Quick Review

Macho Mover didn't do much at Kempton, and a fast pace and a bad gate draw (again!) should have destroyed Sayesse's chances, so second by a very short head has to be considered a superb result at Wolverhampton on the 7th April. A week or so later, there was disappointment at Kempton in a race that didn't seem to suit him, and Macho Mover ran well enough at Windsor but could only manage seventh. There will be other days!

PS. Sayesse was back in the game well and truly at Brighton on the 24th, coming a close second despite yet another rough gate draw, being forced wide, and a weight handicap that was verging on unfair. Couldn't do much at Lingfield in mid-May, though, with the pace and ground adding up to push him back into fourth.

PPS. Sayesse had a disaster at Yarmouth, while the fast pace hurt his chances at Brighton, where he finished fourth. There was a distant fifth at Goodwood in mid-June, adding to the agony of knowing we have a good pony, but the results just aren't coming. Meanwhile, Macho Mover was sixth at Chepstow, but only a length down on the winner, and a reasonable third at Wetherby in early June. There's a couple of more entries lined up, although one has to say my Irish campaign has been extremely disappointing this season - no races, only hefty bills. Not a happy bunny...

PPPS. Macho Mover was well-fancied at Lingfield, but faded badly at the end after a very fast pace seemed to ruin our chances. Another disaster for Sayesse at Newbury, unfortunately, and Macho Mover fell short of expectations at Bath on the following day after hitting the inside fence; looks like Sayesse will be sold in a few weeks now, especially after another very bad day at Chester. At least Dusty had a nice comeback run at Windsor with a very strong third place, but was penned-in at the next race at Ripon, restricting progress until it was too late. 

A Return To Form

The faith in Sayesse was rewarded at Wolverhampton on the 23rd, with a superb third, despite another unfavourable gate draw (a larger factor than normal at this tight AW track). It will be interesting to see which way the Channon family go with him after this, with the proper flat season just around the corner. Still nothing happening with the Irish pair, which is disappointing, so all eyes are on Sayesse right now. A revival of winning ways on turf can't be that far off now, surely?

PS. Sure enough, Sayesse blasted past the post at Lingfield to give me my 75th winner - a big landmark that seemed to be forever in coming, but I'm happy it was this lovely nag that made it happen. Our first winner of 2018, so let's hope this is the start of a good season! 

PPS. Fourth at Lingfield on the 19th, due mainly to a rough gate draw and bunching. Certainly not disappointed, as you should have seen the finishing speed! The good season prediction still stands...

2018

Well, things are getting off to a slow start this year - the Irish pair aren't running as yet, and so Sayesse kicked off the season on the AW track at Kempton. Let's just say the beast is coming back from its lay-off gently and leave it at that. The chances are there will be another outing on the 27th, also at Kempton, when hopefully we can regain some of the pace we know this horse is capable of...

PS. The later run didn't materialize, so we had to wait until the 10th February for the next outing, where Sayesse came fourth. Held up at the back for a long time, the final sprint revived memories of the nag of old, so maybe we can get some good sport during the spring.

New Broom

Compton Grace was supposed to be running on the 23rd, but was balloted out, although Macho Mover's debut is scheduled for the same day. Meanwhile, just had the HRI paperwork all confirmed, so watch out for the Godiva Racing colours in Ireland over the coming months and years. The Jazz Singer should be out soon, by the way, with the newcomer getting closer to a first run, too...

PS. Macho Mover sadly just made up the numbers at Newbury, so all we can do is wait and see if the experience can be put to good use next time out. We've thrown in the towel with Compton Grace, which is probably the right call. Terribly disappointing run from Dusty, maybe due to the heavy ground, so we're really suffering on the England front right now. By the way, the new one in Ireland is now officially registered as Godiva's Bay. 

PPS. Jazz has picked up a slight injury, so joins Sayesse on the walking wounded list. Bad year all-round this one. Let's hope we get some better news on the 6th, which is our next outing in England... Sadly, it wasn't good news. Looks like Macho Mover will be used until the end of the month, and then given a break until next season.

PPPS. Another awful run with Macho Mover, ending what has been my worst flat season ever (and by a very long way), full of bad luck, and horses that just didn't make the grade. Well, I guess things can only get better, and hopefully we'll get some action out of the Irish ponies - also plagued with niggling maladies and bad timing all-round. Ummm. 

Bad Runs

The Jazz Singer simply made up the numbers at Down Royal as September dawned. I'm just hoping that was a pure training run, with the trainer having something up his sleeve for the near future. To be honest, there's not much more can be said about the run, although I later learned that a diet change had been a bit part of the problem...

Compton Grace ran a stinker at Kempton Park, which must bring the horse's future into question I'd have thought, as Rockwell Lloyd was dismissed after four starts of similar quality and West Ilsley isn't the kind of outfit to keep throwing good money after bad. We'll have to wait and see, but getting that 75th win this year is looking increasingly unlikely.

All Change

Sayesse was pretty dreadful the other day, missing the jump out of the gate completely. We now know he has picked up an injury, though, explaining a lot of things... Rockwell Lloyd was going well at Lingfield but got bumped out of contention on the run-in. Damn! Much the same scenario for Compton Grace at Windsor on the 7th August, and a cruise in at the back at Bath two days later. Meanwhile, Mirzam has gone, and with mild injuries in the same camp, it means nothing much is happening on the UK front at the moment.

Not sure about The Jazz Singer (he should be out again in three weeks), but a new Irish horse has arrived on the scene. This bay gelding, born in April 2014, is the 65th racer I've had a stake in (25% in this case). The little fella's father is Tobougg (by Barathea, out of Lacovia), meaning the same bloodlines on the sire side as The Jazz Singer, while the dam is the Irish mare, Ivy Lane. She passes on the DNA of Be My Native (more solid than outstanding in his performances), and Native Thistle from the female line. This brings in Ovac from Italy, and some fascinating French blood in the shape of Match and Tantieme. He looks a treat anyway, and should give us some excellent sport in the P2P arena. Will write more after he is named.

I've also made a firm decision on Australian racing following my break from the scene. I've decided to call it a day, as the races are simply too short. This puts too much emphasis on luck for my liking, often wiping out the good work of the trainer. So, goodbye Oz - thanks to a great bunch of folks, especially Jo Hassett and her family, I enjoyed my spell with you, but it's time to move on. The Singapore idea seemed a reasonable one at the time, but my first impression after trying to get a stake in a horse out there wasn't particularly favourable, so having slept on it that's a non-starter - if the feeling isn't enthusiastic before they have your money, what chance is there of a good service after they've got it? As such, we're left with England for flat racing, Ireland for jumping, and the possibility of my own nag in Japan's NAR arena at some stage - the club option, which is nothing more than a complete waste of time and money, disappeared a long time ago...

PS. A disappointing run from Rockwell Lloyd at Newmarket. Only one win away, but that landmark 75th victory looks very far away right now.

PPS. Another bad run from 'Rocky', this time at Goodwood... It looks like the distance didn't suit him on the day, but going for very short races will limit his entries, that's for sure. Not sure what the best way is to go with this one. 

PPPS. A few minutes ago, it was noted that Rockwell Lloyd's racing career is over. You get the odd one that looks good but doesn't want to race, and this fella falls into that category. Hopefully he will find a job as a polo pony, as per one of the earlier LIR runners. 

No Champers

Well, the All-Japan Championship was disappointing. Poor Louis had to deal with a crazy 'Bugatti' (pictured in his weekend home), who would be in high-tension mode anyway having travelled so far and being in new surroundings with a competitive atmosphere. But what didn't help this year was the self-defence force deciding to hold an exercise a few minutes down the road, firing cannon and other equipment, which is frankly mad when people are working with flight animals in the country's most important annual event. It's not like the SDF has a pressing schedule, or even a lack of places to practice, and the AJC dates are known by all and sundry. I hope someone in the FEI lodges a very strong complaint.

Sophie did okay in the afternoon, but she was disappointed with the scoring of one of the judges - the others were reasonable enough. At least she has managed to team up with the big fella before jockey school beckons, and she has my respect - she can handle 'Bugatti' well (and few could, believe me!), but the finer points of dressage are a lot to ask for given that a rapid move up the classes means that a lot of the techniques are still new to both parties.

No bubbly on the racing front either, as the UK stuff hasn't ran for a little while, and The Jazz Singer could only muster a fourth at Perth last night. The 75th win (which would be my next) seems a long way off right now...

PS. All sorts of things happening on the Irish front. Will update you as soon as things firm up. Rockwell Lloyd did nothing on his debut at Newbury - the gate drama may or may not have made a difference, although this was always going to simply be a run for experience anyway.

PPS. Compton Grace ran a solid debut at Windsor - nothing spectacular but something to build on. We may have some news on Mirzam soon, and Sayesse is out again in a few days after a bit of a holiday. When everything has settled down, we can review the buying and selling spree.