THE first of two meetings scheduled for Badbury Rings, near Wimborne takes place tomorrow when the Countryside Alliance Club (Wessex) hold their meeting.
A very popular meeting with owners, riders and spectators a total of 99 horses have been entered for the six races which sees the first of two Wessex feature races this season, the Wessex National Men’s Open race.
The Wessex National Men’s Open is the second race on the card and looks a competitive race.
Full Trottle from Laura Thomas’s stable has been in fine form this season and may be the one to beat.
Sally Alner has entered the progressive Apple’s Queen, the winner of a maiden and a restricted already this season but this is a major step up.
The meeting begins with the Club Members Conditions race for which 23 horses have been entered.
This looks a wide open contest with Roseyroo holding an entry as well as the Men’s Open as does Golden Hoof.
The Novice Riders’ race may see the reappearance of the evergreen 16-year-old Presentandcorrect.
The winner of his last two races last season for owner/trainer Tim Sage and a victory for him would be very popular.
He may have to concede however to Tempelpirate, the prolific winner of 14 races to date and already a winner this season at Barbury Castle.
The Ladies’ Open race for which 10 horses are entered may see a battle between the tough Posh Totty, the winner of the ladies’ race at Milborne St Andrew, Karinga Dancer who has already won two races this season for Laura Thomas, Bound For Glory, the winner of a ladies’ race at Cottenham in November and another gutsy mare in the shape of Popaway.
The Restricted race looks a competitive race with 17 horses entered.
That includes the winner of the two-mile four furlong maiden at Milborne St Andrew, Master Tradesman, and he must have a good chance if he sees out the extra half mile.
Palmaria was an easy winner at Chipley Park for trainer
Caroline Keevil and she must have an excellent chance of following up.
The concluding Maiden race sees King Calvin and Flights renew rivalry after finishing second and third at Milborne St Andrew behind Master Tradesman.
Both now step up to a three-mile trip and it will be interesting to see how they adapt to the extra distance.
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