Crosshill Pacers
Well-Known Member
I've ummed and aahed over whether to keep this short or drag it out or wait for the right moment to say it somewhere down the post but I just want to scream it from the rooftops:
MISSILE WON LAST NIGHT!
He ran in the first race, a grade 1 heat where the first two qualified for the final (race 7). He was drawn 2 on the gate, and because we were worried he might gallop on the first bend as it's a bit tight, the jockey held him back rather than bomb him out the gate. Unfortunately he was parked two wide and despite a gap opening up behind the front horse that we felt the jockey should have pulled into, he kept him two wide and tried to pass the leader. He couldn't clear him fully so stayed on his outside, therefore running lengths more in distance. Coming up the home straight he was trying to pass again but the line came too quick and he was beaten by a short head. I was actually disappointed, as was J's dad, as we believed if he'd pulled in onto the rail and then tried to pass to finish then he would have won. But at least we qualified for the final. Before the race I was nearly physically sick with nerves, much to people's amusement, but heading into the final I had less expectations as there were higher grade horses running off 10, 20 and 30 yards behind him, as well as the home that beat him in the heat.
Going into the final he was once again drawn 2 on the gate. He opened up as second favourite and was heavily backed into favourite at the off, with people telling me he was going to win. I said I'd be happy if he came in the first three. This time the jockey chased him out the gate and had passed the inside horse by the first bend (with no signs of galloping). He went to slow the pace going down the back straight for the first time when the original favourite whizzed by him. Missile stuck with him like glue and they opened up a 6 or 8 length lead on the remainder of the field which was strung out already. Passing the crowd at the bell the jockey took him wide around the first bend again and then passed the leader going down the back straight (who promptly galloped as his ear plugs were pulled). Another horse followed Missile by and coming round the last two bends was 3/4 the way up beside Missile. Once he hit the home straight though it was game over and as the field tried to fight out the placings Missile went clear and won by a couple of lengths.
At that point I about exploded! I ran (I never run) onto the track, launched myself at J's father who was grinning like an idiot, then launched myself at the horse, patting him like something demented. I walked him round and lined him up for his winning photo, all the while kissing his big grumpy face - something I wouldn't dare do in any other situation!
I was overwhelmed last night by the number of people who congratulated me, which made it all the better. Over the weekend I was told that he wouldn't win another race (I had a bet to the contrary and need to collect that tomorrow at York) and that he had a heart the size of a pea. I'm feeling a little smug now. I had faith in the horse and it's paid off
one win was all I ever wanted so it's mission accomplished!
Day at the grass for him today to stretch his legs and relax, then back to jogging for 15 minutes tomorrow and Sunday and returning to 30 minutes on Monday-Wednesday. We race at Corbiewood on the hard next Thursday as a Grade 2
Thanks for reading,
Sarah and Haugh Field's final winner, Merrington Missile
MISSILE WON LAST NIGHT!
He ran in the first race, a grade 1 heat where the first two qualified for the final (race 7). He was drawn 2 on the gate, and because we were worried he might gallop on the first bend as it's a bit tight, the jockey held him back rather than bomb him out the gate. Unfortunately he was parked two wide and despite a gap opening up behind the front horse that we felt the jockey should have pulled into, he kept him two wide and tried to pass the leader. He couldn't clear him fully so stayed on his outside, therefore running lengths more in distance. Coming up the home straight he was trying to pass again but the line came too quick and he was beaten by a short head. I was actually disappointed, as was J's dad, as we believed if he'd pulled in onto the rail and then tried to pass to finish then he would have won. But at least we qualified for the final. Before the race I was nearly physically sick with nerves, much to people's amusement, but heading into the final I had less expectations as there were higher grade horses running off 10, 20 and 30 yards behind him, as well as the home that beat him in the heat.
Going into the final he was once again drawn 2 on the gate. He opened up as second favourite and was heavily backed into favourite at the off, with people telling me he was going to win. I said I'd be happy if he came in the first three. This time the jockey chased him out the gate and had passed the inside horse by the first bend (with no signs of galloping). He went to slow the pace going down the back straight for the first time when the original favourite whizzed by him. Missile stuck with him like glue and they opened up a 6 or 8 length lead on the remainder of the field which was strung out already. Passing the crowd at the bell the jockey took him wide around the first bend again and then passed the leader going down the back straight (who promptly galloped as his ear plugs were pulled). Another horse followed Missile by and coming round the last two bends was 3/4 the way up beside Missile. Once he hit the home straight though it was game over and as the field tried to fight out the placings Missile went clear and won by a couple of lengths.
At that point I about exploded! I ran (I never run) onto the track, launched myself at J's father who was grinning like an idiot, then launched myself at the horse, patting him like something demented. I walked him round and lined him up for his winning photo, all the while kissing his big grumpy face - something I wouldn't dare do in any other situation!
I was overwhelmed last night by the number of people who congratulated me, which made it all the better. Over the weekend I was told that he wouldn't win another race (I had a bet to the contrary and need to collect that tomorrow at York) and that he had a heart the size of a pea. I'm feeling a little smug now. I had faith in the horse and it's paid off
one win was all I ever wanted so it's mission accomplished! Day at the grass for him today to stretch his legs and relax, then back to jogging for 15 minutes tomorrow and Sunday and returning to 30 minutes on Monday-Wednesday. We race at Corbiewood on the hard next Thursday as a Grade 2
Thanks for reading,
Sarah and Haugh Field's final winner, Merrington Missile
