Pembridge produces an excellent day of racing

10:10am Friday 1st August 2008

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THE sun blazed down on Pembridge Show Harness Races under BHRC rules, and the carnival atmosphere proved that these small, grass-roots fixtures are as vital as the major meetings.

Maesmynis driver David Bevan had plenty to smile about, partnering a smart double and several placed horses.

Ithon Dafydd, owned by David’s father Michael nimbly handled the turning track to lose his maiden tag, while Graham Hammonds’ Just William cruised clear to record his second consecutive victory in the Grade 4 Pace.

Julian Price sat tight on Ithon Cracker’s sulky when he stumbled in the second division of the maiden and he became the second son of local stallion, Stoneriggs JR, to visit the winner’s circle following a convincing performance.

Lord Lipsey, who has done so much to promote the sport, looked as if he was going to get his reward with Victory Angel making all in the Grade 2 pace, but Aberconwy (Roy Wilson) just spoiled the script close to home with a rousing challenge.

Ironically, the fastest time of the day was clocked in the Non-Winners race where Ystwyth Rebel scorched out the gate with Leominster reinsman Patrick Morris and held the advantage. Trefor Morgans’ gelding recorded a time two seconds faster than the top grade race which fell to the consistent Leicester raider, Imperial Majesty, driven by Martin Till.

Joss Edwards from North Wales was the only other raider on the card and he made his trip worthwhile when Not So Hasty hung on to take the Grades 2 & 3 Pace.

But it was the Consolation event that had the crowd hollering.

‘Danger Man’ Alan Westwood was trailing 30 yards with his wife’s home-bred Justin St George and stalked the opposition until sweeping past in the home straight for a popular win.

Next meeting: Leominster Sunday 2 pm.

RESULTS GOING: Firm. ALL RACES OVER 1 MILE.

NON-WINNERS PACE. GRADES 4-5: 1 Ystwyth Rebel (Patrick Morris ); 2 Young Man (Gareth Price) 10 yds; 3 Slipalongtravaskus (Sarah Mould) 2:8.9. 4L, 1L. Owned & trained by Trefor Morgans, Aberystwyth.

GRADE 0 PACE. DIV 1: 1 Ithon Dafydd (David Bevan); 2 Have A Go (Mark Pritchard); 3 Mardi Hanover (Julian Price) 2:16.3. 4L, 1L. Owned by Michael Bevan, trained by David Bevan, Maesmynis.

GRADE 0 PACE. DIV 2: 1 Ithon Cracker (Julian Price); 2 Wellfield Kiwi Fruit (Trevor Knott); 3 Dido (Sarah Mould) 2:10.7. 10L, 12L. Owned by Brynfawr Racing Stables; trained by Heather Hardwick, Brnfawr.

GRADE 1 PACE: 1 Aberconwy (Roy Wilson); 2 Victory Angel (Lord Lipsey); 3 Rough Diamond (David Bevan). 2:14.9. 3/4L, 2L. Owned & trained by Helen Barrett, Powys.

GRADES 2 & 3 PACE: 1 Not So Hasty (Joss Edwards) 10 yds; 2 Springfield Disraeli (David Bevan); 3 Stallone’s Fancy (Patrick Morris) 2:11.1. 1L, 1/2L. Owned by Robert Webster, trained by Joss Edwards, North Wales.

GRADE 4 PACE: 1 Just William (David Bevan); 2 Rebelwood (Shane Eggerton); 3 Beachway Baby (Sarah Mould) 2:13.2. 3L, 3L. Owned & trained by Graham Hammonds, Hundred House.

GRADES 5-8 PACE: 1 Imperial Majesty (Martin Till) 10 yds; 2 Grannell Shane (Tudor Jones); 3 Magical UK (David Bevan) 30 yds. 2:10.5. 1L, 3L. Owned & trained by J A Till, Leicester.

CONSOLATION PACE FOR GRADES 0-3: 1 Justin St. George (Alan Westwood); 2 Indiana Scot (David Bevan); 3 Dido (Sarah Mould) 2:14.7. 1L, 1/2L. Owned by Maureen Westwood, trained Alan Westwood, Rowley Regis.