NO MIRACLES 
Went across to Nakayama to watch Miracle Rouge in the fourth race. She was tipped as being one to watch if she cold get out of the gate in a spritely manner, and looked beautiful in the paddock, having lost 14kg. Early betting saw her at 8.7 to one, which looked like a good deal for the punters, I have to say.

Anyway, she got out the gates sharply enough, and motored around at a good pace. However, before the final run-in, she got boxed in, and there was no chance for her to show her devastating finishing speed. Only with the line in sight was she starting to build up steam, and this is a shame, for she still has to get a win-place-show finish on her record. The jockey is saying Tokyo should suit her characteristics. It would certainly be nice to get one in the bag...

PS. The trainer has since added that perhaps a little too much weight had been lost, but no real complaints. Like me, he saw a good racer whose time will come. To be honest, I don't think she would have won today - the horse that was fifth was the fastest finisher, but second or third was a good possibility had she been allowed to run as freely as the jockey wished coming off the last bend.