Eastern Promise

A flood of Carrot Club reports has just come in, but nothing much worth passing on in reality. Indeed, nothing worth repeating on the four-year old front, and as for the three-year old crop, we should mention that Joyful Step is booked for a 3rd May debut at Niigata. This will be a 1200m dirt run, while Single Cask and Maruyama Genki should be out at the same track on the next day in a 1000m turf dash. Belle Plage is being lined up for a 1400m run at either Tokyo or Niigata, and from proper timing against the stopwatch, we can conclude that Dinner Bell is not suited to dirt or heavy going. In fact, I'm wondering if she's suited to racing at all...

Courtesy Carrot Club

The 4yo group seem to be good for nothing more than making up numbers nowadays, and Belle Plage seems to be the strongest hope amongst the 3yo batch - with a fourth and two close seconds from three outings, there's at least a spark of potential to work with. If there's a spark in any of the others, all I can say is that there must be a lot of damp not allowing it to shine through!

It's rather ironic that seeing as I just want to finish my JRA campaign as soon as possible that the two-year olds are showing promise, with War Chronicle (pictured) looking good, along with Eclat De Reve. Meanwhile, Time For Love is doing gate training, so some progress there, too. Of course, we've heard good reports many times in the past that have ultimately translated into nothing special as soon as a horse enters training, so we shall just have to wait and see. One thing is for sure, it will have to be a very spectacular set of results to change my thoughts on the future as far as Japanese racing is concerned.

Courtesy Sunday TC

Nothing much to pass on from the Shadai TC or Sunday TC either. Divine Daughter is supposed to be going back to the racing stables (JRA) next month, while Phosphorus is the only NAR runner still in action. At least Pop Label (seen here on the right, with muscles bulging everywhere) looks like he's ready for a comeback, and I look forward to that, as that will give me two horses at my home track in Funabashi. I'm hopeful that Monsoon Trough will be stationed at Funabashi, too, although I've not heard anything as yet.

PS. According to a Sunday Thoroughbred Club report filed on 2nd May, Monsoon Trough is bulking up nicely (now 473kg), giving rise to thoughts of a summer debut. As such, she's starting gate training to prepare her for such an event.