Track record at Corbiewood 50th anniversary meet

The main event on Saturday 6th August was the 50th Anniversary Low Grade Final, sponsored by British Harness Racing Club Chairman, Roy Sheedy, of Wellfield Stud, Newport, Wales.

The first of the four heats went the way of the Gregor Paterson-trained Dreamaway Carrie, who recently enjoyed success in Wales, giving William Greenhorn his first of six driving wins across the weekend on his bid to become the UK's leading driver for the first time.

The next heat went to the English raider, Springhill Dustin, who was reunited with his most successful pilot, Gordon Gilvear. Ayr Trooper and Mick Lord won the third heat, with the veteran Ladyford Lad winning his second race in 9 days when cruising to victory in the final heat in the hands of Lauren Moran.

Persistence finally paid off for Coalford Mystery and George Drysdale as the Linda Cassells-trained gelding lost his maiden tag. William Greenhorn recorded his second win on day one with the English contender Conquering Heights from the John 'Chic' Armstrong stables in Newcastle.

The heavens opened prior to the running of the Free For All, which saw Robert Craw and Hamish Muirhead's popular pacer Robhall storm to victory in the fastest time for the 2016 season over the mile.

This provided last year's top driver Grant Cullen with his first winner of the weekend, and it wasn't long before he returned to the winner's circle when partnering Bobby Rowan's Ontop Accountable to victory in the 50th Anniversary Low Grade Final, having qualified as a runner up in the first race.

Trotters returned to Corbiewood for the first time in over 10 years as the track hosted the 2016 staging of the Roosevelt Cup. One of the top square-gaited horses in the UK over the past two seasons made his track debut a winning one, as trotting stalwart Paul Mather of Stockport, Manchester, steered Show Business to victory.

On the second day the main event was the 50th Anniversary High Grade Final, again sponsored by Roy Sheedy.

The Hamish Muirhead-trained ATM and Hugh Menzies followed up on last week's victory when taking the first of the four heats.

The Scottish Harness Racing Club 2015 Horse of the Year, Greentree Shorty, gifted catch driver William Greenhorn with his third win of the weekend. Trackside Racing Stables' in-form mare Starzapan landed her fourth win of the season with Stuart Mackenzie at the reins.

The fourth heat was won by the popular grey, Coalford Chief, owned and trained by Joy Swinbank who enjoyed success on the first day of racing with Springhill Dustin.

It was a back to back training double for the flamboyant Gregg Dunbar, Salsburgh, as GDs Whirlwind and GDs Warrior recorded wins in the two maiden and novice combined events. William Greenhorn partnered both, increasing his tally to five.

The penultimate race saw Stoneriggs Mystery romp home in a new track record over the distance of 1m3f of 2.50.67. The Australian visitors, led by renowned journalist Bill Hutchison and tour guide operator Michael Gallenti, joined celebrations in the winner's circle as they witnessed a champion in action. The Morton-owned Free For All star heads to Tir Prince, North Wales, on August 20th to defend his title as Crock of Gold Champion.

In the final, it was the popular and tenacious Greentree Shorty who landed the spoils with William Greenhorn picking him over his other two qualifiers from the heats. Owner John Harrison appeared visibly delighted to see his horse continuing last season's winning ways.

For fifty years, Corbiewood has staged weekly racing on its three eighths of a mile track. Many of the regular racegoers have grown up with the venue and the memories created within its perimeter fences will last a lifetime. Happy Anniversary Corbiewood!

by Sarah Thomas, for Harnesslink