Galway Plate

The Jazz Singer was fourth at Down Royal in the Galway Plate Trial, but seemed to be baulked a little at the final run-in. In addition, the poor nag was carrying some serious weight thanks to the handicappers. As such, the result wasn't as disappointing as it looks on paper, given that only nine ran and there were two fallers, albeit unfancied horses.

We shall have to wait and see if the race we were aiming for - the Galway Plate itself - is still on the cards. Hopefully it is, but if not there's always next year or other alternatives. With any luck, we have a big race in the pony...

PS. Not so good for Sayesse at Windsor, but it was a very hot race. A slow start didn't help his chances, but the handicapper is still not really playing the game in any case. Maybe now the nag will be given a fair crack of the whip having come in at the tail of the field? Mirzam failed to shine after being cooped in at Newcastle, and was cruised in at the end. At least Dusty was a handy third at Windsor, looking good, with the outside gate draw in a large field hampering her chances - a kinder draw may well have seen her win in my opinion. 

PPS. Checked up on my old Japanese stuff after a gap appeared in my schedules, and boy am I glad I pulled the plug when I did! Just seen Raining Dollars had a bad run at Oak Park, too, although I do miss my Aussie campaign. Maybe we'll give it another whirl one day.

Dusty

Dusty was sired by Paco Boy - a lovely horse that won 11 times, claiming three G1 victories amongst them, including the Queen Anne Stakes. Rated as one of the best horses in the world in 2010, his DNA is now starting to come through thanks to his new role as a stallion, with a fair bit of early success, such as a 2000 Guineas winner in his second crop. Of course, his ancestors were good, too, with Desert Style passing on Green Desert's bloodlines (Sir Ivor and Northern Dancer standing out further back in the male side of the family tree), while Red God and Tudor Minstrel add interest to Tappen Zee's side of the equation.

Dusty's dam is Hairspray, who won four times and passes on the blood of G1 winner Bahamian Bounty, who had the benefit of having Cadeaux Genereux as his own father. On the female side, Quickstyx passes on the DNA of Reference Point and the legendary Mill Reef. Add it all together, and Dusty should be quite a tool over the coming months - that first race was simply a warm-up!