Racegoers enjoy the spectacle of point to point meet

TWELVE months on from having to abandon racing due to torrential rain, the organisers of the Shelfield Park point to point were blessed with sunny conditions for this year’s event on the outskirts of Alcester, with the course having to be watered ahead of the meeting.

In Saturday’s racecard, Patty Allen, chair of organisers the Croome and West Warwickshire Hunt, said: “What a contrast to last year’s swimming gala. We are very fortunate that we’ve a lot of local friends with water bowsers and, with no rain forecast, those friends have come to our rescue.”

The day began with two pony races before the first race which was won by D’Last Spez, owned and ridden by Phillip York.

One of the other jockeys was Heidi Palin on board Meetuatnine. She also rides for trainer Dan Skelton whose yard is just over the hill from Shelfield Park and had been riding at Ayr the previous day.

She said: “It’s a good fun meeting with everyone getting involved. It attracts all sorts of people and it’s a nice family day out with trade stands and places to eat and drink.

“I have ridden more horses under rules but it’s nice to come to a meeting like this because it’s a little more relaxed and you can meet friends and have a bit of a laugh.

“Meetuatnine used to be at Dan’s yard where I work but Kelly Morgan has her now. A few horses make the switch because the racing suits them better.”

It proved a busy and successful day for 16-year-old jockey Tom Hutsby from Walton, near Wellesbourne, saddling two winners – Drakes Well and I Don’t Know. He also had two second places.

The teenager, currently studying for his GCSEs, is a fifth generation point to point rider with dad Fred now training the horses.