Bad Daughter

Divine Daughter finished a pathetic 13th today, with no sign of fight whatsoever. It doesn't seem to matter who you buy them from - a JRA horse is a JRA horse, because its trainer is a JRA trainer. There are thoughts of running with blinkers and entering the next race on a course that runs in the opposite direction, but I don't honestly think it will make any difference. It's sad for someone who loves racing as much as I do to have to say this, but I speak the truth when I tell you I'm just looking forward to finishing my JRA stint as soon as possible.

PS. No idea what's going to happen with Irish Harp tomorrow, as JRA trainer reports mean nothing anyway. The only two things I can be sure of is that 1) Kota Motohashi is signed up for Phosphorus on Monday, and 2) I know the NAR boys - and girls - are going to give it their all, as they always do... 

Sunday Soundbite

Two pieces of news from the Sunday Thoroughbred Club: Divine Daughter will run tomorrow in the 4R at Nakayama - a 1200m dirt race, with veteran jockey Hatsuhiro Kowata at the controls. This means we have a Sunday TC horse running on Saturday, a Carrot Club one out on Sunday, and a Shadai TC one racing on Monday - a busy few days in store, then. And on the two-year old front, Monsoon Trough is becoming a favourite with the work-out riders, and big things are expected of the girl, currently tipping the scales at 465kg.

Meanwhile, I had a wonderful time today at the Moru Stables in Chiba, just down the road from home. It was fun being able to speak in English about something that the owner and myself are really passionate about, and I have a feeling the place will figure a great deal in my future Japanese racing plans. As we say in England, birds of a feather flock together...

Paddy Power?

Irish Harp is booked to run in the 3R at Hanshin on the 6th (1400m over dirt), with Suguru Hamanaka in the saddle. She's certainly had some big names at the reins, but no cigar as yet - a third, fourth and fifth from five races so far. Fingers crossed for Sunday.

A further report has just come through on True Motion, with muscle pain still a potential problem. Ummm. At least Godiva's Pride (pictured here) is doing well with Ilka in England, with thoughts of a mile race for his debut, but ten furlongs cited as an ideal distance. This will be a fascinating era - the start of a long-term Newmarket campaign...

ADV Update

The latest news on Agua De Vida isn't very good. It seems she has picked up bone damage in the hoof area, explaining why she still isn't walking well. Vets are being consulted as we speak, but you can bet that's the end of her racing career. With luck, and her 1-2-2-4 record to help, she should at least make a nice broodmare in the future...

Japanese Update

Tenshinramman has some muscle pain in her hind legs that is causing concern, but no mention of blood at least! True Motion has gone back to the stables, and Glint Moment is slowly but surely getting closer to Ritto. Belle Plage looks fine, with the trainer hoping to get a 1200-1400m turf run lined up in the near future, and Fukushima or Nakayama in the frame. Harmony Fair is being put forward for a 1200m turf race at Nakayama on either the 12th or 13th - I hope it's the 12th, as every time the trainer has chased money with her, her entry has ended up costing more than she's earned! Rounding off the Carrot horses for now (reports on Irish Harp and Agua De Vida to follow), Single Cask is lined up with Genki Maruyama for the 1200m turf race at Fukushima on the 19th.

Meanwhile, Divine Daughter (Sunday TC) should be running in a 1200m dirt race at Nakayama this weekend, and Phosphorus (Shadai TC) - the only NAR horse still active at the moment, with various ailments putting the careers of the others on hold for a bit - is booked to run in the 6R mile race at Funabashi on the 7th. Now that will be worth seeing!

Newbie News

Nothing much to report with regard to the Carrot youngsters, although War Chronicle is scheduled for a body check in mid-April, which would indicate an early debut. She's said to be very strong already. Likewise, J'ai Un Reve is reported to be an impressive mover, but with Montjeu as his father, I wouldn't expect anything less...