MAURICE NEWMAN, trainer and charity fund-raiser, has thanked those who supported Sunday’s annual Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) benefit meeting at Harlow which is set to raise a five-figure sum for the children’s’ charity.

The all-sponsored card drew a bumper crowd to the Essex venue and viewers on RPGTV were also able to see the track action, with track promoter Dave Barclay donating TV revenue fees on the night to the GOSH collection.

“That was kind of Dave, and also, I have to thank him for letting us use the facilities”, said Newman, who also paid tribute to Stan Kennett, and Mick and Jo Godderidge for their help. “Stan and Mick help me put the night together, and Jo is a great help when it comes to sorting the money.”

A post-meeting auction saw some lively bidding with Newman delighted to have assembled a strong list of lots which included stable visits to Coolmore Stud and to Gordon Elliot’s, the latter also including racing at Fairyhouse.

Other auction items which proved popular were signed football shirts, jockey caps and boxing gloves signed by David Haye and James DeGale. There was also plenty of interest in a half-share in a pup offered by the Paul Young kennel.

“Thanks to all those who bid for the items, in particular Phil Cunningham and Scott Green who went for the stable visits, and also to Steve Fluin and Terry Dartnall who sponsored races and hosted tables on the night.

“It all helped boost the coffers, and means we can also make donations to the local home-finders at Harlow. They do a great job. We also support the local girl guides’ association, who come along during the afternoon and help set everything up. They’re a joy to have around.”

When the final figure is total, a cheque presentation to GOSH will be made and Newman said he was delighted to see a representative of the charity there on Sunday.

“She was a sister on the ward for 30 years, and now helps their fund-raising side and helped with the raffle tickets – people enjoyed talking to her and hearing stories about the work done at Great Ormond Street,” he added.

On the track, Richard Devenish won the night’s big final – the Chingford Office and Dartnall Kennels British Bred Stakes with hotpot and impressive heat winner Tea For Tess who made all to score easily in 25.72sec.

Devenish said: “It was another good run from Tess. She handled Harlow well and it’s always great given we bred her. She’s out of Milliesupreme, from her second litter – the first having given us Romany Rouge. She’s always been a nice bitch and ran well at Doncaster in the British Bred Oaks up there.

“Tess is still quite young, but is making good progress with every race and has a great strike-rate overall – that was her ninth win in 14 – and she’ll be going for the Oaks at Belle Vue. I think the track and the distance will suit her.”

Numerically, Ann Kirby was the most successful trainer with a treble landed courtesy of Vicarage Zoro (25.86sec, 415m), Blackrose Glenn (25.95sec, 400m) and Blackrose Manson (37.98sec, 592m), while local champion Stonepark Mo (25.61sec, 415m) made it 35 wins in 72 starts with another all-the-way success.