The JRA Year So Far

You can bet I'll have my fingers crossed for Ogata-sensei and Belle Plage on Monday, for this is the only JRA runner even close to bringing in anything, let alone paying for itself! This year, my entire JRA history consists of Belle coming seventh and sixth, Larressingle (with the same trainer as Belle Plage) coming sixth, Infinity Love 12th and 14th (although the latter was last, as two other runners were involved in a freak accident), Single Cask last, Irish Harp tenth, Rush Attack eighth (one of the better non-Ogata Stable performances), Perfumer ninth in a JRA-NAR mix race, and Tenshinramman last; Massabielle and War Chronicle have yet to run in 2016. I don't ask for wins, just a sign of effort and care, and that is in decidedly short supply as far as I'm concerned. I'm not happy, and it should be easy for anyone with half a brain to see why. It's sad when you look forward to the end of a campaign more than the few-and-far between races contained within a series. At least the Carrot NAR horses offer value-for-money - a thousand times more value than the JRA ones, although it's not the fault of the club so much as the ridiculous JRA system...

PS. I will have to hold my tongue. The jockey totally failed to read the race, and put Belle in a position where she was unable to do anything from, unless she sprouted wings that is. A wasted outing, and the next race will almost certainly be an unfavourable distance due to the poor result (although she was obviously on the pace today, the jockey positioning left her in 12th with nowhere to go but follow the crowd) - she might as well retire now. Another incredibly bitter disappointment in a very, very long list!

PPS. Larressingle is out on the 26th with Monsieur Lemaire, which should be fun. The bottom line is, the horse has done very well so far thanks to Ogata-sensei, but just cannot get the cigar, a bit like Blacklister was in England. They're giving it the best possible chance with the jockey choice, that's for sure - I had a chat with him when he first arrived in Japan at the Shadai Party, and his record here speaks for itself. Another top jockey and super chap on Massabielle the following day, too, with Tosaki-kun in the saddle.