Sunday 21st August
August 21, 2016
On Wednesday we were devastated to lose FRANKLIN D who sustained a terrible injury on the gallops and had to be put to sleep. He will be greatly missed by all the Fitzroy team and of course by his owners.
Later in the day, it was great to see NOTALOT get back in the winners enclosure at Chepstow and he did not seem to be inconvenienced by the drop back to six furlongs. He is going the right way and will be better suited back at seven furlongs or a mile. Later on the card ROSECOMB let herself down failing to jump from the stalls until the field had already gone a furlong. It is a shame as she is definitely capable of better. In the evening at Kempton THREE DUCHESSES took her chance after disappointing at Ayr. She ran a much better race finishing fourth, challenging widest of all. She has been given a stiff-enough mark for nurseries and hopefully we will be able to find a maiden she will be competitive in.
On Wednesday the horses worked on the Watered Gallop
Left to right- The Raven Master, Winston C (Orange Jacket) and Je Suis Charlie (Blue Hat Louis Steward)
Left to Right Ray’s the Money and Ronald R (Red Jacket – Jamie Spencer)
Left to right – Jive Talking, Miss Fay and Parsnip
On Friday we headed to Salisbury with the two runners. Sadly the rain had arrived at the wrong time and certainly did nothing to enhance their chance. RONALD R went into his race on the back of a win at Yarmouth on good to firm ground and he never threatened on this rain-softened ground. He got struck into on his right hind, and it is probably worth forgiving him this run. Later on the card DUCK A L’ORANGE was three pound well in but we know he would not have been suited by the rain-softened surface and the race may have come too soon for him after his last race six days ago. He has had quite a bit of racing and may just need a bit of freshening up. Later in the evening at Wolverhampton MACHINE LEARNER was taking his chance. It is proving impossible to keep him out of the frame this summer and he ran another sound contest here. It is a shame that he is not winning races as he is being punished for his consistency.
Yesterday it was a busy day for the yard with runners at three different meetings. We started the afternoon of at Chester with RAY’S THE MONEY. He tracked the pace and had his chance, but he never looked entirely comfortable on this track. Later on the card FABRICATE was taking his chance. He took a lead from the eventual winner on the rail and had his chance when switched out in the straight, but could find no extra. It was still a solid effort in defeat as he has not run since Royal Ascot. At Sandown, GOODWOOD MIRAGE put up another solid display in his race where he was a course and distance winner. It was stiffer question here, but he very nearly came up with the goods despite this easier ground not being ideal for him. He has really found his form this summer and has entries in the Cambridgeshire and the Dubai Duty Free. At York FORTH BRIDGE sadly failed to make any impression in the Melrose. He tracked the leaders and was soon pushed along. He was asked for his effort two furlongs from home and was soon driven and weakened. We expected better from him and we will see how he is before making further plans.
Today we head to Chelmsford where AID TO AFRICA takes his chance. He has had a few niggley little problems which he appears to be over and although he will probably need the run, hopefully he should give a good account of himself.
At Newbury on Tuesday we have a nice two-year-old colt called JE SUIS CHARLIE making his racecourse debut. He looks to have talent and we are expecting a decent effort from him. He will certainly improve for the run.
Yesterday the horses worked on the peat moss.
Rock of Max
The Major
Left to right – Purple Magic (Pink Sleeves) and Clear Evidence
Left to right – Purple Raven and Davey Boy