First up today was Kealoha with Masashige Honda, who has really been on fire recently. He rode a great race again in the Funabashi opener, and guided his mount to a handy third place. This was better than I was expecting, to be honest, and gives me a lot more confidence in the future than I had this time last night.
An hour later, Konno-sama took Million Ways to a fantastic start-to-finish win in the third race. Shotaro Kawashima has been doing the exercise riding for his older brother in the mornings, and although there is still a way to go before 'Million' is perfect (he is still young at the end of the day), Shotaro noted how much he liked this horse - he has a good eye and feel...
Friday, March 11, 2016
Thursday, March 10, 2016
Fistful Of Dollars
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| Courtesy Townsville Turf Club |
Meanwhile, Pop Label has been withdrawn from the race at Tokyo on Monday, apparently due to a sudden weight loss. It really does make one wish he'd have been left at Funabashi, where Hakaku-san looked after him like he was a national treasure.
Later in the day (JST), on paper at least, Blacklister had a bad run at Chelmsford. Unfortunately, the horse's rating on all-weather tracks is on the high side, which doesn't help, and despite the use of an apprentice jockey - to try and balance things via a weight advantage - the finish was in touch with the other runners, all but one being better fancied at the bookies. As such, there's nothing to worry about, as the turf season (hopefully coming with a kinder rating) will start in earnest soon.
Wednesday, March 9, 2016
Bellevue
To rub salt into yesterday's wounds with the Yahagi incident, Chocolat Sucre came in at the back of the field with Mori-kun. It seems like she hated the heavy, wet sand being kicked up in her face, which is understandable, as I wouldn't like it either! Mori-kun then just cruised her in to save her strength. Phosphorus was far from brilliant as well, making me wonder if he'll ever recover his pre-operation form?
Anyway, a few more JRA reports have filtered through tonight, including an interesting one from Ogata-sensei. He's been going over the race video, and worked out the problem to allow Belle to be more competitive in the next outing, which could be soon. A suitable race for Larressingle is being sought, too, meaning another race with a decent horse coming up.
Rush Attack has gone on holiday, but should be back soon - I hope! The only other thing worth mentioning is the progress in the Irish Harp campaign, with a 1200m dirt race booked for Sunday. Having thought about the entry a bit, this could be the first fun run we've had with this nag since the new trainer took over. I sincerely wish him luck, now that lessons learned are being applied. Before Irish Harp, I've got my fingers crossed for the Aussie and UK runners tomorrow, and the Funabashi pair (both coming from Kawashima Jr's stable) on Friday.
PS. Massabielle should be out again soon, and Tenshinramman is booked for the 19th. The latter is the usual conundrum - an excellent training time, but ultimately there has to be a question mark hanging over her performance on the big day.
Anyway, a few more JRA reports have filtered through tonight, including an interesting one from Ogata-sensei. He's been going over the race video, and worked out the problem to allow Belle to be more competitive in the next outing, which could be soon. A suitable race for Larressingle is being sought, too, meaning another race with a decent horse coming up.
Rush Attack has gone on holiday, but should be back soon - I hope! The only other thing worth mentioning is the progress in the Irish Harp campaign, with a 1200m dirt race booked for Sunday. Having thought about the entry a bit, this could be the first fun run we've had with this nag since the new trainer took over. I sincerely wish him luck, now that lessons learned are being applied. Before Irish Harp, I've got my fingers crossed for the Aussie and UK runners tomorrow, and the Funabashi pair (both coming from Kawashima Jr's stable) on Friday.
PS. Massabielle should be out again soon, and Tenshinramman is booked for the 19th. The latter is the usual conundrum - an excellent training time, but ultimately there has to be a question mark hanging over her performance on the big day.
Tuesday, March 8, 2016
A Corker
The usual suspects in the Carrot JRA reports - War Chronicle still not ready, having been messed around as soon as she did her NAR duty; Perfumer is supposedly tired, which is amazing given how little it runs, and we have a real beaut of a statement on Infinity Love. Now, like me, how many bought into this horse because it was stationed with Yahagi-sensei? You can bet most of us! Well, believe it or not, Yahagi has turned his back on it even before the contract ink has dried fully. I was't impressed with the way the horse was 'trained' in the first place, and have said so in no uncertain terms, but to ditch a horse mid-season and hand it to a brand new stable with no parting words and no explanation whatsoever is downright disgraceful...
PS. I have been told by certain people that Yahagi probably had no choice in the matter. I doubt this, as after almost 30 JRA horses, this is the first one to change mid-season. Yes, at the end of a year, they have changed hands (rarely, it has to be said), or on older horses, they've occasionally moved or been retired early (as was the case with Mistoffelees, and should be with some of the other duds that are being kept for no reason other than filling NF coffers). As for the lack of a closing statement, I'm told this may also not be his fault, but I doubt that, too - I think most people would feel a little better with something saying "it's a shame, but good luck to you all with the new guy," and the club would surely know that. He doesn't even have to mean it, although if it appears in the reports now, we'll know it's a set-up. As I said before, the horse should have been retired at the end of the last race, for all I'm left with now is more bills to come and yet another bitter taste in my mouth. At the end of the day, I'm sure that, like the Montjeu horse, a lot more effort would have been put in had the sire been Deep Impact or another money-spinner based in Japan.
PS. I have been told by certain people that Yahagi probably had no choice in the matter. I doubt this, as after almost 30 JRA horses, this is the first one to change mid-season. Yes, at the end of a year, they have changed hands (rarely, it has to be said), or on older horses, they've occasionally moved or been retired early (as was the case with Mistoffelees, and should be with some of the other duds that are being kept for no reason other than filling NF coffers). As for the lack of a closing statement, I'm told this may also not be his fault, but I doubt that, too - I think most people would feel a little better with something saying "it's a shame, but good luck to you all with the new guy," and the club would surely know that. He doesn't even have to mean it, although if it appears in the reports now, we'll know it's a set-up. As I said before, the horse should have been retired at the end of the last race, for all I'm left with now is more bills to come and yet another bitter taste in my mouth. At the end of the day, I'm sure that, like the Montjeu horse, a lot more effort would have been put in had the sire been Deep Impact or another money-spinner based in Japan.
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