The International trails at Sewingshields went off well after the day had started off slightly damp but warm.
It made for excellent conditions for the hounds to run, however as the day progressed the rain stopped and the sun came out making it a glorious day for watching the trails.
The scene was set for the big day with everything in place and the question was in the senior race which of the leading two hounds in the Championship would come out on top.
Everything suggested it was between the in-form Miterdale Duchess, who had managed to get four wins on the trot over the last couple of weeks, or the table leader Winterfell who had been rested more in recent weeks.
There was a good slip of 19 hounds and both Miterdale Duchess and Winterfell were prominent on the bookies board.
When they came back onto the finish there were a good few dogs still in the race. The two fancied runners were up there but Winterfell appeared to make a mistake coming in on the finish which left the door wide open for Miterdale Duchess to take advantage.
As they came to the line, although Winterfell had corrected himself, Miterdale Duchess got to the line before him with a yard or so to spare.
This was her fifth win in a row, and after the race delighted owners Denis Pear and Jackie Gill couldn’t praise their hound enough, saying that she was the easiest to train and most laid-back dog they have ever had.
The senior maidens were up next with 25 hounds competing and it proved a fairly open race with a number of hounds in with a chance.
As they came onto the finish the majority of the hounds were in with a chance but it was Sarah Harper’s Delta Spiral who just got up to beat Brian Graham’s Young Harry into second place.
As the afternoon warmed up and the sun came out, all the attention moved to the puppy race with a smaller field of only 13 runners. All eyes were on the McMaster kennel with the inform Rodney Raider and Silver Dancer running.
Litter-mate Embrace was back out running after having a spell off due to a shoulder injury, and the slightly softer ground was expected to favour his bid to get among the tickets.
As the hounds came back onto the finish it looked like it was going to be a good race to the line with Silver Dancer, Rodney Raider and Mel all there with the much-improved Thorn Gift also in the mix.
Approaching the line Silver Dancer, as she has done in other races, just gave a last-minute push to beat her brother Rodney Raider into second place with Mel a close third and Thorn Gift in fourth place.
First and second for the McMasters kennel meant that Darren McMaster was well chuffed with the win having also taken the Bitch Produce Stakes a few weeks back.
The test will be to see if Rodney Raider can match his sister in the Dog Produce Stakes which is due to take place next week on July 1 at Latrigg.
Next up was the puppy maiden race with 27 runners and again it was a fairly open race with Sarah Jane sent off favourite.
As they showed in the distance there were a good few hounds in with a chance. As they came to the line it was the McMasters’ Sarah Jane who came through to win from Willie and Daphne Mark’s Sportsman.
Sarah Jane, or Pamela as she is known at home, just got up to win for Nicola McMaster and Sadie Wilson.
The litter, out of Silver Dusk and Miterdale Copper haven’t disappointed and have been consistent so far in most of the major meetings as well as running well throughout the season with at least four of the top eight hounds being from the same litter.
By far the biggest slip of the meeting with forty three runners was for the Open Restricted race with the McMasters looking for a treble on the day with their hound Maverick.
As they came onto the finish there was a small group who had developed a slight lead and as they approached the finish the winning hound just got a couple of yards advantage.
It was David Clifford’s Eden Rayna who just got up to beat Maverick and deny the McMasters what would have been a brilliant treble at the International Trails.
The last race of the day was for the Veteran’s with 17 runners. Forlorn Spring was sent off favourite and was there as they showed on the finish. However it was Donna and Shaun Hetherington’s Splendid Mickey who pushed on and over took Forlorn Spring in the last few strides to win the race.
As well as the major races there were also prizes for those hounds who had travelled to attend the trails from other Associations.
There was one hound from Yorkshire, owned by the Bell family, and there were several hounds that had made the journey over from Ireland.
All the visiting hounds received a rosette and an additional prize of £10 for taking part. Those who had travelled over from Ireland commented that they had enjoyed a great day and were looking forward to next year’s event.
Action moves to Tuesday with trails at Spadeadam with the first race slipped at 6pm and then to Latrigg on Wednesday as hounds have a chance to have a look round the course for the prestigious Dog Produce Stakes on Saturday July 1 with the first slip at 1pm.
June 24 – Sewing Shields International Hound Trails
- Hounds – 1. Miterdale Duchess; 2. Winterfell; 3. Sir Robert; 4. Hunter’s Flame; 5. Strawberry Mick; 6. Huntsman’s Rebel; 7. Huntsman’s Rally. 19 ran, time 29.28.
- Maidens – 1. Delta Spiral; 2. Young Harry; 3. Eagle Rock; 4. Shine On; 5. Ruby; 6. Meadow Maggie; 7. Thorn Rose. 25 ran, time 31.47.
- Pups – 1. Silver Dream; 2. Rodney Raider; 3. Mel; 4. Thorn Gift; 5. Huntsman’s Sunshine; 6. Embrace; 7. Glamorous Ava.13 ran. time 18.11.
- Puppy Maidens – 1. Sarah Jane; 2. Sportsman; 3. Foxparke Dealer; 4. Huntsman’s Star; 6. Foxparke Sidekick; 7. Thorn Bear. 27 ran, time 18.54.
- Open Restricted – 1. Eden Rayna; 2. Maverick; 3. Mr Finnigan; 4. Overwater Eddie; 5. Busy Again; 6. Summer Spirit; 7. Malia. 43 ran, time 17.41.
- Veteran – 1. Splendid Mickey; 2. Forlorn Spring; 3. Delta Script; 4. Hawkswood; 5. Cracking Spiri;t 6. Buster Moon; 7. Lucky Charm. 17 ran, time 17.52.
