Sunday 14th August
August 14, 2016
GRACELAND was again in the mix at Salisbury on Thursday and had every chance before finishing third. She travelled nicely for the early part of the race and could not pick up when under pressure enough to sustain a challenge to the leading pair. She nearly always finishes in the frame and is such a game filly. We rounded off the action at the track with CLEAR EVIDENCE who was slow to gather his stride on leaving the tape start. He kept on steadily in the straight, but never looked as though he was ever going to seriously threaten. It looked quite a warm handicap and possibly with a bit more cut in the ground he may have just been seen to better effect. At Yarmouth MERLIN was making his racecourse debut. He raced quite keenly early on and looked very green. When asked for his effort he did not quicken as well as hoped and was eased in the final furlong. He is always going to be better over further and possibly would appreciate a bit more give in the ground.
On Friday we headed to Newmarket where ARMAGNAC was taking his chance. Settled in a midfield position, he travelled nicely for the early part of the race. When asked to make his effort hitting the rising ground he did not find as much as hoped and soon faded.
Yesterday it was great to get another win on the board when BOCKING END won her race at Ripon. We had declared her without a hood this time, although she did wear it in the parade ring. She had been mainly consistent this season apart from a couple of wide-margin defeats and bolted up here. She took the lead easily before keeping on nicely scoring her victory. She is a real consistent filly and looks to keep improving. Later on the card we headed to Newmarket with DUCK A L’ORANGE who was a course and distance winner at the track. He was allowed a very easy time of it up front and nearly took advantage. He was stepped up in class and in the weights and is steadily improving. We rounded off the day with MACHINE LEARNER. He was kept travelling up in midfield position for the early part of the race and was asked for his effort two furlongs out, he made some headway when under pressure to go second well inside final furlong. He kept on, but was never getting to winner and lost second place in the last strides.
Yesterday the horses worked on the Watered Gallop
Left to right- Rays the Money, American Patrol (Orange Jacket) and Comprise (Jamie Spencer – Black Hat)
Left to right – Namirah (William Carson – Black Hat) Three Duchesses (Middle – Louis Steward) and Prince Monolulu (Orange Jacket)
Left to right Duke’s Girl and Shimmering Light