REVIEW CAMARTHENSHIRE ERW LON SUNDAY 16 MARCH 2003 by Alison Morris |
After a day
at Howick, which was frustrating and enjoyable in equal measures, we
decided to leave the talented but soooo temperamental grey git at home and
go west for a day in the sunshine. It’s a rare thing, a dry and warm day
at Erw Lon in March and it was best to make the most of it. The crowd
was probably not as large as the organisers would have liked, too much
money lost the previous day by the race going public I should think, but
the hardy annuals were there. A quick stroll across the course found Roger
Wilcox by the beer tent, Rowley Miles in the enclosure and John Nick
studying form at the paddock side; the Hughes family had sent a delegation
to worry the bookies and so the scene was set. The first
race was won by Hywel Evans and Jack Cade; who had the unenviable task of
finishing alone, this was made doubly difficult as the horse had obviously
burst a blood vessel at some stage and Hywel had to be very gentle in his
handling to bring him back in one piece. The Mens
open was the first of three races in which Dai Jones would be sick of the
sight of Tim Vaughan and the first of four in which he would have to
settle for second best. PowerNGlory, wearing blinkers for what I believe I
am correct in saying was the first time, saw off the challenge of Dawn’s
Cognac in a tight finish. He weighed in as favourite, but I’m sure my
pound didn’t knock his price of four to one down that much so someone
somewhere was a happy man! Timmy led
the procession again in the Intermediate, this time with the free running
Noaff, another for John Moore, and saw off DS again who was substituting
for the still sore Steve Blackwell on Reefer Dancer. The Ladies
open went to that lovely old horse Oscail An Doras, beautifully ridden by
Emily Jones. Hilary Miles now has part shares in a silver polish company,
or so she tells me! Bethan Williams had a nasty looking flying lesson from
Market Springer at the last but will doubtless be back for more this
weekend. Not happy
with handing the winners spot over to any one else for more than one race
Tim Vaughan took it back on Johnny’s Gone in the restricted, from guess
who? Yes you have it Dai Jones and Books Way. The three
maiden races were split according to age and the first division of the
youngsters races went to Itsallupintheair and Amanda Meakins. Evan
Williams and Parisian View took the second division from Carw Lad and Dai
Jones (again!) Mark Lewis
took the older horse division with Home Again who set a strong pace on the
final circuit. With the Welsh season underway at last, we have plenty to look forward to with two meetings on the coming weekend and more dry sunny weather on the way. |