Crystal Ball Gazing

Ettie Hart got in some more experience at Lingfield, setting her handicap for the months ahead, and a few more reports have come through on the Japanese runners. Another Door (Sunday TC) had a test at Monbetsu, but so far looks nothing like a 16,000,000 yen horse. It's a bit on the small side for a Vermilion kid as well, so I don't mind admitting that I'm a little worried at this stage. Hopefully the next report will quash those fears, but an awful lot of work needs to be done in the meantime.

After her intensive gate training sessions, War Chronicle has been confirmed to run on the 30th in the Tokyo 7R (it's a tough race, though, it has to be said - I would have liked to have seen a less competitive one chosen considering the need to claw back money for well over a year away from the tracks when you add the injury and gaps between NAR and JRA, et cetera, together), while Belle Plage will hopefully be able to run there on the 7th or 8th, and Perfumer is aiming for a Niigata race on the same weekend (maybe 1600m or 2000m over turf). A bit later, Larressingle is being lined up for Tokyo on the 15th, with Monsieur Lemaire happy to ride her again, so that should be fun. Shine Tiara is in NAR action at the end of the month, and Trovao is being readied for the Tokyo Derby in early June. Some people are suggesting changing the jockey, with Matoba-san's name muttered everywhere, although for me, the jockey has to be Honda-kun; he's the lad that has brought Trovao this far, and so he deserves the ride without any questions as far as I'm concerned.

PS. Poor 'Ted' (Raining Dollars) quite literally had a rough run in Townsville. Racenet predicted a third place for him, but he was pushed into the fence, which completely knocked him out of the running. Like Arnie, though, he'll be back... Masterson will be running on the 6th now, which leaves us with War Chronicle. Well, after a truly awful start (not mad, at least LOL), the eighth place can't be considered too bad in this company. If she gets out again quickly, she might surprise a few if she can handle the gate like a pro next time. A strange week...

Sayesse V1

Courtesy Lord Ilsley Racing

Sayesse teamed up with Charlie Bishop today to take a stunning victory in the opener at Brighton, winning by the best part of four lengths. He seemed to find another gear in the last furlong to leave his competitors eating the grass cuttings he was kicking up - a fantastic display of power, with a lot more to come, too, as he's still a fair way off perfect coming out of the winter break, and will probably be more impressive over a bit more distance. Watch this one! In the meantime, hearty congratulations to all at West Ilsley and the LIR outfit...

So, 47 wins and counting. We have Ettie Hart on Thursday from the same stables, and also Masterson on Saturday. With Raining Dollars running in Australia on Friday, the three of them could take the win total up to 50! But seriously, whatever happens, I'm proud to be involved with the Channon and Hassett families.

Wish I could say the same thing about JRA involvement, but it would be difficult. Ogata-sensei has done a good job all the way, although, as you probably read in one of the earlier entries, sadly he is an exception to the rule. To be told that Massabielle is nowhere near race-ready and we should therefore be patient by the same people that got him that way in the first place - after five months with him! - is frankly well out of order. I would say something a lot stronger, but there may be children present.

Tuesday Tattle

Raining Dollars runs Down Under on Friday, while Masterson has now been declared to run on the 30th (along with War Chronicle in Japan), meaning three UK runners this week - the first is set to go in a few hours from now. Not long after, Phosphorus, Chocolat Sucre, Million Ways and Kealoha should be out at the next Funabashi meeting in the first week of May, while Pop Label is lined up for the 17th May at TCK. I won't bother going to the Tokyo race, though, as it's over 1400m again, and until the trainer learns that he needs a mile (or more), there's no point wasting time and money to see a horse run its heart out and not get rewarded with a win.

On the riding front, 'Bugatti' had some more jump training over the weekend, with my friend doing something completely new to get Louis to work more in tune with the horse. He had him jumping four fences in a straight line with a loose rein, which gets pretty exciting after the last one with the big fella's speed and a white picket fence looming fast straight after. An excellent lesson, with 'Bugatti' enjoying his session immensely (he was ready to go again the next day, but the fences had been taken down!), Louis learning to trust his instinct more, and Sophie benefiting at the end to take her jumping skills to another level, too. All three learn fast, and with some good dressage results to build on the other day, this could be quite a year.