Super Sunday
Last Sunday (18/08) turned out to be one of those brilliant days in racing that stays long in the memory, when the yard achieved its first ever “across the card” double with both Kildaven Spider & Forewarning winning at Southwell & Pontefract respectively.
Spider arrived in March from Ireland; the eight year old having been relatively lightly raced in bumpers and hurdles without winning, but nonetheless we felt she would be a fun horse for our Julia Brooke Racing Club gang to go racing with. She duly delivered a 2nd, 3rd & 4th place in her three runs over hurdles, always giving her very best but not managing getting her head in front.
Henry then schooled her over fences and she showed a real aptitude for the bigger obstacles, so an entry for her debut in the 3m, Novices’ Handicap Chase at Southwell was duly made.
With two non runners as the ground turned to good in the sunshine, Spider faced five rivals including a very well fancied favourite. She looked really well in the paddock beforehand and certainly appeared to catch many an eye from the huge crowd present on Ladies’ Day.
Henry had Spider nicely settled and allowed her plenty of room to see her fences, all of which she measured beautifully. He asked her to go close up at the 8th, led briefly at four out, and disputed 2nd place from the third last.
The pace quickened between the final two fences and Spider sustained her challenge from the last, battling on gamely to lead near the finish and win by a neck.
She got a brilliant reception coming into the Winners Enclosure where she was greeted by Racing Club member Caroline Murdoch – also looking beautifully turned out!
“I am a winner!!”
(photos courtesy of Tony Knapton)
No sooner had the Southwell team caught their breath when just 40 minutes later Forewarning was running in the 2m1f handicap at Pontefract, with many of the brilliant Ladsdoracing syndicate there to support him.
With Cam Hardie once again in the saddle, the 5yr old was held up at the rear of the field of seven until asked to make headway on the outside with 2f to go.
He was with the leaders 1f out and then ridden to challenge inside the final furlong. Cam timed the run to perfection & Forewarning stayed on really well to win by a comfortable 1/2 length.
Ladsdoracing know how to celebrate but there must also have been the echo of long distance support from Southwell heard over the tv monitors – such was the cheering coming from the Nottinghamshire track!
“I am a winner too!!”
(photos courtesy of Alan Wright – Official Photographers)
Note – a limited number of shares are still available in the Julia Brooke Racing Club. No initial buy in cost and just an all-inclusive fixed monthly fee, with a pro-rata share of all prize money. Please enquire via jb@juliabrookeracing.com or 07776 186581 for more details.
End
24/08/19