Perla Blanca
Hello from Newmarket. It is another warm day, but we ended our own drought of winners at the weekend, and there is rain on the way – or so we are led to believe!
I have just two runners today, one at Carlisle this evening and one at Ripon. Our Ripon representative is Qawamees in the 3.00, a mile and a quarter 0-85 handicap for three-year-olds. This horse hasn't done too much wrong, finishing second on his only start at two, missing the break at Chelmsford on his return, and then finishing second again at this track most recently.
He has been given a rating of 76, which looks quite harsh on the face of it. His Nottigham maiden last year has not worked out too well, and although second to the useful Snow Wind last time out, we were a long way behind and those that finished behind Qawamees are apparently heading for marks well below 60. There has also been a bit of deliberation regarding what trip he wants, but this looks to be a good starting point for handicaps, and the race ought to teach us plenty.
At Carlisle this evening our amateur jockey Sophie Smith bids to double up on her horse Perla Blanca, in the 8.15. Perla was much imprvoed for a step up to a staying trip last time, winning comfortably at Doncaster, and the five pound rise in the weights seems fair. This is a much warmer race however, and it will test horse and jockey. I hope for a decent run and know the race will provide more valuable experience for Sophie.
All the best,
Ed.