Massabielle V2

Courtesy Carrot Club

The blog passed the 55,000 visitor mark yesterday, and what a wonderful way to celebrate the landmark with a superb victory from Massabielle - his second win, and my 28th in all. I must say that it didn't seem like it was possible at one point, for the start was pretty awful due to high tension in the gate (he looked like he was listening to heavy metal), and he was still a long way back as the final straight came into sight. But then off he went down the outside, with Tosaki-kun able to claim a two-length winning margin at the end, and with relative ease, too. He was certainly pleased with his mount by the sound of things in his post-race report! The TV commentators were impressed, too. After just three runs, 'Massa' has already moved into the Open Class, which is quite remarkable.

The kids rode Nova for the first time today, as 'Bugatti' had already had his exercise for the day, and soon after the result for Belle Plage came in. Well, it was a fifth place, but a good fifth, being only 0.3 seconds down on the winner and coming with a superb final 3F time, so a quick return to the track might see a third win from her next time out...

Three JRA Runners

Miracle Rouge has already disappeared to take another holiday, which is a bad joke, while excuses are being banded about to ensure Tenshinramman ends up on holiday, too. Due to an infection, we can expect a race in summer is the word. And then it will be too hot, I guess! No surprises, just the usual disappointment where this horse is involved...

At least three of the JRA horses are running over the weekend, with Massabielle and Keita Tosaki in the 2300m turf 9R  on Saturday, and Belle Plage teaming up with Yutaka Yoshida in the same meeting in the 1400m turf finale. Then, on Sunday, Single Cask competes in the Fukushima 8R, a 1150m dirt sprint race for young jockeys. We also have Pretty Gully running in Australia on Sunday, of course, running in the Brothers Cairns Cup On Sale Open Handicap.

Birthday Boy

Today, 'Bugatti' (or Segesta in his racing days) celebrated his seventh birthday. Sometimes one thinks he's still a three- or four-year old the way he struts his stuff and calls out to see if there are any friends around. He's quite a character, that's for sure, and I look forward to many more birthdays with the big fella.

By the way, Pretty Gully will be running at Cairns on Sunday, although it is being treated as little more than travel practice and a warm-up for the next entry, which will be the one trainer Jo Hassett is looking at as a more serious prospect. At the end of the day, unlike the vast majority of JRA trainers, folks everywhere else in the world consider a knockout comeback from a long break as nothing short of a miracle. Fingers crossed for the girl anyway...

Feeling Jumpy

Good ol' 'Bugatti' was a little (well, rather large) angel this afternoon, giving Louis a clear round and blue ribbon in the cross category. Granted, this is the lowest form of show-jumping there is, but the big fella has hardly jumped at all, and this was more about giving him something different to do than a serious competition entry. He wasn't sure about the fences initially, but soon started enjoying himself like he had at Colza the other day, and we'll probably enter him in a 60cm or 80cm event in the near future. Sophie also had a winning run in the Gymkhana Grand Prix, and she is now tempted to make her show-jumping debut, which should be fun.

Both of the kids showed great maturity in the way they handled 'Bugatti' today, with graceful leadership, and that makes me happy. 'Bugatti' is obviously happy with his partners, too, as he was more than willing to help Sophie with her homework over the weekend...