Sorrowful Limp

Joyful Step finished an amazing 25 lengths down on the winner in her debut race, which should be more than enough to make people understand why I've had enough of Carrot Club and JRA trainers. The fascinating thing is she had the fastest time over the last three furlongs, which kind of makes you wonder how far she could have finished off the pace had the jockey not given her a command to go for it at the end. Not every Thoroughbred is born to race no matter what. If it's a dud, it doesn't belong on a track...

PS. As expected, after such a sorrowful performance, Joyful Step has been banned from racing for a month. The horse that finished behind her was still probably running when they started lining up for the next race, but it's of little consolation. With the ban, that takes you right into the summer heat. Despite a fast final 3F time, you might as well write her off.

Jumping For Joy?

Joyful Step's debut run has been confirmed for the 3rd, along with Single Cask for the 4th. In addition, according to the latest reports, Mephisto Waltz will run (trot?) on the 10th, and Miracle Rouge should be out again on either the 17th or 18th, depending on whether a slot in the gate is available...

Manic Monday

Courtesy Shadai TC

Phosphorus (pictured here with Egawa-kun in the saddle during an early morning training session) is due to run in the 3R at Funabashi on Monday (the 5th), which is good news as I don't have to think about being the kids' taxi service on that day. It's funny that I'm always going on about the benefits of living in the countryside, but getting Louis and Sophie off to school poses a problem sometimes from a timing point of view. With Monday being a Bank Holiday, no worries...

There's some other interesting news coming through from England, too. I'm waiting on confirmation before I update the names at the foot of the page, but a swap has been negotiated, and with this particular horse and the way it's been marketed in a syndicate, it means Sophie becomes the official owner. When I showed her a picture of the horse in question, her face lit up like a lighthouse beacon, so I think we've found a good way forward for all concerned.

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. 

Gaikoku Banter

Raining Dollars came third in his jump-out, but the trainer is happy with the way he behaved and performed, not least because the two horses ahead of him were very experienced past winners. The potential for a successful Australian campaign is definitely there...

On the other side of the world, River Spirit finished sixth in her debut race at Bath in the UK. I have a feeling she'll be far closer to the head of the field next time out, now she has some experience of race-day transport, the paddock and competition, and others share my confidence, too, if this predictor is anything to go by. Her proper starting price was 10/1, by the way, which made her fourth favourite.

PS. Just had a report come in from 'The Lord' on River Spirit, and everything went pretty much as expected with youngsters, including a good few incidents along the way. As the main man says: "In short, she knew she was a racehorse today. A different filly for it!"

Close, But No Cigar

Irish Harp came home in fourth this morning, although quite a way off the pace, it has to be said, but Belle Plage - considering her race rust - put in a sterling performance to finish a close second in her Fukushima outing. Now, if the trainer uses this as a warm-up and gets the right event in the very near future, being totally realistic, this is the closest I think we'll get to having a winner from the 2011 crop of Carrot Club horses.

PS. The post-race analysis points to the Hokkaido Series being an option for Irish Harp, as the tracks should suit her better, and a longer distance is also being considered. As for Belle Plage, had she not been blocked on the third corner, the race was hers, so if she can run again soon, this one has the potential to win next time out.