LOVE IS... PART FIVE 
I was going to use a picture of me for this one, as Jaguar snuggled up to me and looked so cute (probably in search of a cookie!), but the lack of hair on my bonce might shock those of a more delicate nature. This is nice, though - Jaguar, fresh after another roll in the mud, getting a 'thank you' kiss from Sophie while Arai-kun sorts out his lead. Hard to believe this is the same horse as the one I took on a couple of years ago.

MORE GYMKHANA TRAINING 
With the beautiful weather this morning, there was a chance to actually enjoy training this morning rather than simply put up with it in the name of progress. Jaguar looked superb out there today, with the sun bringing out the gold colouring in his coat, and he seemed to enjoy flicking left and right on the slalom course Megumi had set up. To finish off, Louis took him around the track at a gentle canter to burn off the last bit of Thoroughbred tension for day. Happy campers!

TEMPAI UPDATE 
I haven't mentioned Tenn-chan for a while, as we've been concentrating on training for various events with Jaguar (aka Mayano Time), but he's doing well, and I still love him to bits. I reckon he's starting to feel it now, too, as he gets even more excited than Jaguar when he sees me coming towards the stable. I know it's only a case of "here comes the cookie man," but it's nice to feel wanted!

Today, he was out on club duty with Yumiko-san, this light level of exercise keeping him in magnificent shape. You'd never guess he was so ill only a few months ago looking at his coat and muscle tone...

NEXT SUNDAY 
Quadrille's debut was delayed by an oversubscription at the last minute, so she'll now make her maiden outing in the fifth race at Tokyo-Fuchu on the 10th (1600m on turf) - the race before Lourdes No Hitomi makes her debut. The expected busy weekend turned out to be a rather quiet one after all...

SOMETHING TO REMEMBER... 
An Australian jockey friend posted this the other day, and
I just had to share it with readers of the blog (which now include folks from Ireland and Romania, by the way). I know a few horses that have been abused in their earlier life, and to build up trust again takes forever and a day. Horses are extremely sensitive creatures, with a good deal of brain power and a sixth sense for translating the feelings of those around them. We all need to remember the words in this illustration, and treat horses with the dignity and respect they deserve.

A TRIP TO KAWASAKI 
Having started second favourite, Fairy Robe (number 7) duly finished her first race in fourth. I have to say, though, having made up for an awful start, she looked like the short odds were justified.

Shame I'd gone to all the trouble of puttin' on me whistle 'n' flute in the hope of a nice picture had she won, but that's racing, and I'm sure that the guys at the Yamazaki Stable would agree with me in saying there's every reason to be looking forward to the future. She looked the part on that final run-in, that's for sure...

PS. Just read the Carrot Club report, and indeed, Yuya Yamazaki has high hopes for Fairy Robe, with the jockey also commenting that he felt her ability. With some more experience, she should be able to take revenge for today and go on to better things. With luck, she'll be racing at Kawasaki again at the end of the month.

PURELY FOR FUN 
If I had to name a horse that would be the most unlikely to do well in a gymkhana event, it would have to be Jaguar, but we've decided to have a lighthearted go at it
to give 'The Difficult Horse' something refreshing to do, and Louis and Sophie a new avenue of equine fun to explore, seeing as Jaguar will already be at the venue for a proper competition entry with Louis. Today was a training day...

CARROT CLUB BANTER 
Fairy Robe is still on for tomorrow, when hopefully I'll get to stand in the winner's circle with her. She's up against nine horses, so even with pure mathematics, she has a nine-to-one chance of victory, which isn't too bad...

Courtesy Carrot Club

Quadrille has been confirmed as fine for Saturday's race, but Lourdes No Hitomi (pictured here) will indeed run on the 10th now (in the Tokyo-Fuchu 6R, 1600m on dirt). Meanwhile, Tenshinramman seems to have picked up an infection, but should be OK soon, as it was quickly diagnosed and treatment is already underway.

Of the newcomers, it is the NAR prospect (No.92) that has caught the trainer's attention to the greatest extent this month, although I shall have my eye on No.34 - the Lyphard cross by King Halo - as she seems to be something special at this stage.

A BUSY WEEKEND 

Courtesy Carrot Club

And it starts on Friday, too, with Fairy Robe (pictured here) making her NAR debut at Kawasaki (1R), with Tadanari Konno now confirmed as the jockey, and Tokyo-Fuchu outings for Quadrille on Saturday (5R) and Lourdes No Hitomi on Sunday (2R). Both of these horses will be making their first appearance in a JRA meeting, so three debuts in three days...

New edition of Thoroughbred just arrived from the Shadai Group. Wish I could read Japanese!

HOOF HEARTED 
A horse-crazy friend, Kate Hunter, found this one the web, and I couldn't resist sharing it on here, especially as I was running low on subject material readily to hand - I'm in the middle of a big writing project, and my translation team is nowhere to be found whenever I do happen to get five minutes.

So here goes - a real rogues' gallery of colourful names proposed by racehorse owners that were turned down by the British racing authorities. See if you think they were justified in their decision after clicking on the following link: www.youtube.com.

SHE'S BACK! 

Courtesy Carrot Club

After starting fifth favourite, meaning she'd slipped in the betting (down from 7.0:1 to 8.1:1) Tenshinramman came home in second, losing to the much-fancied favourite by just half a length. The time for the last three furlongs was 33.7 seconds - not the best she's ever posted, but still top class, of that there's no doubt. Finishing three-quarters of a length ahead of the third-placed nag, is 'Tenny' back on track for a berth in a Classic race one day? I wouldn't rule out the possibility...

Both jockey and trainer were happy with Tenshinramman's performance today, staying with and beating some strong competition. After she's had her legs checked to confirm that no damage has been inflicted after today's run, she should be back out on the track again soon.