NAR Update

Courtesy Sunday TC

It has been announced that Beat The Boarder (pictured here) will be making her debut at one of the four Minami-Kanto tracks (namely Tokyo TCK, Funabashi, Kawasaki
or Urawa) some time next month. Her slight build means that catching up with her contemporaries in terms of development will take too long in Hokkaido, as the season up there is already well advanced. I will let you know which stables are handling her as soon as the deal has been finalized.

At the other extreme, we have a racing monster in the shape of Pop Label. I've just watched a preview of Pop Label's NAR race on the Keiba Tenbo+ programme on Chiba TV, and it looks like he's pretty well fancied for Wednesday's big event (H1 ranking). The tipster had him as his second choice, so let's see what happens. Three wins from his last three races would be nice, and something even Tenshinramman hasn't managed to achieve...

Oh My Lourdes!

'Little Miss Consistency' did it again - a fifth place for Lourdes No Hitomi, although a neck difference and she'd have come third. It was probably her best crack at getting a race win, and quite possibly her last in JRA circles, unless she starts jumping, which she may well be perfectly suited to given her high level of stamina. It's either that, or the longer NAR races. From the jockey report, staying with dirt may be the way forward...

What can we say about Dinner Bell? Umm - let's just say it's the very first time one of my kids has come last! In all fairness, the jockey said she felt good, but is still very immature, both mentally and physically. In addition, I don't think she'd have come last but for another horse swerving wildly in front of her on the final run-in - the race was ruined for the tiddler, and there's no point pushing a 406kg youngster on its debut after that. All we can do is hope that this early exposure to the realities of the race world will toughen her up so she can fight harder next time out.

Mosto...!!

Yesterday, Mosto Verde ran like a donkey, putting his future in doubt, unless he can make a successful switch to NAR racing. To be honest, I don't think it will make much difference regardless of what arena he runs in - there are born racers, and there are those that make up the numbers. Poor ol' Mosto will forever fit into the latter category I feel.

Later today, we have Lourdes No Hitomi in a last chance 2400m dirt race at Hakodate (the 3R), and Dinner Bell makes her debut in the 5R at Niigata. With training at Tokoro to add to the schedule, it's going to be a busy day with the horses.

Harping On

Irish Harp has passed her gate test, and after her first full flat-out run, it's safe to say we can expect to see her in race action very soon. Returning my confidence in her bloodlines (as it happens, she was my first choice from amongst the 2012 crop), this girl is a real flyer!

Pop Label has Yuji Iwahashi booked
as his jockey for the main race at Monbetsu on the 7th August (the 1800m 11R). He's bulked up even more and running in a far better form than before, so expect fireworks on Wednesday evening. This picture, courtesy of Sunday TC, shows Pop Label in the paddock at his last race, which he won in style.

The only other news of note refers to Beat The Boarder, who may be making her debut at Monbetsu next week. Apparently the trainer is going to make a decision tomorrow, after she's had her full gallop pace clocked on the stopwatch. Naturally,
it would be nice to see her run, but there's no point in needlessly rushing things.

Calming Influence

One of the most beautiful things about horses is their ability to calm you down. I blew a fuse with work problems at the crack of dawn this morning (a failure to close the window shutter woke me early as the light flooded in), but a few minutes looking into the eyes of my trusted friend 'Jaguar' and telling him my woes whilst giving him cookies and stroking his neck smoothed things over a lot. I went back to the stable in the afternoon, and now I'm just disappointed rather than furious...

The kids had a hard day, as I dropped them off at 8am to work at the stables, gaining valuable experience of washing and cleaning up after the horses, brushing them, and helping to feed them. It then makes you appreciate the riding in the afternoon that much more - nothing in life should be totally free! They are both building up some good muscles as well. Hehehe.

PS. Evening arrives, and I scream: "My Kingdom for a horse!" Preferably Jaguar, of course. 

New Race Dates

Mosto Verde has been entered for the second race at Niigata on the 3rd August - a 1200m dirt run, with Hironobu Tanabe in the saddle. We've already mentioned Lourdes No Hitomi's outing on the 4th, but now Dinner Bell is scheduled to race on the same day at Niigata, with Junji Shimada taking the reins in the 1600m 5R on turf. A few days later, Pop Label is back in NAR action on the 7th, going for a hat-trick, with two other past-winners, Harmony Fair and Tenshinramman, hitting the track on the 10th.

Equestrians

I've seen a few things recently, including a beautiful black and white video, pointing out the unique nature of equestrian sport. It holds a special appeal for anyone hooked on horses - the communication element, the thrill of riding and winning, and the joy of being able to spend quality time with these majestic creatures and fellow riders and race fans. As it says: "The only ones who truly understand this world are the ones who are a part of it." I can safely say that I would recommend it to anyone...

Zebedee

If you've ever seen 'The Magic Roundabout', you'll know what I'm talking about. Louis reminded me of the character today, clearing fences as if he was mounted on a giant spring! Machikane Ukon is a great jumper, and will almost certainly be Louis' steed for his licence test - it's very good of Haruta-kun to allow the boy to use him, and the gesture is much appreciated at this end. Not to be outdone, 'Jaguar' decided to put in a few good jumps himself with Megumi at the controls, although he was less co-operative with Sophie, it has to said. The pair will come together in time for the autumn competitions, I'm sure, as 'Jaguar' always rises to the occasion as soon as the horsebox rolls up and he sees a crowd...

Old Coventry

With the 'Coventry Friendship Race' coming up in just over a week, I thought I'd share a few pictures of the old place with you. Most of the medieval buildings were destroyed during the Blitz in WWII, but a few survived, including the 'Three Spires' that came to symbolize the city. I was born less than a mile from these famous landmarks in the centre of town, and the various branches of the family before me had links with the city that can be traced back for centuries. As it happens, I'm slowly but surely working away on the family tree, uncovering some interesting ancestors, and hope to go back to the Doomsday Book with the main lines - that will cover 1086 to 2013, or 927 years!

By the way, I have no idea who these photos belong to. If the copyright holder objects, please let me know, and I shall either credit them or take them down straight away.

Today's Clinic

Somehow, despite thunder storms and heavy rain, Louis (usually known for his talent at charming the sun to come out) managed to get a good one-on-one training session in with Tomoko Nakamura as his teacher. He hasn't actually done much in the way of dressage for a while, as he's been concentrating on improving his jumping skills, but with Vespar as his borrowed mount for the morning, he was soon looking the part. A really useful day thanks to the good folks at Real Nep.

Nagoya Shocker

I've just heard through the grapevine that there are plans to close Nagoya racecourse. I guess with the nearby Chukyo facility being shared by the JRA and NAR organizations for certain events, it makes shutting it down that much easier, but it still hurts, especially as the news comes so soon after the closure of the Fukuyama track. I will bring you more details as soon as the full picture becomes clearer. A sad day for all NAR fans...