Phosphorus Update

Courtesy Shadai TC

News has just come through stating that Phosphorus - a Shadai Thoroughbred Club horse - is making his way to the Yano Stables at Funabashi in the very near future. Yoshiyuki Yano recently clocked up his 500th NAR win as a trainer, and let's hope that Phosphorus can add a few more to his tally. Weighing in at 519kg, Phosphorus is a big lad, and a very handsome one, too. I look forward to seeing him in the paddock at Funabashi as soon as Yano-sensei has given him the all-clear to race.

Absolutely Divine

Courtesy Carrot Club

With my mother over from England for a couple of weeks, I'm not managing to do much on the blog, so please forgive me for a bit. Meanwhile, the race Mistoffelees (pictured) was aiming for has proved impossible, but he's now booked to run at Tokyo-Fuchu on the 20th, teaming up with Ohno-san again in the short sixth race (1300m dirt). 

Divine Daughter will be in action in the 1200m dirt race at Niigata on the 26th, with Yutaka Yoshida in the saddle. This will be a long-awaited debut run for her, and while a win may only be a dream at this stage, she's a hard worker and the experience will certainly stand her in good stead. 

Single Cask will make her debut on the same day, but at Tokyo in the 1400m turf 6R. Keita Tosaki has been lined up to guide her around the track, which is something I'm very happy about. He will be riding True Motion the next day in the 1600m 2R at Tokyo, as well, and it should be something quite special to see this promising filly back on the turf.

The only other news at the moment is that Classic Curl has passed her gate test, so her race training career can now start in earnest.

Monday Morsels

Beat The Boarder should be going to her new home at TCK the week after next, and then she can start her NAR 'Nankan' racing career. One other piece of news: Mistoffelees is waiting for a berth in the gate to become free for the big race at Morioka on the 21st. The entry list is full, but if someone drops out, Mistoffelees has got the reserve spot for this 1600m dirt run. I will keep you up-to-date as soon as any further news is issued...

PS. Still no news on Mistoffelees as of Tuesday evening, but Agua De Vida has arrived safely at Kawasaki. I look forward to seeing her in Nankan action soon.

Jim Who?

Courtesy Tokoro RC

While the kids were giving 'Jaguar' a good workout around the outside track at Tokoro, I was busy polishing my old saddle - it had fared surprisingly well considering its lack of use, with only a crusty coating of sand and red dust from the local farms, and it wasn't as stiff as I was expecting either, given the climate it has had to contend with recently. After a good rubbing down with an oil rag and cleaning cream, it looked half decent, and if I change the stirrups to a pair of racing ones I have sitting in the car, that should reduce its weight quite nicely.

Why am I polishing the saddle? Well, I've decided to enter the gymkhana in November. But not with Jaguar, as this saddle doesn't suit the peak in his back - I've decided to use 'Tenn-chan' (Tempai). Poor old Tenn-chan nearly died a while back, and has never fully recovered. However, as a seven-time JRA race winner (including a Procyon Stakes victory), he's a proud horse, and I want to use him in competition at least once in his twilight years - it will be my first competition with him since buying a share in him a couple of years ago. Even if we have to walk around, as he will dictate the pace, I want to create a nice memory of our time together...

Camaraderie

The Chiba Prefecture Inter-City Challenge was held at the New Olympic Club facility at Tomisato, providing all those who entered with a wonderful weekend full of friendly rivalries and good sportsmanship. Louis competed for the Inba-gun team, as Tokoro RC is based in Yachimata, and this is the team that eventually came out on top. Interestingly, the Funabashi team enrolled the help of some of the grooms from the track, so as well as the familiar faces from the dressage and show-jumping competitions, there were a few more from the racing world, too! An excellent event, that I look forward to attending next year...