Harestock Handicap Results - Sep 2018
The September Harestock Handicap was something of a newbie fest......we had 4 newbies in Paul Cox, Dave Gaskell, Jo Clarke and Simon Tarrant, we had Richard Singleton-Smith and Sam Parkinson returning for their first runs since 2016 and we also had Tom Watson making his first appearance of this year. Welcome all. In total then we had 20 runners but thankfully the September run is still in daylight and no-one got lost!
nOn a bad night for the handicapper (or maybe especially fast conditions) bu tno fewer than 15 runners (75% of the field) managed to meet or beat their handicap and 12 runners crossed the line in the thrilling sweetspot that is the blanket finish. Our winner on the night was the club chairman, Paul Cox, benefitting from some good recent training to post a very respectable first mark of 7'31 and becoming the 9th different winner this year. Another newbie, Dave Gaskell, was second - completely bamboozling the handicapper during the warmout and then storming round to post 6'40 boom and straight onto the honours board at No.42. Steve Goodwin had a fine run to place third and fly the flag for those of us trying to live with proven form and long-established handicaps.
nFastest on the night was again Andy Parkinson with a fine run of 6'32. Robert Bryan was second fastest with 6'39 and Dave Gaskell was third fastest with 6'40, in at No.42 as noted above. In total we had 7 runners at or below the magical 7min mark.
nThe September results are here : Harestock Handicap Results 2018 I Sep
nAs regards the overall standings we are 9 races (and 3 discards) into the campaign but it is close and as previous years have proven it would be a brave man who tried to pick a winner from this far out. Matt Lavers was back with us for September but has slipped to third overall, Adrian Haughton maintains his position as our only "100% attendance" athlete for 2018 but has slipped to second, so.....drumroll please....it is Paul Oxley who now leads the way.
nAs ever the key to success is to get out there and contest the handicap whenever you can....you've got to be in it to win it and it's amazing how that random 10th place when you nearly didn't bother can make the difference.
nThe October Handicap will be, as ever, on the first Thursday of the month...the 4th.
nMeet at the track 18.45 for 19.00. Newbies (and Oldies) all welcome we can make up suitable (and it would appear, generous) handicaps on the night.