Sunday 17th April
April 17, 2016
On Thursday we headed to Chelmsford with ROCK OF MAX. He raced further back in the pack than was probably ideal, given the lack of pace in the race. Making his ground up three wide on the bend into the straight, he did well to beat the rest to finish second. It was a good effort from the horse and he holds entries at Catterick and Beverley next week and certainly deserves to go one better.
On Saturday we had declared FORTH BRIDGE at Nottingham. It was his first run for the yard having arrived from Sir Michael Stoute’s yard. He showed respectable ability finishing third, having travelled well for most of the race. He looked to get a bit tired in the testing ground and hopefully he can build on this debut over further in time. We were delighted to get a winner on the board when BATTS ROCK won at Wolverhampton later in the evening. He appeared to be suited over this longer trip, powering clear of his rivals without being asked for maximum effort, and earning the luxury of being eased down at the finish. He looks a promising colt and we are hoping he can prove progressive this season.
We have no runners Monday/Tuesday and hopefully return to the action on Wednesday at Catterick with ROCK OF MAX and BONHOMIE. We also have an entry at Epsom with MACHINE LEARNER, but we will need to see what the ground is like for him to take his chance as he has options later in the week and STETCHWORTH PARK could take his chance at Lingfield.
Today the horses worked Across the Flat.
Left to Right – War Department (Orange Jacket) Sciarra (Chesnut Filly) and Bonhomie
Big Orange (Orange Jacket) and Instant Karma
Taper Tantrum and Franklin D (Orange Jacket)
Strathearn, Show Legend (White Face) and The Major (Blue Hat)
Stetchworth Park (Orange Jacket) and Machine Learner
Bocking End (Orange Jacket) upside Purple Raven and Daleside following
Left to Right – Ronald R (Blue Hat), Merlin (Middle) and Winston C (Orange Jacket)
Cheval Blanche (Nearest Camera Grey Filly) Miss Fay and Dancing Elegance (Chesnut Filly)