FORMER champion jockey Lester Piggott was guest of honour at the final Jersey Race Club meeting of the season was held at Les Landes on Monday afternoon.
A large crowd was treated to some fine racing on a dry but breezy day with veteran champion Lester Piggott in attendance.
The feature race of the day was The Clarendon Handicap over a mile and a half.
Minnie’s Mystery and Khuzdar headed the betting in this seven-runner event.
Palala River led under sufferance as the field dawdled through the first half mile with Martin’s Sunset, Off Minor, Bold Enough and Cheeky Girl close up.
As they went out on the final circuit Ross Studholme increased the pace aboard Palala River as the race began in earnest.
The field was still tightly packed as they came into the home straight and all elected to race up the stands rails.
Palala River still led, but challengers were queuing up with Bold Enough, Cheeky Girl, Martin’s Sunset and Minnie’s Mystery under Kevin Bradshaw all closing.
At the distance Minnie’s Mystery and Martin’s Sunset hit the front with Khuzdar flying up the rails to challenge.
The three runners flashed past the post together but the judges verdict went to Martin’s Sunset under Vince Slattery, who won by a head from Minnie’s Mystery, with Khuzdar half a length back in third.
The day had begun with The Supporters’ Handicap Hurdle over two miles, and three lined up for this.
See More Snow winner of the Champion Hurdle back in July was made favourite despite conceding thirty five pounds to his rivals.
See More Snow made the early running at a true run pace under Ross Studholme.
Casa Rosa followed two lengths away, with Regal Ali at the back.
At the end of the first circuit See More Snow went on again by three lengths, but at the third last all three were in the air together.
As they pushed on See More Snow and Regal Ali were neck and neck as Casa Rosa under Tony Proctor began to feel the strong pace.
Rounding the home turn and with See More Snow getting reminders Regal Ali under Adam Jones took a lead of a length.
Jumping the last he still led, but inside the last 50 yards Ross Studholme conjured a renewed challenge from See More Snow and went away to win by three lengths from Regal Ali, with Casa Rosa ten lengths away in third.
The next race was The Animal Health Trust Handicap Sprint over five furlongs 100 yards.
Seven went to post and top sprinter Catcando was pitched against UK raider Dizzy In The Head who had won a class D Handicap at Hamilton Park a fortnight ago.
Perfect Portrait and Dizzy In The Head broke well and led from Highland Flight with the rest close up.
As they hurtled round the home turn Perfect Portrait under Ross Studholme was just in front but being strongly challenged by Dizzy In The Head under Pat Evans, with Catcando who had been caught somewhat flat-footed at the start, running on well.
At the distance there was nothing to separate Dizzy In The Head and Perfect Portrait, with Catcando still closing.
Inside the last fifty yards Perfect Portrait rallied well and got up to win by a head from Dizzy In The Head with Catcando previously unbeaten in five outing this season finishing third, two lengths away.
The fourth race was The Stanley Bet Handicap over one mile 100 yards.
Nine went to post for this and included Hormuz, a UK raider from P Johnson’s County Durham yard ridden by Pat Evans.
Aqua Tiger broke well after being ‘a bit of a monkey’ during the preliminaries and led from Hormuz and Hakam.
Aqua Tiger under Jonjo Fowle settled well in front and quickly established a lead of three lengths as they passed the five-furlong pole.
Turning into the home straight Aqua Tiger led, but Hakam and Hormuz were closing fast along with Lieuday and Last Eclipse.
At the distance Vince Slattery set sail for home on Hakam and ran on readily to win by six lengths from Aqua Tiger with Lieuday under Ross Studholme staying on to finish a head back in third.
A stewards’ inquiry was called but after a short deliberation the stewards announced that the places remained unaltered.
The final race of the day and indeed the season was The Rozel Bay Hotel Handicap over ten furlongs.
The largest field of the day eleven, lined up for this.
Vrubel and Moyne Pleasure shared the early running from Keep On Running.
With half a mile to run Vrubel, under Tony Proctor went on from Moyne Pleasure and Returnofthefairy.
Three furlongs from home with Carouse and Compassionate closing, Moyne Pleasure took up the lead from Vrubel.
At the distance Corey Adamson asked Snow Lark to improve and this she readily did, and stormed away to win by seven lengths from the fast-finishing Countrywide Pride, with Carouse having his last race, staying on into third a further three lengths back.
This brought an end to the 2004 season, and with ten meetings provisionally planned for next season, including one in Guernsey for the first time in years, there is plenty for race-goers to look forward to during the long winter months.
The next meeting at Les Landes is on Easter Monday 28 March 2005 with the first race at 2.30 pm.
Article posted on 31st August, 2004 - 12.00am
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