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Abergele, Wales – Tir Prince Raceway in Wales celebrates 25 years showcasing the sport of harness racing this season and continues to mark its silver jubilee with a unique “greys only” contest to be held at the venue this coming Saturday July 18th.
Eight runners have declared for this novel event which has captured the imagination of harness racing enthusiasts in both Britain and Ireland. The race is being sponsored by Derek and James Delaney's Oakwood Stud in Ireland.
Early ante-post favourite for the race is Wellfield Ghost representing South Wales owner Roy Sheedy who has hit the target 12 times including a win as recently as last week in a high class heat at Aberystwyth.
Second favourite is the 8 year old Blue Incredible trained and driven by Jason Podmore. A renowned track specialist at Tir prince the grade 7 handicapper is toughness personified being the winner of 14 races and 23 placed efforts.
American Gangster likely to prove popular with holidaymaker punters who will place their bets purely on looks alone and hes currently amassed 5 wins in his career so far including a recent win at Allensmore on June 21st.
Yorkshire man Andrew Cairns’ travels Coalford Chief down to the Welsh venue and although only 6 years old, hes made 12 visits to the winners enclosure so far in his short career.
The only female in the line up so far is the aptly named Shades Of Grey and her connections Shane & Claire Fletcher will fancy her to whip her male counterparts into submission. Imported from the USA as a foal the grade 9 mare hasn’t added to her tally of 9 lifetime wins in 2015 with her best finishing position so far this campaign being a 3rd at Tregaron.
The Irish raider Oakwood Outlaw by Armbro Operative could prove to be the fly in the ointment to them all, however. The 9 year old was actually bred by the race sponsors the Oakwood Stud and is now in the care of top reinsman Alan Wallace. Although the grade 5 has yet to get his head in front this season hes been a runner up twice recently and seems to be hitting top form at just the right time.
Ayr Hero and Cool Night Ayr complete the eight strong line-up and with 15 career wins racked up between them both are worthy contenders to land the spoils on the night.
It is hoped that the Foreclosure Platinum Free For All for greys only becomes an annual event at the track and promoter Eric Witherspoon has also highlighted that Saturday evenings programme is jam-packed with classic races so a great nights racing is guaranteed at Tir Prince.
Also on the program Saturday will be a filly and colt division of the Ladbrokes Vincent Delaney Memorial Prep races, also sponsored by Oakwood Stud. This is the first time there has been both a filly and colt division.
by Thomas Bennett, for Harnesslink.com
