The course has a large asphalt car park right in front of the stands for free and getting out after the last was not difficult despite this being a well attended fixture (probably because the kids were still on Easter holiday). Price of entry was an unexpected £12. Whilst sauntering down to the seven furlong start, passing numerous tidy yet compact semis whose back gardens butted onto the course I noticed several well used poorman's gates so if you want to see the entertainmnet for free it is not that difficult. I weakened and bought a £2.50 racecard but was bitterly disappointed to see that my rant over juvenille foaling dates has still not been included in the things. They are not cheap and yes they are glossier than in the past and the form guides are a bit more robust but I expect more information. For example in greyhound racing if a dog has been sick or was recently lame that would be in the racecard (along with the whelping date by the way) they also include something I have long been disappointed to see omitted from the horse world which is the weight of the animals. Trainers I have worked for in the past seemed unaminous about was the 'fighting' weight of the dog, that is the weight when they are likely to be at their best in condition terms and this may vary dependent on trip. You might want to work on building muscle for a sprinty type or keep them lean for a stayer. Finally I would like to see more information about other aspect of the horses equipment. Such as whether a noseband is to be fitted (it is thought that this is not just a means of noticing the horse but as an aid for keeping their concentration up) or if abnormal bits and tack are to be used would add a bit of colour and may well be influential in the horses performance.
The facilities are pretty basic but comfortable and well thought through. For example there is a viewing balcony for the plebs which means an elevated vista for the paddock, viuew of the racing almost over the winning line and provides a vantage point overlooking the winner's enclosure which are all very useful. This co-joins the main grandstand and food / drinks area. The food itself was pretty basic but not that great value. I got a pie and a brew for about £4.50, the tea was tepid but at least you can add fresh milk (one of the worst inventions that the food industry has come up with is UHT milk by the way) and the pie was half the size as proper one from pie eater territory of Haydock made palletable only by ladling in the brown sauce. There are extensive grandstands offering a great view of the racing and you can if you like walk all the way up to the straight mile start to watch the loading up if you wish. The track itself is pretty well flat and is a fair gallop. The races tended to be run straight down the middle infering that the best ground is here (I have been to Redcar four times and on each occasion the straight course races followed that trend) so based on this and the results of racing there did not appear to be any advantage from the draw. The grand old ladies of Plumpton would have been fainting with the vapours if they ever venture to this heathen enclave almost within the Arctic Circle where the locals seem to speak a derivation of norse. They would be greeted with the vision of appropriate investment by the Redcar executive in a fine sapling cherry tree which I can only assume they had dashed out to Wyevale to secure at the weekend following advice from the blog. In a decade or two this twig protected and supported by some stury posts of diameter double the 'trunk' will no doubt dominate and inspire in its isolated yet magnificent singularity. Well done Amy Fair as I am sure it is your attention to detail which has led to this inovation.
The first race was a five furlongs maiden auction stakes for two year olds. The winner was the filly Van Go Go who was holding the most encouraging form from her only run when trhey loaded up. She is a Feb foal from a non discript pedigree but put her experience to good use, always being prominent, led two out and stayed on well under strong driving. She was well suited by conditions today and although a resolute sort I think she may find winning again soon with a penalty difficult. Second home was the unfancied feb foal and debutant Flambard House who looked well in the paddock and went about business wonce settled in an eye catching manner making progress from halfway staying on well to go down by a length. His pedigree and style suggests he will do well over 6 furlongs as a two year and can be expected to stay up to a mile when mature. Comes out of this race with credit and if not over tried and at a tougher track, can lose maiden tag soon. Third was the experienced Middleton Flyer (nothing of note in his pedigree) who is slowly improving and this one and a quarter length defeat was better but still seems to be a short runner leading and being headed without quickening from about two out. Of the others the well fancied first time outer Gone By Sunrise (feb foal geared up for 5 furlongs) on toes in paddock and raced green. Fayr Fall(cheap but this could be a real bargain as well bred to get a mile with time) was a very promising fourth first time out. A tidy sort, was acting up a bit in the paddock but raced very well held every chance at the distance staying on without getting a hard time of it and I think could well win next time out as clearly got over his nerves, raced with promise and sure to improve with this experience. I tyhought Latte (march foal already gelded pedigree suggests 5 furlongs is best trip) looked a bit backward despite having had a run and ran green again.
The Alastair Down Selling Stakes for two year olds run over five furlongs was restricted to four runners with the defection of two declared runners based on from what I was told were worrries over the ground(may be a bit quick for Shes Reel Dusty and Bertie Dancing who were the non runners) First time outer Spiders Of Spring (Mar foal will probably develop into a six furlong horse)won despite looking green in the paddock and going down and ran about a bit fighting the bit for the first half was then shaken up to win with a bit in hand despite the official distance being only a neck. There was predictably for such a weak contest no bid for the winner. Hot favoourite and runner up Ciara Boo (April foal so more scope based on that. Pedigree suggests seven furlongs is within her scope as a two year old. So the question is why run her in three quick 5 furlong races when nursery events are some way in the future) and came to this race with experience but was held well despite holding every chance. Not much potential. Third home was twice a runner up and first time pieces Queen Of The Hop who despite being quitely fancied was under the stick from half way, looked ungenuine and although has a bit of talent taking into account proximity in the circumstance ran ok but best avoided. The other runner was the debutant Mad For Fun she looked very green and was given a considerate race by Mickey Fenton.
The seven furlong auction stakes was for three year old maidens. It was won by Clara Zetion.The filly had encouraging debut which led to her going off a short price 11/8 favourite. She was held up and made smooth headway under a patient ride by Philip Makin. Has potential to be seen to best effect over a mile with time. The gelding Auto Mac finished second and doing so belied his 66/1 odds to stay on stoutly giving strong impression will need further than a mile. Mother Jones again failed to settle and although leading for much failed to quicken. Has had plenty of chances so far and best given a wide bearth.
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The first handicap of the day was a qualifier for the John Smiths Redcar Straight Mile competition for three year olds. It was won in resolute style by hold up horse Buzz Law. This followed up onthe geldings Nottingham reappearance victory. Clearly fit and having trained-on has an attractive mark today of 89, seems suited by a galloping straight having also won at Nottingham and Newmarket obvously on the upgrade in handicaps over the mile. Bosama was the only horse to give the winner a fight when finishing a clear second. He appeared to have had a rough ride though so did well to get second but was not good enough in any event to win but on today's mark was very much better than most of these thus 74 isa handy mark on the turf. Plenty fit enough after four runs this year so not a great deal of improvement can be expected. Third home was the prodegy of the great Aussie sprinter Choisir. To me Chisen Character may be on a good make of 71 but to be successful to my eye needs he needs to drop down in trip as didn't appear to see trip out.
The second handicap was a class 4 over six furlongs. Doctor Parkes off top weight of ten stones prevailed and it was not before time. Held up and produced 2 out being punched out to win in good style indicating that six furlongs will suit better than five. The handicapped has shown little respite during the last ten or so unsuccessful runs as he has been stuck within the 82 to 86 range but to his consistancy. Genuine and you would like to see this five year old progress to a good level in sprint handicaps. Second home was Solar Spirit who came to challenge at the distance and had every chance put was outpaced a bit so perhaps a runover a sharp seven at say Catterick may be the next port of call. Karaka Jack is off a decent mark if the gelding ever gets near his second in the Esher Cup form again. Ran ok today without too hard a time to finish third and looked plenty fit enough. Might pay just to keep an eye out for him as this may turn out to be a useful race in this class 4 level at this early stage of the season. The Harry Rednapp owned Arrys Orse was a never nearer fourth difficult to see if he can go one and win again as has had training difficulties but is a fair sort.
Hot favourite Frequency prevailed but had a hard fight to battle through in the conditional jockeys' claiming stake over six furlongs. This was a particularly uninspiring event and I doubt much will come out of it.
The final race was a fillies handicap class 5 over ten furongs. Winner Easy Times was pushed clear in good style having looking well in the paddock beforehand and appears to have some potential to win more races as galloped well. Second was 2/1 favourite Lady Chloe who looks a useful sort she was given a patient ride under Paul Hanagan and I am sure she will win soon particularly if her mark is around today's 60. Her pedigree suggests may be better served by returing to mile races as appeared to weaken a bit in the final final furlong. Gambling stable and not completely certain despite being favourite that she was 'wanted' today. Of the others several fancied runners were easily beaten today including Cool Baranca (appeared fit but took keen hold on way to post) Sparvento (on toes and edgy in the paddock, pulled hard to post and was soon beaten about three out)and Talk Of Saafend (not won for years and had an unsuccessful go over the sticks as well, well beaten fourth today)
How did they do next three runs to a £10 stake
Flambard House down £40
4 2 2 2
Expensive to follow althougnone of the seconds was at a decent each way level of 16/1. I should have binned him after the third effort but hung on. One paced although off 74 may pick up a small mile handicap for three year olds. I have shelved him though.
Fayr Fall down £2
3 1 (5/6)
Once had victory in maidne auctio his 69 mark looked unattractive for nurseries so I off loaded him sharpish
Doctor Parkes up £90
1 (10/1) 2
I backed him at Chester when I was there for the Cheshire Oaks which was great and then he ran well in a decent race at York when second. However his mark was then a stone over the redcar level and I made my excuses from there
Lady Chloe down £2
2 1 (5/6)
She ran a good second at nice 12/1 each way level next time and broke maiden tag back at Redcar. However once handicapping her rating was almost a stone higher than she was rated at the time of this Redcar run so clearly not a gambling proposition from there.