21 April 2008 Dartmoor - Flete Park
Dad Says Heazle: the most impressive winner of the meeting
Richard Woollacott booted home another double at Flete Park on Saturday, taking his tally to 18 and a step closer to a first ever National title. The crowds kept away from the rain drenched course, but racing was probably as good as has been seen at the track.
Come What Augustus was confined to six weeks box rest in January with an injury, but he won the 13-runner Restricted in good style. Emely Thompson, who trains the gelding for Bill Westacott, said: "We bought him through Robert Stronge. He's a bit of a monkey but he's a lovely horse and seems to act on any ground."
The Quarry Man was the easy winner of the Confined for Woollacott who said: "He's quite a tough horse as he only ran six days ago. We were uncertain whether to run him but it looked a relatively easy race so we decided to and it has paid off."
Woollacott missed out on a treble with favourite The Kings Fling who found Sara Monica a length too good in the Men's Four Mile Open. Jackie Elliot's mare, who continued trainer Gordon Chambers' good run of form, was ridden by Will White. "She jumped really well and seemed to enjoy that", said the winning jockey who is getting married in October to Milly Rowe.
Nikki Frost saddled a double initiated by Dad Says Heazle in the Intermediate, the day's most impressive winner, with Darren Edwards on board. Chris Brake, husband of owner Jane, said the Exeter Racecourse Intermediate Final on May 14th was the target and he admitted having a little bet on the favourite.
16-year-old Jamie Thomas scored his first ever success on only his second ride on the yard's other winning favourite Iamwhatiam who took the first division of the Maiden. Thomas, who works for Jimmy Frost, had his first ever ride at Great Trethew last month where he finished third on the home owned and bred six-year-old who is by the family's stallion Morpeth.
Thomas joined the Frost's two and half years ago when he was put on a supervised school training scheme. Mrs Frost said: "He lives in Newton Abbot and he used to go to the races instead of school, so he came to us and a teacher would come every month to monitor his progress. While other boys were pinning up pictures of Beckham, he'd be pinning up pictures of Tony McCoy. He was thrown right in at the deep end today and we are amazed at how well he has done, but he carried out our instructions really well."
Jackie du Plessis' home bred Kingsmill Lake took her tally to five, the same as her dam Kingsmill Imp, after holding off the favourite Quick by a length in the Ladies' Open. Jockey Emily Nozskay, who works for du Plessis, said: "She jumped brilliantly and gave me a lovely ride."
Ollie Jackson had doubts whether Ryeman would stay the trip in the second Maiden, but Denis Williams' home bred six-year-old but up a good performance to win by six lengths in the hands of Danny Cook who had just the one ride at the meeting.
Five went to post in the Members with odds on favourite Bucket Awl landing his fourth success of the season ridden by Jenny Carr.