DIARY – HUNTINGDON – SUNDAY 02 NOVEMBER 2008
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It was my plan to set out at 10:45 today, so I
got up quite early and did my clothes washing before I went. However, after finally adjusting the clock
in my car – just a week late, I noticed the oil warning light was on, so that
was topped up before I left home. It
was therefore 11:15 by the time my journey began. I joined the A1(M)
heading north, and encountered fog near Stevenage, the fog warning signs on the
motorway were on. There was even a
little sunshine a bit further north too.
The journey went well and I arrived at around 12:20. The driveway to the racecourse was in its
usual wet and pitted state – my poor car – and the field parking area was
muddy too. Having bought a ticket, I
went to the kiosk to buy a race-card and was surprised when the lady
recognised me. And I’ve only been to Huntingdon 5 times, although admittedly
4 times in the past month! I noticed
Brendan Powell chatting to a couple of people to my right. I went around to the Parade Ring and sat down on
a bench to read my race-card. The
first race was at 13:15 but, although early, the horses soon started to
appear in the paddock. After sitting
for a while I decided to go to my favourite viewing spot, to the right-hand
side of the Winners’ Enclosure to await the arrival of the jockeys. When Choc’s
mount, Quidonc, was being saddled, one of the
owners went over to the saddling box to stroke the horse to keep it
calm. Choc was the first jockey into
the Ring, as he would be later in the day too. He was first out onto the
course, and galloped down to the start at the end of the back straight. I had positioned myself by the rails, a few
metres past the winning post. When the race got underway Choc started off on
the inside in third place, but had eased back to 6th place as they galloped up
the home straight on the first circuit.
He moved up into second at the end of the back straight and gave
encouraging slaps as they turned for home.
Although in 2nd place over the last, he lost that and finished third. Shoreacres
trained by Brendan Powell won by a number of lengths. I returned to the Winners’ Enclosure to see
Choc return and unsaddle. The second race was a steeplechase won by
Ours. I thought the horse stood out in
the paddock so should not have been surprised that it won. The open-ditch in front of the stands and
the water jump were omitted today due to false ground on the landing sides. The 3rd race was a Novices’ Hurdle where Choc’s ride was Lake Legend. The horse sweated up, and
took a keen hold. Choc eased him back into mid-field, then the horse was shaken
up down the back straight last time, going third as he entered the final
straight. There were three in a line
at last flight. Choc then went on to win by 1ľ lengths.
He came back and unsaddled in the
Winners’ Enclosure. As he crossed the grass heading for the Weighing Room he
stopped to sign autographs for a couple of young lads. All the horses came into the Parade Ring for the
next race except Choc’s mount, Georgian King. He
was taken through the gates to be saddled outside, away from his fellow
competitors. When he came back, and the jockeys had mounted, we then had some
unexpected excitement. Orphelin Collonges,
ridden by Tom O’Brien started to buck, so Tom drove him forward but he then
bolted into the Parade Ring railings.
Tom remained on board, despite the damage inflicted to the railings,
and the horse then turned and bolted at full gallop towards the exit,
scattering owners and trainers. It then veered off to the right as though
heading for the wall, at which point Tom decided it was best to depart and
exited by the side door. The horse slammed
on its brakes before reaching the wall and was quickly caught. Whilst all the excitement took place, Choc was in
the Winners’ Enclosure section of the paddock and escaped trouble, having
gone for an unexpected additional circuit of the ring. Orphelin Collonges, who was unharmed following his antics, still
took part in the race, although he was still playing up on his way to the
start. When the race began, Choc was in last place at
the first fence, but then went 4th.
The horse made a few mistakes before his undercarriage failed at the 3rd
last. Choc remained in the saddle as Georgian King hit the ground but was
unshipped as his mount rose to its feet.
He had tight hold of the reins so the horse was unable to gallop off,
so Choc remounted and cantered back. The race was won by Hold Em ridden by Richard Johnson. I returned to the Parade Ring and caught
sight of Choc, accompanied by Alan, returning to the Weighing Room. A short
hair moment ensued, as Choc had removed his helmet. I noticed Barry Geraghty
was a little lame as he returned. Richard Johnson signed autographs for the
young lads as he returned to the Weighing Room too. Choc was due to ride in the last race but, as
Richard Johnson’s original mount had been withdrawn, Choc was replaced by him
on Bolton Hall. There were a number of
non-runners in this race. There was a charity race at the end of the card,
but I decided it was time to go home so I returned to my car. As I was hungry I ate a bag of crisps
before setting off at 16:40 to drive home.
The traffic was very easy today, especially when compared to last
Wednesday. I reached home at 17:30. |
