SENNELEYS PARK GOLD CUP

AKA MIDLAND WOMEN’S XC LEAGUE

SAT 28^TH OCT. 2006.

THE ALTERNATIVE RACE REPORT. 

Ten runners from the Birchfield stable entered the Senior Fillies event, a race over thirty two furlongs on an undulating course with a water jump. The going was soft to boggy. Over two hundred runners completed the two laps.

There was much neighing and whinnying at the start as is common in filly events and the officials decided against using starting gates. After a fiercely fought battle with many fallers at the water jump, the race was won by Hayley Yelling, the Bookies favourite, an international class southern filly, who has won this race on previous occasions.

First home for the Birchfield stable was the Newnham trained filly Debbie Walters fresh from her National team victory last week. She was 22^nd overall.

Next came self-trained filly Emma Phillips, also a National team winner. Socks above the fetlocks as usual, she didn’t have one of her best runs but still finished 37^th.

In 3^rd, and completing the team scoring was Cath Mijovic, also self-trained, she comes from East European stock and although a bit long in the tooth she had fully recovered from last weeks gymkhana  at the Women’s Institute; she finished 55^th.

Becky Sanders has been stabled for ages after suffering an injury to her hock, but she returned to racing in style to finish 61^st.

Rachel Cook has also been round the paddock a few times but can still produce fine performances finishing 84^th managing to clear the water jump on the way!!

The next filly, Sally Latham, Whitehouse trained, made her racing debut wearing very striking green hooves.  She exceeded all expectations and finished 106^th.

Making up the ten runners were another Newnham trained filly, Louise Harman followed by a Smith trained filly, Michelle Tanner, a first year filly, Holly O’Meara, obviously of Irish stock. Finally Wendy Morant complete with red mane. 

Eddie Cockayne.

Senior Fillies Team Manager,