Not enough runners for Trovao's proposed 'Fresh Challenge' race on the 1st, so the debut run has been moved to the following day. It's a shame that the distance goes down as a result (from 1200m to 1000m), but let's see what happens. Fujiwara-san has been named as the jockey.
Meanwhile, Rush Attack has gone on holiday, while Harmony Fair and Kalliopeia are back from their R&R sessions. With the NH season over, naturally the Irish pair are taking things easy, but they're in good spirits and should provide us with some exciting racing later in the year.
Saturday, June 27, 2015
Friday, June 26, 2015
Boarder Patrol
Considering the heavy rain - just the weather we didn't need! - and such a long time away from the track, compared with the last few performances, I think we can be fairly pleased with Beat The Boarder today. Although eighth is nothing to write home about, Shun didn't have to resort to the whip much, and apart from some pulling to the left, she looked like she was a willing racer again - something we haven't seen for a long while. Having been ready to call for retirement, if the dirt is drier next time out, then things could get interesting again...
Thursday, June 25, 2015
Not Enough Hours
Been working around the clock again, but at least the new project is nearly finished now - late, which is unusual for me, but considering how tired, stressed out and generally down I was with everything and everyone for a while there, it's not too far off the original deadline at all. Anyway, I've finished for today, so that gives me a few minutes to update you on what's going on with the horses...
Beat The Boarder runs in the NAR meeting at TCK tomorrow, and Phosphorus in the 9R at Kawasaki on the 29th. I've not got a lot of faith in Beat-chan, to be honest, but Phosphorus should give a good performance, especially as all his connections are looking for revenge for his last outing. Soon after, Trovao should compete in the 1200m 'Fresh Challenge' at Monbetsu on the 1st. As it happens, a couple of my favourite ex-jockeys are starting their new careers as NAR trainers on the 1st July, so that's something to look forward to, along with Pop Label's next outing at Funabashi.
Nothing JRA running this weekend, although Tenshinramman is due to race at Fukushima on the 4th, teaming up with Ebina-san in the 1800m turf 9R.
Meanwhile, in England, the latest news from Lord Ilsley is that Ettie Hart will start back in training next week, and Gandvik is back doing fast work, hoping to make a quick comeback after his traumatic run at Bath and being gelded. He should be back at the track in the next few weeks...
Beat The Boarder runs in the NAR meeting at TCK tomorrow, and Phosphorus in the 9R at Kawasaki on the 29th. I've not got a lot of faith in Beat-chan, to be honest, but Phosphorus should give a good performance, especially as all his connections are looking for revenge for his last outing. Soon after, Trovao should compete in the 1200m 'Fresh Challenge' at Monbetsu on the 1st. As it happens, a couple of my favourite ex-jockeys are starting their new careers as NAR trainers on the 1st July, so that's something to look forward to, along with Pop Label's next outing at Funabashi.
Nothing JRA running this weekend, although Tenshinramman is due to race at Fukushima on the 4th, teaming up with Ebina-san in the 1800m turf 9R.
Meanwhile, in England, the latest news from Lord Ilsley is that Ettie Hart will start back in training next week, and Gandvik is back doing fast work, hoping to make a quick comeback after his traumatic run at Bath and being gelded. He should be back at the track in the next few weeks...
Tuesday, June 23, 2015
Break From Work
Yesterday morning, I had a delivery to make at Funabashi race track, and was introduced to the kindest, most docile two-year old I've ever seen. The trainer is concerned she might not have what it takes to be a racer - that fire that makes a great Thoroughbred - and I can see why he is scratching his head in wonder, but what a beautiful horse nonetheless.
On the subject of great Thoroughbreds, Million Keys has passed his race proficiency test and will start his career at Monbetsu after a short break; Irish Harp has gone on holiday for a bit, and Blacklister ran at Brighton with Charlie Bishop in the saddle. Unfortunately, the luckless colt lost a shoe and cruised home in fourth, but at least he'd shown early speed, and soon we can get the longer distances he needs. Next up, Beat The Boarder with Shun Ishizaki...
On the subject of great Thoroughbreds, Million Keys has passed his race proficiency test and will start his career at Monbetsu after a short break; Irish Harp has gone on holiday for a bit, and Blacklister ran at Brighton with Charlie Bishop in the saddle. Unfortunately, the luckless colt lost a shoe and cruised home in fourth, but at least he'd shown early speed, and soon we can get the longer distances he needs. Next up, Beat The Boarder with Shun Ishizaki...
Sunday, June 21, 2015
Day Of Racing
Sunday is supposed to be the day of rest, but not much chance of that today, as I've passed one deadline on the new book and don't want to miss the revised one. Anyway, Sunday is a day of racing rather than rest in this house in any case, especially today, as we had three runners in Japan's JRA and two in Australia.
First out was Rush Attack at Hakodate. Miura Kosei was at the controls, and came out the gate nicely, despite an outside draw (surprise, surprise!). But the horse seemed to baulk at the sand in his face at the first corner, even though Kosei-kun didn't mention that in his report. He did imply that dirt didn't suit the nag, and that this was a wasted opportunity. After all, having the favourite at your disposal and not being able to shine is annoying for everyone involved - the trainer really should have figured out this scenario before thinking of dirt, or at least make the dirt challenge after getting one in the bag on turf, where Rush has already come fourth twice, third twice and second once! Today's seventh is incredibly disappointing. Now what?
Irish Harp was at the same track not long after with newcomer Shota Kato in the saddle. Not fancied at all due to three disasters from her last outings, seventh was a pretty good result on the face of it. At least there was a glimpse of the old Harp. A few thousand miles south, Raining Dollars was running at exactly the same time at Charters, teaming up with Graham Watson. Again, an outside gate didn't help our chances, and seventh of 12 was probably the best we could hope for on the day. Three races down, three seventh places. Not good...
Later in the afternoon, the dream pairing of Massabielle and Keita Tosaki (left) came together at Tokyo-Fuchu in the 2400m turf race. Starting as favourite, Tosaki-kun timed it to perfection, and won by a nice, safe two-and-a-half length margin, never looking in trouble as soon as the post came into sight. This is my 30th win, with Massabielle becoming my first horse to clock up three wins - he now has a 3-1-0 record from four races, including two black-type victories. Chuffed to bits! Ogasa-san has done a super job, and has an eye on the future, too - rather than cash-in on current form, he's determined to let the horse grow and only enter races that perfectly match it. I like his style.
Then, in the final race at Charters, Graham Watson put on the JLH/Godiva silks once more to give Pretty Gully a run, and got thrown off after she threw a wobbly. She was duly scratched from the race, so a real day of ups and downs. Just hope everyone is OK.
PS. I've heard Graham is fine - a bit bruised up, but basically fine. Good news. Pretty Gully will be looked over by the vet tomorrow, so fingers crossed for her and Jo, her trainer, who I have a lot of respect for.
First out was Rush Attack at Hakodate. Miura Kosei was at the controls, and came out the gate nicely, despite an outside draw (surprise, surprise!). But the horse seemed to baulk at the sand in his face at the first corner, even though Kosei-kun didn't mention that in his report. He did imply that dirt didn't suit the nag, and that this was a wasted opportunity. After all, having the favourite at your disposal and not being able to shine is annoying for everyone involved - the trainer really should have figured out this scenario before thinking of dirt, or at least make the dirt challenge after getting one in the bag on turf, where Rush has already come fourth twice, third twice and second once! Today's seventh is incredibly disappointing. Now what?
Irish Harp was at the same track not long after with newcomer Shota Kato in the saddle. Not fancied at all due to three disasters from her last outings, seventh was a pretty good result on the face of it. At least there was a glimpse of the old Harp. A few thousand miles south, Raining Dollars was running at exactly the same time at Charters, teaming up with Graham Watson. Again, an outside gate didn't help our chances, and seventh of 12 was probably the best we could hope for on the day. Three races down, three seventh places. Not good...
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| Courtesy Carrot Club |
Then, in the final race at Charters, Graham Watson put on the JLH/Godiva silks once more to give Pretty Gully a run, and got thrown off after she threw a wobbly. She was duly scratched from the race, so a real day of ups and downs. Just hope everyone is OK.
PS. I've heard Graham is fine - a bit bruised up, but basically fine. Good news. Pretty Gully will be looked over by the vet tomorrow, so fingers crossed for her and Jo, her trainer, who I have a lot of respect for.
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