REVIEW SIR W.W. WYNN'S EATON HALL SUNDAY 24 MARCH 2002 by Mal Davies |
A
fantastic four-timer for Gary Hanmer was the feature of the day at Eaton
Hall on Sunday. The conditions underfoot were immeasurably better than the
venue’s first meeting of the season earlier in the month, but the field
sizes were still disappointing for a sizeable crowd. Hanmer got
off the mark in the opening Members’ race, powering EXCUSE ME SIR to a
six-length success from Richard Burton on the veteran Three Saints. Gentry
was a poor third, a distance back. Win number two was achieved a shade
cosily on heavy odds-on shot GARRYSPILLANE; the Paul Jones horse, runner
up in the prestigious John Corbett last season eased to a three length win
from Burton on Analystic, with the brace Kentucky Gold back in third place
for Charlie Barlow. Barlow had earlier taken the maiden aboard MR MOONBEAM
who was too good for Bernie Wharfe on Pure Grit. One to watch (eventually
pulled up) is Pristeen Spy, a Teenoso five-year-old out of the prolific
winner Sikera Sky; he was given a school, and never placed to challenge,
but won’t be long winning his maiden when put in a race. WHITEGATES
WILLIE made his seasonal reappearance a winning one, taking the Mens’
Open, to notch Hanmer’s treble, and his one hundredth win between the
flags to boot. Prices as generous as 9-4 were about, in what was a weak
looking heat. Weak Moment again made Alistair Crow work hard, and could
not follow up his win here last time, eventually finishing third behind
Ask Antony. The winner should be given a chance under Rules soon. The
Ladies’ Open at the last meeting here was a walkover, and the same
practically occurred again, as the amazing BALISTEROS notched his second
win in as many days, by finishing alone under Pauline Robson at odds in
the region of 1-10. It was no more than an exercise canter, and he should
continue to mop up easy racers if the opposition is as poor as it was
here. Only three
went to post for the PPORA members’ race, and the outsider of the trio,
MERRY CHRISTMAS (who posted the fastest time in the quagmire at the last
Eaton Hall meeting), won with ease for Ray Owen, with favourite Seven Four
Seven a disappointing second. The best
race of the day was the concluding Restricted, and it was again a Hanmer-Burton
one-two as impressive maiden winner LORD DIXON short-headed Charlie Keay. |