EDR's Debut

Eclat De Reve made a good debut appearance today, and deserved better than the fifth place against her record. At least we saw the pace the trainer has been talking about at the end, and had she not been baulked on the back straight and had a clearer run and/or better position coming off the final corner, it could have been a different result altogether. Hopefully she'll be out again soon...

Meanwhile, both races Belle Plage was lining up for are oversubscribed, the one of them having three horses competing for each gate berth!

Shades Of Grey

Three runners today, with Rush Attack and Miura Kosei putting up a good fight to come a worthy third after a return from an R&R session, and Miracle Rouge giving a sterling performance considering there was a huge amount of race-rust to overcome following such a long holiday before today. Ninth may sound poor, but there was a small gap to the winner, and, as a result, the Spring could still be very interesting with this little lady. Meanwhile, after a superb practice time, Irish Harp was disappointing beyond words. The jockey - who I'd never heard of - is making excuses, but coming last, miles off the pace, with such a strong nag is unforgivable as far as I'm concerned. One out tomorrow, but a lot will depend on the weather with such a tiddler. If it stays dry, we're in with a chance, but if it rains, we've had it...

Four Chances

After another disaster from Beat The Boarder (not quite last, but way too close for comfort), one can only hope for something better over the weekend. It's as if she has lost the desire to run - okay, the weather was cold and wet again, with the track like a bog, but it's hard to have any confidence in her future the way things are going. To be perfectly frank, my own patience has run out with this one, although I guess both she and the team looking after her deserve one more chance in better race conditions. Phosphorus and Pop Label are running at Funabashi on the 12th, so let's pray we can get a couple of decent results on the day in order to restore some pride in our NAR contenders.

On the JRA side, Massabielle, War Chronicle and Perfumer are all back at their racing stables. With luck, Belle Plage will be out again next week, while Tenshinramman looks like she'll be on holiday forever! At least we have four runners over the weekend - Irish Harp on the 7th in the 2R at Kokura, Rush Attack with Miura Kosei in the 5R at Tokyo-Fuchu, Miracle Rouge in the 8R at the same track, and Eclat De Reve as the sole runner on the 8th, debuting in the 6R at Kyoto, which is over a mile.

A Touch Of Sparkle

Courtesy Realta HRC

The second National Hunt horse we have a stake in with Realta Horse Racing Club in Ireland is a grey filly by Golan, out of Another Sparkle. On paper, Golan's 4-2-1 record from 11 races doesn't look all that impressive - good, but nothing legendary. And then you look at those races, and realize why he is held in such high regard. Running in Lord Weinstock's colours, he won the 2000 Guineas in 2001, was second in the English Derby, and third in the Irish Derby. He also won the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes in 2002, and even ran in the L'Arc and a couple of Japanese G1 races. Impressive, whichever way you look at it.

Golan's sire was Spectrum - winner of the Irish 2000 Guineas, with Blushing Groom and Red God giving him impeccable bloodlines. His dam was Highland Gift, who brought together Nijinsky and Mill Reef DNA, and picked up a 1-0-1 record from three outings before becoming a broodmare. 

A Touch Of Sparkle's dam, Another Sparkle, has a fine mix of English, French and US blood running through her veins. Her sire was Bustino, which brings Busted DNA into the equation, who carried on a proud line created by Blenheim. Her dam was Sparkling Time, with the likes of Man O'War, Djebel and Native Dancer in her blood. Another Sparkle's offspring has done well in jumping circles, so I think we have a right to expect some good results...

Gate Trauma

J'ai Un Reve has passed his gate test, so hopefully his career can get a move on now. And both War Chronicle and Perfumer should be returning to their respective racing stables very soon. Otherwise, nothing to report on the JRA front...

At least we have some action in NAR, with Beat The Boarder running at TCK tomorrow in the 1500m 7R. Fingers crossed that Shun Ishizaki can get her to play the game, as she certainly has a better starting position this time (gate nine of 14). Then next week, at Funabashi on the 12th, Phosphorus runs in the 1500m 8R, and Pop Label is booked for the 1800m 11R. Should be fun!