Curbs is the daddy

Walthamstow Report 22 Sep 2007

Saturday's was a decent open card, featuring the VC Bet puppy stakes final.

Wheres Yer Man was smartly into his stride and made all in the VC Bet mini standard. Some considered his draw to be a tricky one and he was sent off a generous looking 9/4 shot. This was his 10th win from 15 starts at the track, a fine record indeed. Roxholme Babe showed good pace down the back straight and finished a length and a quarter second.

Directors Chair looked a penalty kick in the Div 1 novice stayers stakes and was sent off 2/5F. True Frankie towed him along for a few bends until Directors Chair swept by at the 3rd. Directors Chair beat True Frankie by 3 3/4 lengths.

Centaur Decree produced an electric start in the Div 2 standard. He was a bit slow at the bends, but  showed good pace on the straights and ran out a  1 3/4 length winner. The former Ocean Trailers puppy stakes winner was returning from a couple of month break, so this was a good effort. Legal Major put in a particularly game effort to grab second from Milldean Buster near the line.

In the novice marathon, despite stumbling at the start, Miss Dark Eyes paced up well to lead at the first. She didn't see the trip out and Centaur Fuji flew past her between the 4th and 5th bends and ran right away from the field, winning by 10 lengths. Romford Carthree stayed on to finish a long second.

In the VC invitation race, Broadway Sizzler made most of the running, but was not fluent at the bends. Noirs Ted cam with a storming finish (from last to first) and grabbed the race near the line. Fear Becks was badly crowded at the second bend and may have finished a lot closer with a clear run.

Swift Maggie made all in the Div 2 stayers event. Discreet Cat was slowly away, but showed lots of pace and finished second. Blonde Banker also showed good middle pace, but faded on the run in.

In the puppy standard, Pea Ball looked to have the best form, but lacked a look round. He left a few lengths on the track all right, but was a very decent winner. He had previously run a 29.60 at Hove. Westmead Kewell stayed on well for second.

Ask The Question ran out a fair winner in the VC puppy stayers. This wasn't a strongly contested event as the second Tiger Scot does not look the strongest of stayers. This may be a good confidence booster though.

Milldean Flash paced up well and led round in the Diamond Geezer stakes. Courts Ad Queen challenged to the 3rd bend, but could not get by. Raging Jack finished well and led near the line.

In the 4th running of the "Hamster Scurry", one of the outsiders, Emporio Caesar made much of the running. Big Brett Coal (BBC) turned handy and took it up from the 6th bend. Butterbridge Ali started very slowly indeed, but stayed on well for second. This was BBC's 14th win from 26 Walthamstow starts.

Bubbly Kate was withdrawn off colour in the maxi marathon. Many six packers still included T1 in the forecasts and trifectas, leading to some bumper dividends for the shrewdies. Track record holder Ebony Ocean, was sent off an unbelievably short 6/4 shot. She led up for 6 bends, but was completely outclassed by Slaneyside Demon. The previous 1045m winner at the track led near the 7th bend and pulled right away from the field, winning by 8 1/2 lengths. Elite Queen had led from the 6th to near the 7th bend, but was made to look one pace thereafter.

 Droopys Curbs put in a blinding performance in the VC Bet puppy stakes final. He paced up very well and won by 4L in a fast 28.40. Westmead Keawn ran much better than he had in his semi final and was a gallant second. Westmead Tina lacked the early pace required, was crowded at the second bend, but stayed on for third. She went well down to the pick up and so did Droopys Curbs. I'd love to see the two of them race against one another over 6 bends.

Island View was another impressive winner on the card in the maiden standard, leading from trap to line. He's by that classy open race bitch Tinys Bud and is one to follow. The reserve Diesel Lilloco kept on for second. Diesel Lilloco was A2 at Longford.

The Div 2 novice stayers saw the jolly Directors Choice oblige, albeit narrowly. Eye Onthe Flyer paced up well after a modest start. Directors Choice was crowded between the 1st 2 bends and took it up on the run to the third bend. He held on by a head from Eye Onthe Flyer, who would not go away.

Last updated: 13 Jun 2008 by Stow judge Contact