Shaggy's Dog Story - A Night At the Races

Photo Finish!?

By Barmy Kev
October 26 2009

Barmy Kev describes The Seaxe Club 2009 Race night. There was plenty of horseplay and at times it was going to the dogs, Sounds just like a normal night out for Kev? Words by: Barmy Kev. Photos by: Barmy Kev. Produced and Directed by Barmy Kev: Blame if you don't like the article: Ged.

I arrived with the wife 10 mins late. I tried to make a low profile entrance unsuccessfully. Our reserved place was other end of room and we arrived in middle of Viveca’s demonstration on how the event works. Tut tut as we made our way to seat distracting all and sundry.  

Being a veteran of these events (well I’ve been once before last year), I knew the rules.  The line up of horses/ dogs all had a cricket link with emphasis on Middlesex   There was a pre-existing race recording and all you had to do was bet on who’s going to win between 1-8.   Out of total sum bet a percentage was distributed amongst those who chose the winning horse. This ensured Seaxe Club always benefited from each race.   You also, can own a horse in advance for a fiver with a reward of 2 bottles of wine if it wins.

Just before race 1 started, Shaggy walked in with Vinny and Richard Goatley   to rapturous applause.   Why do I never get that kind of reception when I’m late? 

At race 1 called the Peoples’ Favourite race, I immediately plumped for no. 2 All Round Skills by Berg out of Staying Power, based on Berg’s all round performance for us this year.  The wife went for no.7.  Compton Smoothie by Dennis out of Brylcream.   Compton was the only name she recognised. As it turned none of the horses on our table did win.  As betting slips were being torn up it seemed a build up of confetti was being prepared.

On to race 2.  There were 2 horses not owned for this one.  One was no. 7   Evergreen Shaun out of Hampshire.  Shaggy bought this one for some reason.  I advised Mrs not to bet on this being an old stager. So she went for no. 8. England hopeful Steve Finn out of Extended contract  .I went for no. 6 Unlucky Break by Robson out of Promising Stars as Derek Britton, a regular contributor to MTWD in another guise had sponsored this. This was a greyhound race and I kid you not from nowhere a green furry object appeared and shouted, “ My name is Hippity the Hare, bet on me, I win every time”.  Amazing, you couldn’t have made it up.  So the race was close and it looked like a 2 horse, well dog, race on last bend between 6 and 8. Mrs and me were screaming at screen for our dog. Then from nowhere Shaggy’s overtook us and won. So as winner owner Shaggy won 2 bottles of red wine plus the winnings from tote. Fix or what?   Anyway, there were 17 winning tickets with £51 pot the prize was a measly £3. So howzat that for a Shaggy Dog Story?

Unidentified Seaxe Club Member Presents Shaggy With His Wine

Race 3 horse race proved unsuccessful for all at our table.  Leyton’s Lad by Jim’s Sims out of Middlesex scorer was bet by Annette next me based on the fact her dad was an Orient fan. Typically it came last.   The Mrs reverted to no. 7 one race too late.

Race 4 the Overseas Sprint.  Our Ged owned no. 1 called  Stop Me Pigeon by Glenn McGrath out of five-nil.   It was a dog race and Hippity chimed in with same “ joke”.  I told him it wasn’t fumy the first time and he made some comment about me stealing the shirt I was wearing from his great uncle. You just wouldn’t believe it.   

Barmy Kev, disguised as Hippity, tries to impose himself on Race 4 

Anyway race underway and no one could catch Ged’s Pigeon so he won 2 bottles of wine.  Not that our table needed it; this was added to the many full and empty bottles already on the table.   Again no bets won here on our table (Ged hadn’t even bet on his own dog) and the confetti growing.

Dinner was served and we just about found room for plates and food amongst red wine bottles and piles of losing tickets.  Then Graham West our youth coach thanked us for our support.  He mentioned that, from money raised by Seaxe Club, Adam Rossington and James Kettleborough (any relation to Richard?) are able to go on under 17 academy overseas. We really were made to feel proud to be part of helping developing the youth of Middlesex.

In fact so proud, I didn’t care that race 5 proved another dead loss.  The Mrs was still going for no. 7, which looked a good bet The Blacksmith by Henderson out of Big Hitting.  I went for as I liked name no, 8. Extra Runs by Kartik out of No Balls   However our table did have winner; a Seaxe Club Stalwart called Brian. Who was rather chuffed.

Winning ticket - well chuffed!! 

Race 6 Wicket Keepers Hurdles was intersting one.  I thought given owners luck so far I would buy a horse. Future Talent By Simpson Out of Middlesex Debut seemed a good idea  Jeff Coleman bought way in advance due to matters close to his heart Nimble Stumpings By Great Scott of Alertness.  I also put a bet on Happy Memories By Nashy out of Well Caught owned by Ian Lovett.  This sparked heated debate on best choice of wicket-keeper and I asked Ged should we discuss this on message board. His response was to do with sex and travel.   The winner was Murray Mint by Championship Keeping out of Much Talent betted on by Annette.   She explained she was as a kid she was a Murray fan, mint that is.

So Race 7. With no wins me and Mrs went for same formula with a bit of spread betting but sticking at 7. Lost again. With confetti building were planning another marriage, to each other of course.

So final race, I thought  should we avoid 7. There is a principle never change your lottery nos.   With me looking disconsolate someone pointed out how we won almost everything last year.  I compared it to our 20/20 form 2008 against 2009 and was reminded you can’t compare. Race night must have some skill to it. Anyway a large amount was put on by me going for no. 7. I can’t do ball by ball commentary of this race but was a thriller and no. 7. Middlesex contribution by Beth Morgan Out of Winning Partnerships won.     Didn’t quite break even but we finished on high.

The next day found out event raised around £1000 to support the Middlesex and Minor Counties Youth Festival.   It was great to see Shaggy there supporting youth of Middlesex cricket. I keep calling him a youngster and knew that would be of benefit to the club somehow.

View a Printer Friendly version of this Story.

Contact SportNetwork.net

Run your own site

Advertise on SportNetwork.net

Complain

SportNetwork.net is part of the Durham Associates Group of companies