The Melbourne-bound trio in quarantine.
An autumnal chill first thing but a very pleasant morning now.
We worked a number on the peat moss gallop first and second lot and the ground rode beautifully. They included Prince Gagarin, who was given an entry in Listed company at Sandown on Wednesday, although that race looks red-hot for the grade at this stage.
We hosted another film crew at breakfast and they came in to film Ryan Moore and I for a feature on young sports personalities. It was good to see Ryan again and all went smoothly.
Philip Freedman also popped into see his New Approach filly Social Media.
I am in the car heading back to Doncaster as Times Up runs in the Doncaster Cup for the fourth time. He’s won the race twice and he has the ground to suit, although it’s a big ask to think he could land the hat-trick. He’s shaped better than the bare result on a few occasions this season and I’m sure he won’t be disgraced. His owners – Mrs Stewart-Brown and Mr and Mrs Meacock – will be there and we should have a fun afternoon.
At Salisbury, Al Hamd makes his third start in the mile maiden and the step up in trip will suit. He ran on nicely at Epsom and appears to be progressing with racing.
Tartoor might be in a bit deep in the mile and a quarter maiden but there aren’t too many opportunities for him and he remains capable of better.
Manjaam, a Tamayuz half-brother to a couple of winners, make his debut in the mile maiden at Sandown and he will benefit from the experience.
We drop Biff Johnson back to a mile in the handicap as he’s shown enough speed to think a test at this trip will suit. This is an open race, although he wouldn’t want the ground too fast so we will monitor conditions throughout the afternoon.
A number of entries for Thursday including Fieldsman in the seven furlong handicap at Yarmouth.
Back tomorrow.
Ed.