Despite the recent scorching temperatures, it was great to
see all 94 stables occupied at Worcester last week. Following measures introduced in similar heat
during 2015, including significant additional water available in all areas for
both the horses and racing staff plus additional veterinary cover, trainers and
owners are showing their confidence in running their horses at the course even
when the weather warms up. Added to
this, we have the benefit of being able to irrigate the track sufficiently to
produce safe ‘good’ ground.
Alcester trainer, Dan Skelton has been a big supporter of
Worcester again this year and indeed his four year-old Alcock and Brown has run
at the course three times in four weeks, posting a second and two wins. This has helped to propel his trainer into the
leading position in the Worcester trainer’s table this week.
Richard Johnson, celebrating his 39th birthday on
Thursday’s raceday made it one to remember by producing Noel Williams’
Authorized Too on the line to beat recent course winner, Destiny’s Gold and
give Williams his first winner from his new yard in Blewbury. Johnson leads Sam
Twiston-Davies by two points in the jockey’s table.
Claines trainer, Richard Newland is enjoying a successful
spell currently, and brought a large syndicate of owners from the Value Racing
Club to enjoy watching their horse Trafalgar Rock (pictured above) follow up his recent winning
debut over hurdles at Uttoxeter with a victory in the 2m 4f novice hurdle.
The racecourse is pleased to engage with a large number of
charities on a regular basis, helping to raise thousands of pounds every year
through activities at Pitchcroft. We
were therefore delighted to welcome Antony Lewis-Crosby to the course last week
who is visiting every racecourse in the UK and Ireland in alphabetical order to
raise funds for Cystic Fibrosis. The
challenge began in 2009 and will be completed at York on 4 September. Thanks to the generosity of the Worcester racegoers,
a further £800 was added to the fantastic total of £55,000 already raised.
Tomorrow evening’s meeting is always a highlight in our
calendar. The Pershore Plum Festival
race night, first staged 6 years ago in 2010, features revived races steeped in
Victorian and Edwardian history that date back to 1899. The Land O Plums Chase was first run to
celebrate Pershore’s plentiful supply of plums at the now long gone racecourse
on Weir Meadows. The Tiddesley Wood
Yellow Egg Plum ‘National Hunt’ maiden hurdle and the Angel Hotel Pershore
Pensham handicap hurdle also have historic significance from a bygone era in
Pershore.
The race night marks the start of the August Plum Festival which
highlights the strong commitment the town still has to this day, to its fruit
growing heritage.
Racegoers are invited to join us in sporting the colour
purple for the evening which starts with gates opening at 3.40pm for the first
race at 5.40pm.
