After a day on the sidelines, we were back in action on Friday for the final day of the Perth Festival. Mr Bull was on the team to clerk for Paul. We shared the driving on the way there and swapped at Abingdon so that Paul could resume studying the card.
His final synopsis was that it was a good one and there were a few races where we looked to have chances.
We began by getting our three bogeys chinned. Scot’s Poet trained by Ewan Whillans sailed through to win at 12-1 and got us off to a flyer.
The next was the feature event of the day, the Highland National and STD rode a cracker on the 11-1 shot Bretney from the front and once again we got three losers beat. Our tails were well and truly wagging.
The third race was a novice hurdle and Willie Mullins was looking to achieve his first Perth victory after two days of trying and failing.
Stoke the Fire was a warm order to do so at odds of 1/5. Our pal Racing St George had laid a sizeable wager on the rail at 1/4 and asked Paul if he fancied laying a bit and so we did.
Tommy’s Law the second favourite, looked for a while, as if it was going to give us a thrill but in the end the jolly triumphed easily.
Jack’s Parrot the 7/4 favourite, looked beat in the next but rallied and collared Busty Boy and Brian Hughes right near the line. Our early profit was getting frittered away.
A bit more went back to the punters when Chasing Fire the 15/8 favourite obliged in the next.
The penultimate race was a total sickener as Plaisir des Flos which was sent off at 8/11 traded much bigger in running and got a second wind to beat the one we had leaned with – Tommy Combats. A double whammy and it was starting to look like another shift where all we had done was achieve the expenses.
However, in the last Takt de Touques at 6/1 rode to our rescue. It was a decent winner and we managed to go off with some wages and smiles on our faces.
It was lovely that Matthew Taylor, the director of racing at Perth and clerk of the course, went for a chat with Paul. He asked his thoughts on crowd levels and turnover and seems very forward thinking for the future.
On Saturday, we were going to the second point to point of the season at Overton Farm so Mr Bull hitched a ride home with the Jimmy Latham team and we travelled down to Hamilton where we were staying for the night.
Dave and Sue had suggested Hemingways was a good lively pub for some entertainment. So we found a nice Italian restaurant and then headed to the aforementioned for a few drinks (Holstein Pils being Paul’s chosen poison. Literally 🙈) and some karaoke. No singing from the Garrittys though. We weren’t that drunk.
After a hearty breakfast and half an hours study of the pony racing form, we made the short journey to Carluke where the sun was actually shining.
We had good craic pre-racing with Pinno, who had also stayed over and Cumbie junior. There was a good crowd and the entries stood up well for the six main races.
The racing was competitive and we got a couple of good results which led to a decent winning day.
We once again got to see the useful looking Incisive which had won there last time for Ronnie Bartlett. The next Ballyburn? It remains to be seen but I guess his next outing will be under rules – very interesting to see what he can achieve.
We had originally planned to go to the Cheshire Forest point today but like so many this season it had to be abandoned. So the office is officially closed and Sunday shenanigans are set to commence with a music double header – Blythy in the club followed by The Hoo in the lounge as long as the Sol isn’t warm. Red card if it is!!!
We’ve a quiet week coming up so the plan is to get the accounts sorted. We are back on track next weekend with a choice of two venues on Friday and three on Saturday. Decisions pending. Blog to follow. Watch this space.
Paul Garritty Bookmakers 