As predicted by the Racing Manager, Eric Witherspoon, track records were felled at Tir Prince on 16th July 2016.

Anyone who are attended Tir Prince Raceway Towyn on Saturday night was treated to a top class display of harness racing that will live long in the memory. The showers that had fallen earlier in the day had dampened the track nicely leaving it extremely fast come race time. Ayr Trooper took the opener for Mrs Wilma Morton he was produced in the straight by driver Mick Lord overtaking long time leader Rhyds Firebird to win by half a length in a time of 2.02.8. A Kind Of Magic stayed on for third.

Kikis Boy rewarded favourite backers in race 2 leading from pillar to post under a confident Stevie Lees drive. 2 Year Old Boos Fury came with a very impressive late run to finish second with Elsa Camden back in third the winning time was 2.04.9 the distances were half a length and a length and a half.

Race 3 saw the Silver division of The George Dixon Memorial Le Trot and things really became interesting as Sire Pazenais broke the track record for the 1½ Mile Trot coming home in 3.08.5 with Paul Mather Snr in the sulky. Titan De Prelong was second with Alza La Belle in third. Connections of the winner faced an anxious wait to see whether they would collect the £1000 bonus for breaking the track record as the gold division of the race was yet to come and if a faster time was clocked then the winner of that race would collect the bonus. The previous record of 3.09.1 had stood for over 20 years so this was no mean feat by the 10 year old French Trotter.

Next up was The Vincent Delaney Memorial Prep Race Fillies Division and Rhyds Mystique made it three out of three with a performance that simply said I’m the boss bring on Dublin! Marc Elvin bought this filly for £3000 with every intention of giving her to John Gill to break in and then bring her home to train himself. When John Gill phoned Marc in December and insisted that this filly had to stay with him as she was special he definitely was speaking the truth! Rhyds Vodoo and Greenhill Debatable filled the places. The race time was an impressive 2.03.5 and this performance will no doubt leave Rhyds Mystique firm favourite for the VDM Fillies Division.

The Gold Division of the George Dixon Memorial Le Trot saw Sulky De Blequin come from the clouds to clinch victory from Show Business in one of the closest finishes seen at the track for many many years. The gasps of the spectators around the finishing line told you all you needed to know about the quality of the finish to this race. They crossed the line in 3.08.9 meaning that the winner of the Silver Division collected the £1000 bonus which was kindly put up by Billy Dixon in memory of his late brother.

Race 6 saw the Colts and Geldings division of the VDM Prep Race go to post, hot favourite Tyrion Hanover broke at the start of the race and lost over 100 yards this left Rhyds Decoy to lead out and he never looked like relinquishing the lead coming home in 2.05.8 from Share A Smile in second and Ladyford Express in third. Tyrion Hanover made up a lot of ground and finished fourth.

Race 7 was the Crock Of Gold Heat and Porterstown Road took full advantage of his gate position leading out from the two hole he clocked the first quarter in 27.9 and then hit the half in 57.4. Anyone who was expecting him to come back to the field after setting such a fast pace to the half was left dumfounded as he extended his lead clocking the three quarters in 1.26.7. He ran out the eight lengths winner in a very impressive time of 1.57.3. Tarawood Messi stayed on for second clocking a time of 1.59.7 with Bath Lane back in third in a time of 1.59.9. The winner was very impressive and has now booked his place in the final on 20th August.

Race 8 was The Oakwood Stud Grey Free For All and Wellfield Ghost caused an upset by retaining his crown as the top Grey in the UK with a gutsy front running performance under a superb Patrick Kane drive. Favourite Shades Of Grey never really travelled and it was left to Blue Incredible and Coalford Chief to fight out the places with the former just getting up at the death to claim second. The time of the race was 2.00.6 and the distances were three lengths and half a length.

Race 9 was the fillies division of the North Wales Horse Owners Association Three Year Old Championship and Jessie’s Conquest lived up to her billing as hot favourite with a fantastic front running performance breaking the track record for three year old fillies in the process! The previous record was 2.01.2 and this was smashed as the daughter of Arts Conquest came home in 2.00.3 to win by seven lengths from Porcelain Seelster in second and Greenhill Gracie in third. Owner, Trainer and Driver Marc Jones paid an emotional tribute to the horse in the winners enclosure at the end of the race and we look forward to seeing her return to race here in the Breeders Crown Meeting on Tuesday 2nd August.

Race 10 was the colts division of the North Wales Horse Owners Three Year Old Championship. Billed as a 2 horse race between Miraculous and Party At The Spa it didn’t disappoint as Miraculous led out clocking his first quarter in 28.5, Alan Haythornwaite on Party At The Spa chose to stalk the leader, Patrick Kane then cannily slowed the pace reaching the half mile in 1.01.3 as they turned into the back straight the race was on as Party made his move Miraculous had it covered though fending him off as they came around the final bend Party seemed to be getting there momentarily but then Miraculous kicked on again to win by 2 lengths from Party At The Spa with Rockin Mambo a further 10 lengths back in third. The quality of this race just left you wanting these two horses to race each other every week and I for one cannot wait to see them do battle again.

A great night was had by all see you on Tuesday 26th July when the third and final Crock Of Gold Heat takes place. Please see current standings below;

Brywinsmagicpotion – Qualified
Porterstown Road – Qualified

Imjustalittleguy – 16 Points
Tarawood Messi – 12 Points
Bath Lane – 9 Points
Meadowbranch Josh – 9 Points
Lyons Mischief – 7 Points
Fool Around – 7 Points
Ayr Regal – 6 Points
Stoneriggs Mystery – 5 Points
Lyons Eryl Hall – 5 Points
Stamp Hill – 4 Points

Eric Witherspoon