Tuesday, June 3, 2014

Now What?

Porthos was fourth at Carlisle with Tom Eaves in the saddle. It sounds okay, but he finished a long way down and his intended career as a jumper - which is what I wanted him for - looks an awful long way off at this stage, even taking into account his lengthy lay-off from racing before the mile run yesterday.

I'm hoping we'll have more luck with River Spirit, booked for the 5:55pm at Lingfield on the 7th June, as the ground should suit her a lot better than that she had to deal with in her last outing. The Channon family know what they're doing, and everything is in hand - there are few teams in which I have more confidence. When she's ready, she'll deliver the goods.

Today's Carrot Club reports are filled with the word 'treadmill' as usual, with only one standing out as different. Sophisticate has damaged his right front leg, and will be retired as a result. Given the promising start to his career, it's a shame. There were apparently thoughts of moving him onto turf, but only after four crap results on dirt to follow his one good one! Had he been moved onto the green stuff earlier, he might have been able to become something. As it is, another Carrot/JRA failure is added to the list, and I'm just wishing that Joyful Step and Dinner Bell join him in retirement soon, as they are simply wasting time and money.

PS. There are apparently still plans to run Porthos over the hurdles, with his first jump race planned for Perth in the first week of August. It's a question of wait and see, I guess, but his staying power will have to improve no end first of all, and in just two months...

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