Like most Mildenhall tracks is suffering from the traditional low attendance”January and February period as customers tighten there belts post Xmas and look to avoid the bad weather period writes Mark Newberry.
That said a one-off Group On deal promotion saw a good crowd as we entered February and a clear sign that whatever the conditions good promotion is the key to success. As in the past, it is disappointing to report that the Hall were due to miss a meeting on 19th Feb as staff cover team holidays clash. On a positive note a recent spate in demand for schooling and qualifying trials saw the Hall hold a Wednesday night trial session where some 43 trails were held which both satisfied a demand and provides a much needed boost to potential runners.
The local owners and trainers association, now led by Jenny Hargreaves, has agreed to hold its own version of bonus series events as Jenny looks to the support of the racing office to get events underway. These will be an excellent way to compliment the gap between the GBGB OBS races whilst improving rewards for the owners.
On the racing front, the once a week cards continue to be competitive and the welcome return to the track of Peter Mingay and the frequent visits from Jenny March have seen the upper end of the card bolstered. Peter sent out his Decoy Laura Lee to blow away an A5 field in a fair 23.65 with his Malicious Gossip just failing in an A4 in 23.64 with both now looking to move to minor opens. Jenny March continues to consistently produce her runners with Besomi Lord landing 3 from 4 with a best of 23.26 and almost upgradable.
Keith Munnings has also been in excellent form and landed a popular double when his recent intake Woodenstown Cargo won an A6 in 23.89 and West Virginia landing the A7 in 24.19. Derek Brighton has also had a fair time of late with recent intakes owned by Mr J Fordham and Miss L Whitbread’s pair Miss Foxy Lady who has landed 2 wins with a best of 24.20 in A7 and the extremely well connected Genuine Risk. Risk is from the Sept 13 Litter by Droopy’s Scolari x Chin Gach Gook that includes the extremely talented pair Jaytee Dutch (28.15 SPK) and Jaytee Jet (28.27 Don) Risk’s best of 23.94 for A7 at the Hall has not stopped connections hopeful of more to come. Sticking with the breeding connection, Anne Kirby’s recent success with the S Clark owned Salems Spice by 5l in 23.73 in A7 may not have made many waves , however this Aug 13 Westmead Hawk x Cabra Jade is non other than a full litter sister to Eden the Kid. Spice already has a litter in October to Makeshift and will doubtless be destined for the breeding paddocks again. Anne also continues to operate at a consistently high level producing two recent 5 timers in back to back meetings that was challenged on the latter meeting when Viv Hawes landed a four timer with both ladies leaving the opposition in awe.
Dog of the month was the Ray Woods owned and trained Alaskan Time who’s early pace sees him progressing well with a best of 23.87 in A6. The bitch’s award was again shared between Keith Jonas and Graham Sores Sika who landed a recent hat-trick of top grade A4’s with a best of 23.31 and has headed for the maiden open race scene and Anne Kirbys Vicarage Duchess who has recent figures of 3 from 6 with a best of 23.78 in A5.
