By: Iain Ferguson
BORDERS born jockey Jason Hart rode a superb treble at Ayr’s final Flat fixture of 2014 last Thursday, bringing his total number of winners at the track this season to 10.
First up for Jason was Lord Buffhead (14/1) for trainer Richard Guest in Division 1 of the Coca Cola Handicap, then came the Garry Moss trained Fredricka (100/30) in the Guinness Dublin Porter Handicap, and win number three was on Shaun Harris’s Rockweiller (11/2) in the Ginger Grouse Handicap (pictured above).
Megan Carberry was another young rider in top form with a 687/1 double in the first and last race. Royal Regent was sent off at 80/1 in the opening maiden, but Megan brought the Lucy Normile trained horse to hit the front over a furlong out and stay on well to win by three lengths from the evens favourite Sir Chauvelin.
In the final flat race at Ayr of 2014, the Caledonia Best Handicap, the Carberry class came into play as she held Royal Duchess (15/2) up before coming to lead before the furlong pole and comfortably winning by three quarters of a length from Uncle Brit.
Jim Goldie saddled his 43rd winner of 2014 and his 13th at Ayr when New Lease Of Life (8/1) landed the second division of the Coca Cola Handicap under Gary Bartley ride.
Double header marks start of Jumps season
THE new jumps season at Ayr Racecourse kicks off with a double header with October Fun Raceday on Monday 27 October followed by John Smith’s Raceday on Saturday 1 November.
The opening fixture sees a seven race card with the feature, the Betvictor.com Handicap Chase over three miles one furlong at 3.50pm.
The first race, a maiden hurdle is off at 1.20pm with the final race, a national hunt flat race scheduled for 4.20pm. Gates open at 11.20pm.
John Smith’s Raceday is always a popular Saturday fixture with £50,000 in prize-money. The highlights of the afternoon is the John Smith’s No Nonsense Handicap Chase over the minimum trip of two miles and the John Smith’s Extra Smooth Handicap Hurdle also over two miles.
[Pictured: Green Flag, trained by Lucinda Russell, wins at last year’s John Smith’s Raceday.]
Gates open on Saturday 1 November at 11.05am and for more information or to book tickets go online at www.ayr-racecourse.co.uk or call 01292 264179.
For further information please contact Iain Ferguson on 01292 294972 or 07795 565691.
Ayr Racecourse and the associated Western House Hotel are Founder Members of the Elite Ayrshire Business Circle.
