UPS & DOWNS 

Harmony Fair has not made the field for the 9th after all, so I'm not sure when her next race will be now. But Fairy Robe is coming to Funabashi next week - I'm just hoping it's not on the 15th, as that's Louis' graduation day and I'd hate to have to choose between the two events...

Also, any plans of getting Jaguar to become a show-jumper overnight were dashed today, as he was in one of his 'do the minimum I have to do to get a cookie' moods. But the last few jumps were sweet, and with a bit more training - and the right mood - I reckon he could surprise a few people during the year.

BIG RACE FOR HARMONY FAIR 
Harmony Fair is all set to race on the 9th in the Anemone Stakes at Nakayama, with Hiroyuki Uchida already signed up as the jockey. A victory in this main event (11R, 1600m on turf) could see her go on to bigger things, so fingers crossed...

In other news, Quick Bread is due to make his debut at Nakayama on the 17th in an 1800m dirt race, while it's hoped that Miracle Rouge will race at Nakayama within this current stretch, meaning some time before the middle of April.

JUMPING JAGUARS, BATMAN! 
Yes, today Jaguar did his first bit of show-jumping practice, and it was a joy to watch. Louis looked composed after clearing the first fence - memories of two years ago to the day, which is when Jaguar last jumped (or should I say rocketed?) leaving the poor novice eating dirt, doubtless in the back of his mind. It was actually quite funny looking back - Jaguar clearing a 30cm obstacle that he was supposed to walk over with a jump that would have seen off a Grand National fence with ease! But it's great to see the way both Louis and Jaguar have developed in those two years - the two of them becoming good all-rounders with the passage of time...

With luck, tomorrow Jaguar will be tackling the 1m fences that Louis has been doing with Heart and Ukon. Today was simply a trial to see if he enjoyed this new field of endeavour. Well he did, and some of the jumps he made were truly beautiful, giving me the feeling Louis' delayed show-jumping debut may be with Jaguar. Now that's something to look forward to!

THE BIG TIME FOR 'TENNY'? 

Courtesy Carrot Club

This is the million dollar question right now. There was some guesswork going on in the house, but it has now been confirmed - Tenshinramman is being rested up in readiness for the Oaks Trial. Well, if ever there was a horse that deserved a crack at a Classic, it's this one. So fingers crossed, as she's apparently in stunning condition as I write this...

This picture shows Tenshinramman on her way to her second victory - it came through the post yesterday. In the meantime, we're awaiting news on Harmony Fair, as 24 horses want to run in the Stakes Race at Nakayama on the weekend, but only 16 can start, of course. All we can do is hope we can get a green light for her, too.

TOUGH WEEKEND 
This weekend has been a tough one as far as training goes - Louis busy polishing Dressage skills with 'Jaguar' yesterday, followed by show-jumping training with Machikane Ukon today.

Meanwhile, Sophie made her debut leading Jaguar back to his stable. He's not the most docile of animals, so she's not been allowed to do it until now. Nice to see the pair walking in harmony, though...