A TOUGH RACE IN PROSPECT
Looking at the field in Tenshinramman's race today, she has a real challenge on her hands. The pre-race favourite has only had a couple of outings, though, and the finishing speed everyone is pointing at, 'Tenny' has actually bettered. Starting as fourth favourite, as there are some good strong runners in this race, it will be interesting to see if Tanaka-san's thirst for revenge and his faith in the horse will be rewarded. The battle starts at 1:35pm...
Saturday, January 26, 2013
CES'T LA VIE... I'm more confused than ever about the scoring in Dressage events, to the point where I think I shall stay at home in the future, because I only get annoyed when I try and analyze things. Today was low scores across the board, but for some reason - which I'm damned if I can figure out - the winner of the junior section (only) won by a large margin. To be perfectly frank, I think people make the rules up as they go along. It's even more ironic that if Louis had stayed in his usual Class, against the adults, he'd have won with the score he got!
Whatever, I reckon I shall stick to racing or show-jumping where there's no questions - a photo at a winning post deciphers even the closest of finishes, a clock is a clock, which can be checked against your own stopwatch, and a crossbar is either on the floor or it's not. No room for grey areas or interpretation, and that's good for me as far as sport is concerned.
Friday, January 25, 2013
THE POSTBOX OF A KEIBA-MAD FAMILY
Having had one unwelcome bill after another, as well as the usual junk mail, today's post managed to raise a smile, even if the Shadai TC and Sunday TC envelopes contain yet more bills! The new edition of Yushun always manages to keep Louis quiet for a couple of days, after which, it will all have been memorized and I'll get my first glance at it. Apart from about 20 copies, I have a full run of Yushun going back to the start of 1983 - a wonderful magazine...
Thursday, January 24, 2013
AS CHANCE WILL HAVE IT
As chance will have it, I managed to get some help with translations late last night, so I can now bring you the latest Carrot Club news, and there's rather a lot of it...
First and foremost comes the confirmation of a Tokyo-Fuchu 7R entry for Tenshinramman on Sunday - an 1800m turf race - with Tanaka-san in the saddle. There's a lot of talk about revenge for the disappointment in the recent Stakes race, so this should be interesting.
There are still high hopes for Harmony Fair. She'll go away for some R&R and come back to challenge her contemporaries as soon as she's back in peak condition. Mistoffelees is back at the Miho Training Centre and is expected to fight again soon - stay tuned, as this horse has a lot of potential. Miracle Rouge and Quick Bread are just continuing their regular training, while Mosto Verde is currently on a special programme that focuses on building up the hind muscles.
Lourdes No Hitomi's career is taking an interesting turn, as she is being prepared for a dirt race in Tokyo (either the second race on the 3rd, or the 10th if that can't be fixed). In the meantime, Quadrille (pictured here) has had her race for the 27th scrubbed, and her debut is now scheduled for Tokyo on the 2nd February - the fifth race on turf.
On the NAR front, Fairy Robe will make her debut on the 1st February at Kawasaki. She should run in the first race of the day - a 1400m event, naturally on dirt being Kawasaki. No jockey has been assigned as yet, but Seiji Yamazaki has been doing a lot of work with her, so it could well be him.
As chance will have it, I managed to get some help with translations late last night, so I can now bring you the latest Carrot Club news, and there's rather a lot of it...
First and foremost comes the confirmation of a Tokyo-Fuchu 7R entry for Tenshinramman on Sunday - an 1800m turf race - with Tanaka-san in the saddle. There's a lot of talk about revenge for the disappointment in the recent Stakes race, so this should be interesting.
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| Courtesy Carrot Club |
Lourdes No Hitomi's career is taking an interesting turn, as she is being prepared for a dirt race in Tokyo (either the second race on the 3rd, or the 10th if that can't be fixed). In the meantime, Quadrille (pictured here) has had her race for the 27th scrubbed, and her debut is now scheduled for Tokyo on the 2nd February - the fifth race on turf.
On the NAR front, Fairy Robe will make her debut on the 1st February at Kawasaki. She should run in the first race of the day - a 1400m event, naturally on dirt being Kawasaki. No jockey has been assigned as yet, but Seiji Yamazaki has been doing a lot of work with her, so it could well be him.
WHERE DID I LEAVE MY LIFEJACKET?
To say conditions were a little wet underfoot today would be an understatement of epic proportions. But this afternoon was the last chance to give Jaguar a brief exercise run with Louis in the saddle before the Dressage competition on Saturday. At least it's local this time, at the Higashi-Kanto facility, and I'm actually quite looking forward to it - apart from the prospect of parking up the car on a muddy field, that is!
Sorry there was nothing written yesterday, as I've been working away on the new Mercedes book, and it was quite late by the time I'd finished the bit I wanted to do. There will probably be nothing tomorrow either, as my translator will be at the TCK meeting with friends. Please be sure to stay tuned for news of Louis' exploits on Saturday, though...
To say conditions were a little wet underfoot today would be an understatement of epic proportions. But this afternoon was the last chance to give Jaguar a brief exercise run with Louis in the saddle before the Dressage competition on Saturday. At least it's local this time, at the Higashi-Kanto facility, and I'm actually quite looking forward to it - apart from the prospect of parking up the car on a muddy field, that is!
Sorry there was nothing written yesterday, as I've been working away on the new Mercedes book, and it was quite late by the time I'd finished the bit I wanted to do. There will probably be nothing tomorrow either, as my translator will be at the TCK meeting with friends. Please be sure to stay tuned for news of Louis' exploits on Saturday, though...
Monday, January 21, 2013
POINT-TO-POINT RACING
Just been watching another 'P2P.ie' video about the promotion of racing older mares, which I think is a wonderful concept. But this is the clip that got me interested in this type of event, presented by the delightful Maria Dagg, whose family is shown throughout the video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch. My good friend, Alex, who has been like a father to me, is a Dublin man, and his love of the jumps - and Cheltenham, in particular - is now much easier to understand. I would very much like to see more of this grassroots level of sport in Japan...
Just been watching another 'P2P.ie' video about the promotion of racing older mares, which I think is a wonderful concept. But this is the clip that got me interested in this type of event, presented by the delightful Maria Dagg, whose family is shown throughout the video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch. My good friend, Alex, who has been like a father to me, is a Dublin man, and his love of the jumps - and Cheltenham, in particular - is now much easier to understand. I would very much like to see more of this grassroots level of sport in Japan...
LAST CHANCE?
With the prospect of snow again on Thursday, an early finish at school gave the opportunity for a last minute training session before the weekend. From where I was standing, it wasn't all that impressive, but Louis was trying extra hard to get Jaguar to dip his head - whether he'll do that at the weekend or let the few points slip I don't know. I guess it depends on Jaguar's mood, and that of Louis at the end of the day. It's quite funny, though, looking at pictures of Louis from when he started riding and comparing them with those of today - Jaguar, by no means a small horse, is actually starting to look like a tiddler, whereas two years ago it was a lot like watching Sophie in 2013...
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