Laidlers dominate at Ceredigion Races

Ceredigion Trotting Club’s popular two-day harness racing event held over the weekend was once again a huge success, as the sun shone for the hard working committee, creating a well-deserved electric atmosphere for the outstanding equine athletes.

Local connections had good success at the meeting, with Rhys Evans from Tregaron winning on both Enter The Dragon and Equilea Du Hauty on day one.

Others who had success on Saturday were Penuwch-based trainers Michael O’Mahony, with Meldoon, who won a heat of the Travis Perkins Handicap, and Mike Evans, with Enez Leman, who is now two from two and a strong contender in the French-bred three year old division.

On Sunday, Colin Bevan’s drive home back to Builth Wells was made shorter after qualifying two horses for the final, winning on Bucklands Fox Trot and placing second on Masquerade Avenue.

In the three year old races Rhyds Mystique won the fillies division and has yet to put a foot wrong this season. Springhill Glory, a progressive type, was the winner of the colts and geldings division, but it was a hard fought battle to the line – first having to take on the game My Buddy in the hands of Alan Jones, and then having to fend off the challenge from Sper Buggy and Richard Haythornthwaite.

One of the highlights of the weekend was 16 year-old Lee Wakefield making his first ever drive a winning one on Forest Drifter, both his parents are respected drivers and after his performance on the big stage he could be claiming a few more drives over the remainder of the season.

The free for all was undoubtedly race of the meeting. Six of the best went to post with Miraculous in the hands of Patrick Kane Jnr, coming out on top from the gallant 11 year-old Stoneriggs Mystery and the Irish contender Porterstown Chris.

Only a length separated the first three and it was phenomenal to watch the top quality individuals being cheered home.

The half-brother to Miraculous, Matticulous looked incredibly impressive in the two year-old event for Andrew Cairns and his connections. Partly owned Vince and Shon Morgans he is a top prospect for the future and will be sure to return to the winner enclosure several time this season.

Another notable moment of the weekend was seeing Heulwen Bulman get presented with her special contribution to harness racing award. The driving force behind the meeting won her award in February, and it was extremely fitting that she was presented with it at a meeting where she works so hard at. Heulwen is most deserving of the award, having worked tirelessly over the last 20 years to create a meeting which could rival any meeting over the UK and Ireland.

Ultimately, the weekend belonged to the Laidler camp and they won seven of the races over the weekend with the likes of Happy Hands, Frankie Camden and Rockies First. They also won both finals with Jack Swagger and Evenwood Sonofagun respectively. The two were hugely impressive, winning comfortably and once again cementing Alexis Laidler as leading trainer of the meeting.

by Kayleigh Evans, for the Ceredigion Trotting Club