Saturday, July 19, 2014
Super Slow Motion
Another Carrot Club failure to add to the list, with True Motion starting as a clear fifth favourite in touch with those keenly fancied, but coming home in sixth. That doesn't sound so bad until you realize the winner was over 12 lengths ahead, with a 2.1 second margin in hand. To add insult to injury, the horse expected to win was pulled up looking at the times, while the one that pipped her into fifth started as 14th favourite out of 15 runners (despite three others making extremely late debuts) and was 20kg overweight to boot! I couldn't really understand the optimism going into the race, as she's had one problem after another. The only thing worth believing is the notice of retirement, which I'm sure will be posted later today. As yet, there isn't even any jockey feedback up...
Soggy
With the overnight rain, the going is now too soft for River Spirit to run well at Haydock, so she's been declared a non-runner. As always, the Channon family have made a decision based on experience that will allow her to shine as best she can. She's now pencilled in for the Class 6 32Red Nursery Handicap Stakes at Lingfield on the 24th, which is the 5:30 race on the all-weather track.
Friday, July 18, 2014
Feeling Blue
Poor ol' Irish Harp just cannot get that rub of the green that makes the difference between winning and losing. Today, starting as third favourite, Iwata-san did a great job with her, finishing just 0.1 seconds down on the winner (firm favourite, as it happens), and a full seven lengths ahead of the horse in third! It was a magnificent performance from all involved, but I imagine that will be her last hurrah. A friend thinks maybe Sapporo is a final option after today's result, although I couldn't blame Sugai-sensei if he drew a line. I stand 100% behind my thoughts on this chap - he's the real deal, and I'd like to take this opportunity to say thanks for the memories. He's provided me with by far the best value-for-money and enjoyment I've had with any of the 28 Carrot Club horses I've had a stake in. The fact she never won is utterly irrelevant.
As for Belle Plage, well, her performance was all too typical of a Carrot horse - ninth, despite starting as third favourite! The flowery pre-race prose was nothing more than BS as usual, and I think we can safely say that's the end of her career, too, as her last two outings have been pathetic. It's all the more annoying when one thinks she showed such early promise, and cost 65% more than Irish Harp.
These two were about the only hope left as the silly season (when making space for too many fresh horses changes those that haven't won into dead wood) draws to a close, as Single Cask will struggle going up in class, and stellar horses like Tenshinramman have been ruined. The way things are going, another nine names will be moved to the 'Earlier Racehorses' column very soon...
PS. Belle Plage's future is indeed in doubt, although I guess like so many of last year's crop, she'll go to an NAR trainer and start winning everything in sight. On the other hand, Sugai-sensei continues to gain my admiration - in fact, he's extremely close to 'hero' level now! Not only can you sense his feeling of frustration being on a par with that of the owners, he's declared one more run for the girl at Sapporo, as he's sure she's a winning horse.
As for Belle Plage, well, her performance was all too typical of a Carrot horse - ninth, despite starting as third favourite! The flowery pre-race prose was nothing more than BS as usual, and I think we can safely say that's the end of her career, too, as her last two outings have been pathetic. It's all the more annoying when one thinks she showed such early promise, and cost 65% more than Irish Harp.
These two were about the only hope left as the silly season (when making space for too many fresh horses changes those that haven't won into dead wood) draws to a close, as Single Cask will struggle going up in class, and stellar horses like Tenshinramman have been ruined. The way things are going, another nine names will be moved to the 'Earlier Racehorses' column very soon...
PS. Belle Plage's future is indeed in doubt, although I guess like so many of last year's crop, she'll go to an NAR trainer and start winning everything in sight. On the other hand, Sugai-sensei continues to gain my admiration - in fact, he's extremely close to 'hero' level now! Not only can you sense his feeling of frustration being on a par with that of the owners, he's declared one more run for the girl at Sapporo, as he's sure she's a winning horse.
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| Courtesy Sunday TC |
When he was up in Monbetsu, he really did look unbeatable until he picked up an injury, and now weighing in at 550kg (most of it being solid muscle), I have a feeling he'll send shockwaves through the Nankan arena. Apparently, he just never tires, and he canters uphill a damned sight faster than most of the CC/JRA horses can on the flat! You wouldn't believe how much I'm looking forward to seeing this magnificent creature back in action...
Thursday, July 17, 2014
UK Yap
River Spirit really is turning out to be another Phosphorus - eats everything in sight after a race, and bounces off the walls regardless of whether she's just raced or not! As such, this spritely little thing has now been entered in the 6:25 at Haydock on the 19th, which is the Celebrate RUK Nursery Handicap Stakes. Daniel Cremin is in the saddle again, being able to claim 7lb as an apprentice. Good luck to all concerned...
The other bit of news concerns Porthos Du Vallon, who has been entered to race at Ayr on the 21st. Apparently, his jump schooling has been going very well, and he's on track to make his debut over the fences a week on Monday. That should be interesting.
The other bit of news concerns Porthos Du Vallon, who has been entered to race at Ayr on the 21st. Apparently, his jump schooling has been going very well, and he's on track to make his debut over the fences a week on Monday. That should be interesting.
Weekend Contenders
Suddenly, this weekend is starting to look interesting. Irish Harp is indeed going to run at Hakodate on the 19th, lined up for the 2R (1700m over dirt) with Yasunari Iwata back in the saddle. This will be her last chance for sure, but I really do doff my hat to Sugai-sensei, who gave the horse every possible opportunity to shine, going way beyond the call of duty.
Belle Plage races at Hakodate on the same day in the 5R (1200m turf). The jockey, Masaki Katsuura, has trained with the horse, and, seeing as she looks good, is aiming for a top five finish. Well, let's put it this way - if she doesn't win, you can almost certainly wave goodbye to her. With Carrot Club listings for new horses coming through today, that's the reality!
True Motion is set to team up with Hironobu Tanabe in the 1700m dirt race at Fukushima on the 20th. Joyful Step was originally lined up for the 3R, too, which would have meant one of them could have avoiding coming last, but now JS has been withdrawn with a race on the 27th in mind. If the latter could have a two-furlong event, she'd probably do quite well, but otherwise she just makes up numbers.
Single Cask is back at Miho Training Centre, meaning she will hopefully race again soon. Meanwhile, Tenshinramman has posted a fast time against the clock, but there's still no outing in sight. Finally, the trainer is considering gelding Glint Moment, as that last race was incredibly disappointing for all concerned. He wants to give the horse a chance to show its potential, which is fair enough, assuming it has some...
Belle Plage races at Hakodate on the same day in the 5R (1200m turf). The jockey, Masaki Katsuura, has trained with the horse, and, seeing as she looks good, is aiming for a top five finish. Well, let's put it this way - if she doesn't win, you can almost certainly wave goodbye to her. With Carrot Club listings for new horses coming through today, that's the reality!
True Motion is set to team up with Hironobu Tanabe in the 1700m dirt race at Fukushima on the 20th. Joyful Step was originally lined up for the 3R, too, which would have meant one of them could have avoiding coming last, but now JS has been withdrawn with a race on the 27th in mind. If the latter could have a two-furlong event, she'd probably do quite well, but otherwise she just makes up numbers.
Single Cask is back at Miho Training Centre, meaning she will hopefully race again soon. Meanwhile, Tenshinramman has posted a fast time against the clock, but there's still no outing in sight. Finally, the trainer is considering gelding Glint Moment, as that last race was incredibly disappointing for all concerned. He wants to give the horse a chance to show its potential, which is fair enough, assuming it has some...
Almost There!
The test ride with Segesta went well enough for me to be convinced we have found the replacement for 'Jaguar' at last. We had a brief rodeo moment that could have been a fly problem, or one of the other horses taking him by surprise, but Louis held on easily enough, and Sophie (complete with her Godiva Racing polo shirt) experienced nothing untoward. He was an angel in the tacking area, and didn't mind being brushed, so he's quite different to the volatile 'Jaguar' - much kinder and calmer, but still very much alive, as the red mark on the back of my hand testifies. It was only a playful nibble, but the power of a 520kg horse makes Luis Suarez look as dangerous as a toothless pensioner! We have a medical check-up next week, and if all goes well, we can welcome this big fella into the family...
Tuesday, July 15, 2014
Strong Little Filly
River Spirit came home in a valiant third at Bath, only two lengths down on the 11/10 favourite, who actually touched 'evens' in the betting at one point. To stay in touch with such a fancied horse is a real achievement. By the way, Daniel Cremin was in the saddle today - his third ride for Mick Channon in four days. Thanks to him, RS's record goes to 1-1-2 from seven starts...
PS. According to the post-race analysis, we should have come second, but were blocked. The second-placed jockey got a ban, but our third still stands. Not to worry, we know we have a great team, and with Cremin claiming 7lb as an apprentice, it could get exciting over the next few weeks. She might just be ready for Haydock, too, as she came out of the race in fine fettle. A female version of Phosphorus by the sound of things!
PS. According to the post-race analysis, we should have come second, but were blocked. The second-placed jockey got a ban, but our third still stands. Not to worry, we know we have a great team, and with Cremin claiming 7lb as an apprentice, it could get exciting over the next few weeks. She might just be ready for Haydock, too, as she came out of the race in fine fettle. A female version of Phosphorus by the sound of things!
Tuesday Tattle
With the humid weather and extreme summer heat, I've been taking the opportunity to crack on with some work while I'm in the mood. Recently, it's been hard to get rolling, so one has to strike while the iron is hot! I'm dealing with two books in parallel right now, chipping away at both projects in bite-size chunks, which is keeping me away from the blog. Please forgive me...
Anyway, River Spirit is still down to run at Bath later today, even though a back-up race was booked for Haydock on the 19th - the Class 5 RUK Nursery Handicap Stakes Open over five furlongs. The Racing Post has her as fourth favourite, but also states she could be a surprise! Only two days away from learning if Segesta will become the replacement for 'Jaguar', so I'm getting really excited about that, too.
Not so enthusiastic about the JRA racers, though, with the list at the foot of the page looking distinctly like a group of has-beens and no-hopers. Irish Harp and Belle Plage represent the last line of optimism amongst the older horses, and, with luck, both will run at the weekend. If they don't win, the retirement list will be a pretty big one over the coming weeks.
Of the Carrot Club newcomers, Massabiele has suddenly grown up and started showing promise, and Kalliopeia is apparently doing well. Eclat De Reve is on the walking machine, having picked up a problem with her front left leg. Let's hope that's sorted very soon, because the last thing we need is another Glint Moment scenario.
Anyway, River Spirit is still down to run at Bath later today, even though a back-up race was booked for Haydock on the 19th - the Class 5 RUK Nursery Handicap Stakes Open over five furlongs. The Racing Post has her as fourth favourite, but also states she could be a surprise! Only two days away from learning if Segesta will become the replacement for 'Jaguar', so I'm getting really excited about that, too.
Not so enthusiastic about the JRA racers, though, with the list at the foot of the page looking distinctly like a group of has-beens and no-hopers. Irish Harp and Belle Plage represent the last line of optimism amongst the older horses, and, with luck, both will run at the weekend. If they don't win, the retirement list will be a pretty big one over the coming weeks.
Of the Carrot Club newcomers, Massabiele has suddenly grown up and started showing promise, and Kalliopeia is apparently doing well. Eclat De Reve is on the walking machine, having picked up a problem with her front left leg. Let's hope that's sorted very soon, because the last thing we need is another Glint Moment scenario.
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