The girls are in top form as there are also wins for Ally Stirling and Chloe Boxall in the Worcestershire sunshine, with Sammy Drake and Emma Todd booting home winners up in Yorkshire.
Beautiful sunshine and blue sky - let's go pointing! Our last visit to Chaddesley Corbett back in April - one of our favourite courses - had seen us dash for the car mid-afternoon to grab our brollies, but we didn't need them today. The racegoers were out in force when we arrived around an hour before racing and the lorry parked was also filling up nicely, a good sign!
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| A beaming Ally Stirling heads for the winners enclosure after her victory on Quatuor Collonges in the Restricted race |
A visit to the lorry park was first on the agenda, then it was time for a good old catch up with the AGA ladies, which included a pep-talk for Ally Stirling from Hannah Lewis (with a little help from me). Basically we told her she's a fab pilot and that she would have a winner, and myself and Mrs S were so confident we backed it up by placing a bet on Ally to win the Restricted race on Quatuor Collonges.
Ally gave Quatuor a superb ride and booted her lad home in fine style to land the money, we were on hand to congratulate her as she returned to the winners enclosure beaming from ear to ear ... and rightly so as it was a well deserved victory.
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| Quatuor cools down |
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| And another bucket! |
Connections were delighted and although I managed to miss the presentation as I went to collect my winnings, I did manage to get some good photos in the winners enclosure. **Some of the winnings were later spent on a nice new tie - thanks Ally!
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| WINNER! |
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| Look at that smile! |
I told Ally that the photos were heading for my blog and I've kept my word, well done Ally ... there's quite a few people think that there will be many more wins to follow!
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| Mrs Hart and Mini get their official AGA letter and a hug |
I had a very important letter in my pocket, it was addressed to Miss Claire Hart and was confirmation that she would soon be the owner of a brand new AGA Total Control cooker. Claire knew this of course as she is the inaugural winner of the AGA Total Control Lady Riders' Championship, but the letter made it all official and it was nice to deliver it in person!
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| Janey in relaxed mood before the ladies open |
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| Sally in her silks ready for the ladies open |
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| Jelly and the girls check out the decs board |
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Diana and Jane with Mel Rowley who is just
about to go and tack up Surenaga |
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| Harty about to go and do the same with Lady M |
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One that got away - a loose hound is retrieved
from the sponsors tent |
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| Mrs Tollitt and Diana Williams |
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| Fergal and his Weekender cap ... suits you! |
It looked like we were in for a mouth-watering clash in the ladies race with Chesnut Annie and Lady Myfanwy having made the journey from Wales, and Surenaga looking to bounce back to form under Jane Williams. The race looked between the three of them and so it turned out ... it was an absolute cracker, and run in a blistering sub 6 minute time.
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| David takes a photo of Jane ... now that makes a change! |
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As Jackie Oliver pointed out, it looks like Mrs AGA Pointing
is guarding the ladies changing room ... or was she hoping
for a spare ride? |
As expected Chesnut Annie hared off in front under Sally Randell with Claire and Lady Myfanwy in close pursuit, however, Jane rode the perfect race on Surenaga, and in a ride reminiscent of her December victory on Billyvoddan over course and distance she stormed through to lead and won going away.
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| Janey heads for the last |
Days like this are fantastic and we've seen a number of great races this season, with some very well deserved and popular victories. It was a real pleasure to be here to see this one and I was with Phil and Mel Rowley as Surenaga bounded towards the last and winged it. They were ecstatic and it was a real privilege to be a part of their joy and celebrations ... lovely people!
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| A pat for Surenaga from Jane |
"You've certainly found the key now" was comment from Jim Squires as the victorious Rowley connections led Surenaga back in after the race and their delight was there for all to see. I didn't get a chance to speak to Sally Randell or Beth Roberts after the race, however, great credit goes to the connections of Chesnut Annie for being here today, and lets not forget the gallant Lady Myfanwy as well, both ran their hearts out.
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| Another beaming winner returns to the winners enclosure |
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And another bucket of water is dispensed over
a grateful winner! |
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| Jane moves ahead in the women's national title race, now leading Jacqueline 15 wins to 14 |
The win also took Jane to the head of affairs in the women's national title race and she now leads Jacqueline Coward by 15 wins to 14 following a day of near misses for JC up in Yorkshire. Jane will be looking to press home her advantage in the coming week, although one of the girls in hot pursuit could still throw down a challenge, this will go all the way to the wire I think!
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| Surenaga enjoys his moment in the spotlight |
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| Jane has stood in this once or twice, usually with an AGA banner or two behind her! |
There was just time to cheer home a first winner as a trainer for another of the girls who featured in the AGA Championship, Chloe Boxall, who booted home Bellosguardo ahead of Hope Sound and Hannah Lewis in the Club Members Conditions race. Chloe was understandably delighted, however, as Mr AGA Pointing was back at the car by this point I was unable to obtain any photographic evidence of this delight, or congratulate Chloe and Hannah (although I did do this by text later).
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I backed several of these at Warwick the
previous evening - but still had a fab night I
hasten to add! |
See you all at Whitfield next Sunday for the Grafton meeting!
