had to be refunded and the Race Club missing out on much needed income due to not being able to take tote bets on the last three races. The second incident saw jockey Phil Varley took a nasty looking fall due to his saddle slipping as the field raced past the finishing post; fortunately the rider appears to have just been shaken after being taken to hospital as a precaution. Sandwiched in between these incidents the race itself saw the Joan Le Brocq trained Wall Street Runner win this event for the second year in succession under Emmett Stack, having taken up the running in the home straight from long time leader and stablemate Crystal Reign to win by six lengths from High Octave with Khuzdar a further two lengths back in third. Once again S G Hambros are sponsoring a three race series during this season which was one last year by The Lavender Racing Club’s Wall Street Runner and the seven year old mare has given early notice that she intends to keep her title.
Racing was delayed by thirty minutes as a result of Varley’s accident but eventually three went to post for the Robin Rumboll sponsored Historic Handicap outsider and bottom weight Stratn Jack made the running but two furlongs from home stable mate Perfect Portrait took command and looked destined for his first victory since the corresponding race in 2006, however Toggle who had appeared to have thrown his winning chances away by hanging towards the stands side rail found wings inside the last hundred yards to take the race by a head to give trainer Vicki Lucas and jockey Tony Proctor a double on the afternoon
Final race of the afternoon The On-Course Bookmakers Plate saw trainer Joan Le Brocq and jockey Emmett Stack complete a double on the card when Secret Assassin past the post two lengths ahead of Mobus Wan with the Le Brocq trained Flighty Fellow a further three lengths back in third.
Local racing enthusiasts have a six week wait until the next meeting at Les Landes which will be held on Monday 25th May, however prior to then the annual Guernsey meeting takes place at L’Ancresse on Monday 4th May.