Burton Point-to-Point 2013
by Baron Halpenny, LincsMag Editor and Emma Forman.
Date: 12 February 2013
Burton Point-to-Point Review – Sunday 10th February at North Carlton Racecourse
The Burton Point-to-Point organisers beat the elements to stage horseracing at North Carlton at the second attempt on Sunday. The snow failed to melt in time to allow the meeting to go ahead a fortnight earlier and although soggy racecards were the order of the day there were some good finishes as 36 runners contested the six races on “good to soft” going.
There was a double for Warwickshire rider Pete Mann who got off the mark in the opening Lincolnshire United Hunts Club Member’s race with a last minute ride on Definite Dawn.
Trained in Oxfordshire by Pauline Harkin, Definite Dawn was purchased privately last summer by local owner Christopher Padfield with this winning this race in mind.
However, Padfield’s ambition was only partially realized; he had originally planned to ride the horse himself. This plan was foiled the previous day when an exciting three o’clock trail out hunting with the Burton led to him taking a fall and Pete Mann being called upon as a last minute replacement.
Winning Ways
Julie Marles added to her Midlands Area win with All Great N Theory at the South Wold last week, sending out Jo Mann’s Midnight King to take the Just Automobile Solutions Ltd two runner Men’s Open race.
After the race Pete Mann said; “Midnight King wasn’t quite right when he ran at Cottenham in December but he has got his confidence back now. I hope he will take in a Hunter Chase at some point this season.” Pete Mann is now in front in the North Carlton leading rider championship for the Frank Theaker trophy.
Johnny Bailey stamped his authority on the Midlands Area rider’s championship by following up a success at Brocklesby last week with a win at North Carlton on Roger Jackson’s Farmer Frank in the Junction 4 Pallets Confined Hunts race.
The ten year old has been running under rules but has now switched from Nick Kent’s NH stable to his wife Jane’s pointing yard and connections should have some fun with him this season in the amateur sphere.
Phillip Rowley brought useful Ladies horse The General Lee across from Shropshire to take the F.B. Watson sponsored Ladies Open race. Ridden by Jane Williams, the eleven year old who was making his seasonal debut has now qualified for the £10 000AGA Ladies Open Point- to- Point Championship Final Hunter Chase at Stratford in June.
The Mason family came down from Yorkshire with Impact Zone, favouring North Carlton over the Sinnington meeting, and he finished second to The General Lee, but their other runner Oriel Bank went one better in the Brewin Dolphin Ltd Restricted race.
Oriel Bank, the only winner of the day not to start favourite, jumped the last upsides Hand Act Or Part but edged ahead on the run in. This was Jo Mason’s first winner of the season. “Dad rides him all the time at home and thought he might just need the race. I might as well join the Midlands Area as I am always here!” she joked.
Reliable When It Matters
The biggest field of the day; ten runners went to post for the Hodgson Elkington Open Maiden race. However, Nalim’s experience stood him in good stead and as the other nine runners went by the way side the seven year old Milan gelding kept going and finished alone getting another Yorkshire rider Harriet Bethell off the mark for the season.
It's interesting to note that the form card described Nalim as an unreliable maiden, but proved reliable when it mattered.
After the race winning owner William Bethell said; “He ran a blinder at Brocklesby last week and was so well we thought we would come here.”
Facebook Picture Album
To see more pictures from The Burton Hunt Point-to-Point, visit the Album on our Facebook page HERE!
Results
Race 1. Members' Race
Winner: Definite Dawn owned by Mr Christopher Padfield and ridden by Peter Mann.
Second: Panama Canal
Third: Hansom Prophet
Race 2. Confined Hunts Race
Winner: Farmer Frank owned by Mr R Jackson and ridden by Johnny Bailey
Second: Bennynthejets
Third: Theatre Dance
Race 3. Ladies Open Race
Winner: The General Lee owned by Mr A Squires and ridden by Miss J Williams
Second: Impact Zone
Third: Victor Daly
Race 4. Mens Open Race
Winner: Midnight King owned by Mrs J. M. Mann and ridden by Peter Mann
Second: Eileensbirthday
Race 5. Restricted Race
Winner: Oriel Bank owned by Mrs Susan E. Mason and ridden by Miss Jo Mason
Second: Hand Act or Part
Third: Lady Mandana
Race 6. Open Maiden
Winner: Nalim owned by Mr William A. Bethell and ridden by Miss Harriet Bethell
Only finisher of 10 runners.
