Catch up on the latest Racing Post Point to Point Focus here, which was first published on Friday, April 9.
If there is a man for all seasons it is Nick Pearce, who on Sunday makes his debut as a clerk of the course, writes Carl Evans.
To this role can be added point-to-point trainer, an assistant to Dan Skelton with special duties for breaking and pre-training, stud manager at the Skelton family’s Alne Park Stud, and committee member of the North Warwickshire Club point-to-point. Yet these tasks do not weary him – in his amateur riding days in the South-East he was known as Dijon for his keen-as-mustard attitude. Incidentally, he raised and broke-in dual Cheltenham Festival winner Simonsig while working in Kent for owner Simon Tindall.
Now he heads the team who have put together Britain’s newest point-to-point venue, Shelfield Park near Alcester, just a quick canter from Skelton’s yard. Pearce (pictured above) was asked to take on the role by Patty Allen, a master of the Croome and West Warwickshire Hunt, who offered fields on her farm following the closure of a course at Upton-upon-Severn in 2016.
He says: “We were set to open last year, but the meeting was postponed because of flooding. Two days later the country was locked down, and the rescheduled fixture couldn’t take place.” Weather conditions could not be more different this time, but a drop of rain is forecast and Pearce will use a spiked aggravator to retain a safe surface.
His first role on Saturday is to saddle Workbench in the members’ race, run in memory of Allen’s late husband Neil, who Pearce says: “Always wanted a race meeting on the farm.”
He adds: “There was no hesitation in racing behind closed doors. We’re point-to-point people, and while we would like to make money we’re in it for the racing. Patty said it would happen come hell or high water.”
Pearce rides Workbench out each morning at 6am before starting his day job, and says: “He’s a gentleman of a horse. I’ve got a green three-year-old in the yard so tomorrow Workbench will give him a lead over some logs. His other job is to give lads in Dan’s yard a ride in races, and it’s Saul Woods’ turn this weekend.”
Owners return
The spirit shown in putting racing on at Shelfield Park has been mirrored at other fixtures since the restart a week last Monday.
Gate receipts have been nil, but tomorrow at Mollington owners will be allowed in, a move in line with racing under rules. If this pilot proceeds smoothly future meetings will follow suit until spectators can return after May 17.
The return of owners will add atmosphere to next weekend’s Lady Dudley Cup fixture at Chaddesley Corbett. Prize money for the big race has been halved, but the winner earns £625 and there is money to eighth place. Young horses are not forgotten, with a Tattersalls maiden to open proceedings and a Flat race to end it.
Flora’s first
Venetia Williams becomes a point-to-point trainer at Shelfield Park when running her own horse Nesterenko, a first race ride for Flora Guy, 20.
Heist, who holds an entry at Cothelstone and in the Skinner’s Ladies’ race at Hornby Castle, makes his debut for the We Agreed To This In A Pandemic Partnership, but a more likely winner at the last-named venue is uber-reliable Six A Side, owned and trained by Will Milburn.