NEWS

Racing Resumes on the 12th February

Racing is scheduled to resume at Kelso on Thursday 12th February with a competitive seven race card. 

Officials at the track are very anxious to resume racing having lost the last two meetings due to frost, which means the track is in magnificent condition having not been raced on since the end of November.  A strong entry is expected with the first race off at 1.30pm. 

A number of Kelso Annual Members have clubbed together to sponsor the first race and have contributed towards the prize money and will receive full benefits of sponsorship with a box and entertainment.  A race won last year by Howard Johnson’s Frankie Figg and the same trainer could be represented by Hockenheim. Other possibles include Lucinda Russell’s pair Mr Preacher Man and Innominate. 

There are sure to be plenty of entries for the 2m 1/2f Novices Hurdle race and Peter Monteith plans to enter a trio comprising Catai, Solus and Shahramore. Madge, trained in County Durham by Wilf Storey is another to consider. 

The feature race of the day is sponsored by Weatherby’s Bloodstock Insurance the Wellingborough based renowned business that administer racing for the British Horseracing Board and also provide a racecard service, banking and bloodstock insurance as other sidelines.  Nick Cheyne their very influential Client Relations Director will be at Kelso to do the presentations.  This race is a trial for the Kim Muir at Cheltenham.  Peter Monteith was second in this 12 months ago with Standin Obligation and he’s looking for another bold showing from either First Look or Twelve Paces. Sue Smith could end up winning the race for the second year in-a-row and her two possible are Stagecoach Amber and Bougoure. 

The UK’s leading potato company Greenvale AP, whose trucks are such a familiar site on the Border roads, will be awarding the prestigious and fiercely contested “Tesco Scottish Potato Grower of the Year” trophy at a reception for their suppliers in the Tweedie Stand.  Donald Whillans’ mare Bollin Ruth was second in this last year and could bid to go one better. Peter Monteith expects to be double-handed with Nelson Du Ronceray and Tiger King while the only runner of the day from Rayson Nixon’s Selkirk yard is likely to be Just Posh. 

One of Hawick’s best value and fun racing clubs the Potassium Partnership have very generously agreed to sponsor the Handicap Chase.  This enthusiastic bunch lead by Rory Bannerman will be on hand to do the presentations.  Shulmin, trained by Brian Storey’s sister Carol Ferguson, has been a real moneyspinner and could be the very type for this. Smart Thinker has been in great form and is another possibility for the Ferdy Murphy/Graham Lee combination. 

The Hunter Chase has been very generously sponsored by Dennis Coppola the well known Edinburgh business man, and he has named the race after his two grandchildren Reece and Ben.  This Hunter Chase is run for the Colonel Monteith Trophy which is contested every year in memory of that “huge character” Colonel Willie Monteith who’s son Peter trains very successfully from his Whitebog stables at Dalkeith and is Scotland’s most consistent trainer both over the jumps and on the flat.  The Coppola family have had a huge amount of fun and excitement out of the horses they have had in training with Peter.  In the race the main attraction could be Alistair Brown’s Galashiels star hunter Natiain, who won the Mens Open at the Jedforest point to point across the Tweed at Friars Haugh last weekend. Tynedale and Rayshan are others from that card that could also be in action. and another contender could be Roger Green’s mare Anshan Spirit, who has done all her winning at Kelso with four strikes to her credit at the borders venue. 

The European Breeders Fund and Doncaster Bloodstock Sales combine to sponsor a mare’s bumper the concluding event on Friday.  Harry Beeby Chairman of Doncaster Bloodstock Sales who’s offices are in Hawick will be on hand to make the presentations to the winning connections.  Malcolm Jefferson is always worth a second look in bumpers and his Zoenicibel has some decent form to her name. Kayaka, trained by Ferdy Murphy’s son Paul, and Michael Dods’ Appelouse are two other well-regarded types. 

The very poplur Pavillion Packages resume for Kelso's biggest raceday on Saturday 28th February with £100k on offer.  There are still places available and anyone wishing to book a table should apply as soon as possible on 01668 280800.

NEXT RACE MEETING:    Saturday 28th February     Gates Open: 12.00pm  First Race: 2.00pm