Harestock Handicap - February 2023
Little did those who turned out to contest the February Handicap know but they were in for one of those once-in-a-blue-moon events where the handicapper won his own race. Winning for only the 2nd time in 123 attempts Steve Oliver was taking no prisoners and shamelessly held off Jess Milborne (running only her 2nd handicap) with an elbows out photo-finish dip on the line. Exciting stuff as the fast finishing Bracken Dawson was only a stride or so behind and just run out of the photo.
nAfter all that the usual stuff.....we had John Reed as a welcome event newbie and in keeping with the once-in-a-blue-moon flavour Andrew Robinson pitched up for his first handicap in 5 years, a proper old friends "how has life been treating you" reunion.
nAs you may know already our winner on the night was Steve Oliver (7'51 net) ahead of Jess Milborne (7'29) in 2nd and keeping Bracken Dawson (6'30) in 3rd as they battled to the line.
nFastest on the night was James Moore (6'12) and 2nd was the aforementioned Bracken (6'30) with our newbie John Reed 3rd fastest and posting a fine (6'48). The fastest lady was Jess Milborne (7'29). Honours Board? Yes, with that time John Reed gets onto the board somewhere around 72nd place, James and Bracken are already on the Board but were some way off their PB's this time.
nAs regards the overall standings we've only just begun and too early to say anything other than over the season consistency generally counts for more than flashy first places and Jess Milborne, Stephen Lowy and Paul Oxley have all banked 2 good finishes. More importantly at this stage we now know that there are only 12 people in the whole world who still have a chance of winning a coveted "12 out of 12" medal. As this is our 12th year of doing the Handicap then wouldn't it be nice if we could keep the gang of 12 together.
nThe March 2023 Handicap will be, as ever, on the first Thursday of the month...the 2nd March 2023.
nMeet at the bus-stop warmed up and ready to go at 19.30 or join us up there from 19.00 for some threshold loops as your warmup with the handicap lap as a "fast rep" to finish.
nRemember the scoring system is benevolent and allows a number of discards so even if you haven't done a 2023 handicap yet you still have a chance of winning the overall trophy - as well as having fun on a handicap night. All welcome we can make up handicaps for newbies (or returners) on the night.