Friday 3 November 2017

2017 Season: Week 21 - Murdock Weekend @ Corbiewood

It is entirely appropriate to be revisiting a meeting which was staged over a month ago.

Or at least, it is in my world, where I am in charge.

As with the quiet abandonment of my Harnesslink reports mid-season, this blog could have wound up for the season without much notice.  And as much as that would have suited me, as short on time now as I ever was (what with the responsibilities of home ownership added to the never-ending list of things to deal with), it simply wouldn't be fair.

We all know how much Big Burd loves fairness in the world, and to wrap this up on the sly by simply ceasing to post about the remaining fixtures of the season would be to serve an injustice upon those who celebrated success, worked hard and for one reason or another, put a smile on my face in the closing weeks of the season.

On we must march, therefore, into the seasonal highlight at Corbiewood: The Murdock Weekend.

In every standard year (classing last year's golden anniversary as an exception), the Murdock Weekend is Corbiewood's sole two-day fixture (I'm not referring to 'back in the day', when it was 'Musselburgh week' and you 'raced for 7 days straight and everyone was so drunk they couldn't remember anything and oh how we all wish it was like that again' - move on people, live in the present before it becomes the past and all).  The Saturday low grade handicap this year was for the Bob Kennedy Memorial, sponsored by the Kennedy family (who are the loveliest of people), with the Sunday high grade handicap being the Joe Murdock Memorial sponsored by, you guessed it, the Murdock family, which includes my former life coach (the artist formerly known as 'King of the Tubes').

Full results for the Saturday with links to the videos can be found on the SHRC website on the following link.  Personal highlights for me, aside from meeting my friend Netty's significant other for the first time and scaring him senseless over the course of the afternoon, were Dougie McLean's Yokalady winning the second heat of the Bob Kennedy Memorial handicap on her first start for new trainer John Kemp (and other than her unplaced run in the final the same day, she went on to be placed in every other start at Corbiewood until the end of the season on 15th October) and Cardigan Flash Man winning heat and final for Alf and Joy Swinbank.  The 4YO son of Doonbeg has had a long season running in all corners of the country, but has been consistent throughout with multiple wins to his name.  Also credit to Robhall who won the Dark Rum FFA in a time of 2.01.87, which I believe to be the season record at the track (more on Robhall to follow on a seasonal roundup post, as he is now being made the scapegoat for what some believe to be a flawed framing system at Corbiewood; personally I like to see the horse winning as he is one of Scotland's finest).

Cardigan Flashman winning the Bob Kennedy Memorial Final with Richard Haythornthwaite (Bill Cardno photo)


Onto Sunday, and you can find the full race results and links to the videos here.  I was a touch delicate after a few alcohol beverages the night before but had to be sharp as we had two runners from our stables.  I was (thankfully) ably assisted by Samantha, the Jockey's daughter, as the Gaffer was absent and Smarty is too busy being a bookie or something to help.  Ace didn't run so good (so we made the decision to turn her away for the year when we got home), however big old Cassius Clay ran a stormer to record our FIRST (and as it turned out, only) win of the season.  Breaking stride momentarily at the start, which is not like him at all, he sat two wide for a large portion of the race which might have looked a little foolhardy to some spectators, however Cassius is a big rolling horse who takes time to get up to fifth gear (and doesn't appreciate the pace being slowed down - which means the Jockey has been told numerous times to ignore his basic instinct to jack the pace when in front).

The victory was that little bit sweeter for two reasons; one, Darren Owen was present to call the race (personal goal of mine); and two, the Jockey's family were also there.  Along with his youngest daughter (and my chief helper) Samantha, was his partner Mary, his eldest daughter Nicky, her husband Billy and their son Lewis.

Cassius Clay heading to victory with The Jockey (Bill Cardno photo)




Celebrating with family and friends
Samantha and her new favourite boy!
My other highlight of the day was seeing No Brakes win heat and final of the Joe Murdock Memorial Handicap.  This was a massive achievement for a 3YO in aged company and came off the back of some tremendous performances all season to the delight of owners Bob and Linda Thomson.  Winning the £4000 final pushed No Brakes well clear at the top of the earnings table at the track, with him finishing the season on £5,200 at Corbiewood alone (not taking into consideration his multiple successes across Wales and England).

No Brakes & Grant Cullen win the Joe Murdock Memorial Final (Bill Cardno photo)
Well done to all winners over the course of the weekend; also special thanks to the following people who made Saturday night (and indeed the entire weekend) so much fun:

Both my former and current life coaches - King of the Tubes and West End Cod
Lisa 'Ladyford Lad' Farelly & Karen 'Evenwood Ruthless' Kennedy (although no thanks for the cross-country hike to the pub!)
Darren Keegan (for the shots)
Hayley, Rachael & Netty
Jonjo McMeekin - for giving me one dance seeing as I was no longer top bidder for the meal with him!
Abbie Cairns - for listening to my advice about boys with a straight face

Over and out,

#1 Groom

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