Sunday 31st July
July 31, 2016
We what an amazing couple of days we have had and Glorious Goodwood certainly turned out to be just that for the Fitzroy Team. We started the meeting with BIG ORANGE who went into the race on the back of his win at Newmarket in the Princess of Wales Stakes. He set to make all and when it looked like he might just get caught he rallied again and looked impressive to score his second victory in the race. He appears to have taken the race well and possible targets for him remain the Melbourne Cup which he was fifth in last year and the Caulfield Cup, although we are slightly worried he will be given too much weight this time around. Other options could be in Canada and Hong Kong as alternatives to another trip Down Under. He is such a star and we are so lucky to have him in the yard.
On Friday we headed to Goodwood with the hotly fancied FRANKLIN D. He headed into the race on the back of his recent Newmarket win and had really found his form since being applied with headgear. He travelled easily and when the gap came for him he managed to take it before it closed. He did plenty through the early parts in holding his position and was given a fantastic ride by Ryan Moore. Life will be tougher for him on his new mark, but hopefully he will continue to be competitive. Later on the card NOTALOT took his chance. He raced in the centre with the group leaders and was always prominent. He was ridden and hung right over one furlong out, keeping on at the same pace inside the final furlong. On his form he should be capable of winning races and hopefully we can find a winnable opportunity for him next time. In the evening at Newmarket, SHOW LEGEND failed to impress again. He chased the leaders and had every chance over two furlongs out. He was soon ridden and weakened entering the final furlong. He has proved frustrating as he certainly shows more at home. Later on the card we were delighted to finally get a win on the board with DUCK A L’ORANGE. He has always impressed in his work at home and finally he showed that on the track here. He was disappointing at Pontefract last time, but thankfully bounced back to form being left alone to do his own thing in front. He soon had the rest under pressure when pressing on, and drew clear to win comfortably in the end. He was our fourth winner from eight runners this week and it is great to see the horses in such fantastic form. Yesterday we had declared the three runners starting the afternoon off at Doncaster with ARMAGNAC making his racecourse debut. He showed ability in trying to come from the rear and is sure to improve for the run. Later on the card PARSNIP had been declared a runner at Newmarket. She faded disappointingly having held a decent position for much of the way. She won nicely on her Chepstow debut earlier this month and the form of that race has worked out well, so she is worth another chance. We rounded off the day with RAYS THE MONEY who ran with plenty of encouragement at Goodwood after a very decent effort at Ascot on his racecourse debut. He had every chance here, but it looks as though he might have come up against a good one.
Today we head to Chepstow where KISSINGER makes his racecourse debut. He has done some encouraging work at home and although he will probably need the run he looks as though he will keep improving.
On Tuesday we start the afternoon off at Salisbury with GRACELAND. She ran much better on her last start at Newcastle and it would be great to see her get another win by her name. We round off the day at Nottingham where ROSECOMB takes her chance. She ran much better at Yarmouth on her last start after having a mini break and looks to have come on for that run.
Today the horses worked on the Peat Moss
Left to right – Merlin, Peace Telegram and American Patrol (Orange Jacket – Jamie Spencer)
Elementary (Louis Steward – Dark Blue Jacket) and Comprise
Left to right – Sticks McKenzie and Prince Monolulu
Fabricate leading Froth Bridge