WAVENEY HARRIERS MEETINGS
Highlights of the last three decades
by Mike Ashby

2010- 2011        20th FEBRUARY 2011
FINNISH MELODY made an impressive winning debut in the Maiden, having previously raced under rules, without success, for her owner/breeder. This was a second winner of the afternoon for Gina Andrews and trainer John Ibbott, the same combination having won the opening Members’ race with MOUNTAIN EMPEROR.

The ultra-consistent START ROYAL duly landed the odds in the Mens Open for the always-to-be respected Alan Hill (trainer) and James Tudor (jockey) partnership.

There were two long distance travellers who made their journeys worthwhile, with appearances in the winner’s enclosure. ROCKLANDSLAD (Gloucestershire) and THE NUNS LEGACY (Warwickshire) won the Ladies Open and PPORA Members, respectively. The latter was recording two successive wins at Higham this season with Hannah Watson in the saddle.

Biggest priced winner of day was TARA GALE, returned at odds of 25/1, who showed no lack of fitness, despite being off the course for 18 months, when slamming her Restricted rivals. Jeremy Mahot partnered the daughter of the legendary Grimley Gale, winner of sixteen point-to-points and ten hunter ‘chases, during her distinguished career.

2000-2009       11TH JANUARY 2004
A red letter day for Lucinda Barrett-Nobbs who registered her first winner on LAMBRINI KING, in the Members’ race. The outsider of the five runners, the pairing sealed their victory with a fine leap at the last. Lucinda had finished second in the race, the previous year.

PLACID MAN, formerly with trainer Nicky Henderson under rules and partnered by Alex Embiricos, were impressive winners of the Ladies Open.

Matthew Mackley steered GALLANT GLEN to victory in the Mens Open for owner Derek Harding-Jones and trainer son, Perry, in the second fastest time of the day. THE RED BOY and Andrew Braithwaite were recording their second win of the new 2004 season in the Confined, in what proved to be the day’s fastest recorded race time.

Surrey-based Philip York didn’t leave Higham empty handed, returning a double on JACOB’S CHOICE (Division two of the Maiden) and his father’s STAR GLOW (Intermediate)

1990-1999      11th MARCH 1995
AS YOU WERE and Dominic Parravani were narrow winners of the opening Hunt race, scraping home by a neck from Mr Paw and Lucy Hollis.

Rory Lawther and WELSH SINGER quickened clear on the flat to outpace the favourite, River Melody in the Mens Open.

DROMIN LEADER provided Nicola Bothway, wearing her grandfather’s, Joe Turner, famous colours with a winner in the Ladies equivalent.

Division one of the Maiden saw Hugh Hodge’s FAR VIEW lose its maiden tag, in the hands of Rupert Wakely. Division two winners were David Featherstone and NEW YORK BOY.

Simon Stearn and FLASHY BUCK justified favouritism by seeing off their rivals in the Confined event. 
 

1980-1989        27TH FEBRUARY 1988
STANWICK LAD and John Sharp made a winning seasonal debut to win the Mens Open from Tim Moore on Midsummer Gladness.

HIGH POPPA and Helen Vergette came down from Leicestershire to lead throughout the Ladies Open and win by ten lengths.

PORTMADOC was a popular winner of the Hunt race, for John Whyte and another owner/trainer/rider Simon Stearn, landed the Adjacent Hunts race on WISE GAMBOL.

BOTTLE BANK and William Wales won division two of the Maiden for owner Paul Rackham after the previous division had gone to James Fanshawe and SLAVE TIME. The pairing just getting the better of Shedid and Lisa Rowe.