Day Of Rest

Sunday is traditionally known as 'The Day Of Rest' - looks like Harmony Fair and Tenshinramman figured they'd take it literally. Harmony was eighth, sort of it the fight, but nowhere near being able to frighten the leading group. The jockey thought she was going OK, then there was nothing left in the tank. Again! In reality, she hasn't done anything since winning first time out, and even though the change of trainer may have awakened some spirit that was previously lacking completely, she'll obviously never be more than an also-ran horse. Maybe, seeing as it's a new trainer, it might make sense to give her one more try? But if you ask me, she should have been retired ages ago. She's a waste of time and money.

In the next race at Niigata, there
was even greater disappointment, for while nothing was really expected of Harmony Fair (being brutally realistic), we definitely have a right to expect Tenshinramman to perform. Starting as second favourite, and with me getting ready to chalk up win number 19 for the family as she came off the last turn in perfect position to win by however many lengths she fancied, this GII runner came in tenth, 0.9 seconds off the pace. I'm not going to write how I feel, for my Japanese audience wouldn't understand half of the swear words I'd be stringing together. In fact, without a geezer background, there's probably not that many English people would understand! One thing is for sure, she's not going anywhere with her current team. She used to fill column inches quicker than I can type them, as you can see in this picture. Even the JRA website had her down as something special. As it is, she's being let down badly, having her reputation torn to shreds, so just retire the poor horse while a few of us can still remember her star quality. Please, please, please, put both her and us out of our misery by announcing an end to her JRA career.

PS. As usual, the excuses are coming thick and fast from Tenshinramman's stables. The heavy rain did it this time apparently, yet one horse in the same race clocked 34.7 seconds for the last 3F, which is a lot different to Tenny's 36.3, and she was carrying 3kg more than Tenshinramman. Disgraceful! Especially when she clocked 34.0 on only slightly lighter ground in the Flora Stakes, carrying 2kg more and having 600m more track to deal with. The jockey is mumbling about next time. He must be joking, surely? What next time? Meanwhile, there's talk of another R&R session. I can tell you the excuse for the piss-poor result in the next race already - if there is one, and personally I hope there isn't!

As for Harmony Fair, since November 2012 (nearly two years ago), the best result she has given is seventh - only one bad result was excusable, when she was fighting way above her class in a GIII outing. For ages now, she'd have struggled in a Donkey Derby, and to be perfectly frank, it's madness keeping a horse like that in training. She's apparently maturing, but she was a nervous wreck in the paddock because of race-rust. After all this time putting up with an also-ran horse, a momentary flicker of hope is not enough of an improvement to justify continued support, especially if she's kept off the track for a long spell again, as she'll only go into super-high-tension mode the minute she's unloaded out the horsebox. 

Having had a few good weeks from Carrot/JRA, with some super effort being shown (I don't think we can include Tenshinramman's third as a super effort - a GII horse running in poxy classes with apprentice jockeys to save weight on her back is just sad), we've quickly returned to normal - this is one of the worst weekends I've ever had on the racing front...

Saturday Scandal

Porthos Du Vallon is being sold by the sound of things, never having jumped once for me. Okay, he won a couple of races for the Long equipe, but my dream of having a jumper in amongst my racehorse line-up is still very much unfulfilled. I've found a nice little place in Ireland that could be exactly what I'm looking for, concentrating on nothing but National Hunt racing, so let's wait and see what happens on that front...

In Japan, Joyful Step has lapsed back into 'Sorrowful Limp' mode having had a particularly bad run this morning - eighth, but a long way off the pace, as she was in her last Niigata race. Despite what the jockey says, she didn't even put in her blazing last two to three furlongs, which is really disappointing - at least if she had finishing speed, it was one area less to have to work on. Now, she still needs a significant improvement in all-round ability to get anywhere near the head of the pack, and there simply isn't that time available. The heavy ground doubtless went against such a lightweight horse (412kg), and the trainer is saying he wants to give it another go as a result. Let's just hope Ban-kun can do better tomorrow, as Tenshinramman is a completely different beast!

And in Australia, we opened our campaign Down Under with a fifth place for Pretty Gully. Ridden by Braydn Swaffer, she started as second favourite, so JLH Racing had a right to expect a little more from her. Still, it's something to build on, and I'm sure she'll do the business next time out - today's sloppy track didn't suit her, and the long trip to Innisfail seemed to take its toll by all accounts. At least she's finished the race in one piece, and that's the most important thing at this stage.

The Mad One

While 'Jaguar' picked up a nickname of 'The Onry One' along the way, 'Bugatti' deserves 'The Mad One' moniker. He absolutely loves work, which only adds to the latent high-tension that resides inside him as a combination of being a typical fiery Thoroughbred and DNA, but once he settles, he shows a remarkable speed for learning - he's a delightful creature, with good looks and awe-inspiring presence. As part of his cooling down phase, Miho (the missus) made her 'Bugatti' debut on Friday, and rode him some more today - her first proper lesson, with smiles all the way. Hard to believe that only a few months ago she had to be pulled kicking and screaming to get her in the saddle...

Juroku, Junana...

Joyful Step is booked to run at Niigata on the 16th in the 3R (1800m dirt). She will team up with Keita Ban again, and I'm really looking forward to seeing what she does this time against three or four tough competitors. Ban-kun is out for the Long equipe in Niigata on the following day, too, but this time with Tenshinramman in the 1400m turf 8R. Well, good luck to the lad! He trains with 'Tenny' and has the advantage of riding at a lighter weight, so he should be able to do well, despite a strong field - she's way overdue a win, that's for sure.

A third Niigata entry to follow is that of Harmony Fair in the 7R on the 17th. She posted a good practice time, and Ebina-san steps up to take over the reins, so you never know, she might just make amends for her last eight mediocre runs! If she does nothing this time - and having seen the entries lined up against her, it wouldn't surprise me if she does just that - surely it will be time to say goodbye?

Meanwhile, Time For Love has been training well with Sugihara-san and looks ready for an early debut. Thoughts are pointing towards a 1400m turf race at Niigata on the 23rd, but nothing has been confirmed as yet. No post-race problems to report with Belle Plage, so she might be out again fairly soon, and J'ai Un Reve is settling down now and starting gate training; Rush Attack is also at the gate training stage.

PS. Just heard that Rush Attack has passed the gate test. Well done!

Midnight Mutterings

There are thoughts about running Single Cask at Niigata in September. Despite the move up in class, she took the race to her competitors last time out in a gutsy performance, so it could be an interesting result now she's fully rested. Meanwhile, True Motion is going back to the racing stables soon, as is Glint Moment. Irish Harp might be out again soon, too.

I'll be the first to admit that I thought Joyful Step was useless, but that last outing of hers was a cracker. If she hadn't given up so much ground due to a very slow start, she was in with a real chance of victory at the end there. I know this much for sure - she won't be 14th favourite in her next race! With luck, she should be out on the 16th, with Harmony Fair taking the to stage on the following day...

After his long, enforced break, Pop Label will hopefully be taking his test on the 9th September, which, if he passes, will enable him to run in NAR again. Now that's definitely something to look forward to!

Expectations

J'ai Un Reve has arrived at his racing stables, which is a huge piece of news, as it means his debut isn't far off. As far as I know, he'll be the only Montjeu kid running in Japan this year, so you can see why I'm excited and harbouring some high expectations.

I have equally high expectations of 'Bugatti' - we've just entered him in a September competition, which is frankly extremely fast given his rawness as a riding horse. Notwithstanding, we've got to get a move on if he's to score enough L1 points during the season to qualify for the All-Japan title, and, as yet, he hasn't done anything outside a racetrack! This means the first three, four or maybe five competitions will be a case of pure experimentation, moving him through the various dressage patterns until he makes the grade and gets used to his new job. What a super challenge, and knowing the severity of such a task - zero to hero in a year - frankly has me chomping on the bit with excitement. If we pull it off, it will be a miracle. If we don't, well, at least we'll have had some damned good fun trying...

Fog Clearing

Well, the dust has settled, and my anger has subsided into bitter disappointment - it's bloody annoying when you can't perform anywhere near your abilities, and even worse when you can't show others what you can do in the arena, having just one chance to do so.

The boy came back saying it was a good experience, something to learn from - I suppose that's fair enough. On both days, he was the top rider using a Japanese-bred horse, and definitely the top Thoroughbred user by far, coming 12th on the second day. Even then, though, the percentage dropped due to the crazy conditions caused by the typhoon blowing through. Yes, this picture is not bad photography, it's an illustration of the weather!

He's already saying he wants to challenge the championship with 'Bugatti', which is something to think about over the next few months. I'm glad he's as determined as I am to stick with Thoroughbreds, even though his age group doesn't split Japanese-bred horses from foreign ones, as they do in the adult classes. He's just earned himself a good few brownie points with his enthusiasm and stubborn streak...

PS. After consulting with everyone at the stables, a plan has been formulated. Nothing is guaranteed, of course, but the idea I'm happy to support levels the playing field a bit, as well as keeps all my policies in place. The boy has something to aim for - he needs to improve in a few areas, but we have a year to polish up. Watch this space!