The glorious weather for the prestigious Bitch Produce meeting at Bridekirk was matched by a glorious day for the Dearham kennel of Nicola McMaster.
Nicola and her team, who have had a brilliant start to the season, continued their run of form by scoring a treble, including the big one – the Bitch Produce Stakes.
The meeting attracted ninety hounds over a five-card programme with the W.M. Pattinson Challenge Trophy up for grabs as well as the attractive prize money for the new Bitch Produce champion and the breeder.
A total of 22 of the 30 bitch pups registered lined-up on the day with Darren McMaster’s Silver Dream fancied, along with Graham Reid’s Mel, Bill Mellon’s Artist as well as the McMaster’s other hound Sarah Jane.
Outside as the hound’s approached the finish it was Mel who had the advantage over Silver Dream but only by a few yards.
However, when they showed on the long finish both hounds were together and they had moved away from the following hounds. They were running neck and neck as they approached the finishing line but Silver Dream just got up to win by a neck to take the Bitch Produce Stakes.
The Dearham kennel had bred the winner so also took home the additional prize money for the breeder of the winning hound. She was out of Silver Dusk by Miterdale Copper.
The day had started with the senior hounds and it was a smaller field but all the top hounds were entered with James McClelland looking to see if he could repeat the win he had on Monday with Duchess Ava.
Up against his bitch was the current Championship hound Winterfell who had been rested earlier in the week. Other top hounds included Silver Streak, who was just outside the ticketing hounds on Monday and Foxparke Beep Beep who has shown she is quite capable of stepping up this year with a fourth ticket on Monday.
At the half-way mark the hounds were still grouped together but they had the hard climb up to the top of Millstone Moore before turning to come back to the finish.
As they showed on the long finish many thought it was Winterfell who was in the lead and was coming away from the second hound. However, similar to Monday, the white coloured hounds – of which there were three in contention – were difficult to distinguish.
However, as they crossed the line it was Silver Streak who took the win for Darren McMaster, Anthony Skelton, Sadie Wilson and Phil Graham. In second place was the game Foxparke Beep Beep for the Napier Family with Winterfell finishing in third place for Barry Laidler and Caroline Clough.
Monday’s winner Duchess Ava finished in fourth place ahead of Huntsman’s Rally and Strawberry Mick.
The senior maidens were the next to be slipped with fifteen taking part. The Napiers had five hounds running in the race so were optimistic about their chances.
Outside as they ran the course the Napier’s hounds were running well and were all there as they came on to the finish. However, Sarah Harper’s hound Delta Spiral was also with them and as they got closer to the finishing line she made a last minute push and crossed the line a couple of lengths in front the Napier’s Foxparke Mysteriously, Foxparke Parma Violet and Foxparke Who Gives A Toss.
It was hard luck for Robyn and her team but nice to see one of the HTA’s new members from the former Border Association gaining a win.
For the Open Puppies Rodney Raider was sent-off favourite after winning on Monday. The question was could he repeat the win and complete a treble for the McMaster Kennel.
Or could Graham Reid’s other hound Money Talk’s make up for the disappointment of not winning the Bitch Produce.
As they came on to the finish they were both there, with Money Talk’s having a slight lead but as they came to the finishing line the big stride of Rodney Raider just took him a few yards in front of Money Talks to take the win and complete the Dearham kennel’s treble.
The last race of the day was the Open Restricted with a good slip of 30 hounds and it was a wide open field.
Denton Shamrock went off favourite with the McMaster kennel running Maverick looking for a remarkable four-timer.
It wasn’t to be though as Denton Shamrock proved again that he likes running at Bridekirk and finished well to take the win for Sandra Mordue and Lee Wall. Again it was nice to see one of our new members from the former Border Association taking back a win.
The Dearham team had to settle for second place this time with Maverick but they were very pleased with the performance of their hounds.
The win for Rodney Raider takes him to nine points in the Puppy Championship three points clear of his nearest rival Embrace who has been struggling with a shoulder injury.
Trophies on the day were presented by some of the farmers who kindly give permission for the hounds to run across their land, Mr and Mrs Nixon and Mr and Mrs Miller along with Scott Chamberlain and by some of the sponsors, Graham Wilson from G.A, Wilson Plastering and Anthony Skelton.
HTA secretary Fiona Dixon said: “We really do say a very big thank you to all of those who kindly support hound trailing and who helped to make this meeting such a good day.”
Action moves on to Kirkland on Monday night with a three card meeting with the first race slipping at 6.30pm.
3rd June 2023 – HTA Bitch Produce – Bridekirk
Hounds – 1. Silver Streak; 2. Foxparke Beep Beep; 3. Winterfell; 4. Duchess Ava; 5. Huntsman’s Rally; 6. Strawberry Mick.11 ran, time 28.12.
Maidens – 1. Delta Spiral; 2. Foxparke Mysteriously; 3. Foxparke Parma Violet; 4. Foxparke Who Gives A Toss; 5. Eagle Star; 6. Meadow Maggie. 15 ran, time 30.34.
Bitch Produce – 1. Silver Dream; 2. Mel; 3. Artist; 4. Sarah Jane; 5. Thorn Gift; 6. Glamorous Ava. 22 ran, time 18.49.
Open Pups – 1. Rodney Raider; 2. Money Talks; 3. Miterdale Dust; 4. Foxparke Danny Elliot; 5. Hey Mac; 6. Miterdale Dainty. 12 ran, time 18.48.
Open Restricted – 1. Denton Shamrock; 2. Maverick; 3. Kinniside Bobby; 4. Thorn Pop; 5. Summer Spirit; 6. Splendid Lily. 30 ran, time 18.32.