THE race meeting on Bank Holiday Monday held at the all weather track at Tairgwaith near Ammanford was organised by a new committee, the West Wales Harness Racing committee and they had a most successful first event, writes Maureen Lloyd.

In the first Novice heat Glenfield Thomas with Mathew Tromans at the helm for Gary Billington from Leicester was first passed the post ahead of Mahogany Frankie (Munro, Bridgend) while Matteuceous (Gale, Gorslas) was third.

Grade A final winner Blue Guns N Roses
Grade A final winner Blue Guns N Roses (Wales & Border Counties Harness Racing)

The improving Matisse driven by trainer Dai Arrowsmith won the second Novice heat for genial supporter Austin Hughes from New Radnor with dependable Begwyns Trust (Lloyd, Painscastle) in second and Slingshot (Greenway, Michaelchurch Eskley) in third.

The first Grade B heat provided another win for Full Closure partnered as usual by Steve Williams for Jayne Bevan from Llanddewi, in second place was Lucifer (Lloyd, Painscastle) while Blazing Eagle (Bevan, Builth Wells) was third. Carrie on Fred with Lynne Boxhall driving for Liam Middleton from Llandrindod Wells won the second grade B heat from Oakwood Ideal (Bowen, Llanbister) while Sealofapproval (Munro, Bridgend) was third.

Money Talks non winner race
Money Talks non winner race (Wales & Border Counties Harness Racing)

Wye Doon (Hawkes, Orleton) with her young partner Maddy Davies won the first heat of the Grade A ahead of Fold Fearless (Perks, Presteigne) and Archie Camden (Gale, Gorslas). In the second A heat Fold Megastar driven by Lee Price for the Perks family stable at Presteigne won from Blue GunsNRoses (Thomas, Pontypridd) while Mahogany Caio (Jones, Cribyn) was third.

In the Baby Novice it was Money Talks with owner Keith Young from Newent who claimed victory ahead of Beach Boy (Collard, Nantmel) while Isolation (Collingwood, Huntington) was third.

The next race was the Novice Final when Matisse (Austin Hughes, New Radnor) driven by trainer Dai Arrowsmith earned his ticket into open company by winning ahead of Begwyns Trust (Lloyd, Painscastle) while Mahogany Frankie (Munro, Bridgend) was third.

In the next race the non winners for 2026 suggested the old adage that wins like buses come in twos as Money Talks (Keith Young, Newent) claimed his second win of the day, and the season, coming home in front of Brywins Saturn (John Tomkins, Clyro) while Isolation (Collingwood, Huntington) claimed third.

The non whip race followed where World Famous and his young driver Finn Bevan claimed victory for grandad Mike Bevan, from Builth Wells ahead of Manhattan Gangster (Munro, Bridgend) with Red Cash (Samuel, Newbridge on Wye) in third.

In the Grade B Final which followed, Lucifer proved the winner for Robin Lloyd from Painscastle, with Lee Price in the seat, ahead of Sealofapproval (Munro, Bridgend) while Blazing Eagle (Bevan, Builth Wells) was third.

The final race of the day was the Grade A Final which was a humdinger with a blanket finish, the Thomas family from Pontypridd entry Blue GunsNRoses driven by Perry Thomas getting the verdict from the two Perks, Presteigne stablemates, Fold Megastar and Fold Fearless.

So after a fantastic day of racing with the speed of the all weather we move on to the slightly tricky track at New Radnor where racing on Saturday 5th September begins at 1.30pm.