Another One Gone

On paper, Miracle Rouge's race was a disaster. In reality, it was quite pleasing until the closing stages, when there was just nothing there to respond to the quickening pace of the frontrunners. As a result, the trainer has decided to retire her, as she's going nowhere fast. Her one win will be her last, at least in JRA. If we'd get rid of Tenshinramman and Harmony Fair, too, that would suit me, too, as both are failing to perform, and at least 'Tenny' can make a good broodmare - if she gets injured, that will be as big as waste as her race career, which held so much promise in her early days.

In other news, while I've been working around the clock again, Beat The Boarder has made it back to the TCK stables, and J'ai Un Reve has gone back on holiday again. Unbelievable! Let's see how we do with Eclat De Reve tomorrow...

PS. Not really worth adding a new piece for Eclat De Reve. The ground was heavier than the official "good" going, and the tiny EDR was always going to struggle as a result. The final 3F time was fine, so if firmer ground suits the next race date (assuming it's soon), then maybe we're in with a chance. 

Weekenders

J'ai Un Reve will not be running after all, which I must say I'm happy about. What on Earth is a horse full of Montjeu blood doing in a dirt race? Meanwhile, Perfumer is going for an R&R session, but at least it has been earned, as that was a tough race given the travel and boggy track. As for those that will run at the weekend, Miracle Rouge has been confirmed for the 2400m 8R at Tokyo-Fuchu on Saturday, with Tanabe-san taking the reins, and Eclat De Reve teams up with Ebina-san in the Hanshin 3R over a mile of turf on Sunday.

Looking further ahead, Pop Label is due to run at Funabashi with Yoshihara-kun (who won on Perfumer the other day) on the 17th, Irish Harp is hoping to run at Hakodate on the 21st (Rush Attack's trainer is also thinking of a Hokkaido campaign), and Massabielle should be out at Tokyo on the same day with Tosaki-kun in the saddle for a 2400m turf race. Although the season has finished for our Irish horses, we might have something out in England or Australia by then, too, so watch this space...

New Dates

J'ai Un Reve should be running at Hanshin in an 1800m dirt race at some time over the weekend, which raises more than a few questions as far as I'm concerned, while Miracle Rouge is booked for the 2400m race at Tokyo-Fuchu on the 13th, teaming up with Tanabe-san. Miracle's time was good, so you never know...

A few days later, Pop Label is due to run at Funabashi in the B3 1700m 12R on the 17th, which will equate to my night meeting debut at my local track. Pop is getting better and better, starting to show signs of the great juvenile champion he was before he was injured. Let's hope this race marks his full comeback with a win!

NAR News

Trovao has passed his gate test, performing well and now able to start his racing career in earnest. He will begin his NAR campaign in Hokkaido, and will hopefully make his way to one of the 'Nankan' (Minami-Kanto) stables in due course. Million Ways is also making progress, and should complete the gate test any minute.

The post-race report confirms everything we saw last night with Phosphorus, and because he was cruised home, the current plan is to run him at Kawasaki again at the meeting beginning on the 29th. Already looking forward to that one! I have put my name down for the two Funabashi-based Sunday Thoroughbred Club newcomers from the 2015 catalogue, so let's see what happens.

Oh Boy!

Courtesy Carrot Club

Well, what can I say? Perfumer (right) started as favourite, which was frankly shocking, got sand in his face, which would have been the end of the story going by his debut run, and then finished like a trooper to win by two lengths. In reality, Yoshihara-kun timed the race to perfection to give the Long family its 29th win - the 12th in NAR, and 23rd in Japan as a whole. Well done to one and all. In particular, my thanks to the trainer for applying some real thought to the entry - the long journey was certainly worthwhile...

Ironically, Phosphorus started as favourite at Kawasaki and came a disappointing eighth. At the end, Shun-kun just cruised in, as he knew there was no chance. It wasn't his fault - the start was screwed up by a horse that didn't want to go in the gate, and once everyone was in, the starter opened the gates at the worst possible time for our nag. Ultimately, a worse start would have been hard to imagine, and in the ultra-competitive B3 Class, there's no room for error. He will be back, though - of that, there's no doubt.

Starting as second favourite, poor Blacklister couldn't do any better than fourth today in the UK, although the winner was a very firm favourite. It's early days with this one, though, and I'm quite sure his third run will be something to watch out for. For now, time for me to hit the sack!

Colza Cup

Yesterday was the main event for the first Colza Cup. Louis came second in the dressage, despite the mad mood of 'Bugatti', and he was second in the gymkhana, too - he also got an award with Yoshimi and Mutsume as an All-Japan entrant. Sophie won her dressage category, and also picked up the 'Best Horseman' award for the kindred spirit she'd shown with 'Bugatti' on a day when he really was full of beans! This latter award means more to me personally than all the others the kids have won put together - and they've won plenty - as good horsemanship is the main goal as far as I'm concerned. Ultimately, a good horseman can make the most of an onry beast, and go ever higher if they have the opportunity to ride a perfectly-trained competitor; the opposite is difficult to achieve. One thing is for sure, we will be sticking with my beloved Thoroughbreds, whatever happens...

Three Tomorrow

Three runners tomorrow, with Perfumer first up at Kanazawa in the 1500m 9R. Hiroto Yoshihara steps into the stirrups, although, to be perfectly frank, I doubt even his skill at the reins will make a difference with this particular nag. The only good thing is that all the JRA crop are poor horses in this race, and the trainer is at least thinking outside the box. On the other hand, Perfumer doesn't seem to like dirt in its face and previous winners at Kanazawa abound amongst the NAR runners, which is why my confidence is low.

Phosphorus, meanwhile, stands a good chance of doing the business in the B3 1500m ninth at Kawasaki, despite the very strong field. He teams up with Funabashi's Shun Ishizaki again, as he looks to claim his sixth win; he currently has an impressive 5-3-3 record.

The third chance comes late in the day for me due to the time difference, but Blacklister runs with Ryan Moore in the six-furlong Class 5 Bathwick Tyres Maiden Auction Stakes at Salisbury, which starts at 2:25pm GMT. Real promise in this one, too.