Said It Before...

I've said it before, and I'll say it again - I don't understand what the Japanese dressage rules are meant to encourage. People that know me already take it for granted that I rarely go to dressage competitions, and from what I've been told, I'm very glad I didn't go to Gotemba today, because it simply highlights something I've been saying for ages. And with a change in categories, from A3 to L1, it's only made the situation worse, as all the big guns (for which you can read ultra-expensive, foreign-bred horses) are coming out in force and dominating. Whatever the move was meant to accomplish, it certainly doesn't nurture good horsemanship, or the betterment of Japanese bloodlines, it simply encourages money to be thrown at the sport - money most people haven't got, so those with talent but modest means will fall by the wayside, while those with deep pockets (who will probably get bored five minutes later or give up the first time they fall off) are the ones that get spotted. Not enough youngsters coming through, eh? Of course!

Unfortunately, if you put an average rider on a good horse, you get a good result by default. If you then put that same rider on an average horse, you don't get an average result, you get a bad one, because they're not horsemen. In the lower age groups, we need to create good horsemen first and foremost. If these people then get the encouragement they need and the chance to ride decent nags on merit, the whole sport can progress and become truly competitive with other nations...

Due to big match nerves and no chance to prepare, Louis didn't ride anywhere near as good as he can apparently. At the end of the day, he's only done the L1 pattern once before, ridden the horse he's using once before, and hardly had any practice opportunities pertaining to today's event for the last two months, meaning we should really have scrubbed the entry the minute we knew it wasn't going to be A3 level. For one thing, I wouldn't be sitting here in front of the PC getting fat and stressed out due to overwork if we'd made that decision earlier on - I could have continued at a much slower, healthier pace than I am now, having to finance the bloody campaign.

But that's not the point - whatever happens tomorrow, my policy isn't going to falter. My kids will continue to ride Thoroughbreds and nothing else as their main mounts. Period. Sophie is growing as a person and getting there as a horseman with each passing day, riding a challenging horse that would scare the hell out of most people, while I fill up with pride watching Louis handle a raw Thoroughbred with a touch that belies his age. I refuse to support a system that doesn't acknowledge a rider's skill, only their ability to stay on an automatic vehicle and someone else's ability to pay for the use of said vehicle. I was hoping to have my original feelings on the Japanese dressage scene proved wrong today. Instead, they've only been reinforced. If Louis wants to continue entering the All-Japan Championships, he'll have to do so at his own expense in future - I'm finished with it. I will not bow down to a system that never changes, even when those in charge acknowledge it needs to change.

Belle Plage V1

Courtesy Carrot Club

Belle Plage (pictured here in Sapporo two weeks ago, when she was extremely unlucky not to have won, being badly blocked on the run-in) put in a devastating last three furlongs to pull two-and-a-half lengths clear of her nearest rival in Sapporo, clocking up her maiden victory and win number 18 for the Long family.

Starting as favourite, this was her seventh run, and apart from two weird and wonderful results, she'd always ran strong before, coming fourth once and second three times in her earlier outings. Katsuura-san feels she can perform well in the higher classes, too, so that's something to look forward to in the future. With Pretty Gully scrubbed in Oz, that's all I have running this weekend, but it's nice to have one in the bag with this girl. The trainer will see what she's like after returning to the stables, and make a decision on the next move from there. At least she has secured her place in next year's line-up, so everyone can relax a little now...

PS. Rush Attack has now arrived at Miho Training Centre, meaning his debut is just around the corner. This is one that Louis picked out from the catalogue. Also received the winning post picture of Irish Harp this afternoon, so definitely have to make some wallspace for that.

Rapid Round-Up

I must be getting old - I got back home from Funabashi on Wednesday and zonked out the minute I sat down. Same thing happened yesterday, so you can see why I haven't touched the blog! It was a great couple of days, though, seeing Pop Label for the first time, and being called up as a stunt double at one point as well! Those that were there will know exactly what I mean. Super racing, too.

River Spirit had a bit of a tough race on Wednesday in England, but she'll be back. In reality, a fourth place is something to be thankful for anyway, especially when the handicappers are harsh on her for being so consistent. Meanwhile, in Australia, Pretty Gully picked up a slight injury when she started playing up getting loaded in the horsebox, so she won't run this weekend. These things happen...

Back in Japan, Beat The Boarder will miss the next TCK meeting, but there are still thoughts of running her in the one in the week beginning 25th August. Interestingly, she posted a better time in her last outing than she did when she won, which shows the difference in class she's facing nowadays. With her not being 100%, it's right to hold her back.

On the Carrot Club front, Belle Plage is down to run at Sapporo on the 9th. Teaming up with Katsuura-san, she will take part in the 1700m dirt race, which is the third race of the day. Hopefully she can break that duck, as she's come second three times in her six outings so far. Joyful Step should run at Niigata on the 16th (1800m dirt), with Harmony Fair scheduled for the same place on the next day in an 1800m turf race; Ebina-san has already been named as the jockey for the latter, and I imagine this is her very last chance to shine.

Facing the usual BS with Tenshinramman - she's not tired, but the trainer is going to rest her anyway! Thoughts of running Single Cask at Niigata have been scrubbed in favour of some R&R, while Irish Harp - another horse that has earned a rest - is playing alongside Phosphorus up north. The last bit of news for the time being concerns Time For Love, who will go on a crash diet, and then a debut is just around the corner. If nothing else, Time For Love has to be the cutest horse in the entire JRA circus at the moment!

As for the new riding recruit, 'Bugatti' is coming along brilliantly, even managing to do a fair bit of L1-level dressage, which is a good job, as Louis hasn't been able to practice for the weekend ever since 'Orion' started feeling under the weather, and that was the best part of a couple of months ago. Yes, the time has come for the boy to prove himself. It's not ideal, having to ride 'his' horse from cold, and only ever having ridden it once before, but I'm sure he'll do his best. Good luck, lad!

Pretty Gully

If you've been looking at the foot of the page recently, as in the last couple of days, you may have noticed a second Australian beastie sneak into the list of active runners. Well, I did drop a hint that I was interested in another JLH Racing horse, and I couldn't resist it in the end. Ultimately, I'd missed out on one earlier in the year, investing in something to jump - said horse hasn't jumped, and the JLH one won at the peak of the anger this situation had brought about! I've just about given up on the idea of a jumper now, even though it's been something I've wanted for decades, and with me hoping to do more Down Under anyway, this little lady - Pretty Gully - brings the master plan a bit closer to reality.

Courtesy JLH Racing

One of the deciding factors, apart from my fondness of the team behind JLH, was Pretty Gully's bloodlines, which are remarkably close to those of 'Bugatti'. Born in 2009, she was sired by Spinning World, who won the Breeders Cup Mile in the States and the Irish 2000 Guineas in amongst his eight victories. His sire was Nureyev, which is the same S2 position on the family tree as 'Bugatti' boasts. They also share the 3Sx5S Northern Dancer cross, and Mr Prospector in the same D4 position; Alleged is also close, being D3 generation on this mare, and D4 on the mad one. There's a Sir Ivor cross (5Sx5D)
in Pretty Gully's DNA, too, which pleases me immensely, and Floral Brook, her dam, even manages to add a touch of Nijinsky blood along the way. Floral Brook is by Umatilla, by the way, a very successful New Zealand horse.

It will be interesting to see what Pretty Gully can do. So far, she's had 24 races, clocking up five wins, three seconds and three thirds. By the sound of things, we won't have long to wait, as Jo Hassett is already saying she's entered her for a race on the 10th!

PS. The other JLH horse, still a youngster, will probably make his debut in mid- or late-September if all goes well. Really looking forward to that, too...

Dull Feeling

If it was any other horse, I'd be happy enough with a third place - more than happy, in fact. But the horse in question is something too special to be happy with a third, two-and-a-half lengths down on the winner, in a lower league than she should be in, and with a lightweight rider to boot. Okay, it's an improvement on the last few outings, which were frankly bloody awful, but it's still nowhere near what she's capable of - the last 3F time is particularly disappointing. Maybe the trainer saying she wasn't 100% before the race holds a clue to the result, although race rust is probably just as big a factor, which is possibly why she was entered in less than perfect condition. After all, she was supposed to be running again soon after her May race, but today was ultimately her next outing, following a nine-week break. If she's run quickly after this with the same jockey, who should have some idea of how she handles after today, she might just be able to reclaim some pride. If the thoughts are shifting towards another long R&R session, it would be better to let her retire with a 2-2-1 record...

All Go In Chiba

As you can imagine, I wanted to get the report on the win up ASAP yesterday, but with work starting at just gone 5am, training with 'Bugatti' (his first real dressage training going very well indeed), more work until I'd reached the target I'd set earlier in the day, and then the local fete straight after, I just couldn't face the computer again when I got back after nine...

Tenshinramman runs later today, and it will be interesting to see what she does. Her recent record simply doesn't reflect 10% of her ability. Fingers crossed!

River Spirit is booked to run in the 2:20 at Brighton on the 6th, which is the five-furlong Lexi Boo Strickland Nursery Handicap Stakes. I love this little horse and the team behind her (1-1-2 from six runs), so I'm looking forward to that. She should be pairing up with Danny Cremin on the day, although the 2:45 at Windsor on the 10th has been added as a back-up. Also got some huge news from Australia for you, but first I need a cup (bucket) of tea to kick-start my system.

Paddy Power

Yesterday morning, Irish Harp finally clocked up her first win in Sapporo, which is number 17 for the Long family. This lovely horse - my number one choice of all the Carrot crop from 2011 - has had a remarkably strong race record, yet never quite managed to get the rub of the green that translates stirling endeavor into a winning equation. Yesterday, things went well for her, and with Fukunaga-san in determined mood - pushed hard by Sugai-sensei, no doubt - she won by a two-length margin. Now everyone can relax, and she can take a well-earned rest whilst plans for a fresh campaign are made. Super effort from everyone involved. Thank you!

Next up was Single Cask, and, although the eighth place finish was disappointing on paper, she ran well until she started fading badly at the end. The move up in class obviously hurts at the moment, but being just 0.6 seconds down on the winner means she's not of her depth completely.