The mornings are getting cooler and we have had rain on a daily basis recently although we are now meant to get a dry spell here at HQ. This meant that numbers were down for the Open Day on Sunday but there was still a good attendance and everyone who visited us here at La Grange seemed to have a good time. I am a big believer in the Newmarket Open Day as it allows those interested in our great sport to get a closer look at what we do and some of the visitors who are not currently owners or employees etc may become so in the future. It was hugely disappointing that only eighteen Trainers opened their doors, you can use feet dips and hand washes to stop the spread of germs and I hope that those who did not open will have a re-think in the future.
We raised a significant amount of money for some good causes and the afternoon activities were a lot of fun. A Jockeys and Trainers team beat the Stable Lads at football and I got some stud marks on my leg for my troubles! There was an exhibition of Horse Ball where four of the jockeys also gave it a go and James Doyle showed great agility in being able to pick the ball up from the floor whilst staying on his horse! The Show Jumping was great fun and Francesca Cumani triumphed, she had not forgotten what she learnt as a youngster at Newmarket & Thurlow Pony Club!!
Alternative Fact won well at Salisbury on Friday evening, he drew nicely clear and he looks like a promising horse for next season. We could well give him one more run before we put him away for the Winter. Sparte Quercus ran another good race and was second to a horse that got the run of the race in front, he came to pick him up but Capton had more in reserve. Armum ran better when fourth in the fillies’ Nursery at Salisbury and she shaped as if she needs a step up to 7f. Global Style ran respectably at Sandown in the Mile Novice and will now be eligible for handicaps whilst Baasha will improve on his first day at school in the future. Amazing Red was our only runner over the weekend and he ran well in second behind a very promising horse in Game Starter. He has been shaping as if he will stay further and we will try him back up in trip again.
We run three horses up at Newcastle today. Vision Clear runs in the 1m Novice and he is a horse that I think will improve for a Winter on his back. I would expect him to show more than he did on his debut but there look some promising sorts here who will be further along in their development. Faay showed some early speed last time and so I am dropping her back to 6f today. It looks a very useful fillies’ Novice and I hope we learn something more about her but I don’t expect her to trouble the principles.
The Lacemaker is our final runner in the last at Newcastle. There is no doubt she has the ability to be involved if you look at the best of her form. I gave her a mid-season break as I felt she had gone flat and she seems to have benefited for this. She ran well fresh when third at Lingfield on her seasonal debut on the all-weather and a repeat of that run should see her involved in the finish. There are a lot of fillies in form and it looks a competitive race without being red hot.