Aggressive riding by Sam Jenner nearly pays off on Long Swamp handicap.
The go group (Leo LaGrange, Jo Wauch and Ray Phillips) were given 3 minutes over the next bunch (Jackie Weston, Freya Weston, Phil “Dangles” Bookallil, Adam Bourke and Dave Rubie). Leo dropped out and returned early, leaving Jo and Ray to battle the winds by themselves which they did to good effect. The Westons lead off the 3 minute group at a steady but increasing pace, initially dropping Adam Bourke.
The big 6 minute group (Wilf Keller, Dave “fingers” Ruggendyke, Chicka Russell, Britt Sisson, Dene Bourke and Mark “Mother” Jones) were caught by the following 7 minute group (Peter “Captain” Creagan, Dave Jenner Sam “Jennerator” Jenner, Pat MacMillan, Phil Thomas, Ice Cold Billy Mara and Col Maciver) and hung on for dear life before Sam made a successful break and leapfrogged the 3 minute group just after the turnaround. His efforts were initially succesful but a combined block and scratch bunch (Andrew Kirk, Roger Munday, Andrew Swan and Rob Tindale off block, John Scott-Cannibal, Iron Mick Hoult, Chris “boy” jones and Ipswich blow-in Craig Taylor) overhauled Sam and incorporated him into a winning group.
Sam attempted two more attacks in the final stage of the race, with the Cannibal unable to respond due to pretending he was Jens Voigt despite having a cough like a dying seal. It’s one thing to yell “Shut up legs”, it’s another to say “shut up lungs” when you can’t breathe.
Chris Jones responded to Sams attacks and brought him back twice, then hit him hard and took an impressive win. Another great ride by the Boy Jones. In third place was Craig Taylor, with Iron Mick Hoult in fourth and John Scott-Hamilton wheezing into fifth.
Mick Hoult, man of Iron, but where's his helmet?