Impressions of Tregaron 2005

by Jackie Cowan

This is not a race report -- I went there more of a spectator than a reporter. As it was my first visit to Tregaron, I am just giving my impressions, which may be of interest to those who have never been there.

First of all, beautiful countryside, lovely stone buildings, friendly people. A super track, extremely well organised parking, and food stands with incredibly good eats. The beer tent, as each day wore on, got crowded, but it was more than adequately staffed, and no one had to wait for long; indeed, the staff often remembered what you ordered the previous time. And for me, an added bonus -- the red kites soaring above!

It was a great idea before the races to ask the views of two different people - I can't remember the name of the man for the local side, but our own Tim Kelleher was very good for the home side. At first, I found the numbering system confusing; -- double digits on the saddle cloth; the number on the horse's head represented its position on the race card; the draw had to be written down in the race card.

Here I would like to say well done to Meadowbranch Katie and Stoneriggs Wizard (and connections, particularly Donal and Tadhg Murphy). Only Still and Leterass de Perrier went very well indeed; Hillside Dream was unlucky but did very well to finish fourth, while Destiny's Dream, never really seeing daylight, finished strongly in fifth. Red Cam and Perfect Red seemed to hate it, while Cam's Best was truly unlucky in his heat.

There were three horses I had often heard of and particularly wanted to see and I was not disappointed. Direct Dream, Scoot Around, Lucky Touch each lived up to his reputation, and I was also interested in seeing Evolution, as he had been such a good younger horse. Direct Dream was impressive in the free-for-all on Thursday, while Cam's Best showed signs of returning to former glory when finishing 4th.

Lucky Touch won his Welsh Classic heat in last-gasp fashion. In the final, it was no surprise to see Daydreamer win, but Lucky Touch ran a cracker for second, and Scoot Around, which had also won his heat, was tough in getting up to dead-heat for third. Now for some others of note.

Daydreamer: I had never heard of him; saw that he won the Strata final last year and was obviously laid out for this; was all the rage in heat, and final, as well as ante-post, and deservedly so.

Star's Dragon: Never heard of him either, was considered unopposable in heat and final of LWD, and so he turned out to be.

Ayr Glory: I had heard of him because posters on the message board said he was something else, and so he was.

Heart Of Gold: I regret to say I was too late to see Heart Of Gold. When I got to the course, I asked a Welshman if Heart Of Gold won. "She did, by a mile". I wondered what price. "Backed off the board." Well done, Brenda, and sorry I did not get a chance to say hello.

Extra kudos to: Stoneriggs Wizard, for the fastest heat in the Welsh Classic; to Meadowbranch Katie for being best filly in the LWD: to Porterstown Topaz, who, with an adjustment in gear after her not-great performance in the LWD, sailed through maidens to record the fastest time.

I regret to say I did not pay any attention to the fastest novice. And after all that, the horse I would like to take home to Cork: SCOOT AROUND

As to the social side, it goes without saying that it was great. It is always a pleasure to see our Dub friends -- and I always miss their accents for a day or two. I particularly enjoyed meeting people I had only heard about: Mr. and Mrs. Laidler, Lee Morris, Martin Duggan and others. Great to see Joe Murdock again, and also Antho Haughan.

Is it really another 12 months to the Tregaron Festival Of Harness Racing?