Kawasaki Debut

Well, nothing amazing to report regarding Agua De Vida's debut at her new home - she started as third favourite, but finished fifth. But this wasn't a good race for any of the favourites, it has to be said, and Agua-chan still has to settle into her new home. In addition, Seiji-san has to get used to her, as she's a temperamental little beast that likes to have her own way on the race pace - this is something we found out when she was running in Hokkaido during the early part of her career...

In other news, Joyful Step has successfully passed her gate test, and Phosphorus (the magnificent creature pictured here, courtesy of the Shadai TC) is settling in nicely at Funabashi. Kota Motohashi, my daughter's favourite jockey, has been training with him, and Yano-sensei is aiming to put him through his test later this month. Whether he'll be ready for that monumental step remains to be seen. There's certainly no hurry at this end.

PS. In an additional report on Agua-chan, filed a little later, it states that she seems fit and full of life after the race, so should be out again in the next Kawasaki meeting in the middle of December. She showed great speed in the final straight, so the trainer has high expectations of her next time around.