Team Wallis saw Towcester safely through to the BAGS SIS Track Championship though it was the dramatic home win by Hall Green which raised the most eyebrows.
Towcester were odds on to go through to December’s final with Monmore pinning their hopes on a good second place – the two highest scoring seconds from the four regions go through.
But a 72 points home tally for Hall Green meant they dead-heated on overall points with Monmore and a higher number of individual winners meant they took second place. Ironically, they would have automatically taken second spot had they been able to field two runners in the juvenile event.
Only Perry Barr failed to provide a winner on the afternoon with the hosts netting a treble through Kavarna (sprint), Trapper Kate (stayers) and Ballymac Spacer (elite). Swindon’s Moreton Melody (bitches) scored a second maximum for Swindon, while Maxiout (standard) was Monmore’s sole winner.
Mark Wallis sent out two winner Adageo Gold (juvenile) and Mac’s On Storm (dogs). The latter gives some indication of the strength of the Towcester challenge. Although he is still to land his first A1 at his home track, he had also previously won his qualifiers at Perry Barr and Monmore plus the ‘pre-qualifier’ at Sheffield earlier in the summer.
Scores: 72 Hall Green, 35 Towcester, 32 Swindon, 31 Monmore, 25 Perry Barr
Overall: 221 Towcester, 212 Hall Green, Monmore, 186 Swindon, 147 Perry Barr
KAVARNA wins the sprint to initiate an Angie Kibble double for the hosts who gain max points with Razldazl Rubie (t1) running up. Photo: Steve Nash
MAC’S ON STORM (t2, completing a Mark Wallis double) holds off local hope Ballymac Moran (t1) to clinch the Bags TC West group for Towcester with a race to spare. Photo: Steve Nash
Fastest of the day honour at Hall Green goes to John Spracklens’ in form Swindon bitch Moreton Melody (t4), running wide on a very wet track but holding Garryglass Pixie (t1) by a head in 28.99. Photo: Steve Nash
