THE first race meeting of the season is always greeted with enthusiasm and this year the weather at the Tairgwaith all-weather track provided a lovely sunny afternoon of superlative racing, although the wind was a little cool at times.
The first nursery race produced a win for newcomer Greenhill Lillian for the Thomas family from Rhymney, second was Ceirion Blue Boy (Weigel, Llanddewi Velfrey) while another newcomer Rhyds Panalulah (Gething, Gilwern) was third.
In the second nursery first time out Dulais Daniel (Williams, Pencader) led the way home from Cool Ice (Gething, Gilwern) with homebred Hyar Truly (Thomas Tregroes) third.
The Novice heats were the first races for the punters with new recruit Meadowland Maverick owner driven by young farmer Oliver (OJ) Jones from Evenjobb surging to the finish ahead of Jake Lobell (White, Porthcawl) with Wellfield Wally (Barton, Clynderwen) in third.
Another newcomer, Fronfelen Duchess owned and driven by Bridget Lewis from Efailwen, took the second Novice heat from Cardigan Boy (Gale, Gorslas) with Ithon Hannah (Bufton Dolau) returning from a season away from the track in third.
Makemeamillionayr (Weigel, Llanddewi Velfrey) started his campaign with a win in the first Grade B heat driven as usual by Louisa Barton, in second was the optimistically named Fold the Notes (Perks, Presteigne) with Jango Fett (Hitchcock, Haverfordwest) in third. Habberley Playboy (Johns & Gittins, Shrewsbury) under the direction of former champion driver Derek Pritchard took the second Grade B heat from Brywins Jo Jo (Jones, Ammanford) and Blackfield Buddy (Barton, Clynderwen).
New horse Rebus (Thomas, Rhymney) with Mark Evans at the controls took the first heat of the Grade A ahead of Chaps Commander (Angel Inn, Salem) with Strike a Light (Meaney, Merthyr) in third. Lakeside Pan (Elder, New Quay) claimed the second Grade A heat driven by Wayne Elder, with No Mercy (Weigel, Llanddewi Velfry) in second and Wellfieldlifestyle (Edmunds, Porthcawl) third.
The first Baby Novice race saw a splendid run by Top Secret (Pugh, Clifford) with trainer Gareth Bevan at the controls, with newcomer Lane House Patch (Thomas, Merthyr) running on well in second while Ithon King (Bevan, Builth) returning to racing after a season away registered a creditable third.
Zestthewayilikeit with owner Oliver (OJ) Jones from Evenjobb aboard stormed home ahead of Rhyds Backchat (Elder, Blaencelyn) and Touch of Chaps (Thomas Llandeilo).
OJ as he is known locally took the next race, the Novice Final, with his own Meadowland Maverick surging ahead of the lightly raced Ithon Hannah (Bufton, Dolau), while Cardigan Boy (Gale, Gorslas) was third.
In the Grade B Final Oliver (OJ) Jones drove Fold the Notes to victory for the Perks team from Presteigne, thereby claiming three wins in a row and four wins on the day, surely a wonderful way to begin the season. In second was Habberly Playboy (Johns & Gittins, Shrewsbury) while Makemeamillionayr (Weigel, Llanddewi Velfrey) was third.
In the Grade A Final one of the closest finishes of the day resulted in another win for Lakeside Pan owned by long time supporter John Elder from New Quay with son Wayne in the seat, just inches behind was Chaps Commander, now in the ownership of the Angel Inn, Salem while No Mercy (Weigel, Llanddewi Velfrey) only marginally behind was third.
This week racing continues on the all-weather track at Tairgwaith on Saturday May 7th with the first race at 1.30pm.