Time For Love was fifth, with the jockey blaming her high tension in the gate and thereafter for her mediocre performance, but Rush Attack was superb. Granted, fourth doesn't sound like a cause for celebration, but Miura-kun found himself penned-in off the last corner and had to adjust numerous times before finding a sprint line. Looking at the video, the speed in that final bit of straight was magnificent. Had he found the line earlier, the race was definitely ours!
Next up is Porthos with Paul Hanagan in the 2:00 at Leicester on Monday. This should be his last race with me, so it would be nice to go out with a bang. Then we have Phosphorus on Tuesday, before going back to England to see River Spirit in action on Wednesday. This will also be the last run for the filly before she goes to the auctions, so she'll be last English runner for a while...
Saturday, October 25, 2014
Mixed Middlin'
River Spirit had another luckless run to come home in fifth - as usual, she ran well, but just lacked that rub of the green that makes the difference between winning and losing. Our time with All Dolled Up has finished, having never made it to the track. With River Spirit and Porthos Du Vallon going up for sale soon, that will reduce my UK flat runners down to zero in the next few weeks. I've decided my 2015 English campaign, and every year thereafter, will be handled solely by Lord Ilsley Racing, which has given me a lot of bang for the buck and a great deal of fun thanks to the camaraderie created by Mick Channon Jr.
Irish Harp was very disappointing with Masaki Katsuura, starting as third favourite but finishing ninth. In all fairness, she had ran a heavy schedule before, and the long break she was returning from probably did more damage to her race form than if she'd have continued at a cracking pace. We'll see what happens in her next outing. Later on, Kyosuke Maruta got a great result from Harmony Fair - fourth, and within inches of a third place finish, despite starting as 12th favourite. I've been calling for this lady to be retired for ages, but this is a really inspiring run for her new trainer. Having given her one last chance last time out, due to her fresh surroundings, it looks like she's finally starting to show some speed again. It's the best result she's had by far since winning almost two years ago...
In Australia, poor Raining Dollars faced some stiff competition, and while he kept up with the field nicely until 100 yards from the post, he quickly ran out of puff thereafter and finished at the tail-end of the pack. Pretty Gully couldn't get the line she wanted (she loves the outside straight) and finished fourth, but with real speed, so she still has what it takes, there's no doubting that.
Irish Harp was very disappointing with Masaki Katsuura, starting as third favourite but finishing ninth. In all fairness, she had ran a heavy schedule before, and the long break she was returning from probably did more damage to her race form than if she'd have continued at a cracking pace. We'll see what happens in her next outing. Later on, Kyosuke Maruta got a great result from Harmony Fair - fourth, and within inches of a third place finish, despite starting as 12th favourite. I've been calling for this lady to be retired for ages, but this is a really inspiring run for her new trainer. Having given her one last chance last time out, due to her fresh surroundings, it looks like she's finally starting to show some speed again. It's the best result she's had by far since winning almost two years ago...
In Australia, poor Raining Dollars faced some stiff competition, and while he kept up with the field nicely until 100 yards from the post, he quickly ran out of puff thereafter and finished at the tail-end of the pack. Pretty Gully couldn't get the line she wanted (she loves the outside straight) and finished fourth, but with real speed, so she still has what it takes, there's no doubting that.
Thursday, October 23, 2014
International
In England, River Spirit is running in the 6:15 at Wolverhampton today with Sam Hitchcott in the saddle, and has also been named for the 5:55 at Kempton Park on the 29th. Porthos Du Vallon should have been up for a race on the 25th, but looks set to run at Leicester in the 2:00 slot on the 27th at least. Across the water a bit, Danielle's Journey is lined up to make her debut in Ireland on either the 31st October or the 1st November.
Moving to Japan, Fukushima plays host to Irish Harp in the 1700m dirt 3R on Saturday, and Harmony Fair in the seventh (1800m over turf). Tokyo-Fuchu provides us with two runners on Sunday - Time For Love, who did well in her debut, will be in the 2R miler, and Rush Attack takes to the track for the first time in the 4R (another mile race on turf) with Miura Kosei taking the reins.
Looking further ahead, Phosphorus should be in NAR action in the 1600m 7R at Funabashi on the 28th, and on the JRA front, Tenshinramman should be in the 1400m turf race at Tokyo on the 1st November, while Miracle Rouge is being lined up for a 2000m run at Fukushima on the same day. Single Cask may well be running that weekend, too, as she is now back at the racing stables.
Heading south, both Pretty Gully and Raining Dollars are lining up at Townsville, Australia, on Saturday the 25th, giving us a total of four runners to shout for tomorrow. Raining Dollars is up first, in the 1:37 2R, which looks like a tough one for the youngster, but Pretty Gully in the 1400m 5R (with a 3:37 start time) must be one to look out for. In both races, Jeff Felix jumps in the saddle to add some experience to the equation. Good luck, Jeff!
Moving to Japan, Fukushima plays host to Irish Harp in the 1700m dirt 3R on Saturday, and Harmony Fair in the seventh (1800m over turf). Tokyo-Fuchu provides us with two runners on Sunday - Time For Love, who did well in her debut, will be in the 2R miler, and Rush Attack takes to the track for the first time in the 4R (another mile race on turf) with Miura Kosei taking the reins.
Looking further ahead, Phosphorus should be in NAR action in the 1600m 7R at Funabashi on the 28th, and on the JRA front, Tenshinramman should be in the 1400m turf race at Tokyo on the 1st November, while Miracle Rouge is being lined up for a 2000m run at Fukushima on the same day. Single Cask may well be running that weekend, too, as she is now back at the racing stables.
Heading south, both Pretty Gully and Raining Dollars are lining up at Townsville, Australia, on Saturday the 25th, giving us a total of four runners to shout for tomorrow. Raining Dollars is up first, in the 1:37 2R, which looks like a tough one for the youngster, but Pretty Gully in the 1400m 5R (with a 3:37 start time) must be one to look out for. In both races, Jeff Felix jumps in the saddle to add some experience to the equation. Good luck, Jeff!
Tuesday, October 21, 2014
Popping Along
Went across to Tokyo's TCK track last night to watch Pop Label in the main race. Although he came fifth, it was an admirable performance, not only because of the incredibly stiff opposition he faced up to, but also because he's still not 100% perfect - everyone has been treading lightly with his training to make sure the injury that laid him up for so long is completely cured. As such, I think we can look forward to a super 2015 season with him, by which time he will be running with Yuta Sato's new stables and Funabashi's Taito Mori (who rode him with expert hands last night) will be his regular jockey.On the subject of TCK, Beat The Boarder is back there now, so we can expect a race entry for her soon. Meanwhile, in Ireland, Danielle's Journey is due to make her debut at Down Royal on either the 31st October or the 1st November, which should be an exciting meeting for all concerned. Good luck, DJ!
Sunday, October 19, 2014
Busy Bunny
The 'Ganbatte Kochi' race was won by Toshihiro Nishigawa on Saturday, with the delightful Mai Beppu a very close second. Poor Mai-chan was second last year, too. Third time lucky, eh? At least everyone got home safely, and I look forward to continuing this as an annual event - the good folks at Kochi certainly deserve some support.
Pop Label runs at TCK on Tuesday with Taito Mori in the saddle. The Sunburst Cup has an awful lot of strong racers in it, so it will be a real test that will go a long way towards telling us if Pop can regain the form of his youth.
In JRA racing, Harmony Fair's races are all heavily oversubscribed at the weekend, of course. However, Irish Harp, Time For Love and Rush Attack will hopefully be in action. In Australia, too, a busy weekend in store, with both Pretty Gully and Raining Dollars lining up at Townsville.
In England, River Spirit will be running in the Class 5 Monsterbet Selling Stakes race over six furlongs, which is the 6:15 at Wolverhampton on Friday, while Porthos Du Vallon should be there on the following day. There's a chance he'll also run at Leicester on the 27th!
Pop Label runs at TCK on Tuesday with Taito Mori in the saddle. The Sunburst Cup has an awful lot of strong racers in it, so it will be a real test that will go a long way towards telling us if Pop can regain the form of his youth.
In JRA racing, Harmony Fair's races are all heavily oversubscribed at the weekend, of course. However, Irish Harp, Time For Love and Rush Attack will hopefully be in action. In Australia, too, a busy weekend in store, with both Pretty Gully and Raining Dollars lining up at Townsville.
In England, River Spirit will be running in the Class 5 Monsterbet Selling Stakes race over six furlongs, which is the 6:15 at Wolverhampton on Friday, while Porthos Du Vallon should be there on the following day. There's a chance he'll also run at Leicester on the 27th!
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