Sunday 10th July
July 10, 2016
On Wednesday it was great to get a winner on the board when STETCHWORTH PARK won his race at Catterick. He was travelling well early in the straight, but got stuck in a pocket behind the weakening leader, which meant the runner up got first run on him. He proved good enough to make up the lost ground fairly easily but, despite the cheek pieces being on for the first time, again he gave the impression that he is not one who wants to be in front too long. He looks a progressive type who will hopefully keep improving, but it was great to get a win with him after some decent efforts.
On Thursday we started the day at Carlisle with CLEAR EVIDENCE who headed into the race in good form on the back of a decent effort at Newmarket last time. He travelled like the winner here, until appearing to run out of petrol in the final furlong and was eased down. A step back down a couple of furlongs might just suit him or maybe the race came a bit quick for him. Later in the day we were delighted with the effort shown by BIG ORANGE at Newmarket. He was given an excellent front-running ride from James McDonald who was stepping in for Jamie Spencer who had decided to ride another horse in the race. He was asked for his effort and he just kept finding more and more. The Goodwood Cup is where he will head next, a race he also won last year. It is days like this that you work in racing for as it has been a tough time with all the placed horses we have had and lack of winners. It was a great team effort with everyone playing their part and we are just so fortunate to have a horse like him in the yard. In the evening we headed to Newbury with THREE DUCHESSES who was making her re-appearance after a fairly promising debut run at the track. She was again doing her best work late on to finish third. She is a tough little filly who will hopefully do herself justice in nurseries.
On Friday we headed to Musselburgh with the three runners. The Queen was at the racecourse so it was nice to send the two runners she owned up to the track, but sadly although running well they did not win. We started the afternoon off with ELEMENTARY who had shaped with promise on his debut at Kempton where he got into a bit of trouble. He looked more streetwise upped in trip on this his second start and kept battling for a clear third. He should continue to improve and should break his maiden tag shortly. Later on the card FORECASTER headed into the race on the back of a creditable third on fast ground at Hamilton last time. She kept fighting, but just came up a bit short and is open to further progress as a middle-distance handicapper. We rounded the afternoon off with GIANT REDWOOD who had appeared in good form at home. He made a bold bid with cheek pieces applied here before being overhauled in the closing stages. It was a good effort and he has a progressive profile on fast and slow ground and is still lightly raced.
Yesterday our only runner was RAY’S THE MONEY who was hoping to recreate last year’s win by RAY’S THE BAR in the same ownership. He was up against it in trying to come from off the pace as things turned out, so did well to finish as close as he did. He should soon be winning soon and looks a nice prospect.
Today we head to Stratford with INSTANT KARMA who heads into the race on the back of a second on his last start at Market Rasen. He has conditions in his favour and hopefully he will run well here.
Tomorrow we head to Windsor with the two runners. We start the evening off with BATTS ROCK taking his chance. He worked well on the peat moss yesterday morning and it would be great to see him score. We round the evening off with TAPER TANTRUM who has put in some consistent effort without actually winning. He deserves a change of fortune and hopefully with a return to the turf he can score his first victory of the year.
Today the horses worked on the Back of the Flat gallop
Goodwood Mirage
Franklin D (Orange Jacket) and Taurean Star (Louis Steward)
Dancing Elegance (Black Hat – William Carson) and Jive Talking
Duck A L’Orange leading Batts Rock
Bonhomie Leading Rosecomb