Champion jockey, Sean Bowen was one of many familiar faces in a busy seven-race card at Bedford’s closest horse racing track, Huntingdon last Thursday (19 February).
Secret Des Dieux was one of a double for champion-elect Bowen, who continues to race clear in the Jockey’s Championship having now won 205 races this season, 106 clear of Harry Skelton in second and 112 wins clear of third placed, Brian Hughes.
Secret Des Dieux could be set to test his mettle on Imperial Cup Day at Sandown Park next month, after winning in impressive style at Huntingdon on Thursday afternoon (19 February).
The six-year-old arrived here with a solid record under his belt over fences, winning once from four starts, and he won readily in testing conditions at Huntingdon under champion jockey Sean Bowen, jumping well and pulling clear in the closing stages for a bloodless 13-length success.
It was a performance that delighted his trainer James Owen, who is eyeing up some nice races for his charge this spring, beginning with a potential engagement at Sandown in a fortnight’s time (Saturday, 7 March).
He said: “It was lovely to get back winning again, he jumped nicely around there and it was an ideal race for him. Sean said he handled the ground which would have been a small concern coming in as he’d never run on heavy going before.
“I think two and a half miles on good ground would be perfect for him, as he’s a very good jumper and we can step him back up in class now. Sandown would suit him and there’s a nice race there for him. He’ll hold his own in those Saturday handicaps.
“The team at Huntingdon have done a great job at getting the racing on as we had a hell of a lot of rain (on Wednesday night) and he went through it well.”
Sunday card at Huntingdon
Attention now turns to Sunday (1 March) for Huntingdon Racecourse, which hosts its popular John Bigg ‘Oxo’ Raceday, the first of five weekend fixtures on this year’s calendar.
And General Manager Daniel Craggs is expecting a bumper crowd.
He said: “It’s a busy time of year for us, with the fixtures coming thick and fast. It was fantastic to see so many young faces during half-term, with our family activities being really well received.
“We were pleased to get the meeting on and that’s testament to the ground staff and the work we’ve done on the course over the last few years around drainage, which has dramatically improved our ability to get the racing on.
“We now focus on Sunday’s meeting, which should be an excellent one. The feature is the John Bigg ‘Oxo’ Handicap Chase, a race that we’ve been holding for many years now.
“It regularly takes a good chaser to win it and we’re hopeful of a good line-up at the weekend, with some really competitive prize money on offer.”
By Nick Seddon, The Jockey Club
