Detling 14th March 2009 Pony Racing Report

A full field of ten went to post for the 138cms and under Open race. Quickly away was Izzie Marshall on Rio and Martin Otway on Springcroft Red Admiral. These two were quickly joined in the lead by Charlie Marshall on Ninfield Millionaires Delight who took up the running as they streamed past the open ditch. George Crate on his new ride, Little Chick, was also soon up with them, together with Molly and Alice Walsh riding Goldsborough Moonlight Mist and Newoak Azaro respectively. Frankie Penford on Red Cedar and Jordan Peerless on Oaklands Rocket raced a little behind this leading group. Violet having her first run was content to travel at a steadier pace under Jade Clarke and raced at the rear of the field together with Oliver Beswick on Tilly. As they reached the half way mark, Charlie and George had opened up a useful advantage over the rest of the field and there was little to separate the two of them as they turned for home. Goldsborough Moonlight Mist was in hot pursuit of these two and a tiring Rio also went with them. Charlie managed to maintain a length advantage over George as they reached the line giving him his second win in two starts on this pony. Molly piloted Goldsborough Moonlight Mist into third place only two lengths adrift to claim the best placed Novice Riders prize and Izzie managed to keep Rio in touch to claim fourth prize. The highest placed maiden pony prize was taken by Little Chick on his impressive debut run. The best placed Hunting/PC pony was awarded to Alice Walsh on Newoak Azaro who finished 5th. Race time: 2.02 min

Seven runners contested the 148cms and under race and a blistering pace was set from the start. Royton (Stewart Wright) was the early pace setter and going with him were Elliot Pickering (having his debut ride on O B One), George Gorman on Flash IV and Ozzie Wedmore on Fleeting Image. Freddie Mitchell once again held onto Tennants Super in the early stage, who was content to settle at the rear of the field with Charlotte Cheesman on Kylemore Shiloh. As the field galloped past the open ditch, George Crate set sail from mid division to take up the running on a hard pulling Fritzz. Towards the bottom corner, the softer going started to take its toll on some of the early leaders and Royton and Fleeting Image dropped off the pace a little here. Fritzz looked full of running at the head of affairs but as they turned the final corner the pony ran wide and off the course leaving Tennants Super in the lead, half a length up on OB One. In one of the most exciting finishes seen this season, and displaying some riding skills that most professional jockeys would be proud of, Elliot and Freddie were locked together all the way up the finishing straight with George Gorman in hot pursuit. It was down to the judges at the line – O B One prevailed by a length, with George Gorman some lengths down in third and Stewart in fourth. Highest placed maiden pony went to the victorious O B One, Novice Riders prize went to George Gorman and Fleeting Image was awarded the best placed Hunting/PC Pony. Race time: 1.59 min