FATHER and son Andrew and Greg Fairley celebrated the return to the saddle of the latter with a win apiece in the feature races at the two day Hawick Common Riding meeting.
Held at Hawick Mair last Friday and Saturday racegoers were treated to some good racing in very difficult conditions. The rain on the Friday made the ground soft and with the showers continuing late into the evening the track was almost unraceable on Saturday. After a discussion with owners and jockeys however racing went ahead.
The Emtelle and Dobbie & Michie Stewards handicap run over one mile was the first race and five went to post with locally trained Highfield Prince starting favourite. Right from the off the writing was on the wall however as Irish raider Back On Top never looked back with plenty in hand from On The Edge second and Eastmill Diamond back in third.
Next up was the six furlongs race, sponsored by Skipper Rum, where a good start saw all eight runners in with a chance at the halfway stage. Entering the straight Tri-Star finished well to hold off Neetherekana and top weight In Ur Dreams third.
The 128th running of the world famous Tradesmans Handicap was the next race and the betting was very brisk indeed with money for most of the 10 runners. Volare trained at Langholm by Tony Irving, Irish raider Ferry Tone and local horse Acannacano were the talking horses. A wayward start saw Volare, ridden by Greg Fairley who’s 12 year ban from the British Horse Racing Authority does not include flapping, take the lead from the flag closely followed by Kalahari Desert, Isobar, Burnie Brae and Ferry Tone. Three furlongs from home Volare was still in front with Isobar travelling well in behind and Ferry Tone and Full Of Magic catching. Volare dug deep and went on to win by four lengths from Isobar who was one length in front Ferry Tone with the fast finishing Full Of Magic back in fourth. This was a fantastic training feet by Irving who has trained the winner in the last three Tradesmans.
The final race of day one saw only three go to post for the Jimmy Dickie Memorial Flex Handicap with the odds on shot One For The Road winning from Woodhall Tarsbay and Fergie’s Boy back in third.
Saturday probably saw the worst underfoot conditions for many a year but great credit must go to all owners, jockeys and horses for putting on a great days racing .
The seven furlongs race sponsored by the Bookmakers saw Back On Top winning again from Moodla Point and The Gambler.
The Big race of the day was next The Buccleuch Handicap kindly sponsored by K. C. Entertainments. 10 runners were competing for the £900 first prize and the steady early pace was set by Rockstar followed by Don’t Think So and It Takes Time. As the race develop it was Don’t Think So who travelled best turning for home with Rockstar and the fast finishing Woodhall Tarasbay in pursuit. The line just came in time for Don’t Think So with Woodhall Tarasbay second and Rockstar third. This was a great ride by the evergreen Andrew Fairley.
The James Bell Handicap, sponsored by Ferguson & Aitkin Ltd, was next up and saw five runners go to post. Ferry Tone justified favouritism by winning handily from Isobar and On The Edge
The final race of the weekend saw six go to post for The Wyoming Handicap sponsored by The New Delhi Bar. Top weight In Ur Dreams tried to make all but was tiring as they entered the final furlong and the fast finishing NeetherKana went on to win from Tanked Up and The Freeman respectively.
Results Friday
Race 1: 1, Back On Top - T. Williams; 2, On The Edge - A. Fairley; 3, Eastmill Dimond - I. Crozier.
Race 2: 1, Tri-Star - W. Hogg; 2, Neetherkana - G. Fairley; 3, In Ur Dreams - L. Berridge.
Race 3: 1, Volare - G. Fairley; 2, Isobar - J. Benson; 3, Ferry Tone - T. Williams.
Race 4: 1, One for The Road - G. Fairley; 2, Woodhall Tarsbay - M. Kane; 3, Fergie`s Boy - T. Whilliams.
Results Saturday
Race 1: 1, Back on Top - T. Williams; 2, Moodla Point - G. Berridge; 3, The Gambler - J. Benson.
Race 2: 1, Don’t Think So - A. Fairley; 2, Woodhall Tarasbay - M. Kane; 3, Rockstar - G.Fairley.
Race 3: 1, Ferry Tone - T. Williams; 2, Isobar - J. Benson; 3, On The Edge - A. Fairley.
Race 4: 1, Neetherkana - G. Fairley; 2, Tanked Up - T. Boyd; 3, The Freeman - I. Crozier.
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