After a few months off over the winter, the flat season roars back in to action at Pontefract with a quality race meeting on Tuesday 5th April. With over £60,000 worth of prize money on offer, the card often throws up some impressive early season types.
The highlight of the programme is the £20,000 Watch Racing UK on 3 Devices Handicap over 1m 2f. A classy field assembled for the 2015 renewal with strong representatives from the Newmarket yards. The prize stayed in the North though as Master of Finance bravely fought off all comers for the Mark Johnston yard.
While it doesn’t have the same monetary value, the 1m2f EBF Maiden has a rich roll of honour. Indeed Luca Cumani’s ‘High–Rise’ won this race on his way to victory in the Epsom Derby and lends his name to this race. While other winners of this race have gone on to go close in the Derby (including Libertarian in 2013), High-Rise remains the only one currently to complete the double. John Gosden, Sir Michael Stoute, Tom Dascombe and Richard Hannon all had runners in 2015 – will they provide a potential superstar in 2016?
Sprinters step to the fore in the £12,000 Racing Uk Handicap over 6f. Pontefract’s leading trainer in 2015, Richard Fahey, provided the winner last year as his ‘Grandad’s World’ maintained his unbeaten record at Ponte. Later in the season he went on to split subsequent Group 1 winner ‘Twilight Son’ and Steward’s Cup winner ‘Magical Memory’ at York – if our 2016 winner is as talented then we’ll be in for a treat!
Of all the races run over the years at Pontefract, the Stayers races evoke the strongest memories among the race going public. With course favourites like Dan Buoy, Jamaican Flight and Bluff Cove all laden with stamina, the Stayers Championship has proved a popular addition to the racing programme in recent seasons. Round 1 of the 2016 championship gets underway with The Jamaican Flight Handicap over 2m2f. The 2015 series champion, Tuscan Gold, kicked off his campaign with a 3rd place in the corresponding race last year – he’ll hopefully be back to defend his crown along with another previous winner, Riptide.
The Racecourse has, as usual, been busy during the closed season and racegoers will be able to drink their pints in the newly refurbished Grandstand & Paddock Bar opposite the Betting Hall. With a new raised seating area looking out on to the Betting Hall lawn, it’s bound to be a hit with racegoers. The Annual Badge Holders bar has also undergone a redecoration scheme for the Racecourse regulars who take advantage of the discount and pay for their season ticket in advance.
Those with a Harrogate postcode can pick up a ticket for £2 for this meeting if they register for the Racecourse Postcode Lottery scheme before the day – all postcodes throughout Yorkshire will be able to get tickets to specific meetings throughout the year. Full details are available on the website at www.pontefract-races.co.uk .