Something For The Weekend

Given the freezing cold, with icicles still around after Tuesday's snowfall, I can't believe we spent most of the afternoon running 'Jaguar' around the outer track at Tokoro. Still, he was glad of the exercise and cookies, and it gave me a welcome break from the computer...

All sorts of notes coming through: Miracle Rouge is indeed booked for the Tokyo 7R on the 9th, with Uchida-san (an ex-NAR man who gave Miracle her first win) taking up the reins. Meanwhile, Mephisto Waltz has suddenly been entered in the 2000m turf race at Kokura on Saturday (the 8th), this time with youngster Tsubasa Iwasaki in the saddle. I wish the lad luck, but I think he's going to need it! Here's an interesting one, though - Cristian Demuro on Irish Harp in the opener at Kyoto on the 22nd. This is an 1800m dirt race, and while we don't know if the beast will take to dirt for sure, and a shorter distance might be perfect for her build, it does at least give Cristian a chance to work some magic, assuming the horse is in racing trim this time. Given that this was the horse I wanted more than any other from that year's batch of Carrot Club nags, this one means a lot to me.

Divine Daughter is being a bit of a rascal in training, but should be out on the track again soon. Tenshinramman is pencilled in for late February (Tokyo) or early March (Nakayama), although Tokyo seems to suit her better as far as I'm concerned, and Mistoffelees should run at Tokyo either next week or the week after.

The trainer has said he'd like to run Classic Curl soon, but the practice times are slow, and he's saying the hind quarters are still weak at this stage, which isn't a very encouraging sign. Harmony Fair has packed her cases and gone off for a holiday. Once again, the trainer has said dirt doesn't suit her, which is something we all knew before the last race - on dirt! Turf is mentioned as the best option for the future (hurrah!!!), but choosing a distance is still very much up in the air. 1800m has been mooted, but I wouldn't bank on her running at that distance, or even turf, until I see it in writing.

On the NAR front, Phosphorus is in action again on the 13th at Funabashi, booked for a 1200m dirt race. The jockey has yet to be announced, but that's normal NAR practice - the names are always filled in at the last minute. Finally, Agua De Vida is being prepared for a race at Kawasaki in the first week of March. So there we go - a news round-up that includes a little something for the weekend, and something to look forward to.