Million Ways V1

Million Ways did the business, coming out of a tight pack to inch ahead and claim its first victory (and my 33rd), as well as enough in winnings to secure a berth in the Nankan scene. Good job! Raining Dollars has been confirmed for Saturday at Bowen, too - it would be nice to see him win one, as he has so much potential. Wearing blinkers for the first time and Jeff Felix in the saddle might make the difference for us...

Eclat De Reve has been confirmed for the 7R at Kokura, but on the 5th, meaning a mixed race instead of a fillies only one. We can expect her retirement straight after, I imagine. For now, time for a  beer to celebrate Million Ways' super run, and a future in the Kanto area.

PS. Raining Dollars came third, which is great - a top three finish is always nice to see, taking his record to 0-2-2. He's pictured here after the finish thanks to Jenny Felix - the jockey's wife, and sister to JLH Racing trainer Jo Hassett (the lovely lady seen on the right). 

On the other hand, Eclat De Reve was tenth and never really in with a shout. Okay, there were still eight horses behind it, but the nine ahead are the key point. At its lightest ever, and with results getting worse with each race, this pony will never do anything more than make up the numbers in JRA and should be retired, unless a dirt sprint is contemplated - something more in tune with the horse's frame. Even then, with a start like today's, there's still no chance of getting the required win, so we may as well call it a day now...

PPS. Eclat De Reve has indeed been retired, meaning we now have the same number of NAR runners as JRA ones. We can bank on losing a couple more JRA horses soon, which will get the balance right. Meanwhile, Ettie Hart has been pulled from the Windsor race as LIR has decided to wait for something more suitable for her, so it's Trovao that gives us our next race. Unfortunately, as so often happens, we've drawn the outside gate!