Annaghmore Sunday

“THEY never come back” is an old mantra passed around in the horse world.

Harness racing is no different and despite the genetic toughness of the standardbred breed, their favoured hard going and the tighter tracks mean that tendon injuries are common.

Wattie Stewart and his partner Stacy have nursed Alexander Camden back from a nasty condition to winning the first D to F grade pace of the season in impressive style on Sunday 14th.

The meeting was Annaghmore’s opening fixture. Wattie is bred to be an early season type. His father Walter faces the tough Causeway Coast winter every year and always has his charges gleaming for the opening day.

Wattie and Stacy are based at Braeside Stables in Ballymoney. Wattie is a farrier and the couple have produced some nice show jumpers.

Alexander Camden was the glamour yearling of his crop in 2013 and topped York sale that year. (See accompanying piece).

The horse was ante-post favourite for that year’s Delaney Memorial but picked up a career ending injury. He has raced once in the intervening seven years before Sunday.

Admittedly, the race was only a three-runner affair, following a no-show by American Rogue.

The 11-year-old can only beat what’s put in with him and he beat the useful yardstick Beat The Clock (4/5 and evens fav) and the 2.01 performer Meadowbranch Aurora. Wattie pinged the gate and was never headed in 2.00.2.

Something special

The small but knowledgeable crowd knew they had seen something special. ‘”Well done, Wattie‘’ was heard repeatedly.

Stacy and Wattie attempted to bring Alexander Camden back in August 2021. He ran freely that day and was in contention when he broke down yet again. All the sages said he was finished.

Tracy takes up the story: “Following that disaster on his comeback run in 2021 we took him for examination the very next day. We discovered a very substantial hole in his tendon.

“We then learnt that he had sustained this with Michael Lord in 2016. We contacted John Warwick, the tendon specialist for the previous owners, and John performed his ‘magic’.

In July 2022, we bought Alex knowing that regardless of his future he’d have his day with us. He is an absolute gentleman of a horse, a total pleasure in every way possible.

“We made sure to have his legs scanned regularly throughout his training and thankfully we’ve been reassured that there isn’t even a hint that there was ever an injury there.

“Sunday’s run was his first race for us as his owners, and he didn’t fail to amaze everyone! What a comeback… what a horse!”

Business as usual for JR

Elsewhere, it was business as usual as John Richardson steered another well-bred youngster to the winning circle.

Some trivia buff might check out the stats, but it’s probable that JR has driven at least one winner at the opening meeting on 15 or more occasions. Being full time at the horses is a huge advantage in the early weeks.

John’s winner was Meadowbranch Bobby (owned by Brian Redmond and Meadowbranch Stud).

The winner arrived in this country ‘in utero’ and is a pure-bred Yank, being by Sportswriter out of Disney Pan. Disney Pan delivered a nice Heston Blue Chip filly during the week - part of the “Invest in Ourselves” breeding initiative.

Walter Stewart’s mare Lets Get To It was a staying on second in a respectable 2.03.1.

John Richardson felt the ups and downs of the game on the day. Forty minutes after Meadowbranch Bobby got off the mark, the well-fancied Immaculata (6/4 best) made a temperamental break at a crucial stage in the E to F trot.

Demonstration

Female pride was restored however as Mary Kane Gilligan and Rachel Stewart gave a great demonstration of driving.

Mary took the race by the scruff of the neck with the outsider of six, Hot To Trot. Mary put Hot To Trot into the race early and let the mare sail on. Rachel drove Iron Paddy (3/1 to 5/2).

Rachel was content to track the leaders and came with a well-timed run to rob Mary by a neck. 2.08.8 was the time of the mile.

Rachel’s partner Ronan Norton and Fairplay Briolais were also nibbled at in the market for the B to D trot.

Eventually money came for Billy Roche’s Buliano. The Red Baron made no mistake sending the 12-year-old on early, and they did not see a rival. Sean Kane was second with High Speed Efbe. Both Corail de Bellande (Simon Duggan) and Fair Play Briolais broke.

Bad luck

Ned Stafford has endured some bad luck with horses. Therefore, it was nice to see his Kenosha Comet pick up the maiden pace under Troy McAleer. Wayne McNevin was runner up aboard the well-bred Confidential.

The winner was 1/2 favourite and the time of 2.02.7 was decent for this grade on opening week. Stiffer tasks await the winner as he goes up the grades. The winner is by the ‘Pocket Rocket’ Doonbeg who has proved to be a real source of racehorses as a sire.

Three qualifiers (non-betting schooling races) were held before the card proper.

Last year’s VDM heroine Maid Sweet looks all grown up. Priceless, a Sweet Lou filly belonging to the Duggans looks a precocious type. Billy Roche drove Priceless who drew many compliments.

Racing continues today at Dunmanway and tomorrow back at Annaghmore. Full details, cards and starting times can be viewed at www.irishharnessracing.com