My apologies for the lateness of today’s blog – I stepped off a plane this morning and it’s been frantic catching up ever since!
Obviously we were very disappointed with the outcome of yesterday’s race at Sha Tin. Unfortunately the ground was very quick, while the steady early pace and sprint for home didn’t suit Red at all. However, Robin and Steve report him to be fine this morning, which is the main thing, and we will get him home this week and make a plan for the rest of the year then.
A winning weekend courtesy of Trip To Paris, who notched victory number two of the season at Ripon. Given a fine ride by Graham Lee, he saw the trip out really well on his first start at two miles. So long as he comes out of the race well, we will have to give the Chester Cup strong consideration now as he is likely to be a good few pounds well in under a penalty. Congratulations to everyone involved in the La Grange Partnership!
On Sunday, Thanaaya ran respectably to finish fifth in the 1m maiden at Chelmsford, while Sporting Prince hated the kickback and didn’t travel a yard in the same contest. Both are likely to do better once handicapping.
At Wetherby, Dark Red turned in his best performance thus far to finish second in the 7f maiden. I was able to watch the race over supper with Mr Arculli, Dark Red’s owner, before boarding and it is good to see the horse travel better than he has done in his two previous starts. He is getting there mentally.
Three runners this evening, with Ejbaar and Field Of Light making their debuts at Wolverhampton and Windsor respectively, while Kitten’s Red runs in the closing 1m4f handicap at Windsor. Both newcomers have done everything we have asked of them at home, although neither race looks particularly easy, while the step up in trip on better ground will suit Kitten’s Red, but the same could be said for half of the field!
A quiet week beckons on the runners front and we are unlikely to be represented again until Saturday. However, we made 14 entries for the weekend this morning, which included half a dozen here at Newmarket, so things will get busy very quickly once again.
Back tomorrow. Ed.