Posted: Mon Jul 13, 2009 8:40 pm Post subject: Ffos Las opening meeting
Newport, Cardiff, Swansea, Bridgend, Neath, Port Talbot, Llanelli just some of the names that registered as we passed several road signs en route to virtually the end of the M4 before breakfast in Llanelli en route to the much trumpeted Ffos Las racecourse. After a look round a giant retail park and a short diversion to our overnight stop at Cross Hands in order to put on our glad rags Mrs DG and I headed down the Gwendraeth valley towards Carmarthen Bay where the gleaming white grandstand could be seen in the distance. There’s an old superstition about backing the horse in the first horsebox you see en route to the races and a couple of miles away we came up behind Jonjo’s horsebox, Sea Wall it must be then.
Turning in at the racecourse roundabout we are directed all the way up by stewards keen to look obliging and after a ticket inspection on the road (!) directed into the car park. There’s a stiff breeze blowing which will be in the horses’ faces up the home straight.
In we go then and in front of us is a sculpture called Spirit of the Race by Chris Crane. The forging tongs from the horses’ legs came from a chap who had them made during his apprenticeship in the coal industry, (the racecourse is built on the site of a 650 acre open cast mine) and parts of the eyes are formed from scaffolding clamps.
To the right are portaloos and a few tents and stalls selling food and Pims and Champagne. Nice looking display of bowls of fruit at £3 per bowl of either strawberries, cherries, pineapple or melon.To the left behind the main stand is a stage where a jazz band called Women in Jazz are entertaining the crowd.
Moving on in a splendid looking parade ring is in front of us
Whilst to the right is the weighing room and owners and trainers
As we move round to the front of the main stand, named the Jonathan Davies Stand, after the Welsh rugby player who was born nearby and who was later to open it The Ascot Gold Cup is on the big screen
The course is flat, left handed and with good viewing and with 21 bookies pitched up.
Come the first race and the first to weigh out and be in the ring is Peter Bowens’s Ballyvesey
Soon to be joined by the favourite Nicky Henderson’s Ffos Las Diamond owned by Dai Walters’ Company who built the racecourse
The meeting is well supported by the Irish, this is Older and Wise from Oliver McKiernan’s stable
The ring is filling up now
And the jockeys are in and mounting up, keen to make a bit of history by riding the first winner
Ffos Las Diamond and The Champ
Flexi Time and Richard Johnson
Ballygulleen and Harry Skelton
And eventual winner Donal Fahy on Plunkett ( wonder if Alice backed it) from the Evan Williams yard
Winner Turf War trained by Michael Hourigan and ridden by a good little claimer A P Heskin coming in to the winner’s enclosure
Staying beside the parade ring for Race 3 and this is Bantry Bere from the Twiston Davies yard
Which Pocket from the Brendan Powell yard
Sea Wall, yes must back him, twas him in that horsebox
Brendan Powell to Jimmy McCarthy “Remind me how that Irish dancing thingy goes again”
“Like this guvnor”
Horse to Jimmy “We’ll never win this race if you’re p*ssing about like that, I’m ashamed to show my face”, meanwhile behind NTD’s head lad Fergal O Brien gives instructions to Paddy Brennan on Bantry Bere
Field mulling round before the start, which unusually is by the winning post right in front of the stand
Off to put the DG fortunes on Sea Wall and result never in doubt as horse leads all the way
Meanwhile a lady who’s been watching Royal Ascot has attempted a bit of DIY
After McCoy’s third win, the course executive are to be congratulated on their foresight in naming one of the bars
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Join! (free) 
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
