SIX TO FOLLOW RESULTS UP TO AND INCLUDING THE
29TH JUNE CAN BE FOUND ON THE SIX TO FOLLOW PAGE
FRIDAY 2ND JULY
Well Sadly we are still waiting for our 28 winner after our four runners this week failed to add to our tally.
HIGHLAND LEGACY was the first of these and he ran on Wednesday evening at Kempton. Jamie felt that he did not handle the track which we were not expecting as he seems to go well on it at home. He is capable of winning races and we just wish he could get his head in front as he is owned by lovely Mr Warren who has been at Fitzroy since the start. On his second at Salisbury you feel it is only a matter time and hopefully he will show his ability when the rains finally arrives.
On Thursday we had two runners and TELL HALAF has been both busy and consistent this year. He raced far too keen early on and when asked for is effort he edged left and had nothing in reserve. He heads to the July Sales now and hopefully he will give his new connections plenty of fun as he is a nice horse. Later on the card AL DAFA who is very hard work for his rider and was being ridden along from an early stage. He was going on fairly well at the finish and possibly a step back up to least 1m2f looks to suit him better. He will probably stay further than that given his running style and he to could be a nice buy for someone.
Today we have just seen STAR SURPRISE run at Sandown and he ran well to finish fifth. He is still quite a burly horse who is very green, but is improving from his racing and hopefully this race will now have put him spot on to break his maiden
Tomorrow we are hopeful of another good run from CRUNCHED who won last time. He has been working well and seems to have things in his favour now. At Leicester we have BAKONGO running and she looks to be back to her best after a disappointing run last time . She holds ability and hopefully she in now back to her best Our final runner at Leicester is BLUE ZEALOT and after a couple of quick races she has been given a bit more time which she seems to have appreciated. She is a lovely bred filly and it would be great to see her go close here.
WEDNESDAY 30TH JUNE
With HIGHLAND LEGACY our only runner this evening at Kempton, we head to Great Yarmouth tomorrow with two good chances. TELL HALAF has been such an unlucky horse this year. He has certainly had his fair share of bad draws. He is such a consistent animal and it would be great to get another win into him before the July Sales. It has to be said that he should certainly have some more wins by his name, but after one thing or another he has had to settle for placings rather than victories. Hopefully this will all come right for him here. AL DAFA is another who has been slightly unlucky and with conditions in his favour, he should take all the beating here. He is another who is July Sales bound and hopefully someone will take a real shine to him at the sales.
On Friday we have declared STAR SURPRISE at Sandown. He is a really nice horse, who looked as though he needed the race last time as he blew for a long time after he had run. He looks to have sharpenend up and we like him allot and expect a decent effort.
The horses worked today on the Watered Gallop and two groups got in a right muddle jumping off far to close together and so two groups are missing from the pictures.
AL RANNAN, HANDEL'S MESSIAH AND SEE THE SMILE
The first group to work consisted of HANDEL'S MESSIAH who was ridden by Hayley Turner and he looks to have really started to come to himself. AL RANNAN and SEE THE SMILE are nice breeze up purchases and they both look to be going the right way.
MAMA LULU
MAMA LULU looked in great form working with a horse from Lucy Wadhams.
MING MENG and BOUNCY BOUNCY
It is great to see MING MENG and BOUNCY BOUNCY back on the gallops and both these fillies looked in terrific form.
TACTICIAN AND MONT AGEL
TACTICIAN and MONT AGEL looked in great form and hopefully will get a run soon. MONT AGEL is in a race in France on 10th July but he is crying out for rain.
BABYCAKES and BAKONGO
BABYCAKES worked with BAKONGO and she has been entered in a race at Ovrevoll in Norway towards the end of August in the Erik O'Steens Memorial which is a listed race we have won before with DANCING ABBIE. Hopefully she will continue to improve and go well so that she will be able to take her chance. BAKONGO looks in good form and hopefully she will give a good account of herself as soon as we get some rain.
MONDAY 28TH JUNE
After the third earlier in the day of ROYAL LIAISON we were left with two runners at the evening meeting at Newmarket. EMPRESS CHARLOTTE kicked thing off for us here and she looked to be slowly away and was at the rear of the field for the early part of the race. She was ridden with two furlongs left to run and looked to have got tired inside the final furlong. She is a sweet filly and is sure to have learned a lot from the experience. Later on the card we had SYRIAN running in the claiming race which was full of drama after our horse hung and brought down the horse being ridden by Patrick Hills. There was nothing Jamie could do, in fact he gave our horse fantastic ride having him lovely and settled towards the rear of the field. When asked to make his move, he hung into the other horse and then possibly hit the front to soon but there was nothing that could have been done and he finished a good second giving the winner sixteen pounds which is allot to ask. He has taken the race well and we will try and find another suitable opportunity for him shortly.
On Saturday we had just the one runner RED AMY at Lingfield. She seemed to suffer a degree of interference, but she was already starting to struggle and she finished down the field. She will now head for the July Sales where hopefully someone will taking a liking to her.
On Sunday we had hoped for a good run from COORDINATED CUT in the Irish Derby. He raced in mid division for the early part of the race and was sat in sixth place at the halfway stage. He was ridden four furlongs from home and made no impression and finished seventh. It was a great shame he did not show better as we fancied him to get at least into a place. He is due to return back to the yard this evening after his endeavors in Ireland.
Again it looks like being fairly quiet at the start of the week with our first runner being HIGHLAND LEGACY at Kempton on Wednesday. He is in great form and it would be great to see him get his head in front for Mr Warren his very patient owner. On his day he is a very good horse and hopefully he will show that here.
FRIDAY 25TH JUNE
Its been a couple of weeks now without a winner but the majority of the horses are still running well and we seem to be getting our fair share of seconds. The horses look fantastic so I am sure it will be only a matter of time before things change back in our favour. It has been a really quiet week with our only runners being yesterday. The first of these was STRONG VIGILANCE and we had high hopes for this horse at beginning of the season that even I put him in my six to follow. He ran well on his first outing of the season and then he just seemed to lose his way. He was recently gelded which we thought would help matters but he ran again keenly early on in the race and fell away tamely towards the end of the race. He has an odd head carriage in that he carries his head high and if he would just settle maybe he would see his race through. He has ability, that is in not doubt and hopefully if he uses it, I will be getting some points for my six to follow sooner rather than later. In the evening we had MADAME ROULIN running in a selling race at Leicester. She raced in touch and was ridden to maintain her place after going half way. She stayed on at the one pace and finished seventh. She is now heading to the July Sales where hopefully someone will take a shine to her and have more success as she does have ability.
Today we have had one runner this afternoon that being ROYAL LIAISON. She is proving to be a progressive little filly who again found two that were to good for her. She would have appreciated a bit more cut in the ground but again she ran a solid race and will now be eligible for nurseries which she should be competitive in. Tonight we have two runners at Newmarket the first being a nice homebred filly of Lord Derby's. She is a nice filly and has been doing some nice work at home with some of the other fillies that have run. She will give a good account of herself, but will certainly come on from the run. Later on the card we have SYRIAN in the claiming race and he holds bags of ability. If he is in the right frame of mind and settles nicely like he has in his previous races, he should go close, but he is proving quite a quirky character.
Tomorrow we are hoping RED AMY can open her account. She should have conditions in her favour and it would be great to get a win out of her before the July Sales.
On Sunday we have big excitment with COORDINATED CUT running in the Irish Derby. He worked well on Wednesday ahead of the race and left in the early hours of the morning to catch the ferry at 10.00am. He has now arrived at the Curragh and we are hopeful he will run a big race. As usual Aiden O'Brien trains the majority of the field, but it would be great to see this horse take his chance in a group one again as I think he was slightly unlucky in our Derby and was running on nicely at the end.
WEDNESDAY 23RD JUNE
It has been a quiet week for us this week so far with only the one runner, that being SHESELLS SEASHELLS on Monday at Windsor. She was making her handicap debut was given a positive ride by Frankie Dettori over this longer trip. She was soon beaten after coming under heavy pressure three furlongs out and ultimately failed to run her race. It maybe that she did not appreciate the step up in trip but the jockey felt she did not handle the track. She has come out of the race well and we will see how she is before making further plans.
We had no runners yesterday and we also have a blank day today. This means that we will all be able to cheer the England team on this afternoon as they take on Slovenia.
Tomorrow we head to Goodwood with STRONG VIGILANCE where we hope he can deliver with the promise that we felt he had. He has been in great form at home and hopefully having been gelded it will be the making of the horse. At Leicester we have MADAME ROULIN running and she has been applied with a visor for the first time. Hopefully with this and the help of Ian Burns claim she should go close in this sort of grade. She is a sweet filly who is July Sales bound.
Today the horses worked on the watered gallops and I was very lucky to have the help of professional photographer Lenny Anderton who had given up his time to give me a few pointers and help me improve my techniques which certainly needs some help.
LOCHAN MOR AND OLD MASTER EXPERT
The first group to work consisted on LOCHAN MOR and OLD MASTER EXPERT. OLD MASTER EXPERT is entered on Saturday at Lingfield and a decision on if he runs will be made in the morning.
RIVIERA STARS AND UNEX MONET
These two colts worked nicely together and it was the first time I had seen UNEX MONET on the gallops. They both look fine individuals who are still green but look as though they are starting to get the hang of things.
SEE THE SMILE, HANDELS MESSIAH AND AL RANNAN
SEE THE SMILE looks as though he is now ready for a run and he went nicely with HANDELS MESSIAH and AL RANNAN and both these colts look as though they are heading in the right direction.
MOHEDIAN LADY, MISS VILLEFRANCHE AND IFFRAAJ EX CONGRESSIONAL
MOHEDIAN LADY looks as though she is blossoming into a really nice filly and she worked really well with MISS VILLEFRANCHE who is starting to come to herself.
ROSA MIDNIGHT, CANDYS GIRL AND HISTORY REPEATING
ROSA MIDNIGHT is heading in the right direction and is pleasing in her work. She went well being joined by CANDYS GIRL who looks back to her best and HISTORY REPEATING sat in behind upsides a horse of Lucy Wadham's.
COORDINATED CUT AND MOYENNE CORNICHE
COORDINATED CUT worked well ahead of his possible run in the Irish Derby and he looked in great form joining MOYENNE CORNICHE in his work.
ALLIED POWERS
ALLIED POWERS looked in great form and he could possibly go to Saint Cloud for the Grand Prix du Saint Cloud.
RED AMY, BLUE ZEALOT AND BAKONGO
RED AMY worked well here a head of her run on Saturday at Lingfield and she was joined BLUE ZEALOT who is now handicapped and ready to do herself justice in her grade and BAKONGO who has missed Chester on Friday due to the firm ground.
MONDAY 21ST JUNE
We were so thrilled with MARGOT DID’S run at Ascot on Friday, if not a little bit gutted that she was only just beaten. She was given a lovely ride by Hayley who was always travelling really well and when asked to go she got her head in front but just got pegged back in the dying stages of the race. She has taken the race really well and we are absolutely delighted to have such a little star in the yard.
On Friday evening COLLECT ART’S winning sequence came to an end at Newmarket. He was held up towards the rear and after going for a furlong got hampered. He was ridden with two furlongs left to run, and did not get the clearest of runs through and finished down the field. We are hopeful that his winning run has not come to an end and we will see how he is before entering him again as he is in the July Sales at the beginning of next month.
On Saturday we had just the two runners the first of these being STAR SURPRISE at Newmarket. He ran well for the majority of the race just failing to get home. He had a good blow after the race which would suggest he needed it and I think you will see a much sharper, fitter individual next time. TELL HALAF was our only runner at the evening meeting at Lingfield. He was dropped in early from his poor draw and looked to be coming with a strong challenge before finding nowhere to go against the rail one furlong from home. He would have no doubt gone very close with a better passage and hopefully we will get the opportunity to run him again before the July Sales.
On Sunday we had just the won runner at Pontefract in MAMA LULU and after her encouraging effort first time out at Doncaster we had thought she would go close. She found a good one of Godolphin’s that she was up against and possibly over a longer trip she may have come out on top. She seemed to lack the winner’s natural pace and was under pressure before the straight. She then appeared to compromise her chance by hanging left. She may just want easier ground and possibly a bit further should help her and hopefully she will get on a winning mark shortly. It has to be said she looked to be beaten by a nice filly.
Today we have SHESELLS SEASHELLS running at Windsor. She came to us via Chris Wall’s and she looks to have come to hand early. A big priced winner on her last start she seems to be something of an unknown quantity. She has been coming to hand nicely and we are hopeful of a good run from her here. It would be great to see her win again although I am not sure you will get 25 to one on her this time especially with Frankie Dettori riding her.
We have no runners tomorrow or Wednesday and then things start to pick up towards the end of the week.
FRIDAY 18TH JUNE
Wednesday night we had hoped for a better show from INDIAN WISH. She was always up chasing the pace and then got hampered just before the two-pole and got shuffled back had to settle for seventh. She will have learned allot from the run and we expect her to go close next time.
LOMBOK kicked things off for us on Thursday afternoon and he started the race quite keen at the rear of the field wearing a visor for the first time. He was travelling really well with four left to run and when asked the question he did not find what we had hoped and stayed on at the one pace to finish towards the fifth. Our first runner of the afternoon at this years Royal Ascot was HYPNOTIZED and he did not run as well as we had expected. He travelled towards the rear of the field and with two furlongs left to run he was stuck on the rails with no way out. I am not sure that even if he had got out sooner he would have troubled the leading group and eventual winner, but it certainly did not help but he did not look to be travelling as well as he had been on his previous runs. We were given a real treat in the Hampton Court with WIGMORE HALL and he gave us a run for our money just failing to peg back the winner and second in the closest of finishes. He was travelling so well all through the race tracking the eventual winner. He found trouble when coming with his run by getting blocked in and was flying at the end, but the line came too soon for him. MONT AGEL who was in the same race, ran well for the majority of the race but could just not quicken. He would have certainly been seen too much better effect on softer ground. He ran with credit and hopefully this race after such a long time off the track will do him well next time he runs. Our last runner of the day at Ascot was TACTICIAN and he looked to be travelling well until being asked the question and stayed on at the one pace. At Ripon we thought we would have a chance with WILD ROSE, but she seems to just plug away at the one pace when asked for effort. She travelled well early on but had to keep being niggled to keep up to her work and when asked to go she did not find allot and had to settle for fourth. In the evening FASCINATION having her first run for us, showed fair form over this longer distance. She is traveled well throughout her race and is more than capable of picking up a similar event on this evidence.
Today we have MARGOT DID running at the Royal Meeting and she should hopefully have a great chance.
On Saturday we run a nice two-year-old called STAR SURPRISE down here at Newmarket. I have enjoyed watching him work as he seems to have a great enthusiasm for his work. He has been working well and I hope he has the making of a nice two-year-old colt. In the evening TELL HALAF looks to have a good chance at Lingfield. We have been unlucky so far this week winner wise so hopefully we can get back on the trail with these two.
On Sunday MAMA LULU is making her re-appearance after her second and she looks to have done really well for the run. It looks a decent enough contest but hopefully she has come on a lot from the experience and will run well here.
WEDNESDAY 16TH JUNE
On Monday with just the two runners we felt we were slightly unlucky with AL DAFA at Windsor. He was held up towards rear the rear of the field and when asked the question made some good headway, but hung left over two furlongs out. He kept on inside the final furlong to finish fourth. Hopefully we will be able to get another win out of him before the July Sales. At Warwick we had another fourth when LOCHAN MOR who led the for the early part of the race was headed over one furlong out and stayed on at the same pace. Sadly the ground was probably not soft enough for him, but he ran with credit and he would of found it much easier to quicken in softer conditions.
Last night we had just the two at Brighton the first of these being FRECKENHAM. We thought she would be hard to beat, but she looked uncomfortable on the track and ruined her chances by hanging right when first coming under pressure early in the straight. She is learning all the time and hopefully on a better track she will win her maiden soon. Later in the evening CONSIDER YOURSELF also looked awkward on the track and never seemed to get into the race. She has been working well at home since her disappointing effort at Newmarket, but she did not show a lot here and is definitely better than this effort would suggest.
Tonight I think we have a good chance with INDIAN WISH as she has been putting in some decent efforts in her work at home and should give a good account of herself.
Tomorrow we are left with just the four runners at Royal Ascot after the withdrawal of PROMPTER due to fast ground. Hopefully it will not dry out to much more as MONT AGEL'S form is certainly better on good or softer. He has been impressing me in his work at home and should have a good chance in the Hampton Court where he will also face WIGMORE HALL who has been in great form after his second at Doncaster a fortnight ago. He will appreciate a good pace and should run very well. Earlier on the card we have HYPNOTIZED running in the Britannia, a race that Jamie always has said the horse would be suited in. He will run for the first time wearing the sheepskin cheekpieces which Jamie feels will help him and it would be great to see him get his head home in front. Our last runner tomorrow at the Royal meeting is TACTICIAN and he has been kept with this race always in mind for him. He won nicely on his last start and it would be great to give Her Majesty a winner. We have another runner for the Queen at Leicester in the evening. FASCINATION is a filly we acquired from Sir Michael Stoute's and she has looked good in her work at home. Hopefully there loss is our gain and it would be great to have a double for The Queen! At Warwick in the day We have LOMBOK running and he is going to wear a visor for the first time to help him travel. He has been slightly disappointing so far as we feel he holds a lot of promise and hopefully with the headgear and George Baker riding him, this will be the key to get him home in front. At Ripon we have sent WILD ROSE who never got into the race last time at Musselburgh. She is much better than this run would suggest and in this smaller field she should be better suited and will hopefully run well.
On Friday we are really excited with the re-appearance of MARGOT DID who is being stepped up in class to run in the Albany which is a group 3. She deserves to take her chance and we will have everything crossed for her lovely owners the Redmonds and Mr Philipps. In the evening COLLECT ART is looking to make it four out of four at Newmarket and he has been a real star of late. He is in great form and hopefully we have found another winning opportunity for him.
Sadly I did not manage to get any pictures this morning as I was on the wrong gallops. I text and rang the boss, but he did not answer my text or call and I ended up picking the peat moss, sadly the horses went up the watered gallop and all I could do was watch them from the distance.
MONDAY 14TH JUNE
Well we hit the 27 winner mark on Sunday thanks to CRUNCHED’S win at Doncaster. He was given a good strong, ride by Jamie who got him back up to score the victory. He is entered in the July Sales, but he looks the sort capable of winning again.
We were unlucky not to have hit the 27 winner mark on Saturday when ROYAL LIASON was just beaten at Leicester. She raced held up, but made good headway with two furlongs left to run. She was challenging the eventual winner but just could not get her head up in time and had to settle for second. It was a good run and a win is surely on the agenda soon. She was our only runner at Leicester after the withdrawal of LOCHAN MOR, but we did have two others at Sandown the first of these being SYRIAN. He was given every chance by Ted Durcan who had him settled well off the pace. When asked for his effort he did not seems to get the response we expected and finished sixth. It was disappointing after some promising efforts. I am sure he will have his day and hopefully it will be very soon. Our only other runners at Sandown was HIGHLAND LEGACY. On his form you would have given him a real chance, but there was no early pace in the race which he would have appreciated and when asked to go he plugged on staying on really well. I think he may just be seen to better affect over two miles which may just suit him better.
Today we have two runners LOCHAN MOR has been re-routed from Leicester on Saturday to Warwick where thankfully they have received the necessary rain. It has changed to good ground which should hopefully be in his favour and it will be soft enough for him as most of his best form is on soft ground. At Windsor we are hopeful that AL DAFA can continue with the improved efforts he has been showing and he should have a really good chance. He has got Jamie back on board and he seems to have a good rapport with the horse.
Tomorrow we have FRECKENHAM who was given time after her Warwick run, running at Brighton. She has been in good form at home and with the way our fillies that she has been working with are running we are confident she should give a good account of herself as long as she does not mind the Brighton track. Our only other runner is CONSIDER YOURSELF and after a moderate effort at Newmarket last time we are hoping she will be back to her best. She was found to be not quite right after her last run and has taken sometime to come back to herself. She worked well on Wednesday and hopefully she will show that form here.
FRIDAY 11TH JUNE
Yesterday we had just the one runner which was MISS CHAUMIERE at Nottingham. She again showed some improvement but I feel on the evidence of yesterdays run she will probably get further. She chased the eventual winner and was ridden a long over three furlongs out and soon weakened. She is learning all the time and I am sure she is capable of winning races in her grade.
We have just the one runner today at Goodwood, where DR FINLEY should have a good chance. He is a consistent sort who is running well without winning. Hopefully it will not be long before he is getting a win in the bag. He certainly deserves a win.
On Saturday we have declared SYRIAN who has run much better on his last two starts and if everything goes right for him he certainly has talent. He heads to Sandown with HIGHLAND LEGACY who would have had a much stronger chance if Sandown had not missed all the rain. His last run at Salisbury where he finished second was a good effort and we are again hopeful of a big run from him. At Leicester we have ROYAL LIAISON making her reappearance after a promising debut at Newmarket and she has been in good form at home in her work. Later on the card we have LOCHAN MOR running and we will check in the morning to see if they have had enough rain at the track for him to take his chance as this is another racecourse that seems to have avoided the rain. He would have a good chance if the ground is soft enough and he looks to be well over his Southwell run where he certainly ran below par.
On Sunday we just have the one runner at Doncaster, where CRUNCHED we hope is able build on his third last time out Salisbury. He has been in great form at home since his run and it would be great to get a win out of him before the July Sales.
WEDNESDAY 9TH JUNE
Sadly we have had to declare SOUL HEAVEN a non runner tomorrow at Newbury so this has left us with just MISS CHAUMIERE as our only runner at Nottingham. She seems to have improved from her run, where she looked to get tired in the last couple of furlongs. She has come out of the race well and we are hopeful we will see improvement on the track. She has only had the two runs and is still very green, but she is heading the right way and we know she is capable of winning races.
On Friday we have just the one runner at at Goodwood where DR FINLEY takes his chance. He has been a consistent horse never finishing any worse than fifth in all his starts. He certainly deserves a change of fortune and it would be great to find the right race for him to get her first victory.
Today the horses worked up the peat moss and it was great that the rain at least held off for this morning's work.
INDIAN WISH, FRECKENHAM AND CRY FOR JOY
The first group to work up the gallops, consisted of INDIAN WISH, FRECKENHAM and CRY FOR JOY. INDIAN WISH has now been named and is ready for a run as soon as the right race appears. She has looked good in her work and hopefully has potential. FRECKENHAM has been given a bit of time after her run at Warwick and she looks to have done well for it. She is in at Brighton on Tuesday and looks in good order. CRY FOR JOY looks as though she is coming to herself, but is probably not quite as sharp as the other two.
LOCHAN MOR
LOCHAN MOR looks in great form and he is just crying out for some rain. He is in at Leicester on Saturday and also in at Warwick on Monday.
STAR SURPRISE AND SEE THE SMILE
STAR SURPRISE is in great form and looks as though he is shaping into a nice two-year-old. He was ridden by Jamie Spencer who seemed pleased with him. SEE THE SMILE is starting to come to himself and looked in good order in his first piece of faster work.
WAYWARD GLANCE AND RIVIERA STARS
WAYWARD GLANCE is a fine looking horse and he was doing his first piece of work since arriving in from Malcolm Bastard's. he certainly looked to know his job and he looked good, partnering RIVIERA STARS who looks as though he is maturing into a nice two-year-old.
PHOENIX CITY AND ROYAL LIAISON
PHOENIX CITY is a nice two year old filly, that is gradually being brought to the boil and should be ready to run shortly. She went well partnering ROYAL LIAISON who looks to have come on from her debut run at Newmarket. She is entered at Leicester on Saturday.
MOTIRANI, CRUNCHED AND BURGHLEY
MOTIRANI looked in good form after his gelding operation and he loved the softer underfoot conditions. CRUNCHED who gave an improved effort at Salisbury last time looked in good form here and he is entered at Doncaster on Sunday. BURGHLEY has been waiting for some cut in the ground and went nicely.
DR FINLEY
DR FINLEY went well ahead of his run at Goodwood working over seven furlongs.
MOYENNE CORNICHE
MOYENNE CORNICHE has been waiting for the rains to arrive and worked well on his own over seven furlong.
PROMPTER, MONT AGEL AND TACTICIAN
PROMPTER looked in great order and he went well with MONTAGEL and TACTICIAN who could be Ascot bound. They all finished nicely together working over six and three.
CONSIDER YOURSELF, FASCINATION AND BLUE ZEALOT
CONSIDER YOURSELF is in great form and looks to have put the problems of her last run behind her. She went well with the newcomer we acquired from Sir Michael Stoute's yard FASCINATION and also BLUE ZEALOT looks to be improving.
HIGHLAND LEGACY AND BIN END
HIGHLAND LEGACY worked well with BIN END and he is now due to take his chance at Sandown on Saturday. BIN END is in at Salisbury on Sunday and he appeared to move well on the peat moss gallops.
TUESDAY 8TH JUNE
AL DAFA rounded things off for us on Friday evening finishing third. He was wearing a visor for the first time and travelled well. He made good headway with two furlongs left to run and stayed on inside the final furlong. He showed improved effort from this 6lb higher mark and hopefully he will continue to give a good account ahead of the July Sales. He looks as though he may stay a bit further.
On Saturday we were kept really busy with runners up and down the country. STRONG VIGILANCE kicked things off for us at Doncaster where with the steady pace no use to him, he pulled to hard and then could not make an impression with the leaders simply not coming back to him when he got going. He is capable of winning races and hopefully now handicapped it will not be to long before he gets a win in the bag. Later on the card we had WIGMORE HALL running where again a slow pace did not help his chances. He was held up in last position early on, Hayley Turner took him to the outside at about halfway, obviously not wanting to get caught out, but at this point racing with no cover, he ended up being quite keen. Once under pressure in the straight, he did not help his chance by being inclined to edge left. He certainly would be better suited of a strong gallop and hopefully he will get that at Royal Ascot. Our last runner at this meeting was MAMA LULU who was expected to run a good race and she certainly did not disappoint. Having travelled really well for much of the way, she briefly looked as though she was going to win without having to be given too hard a time, but sadly she was picked off near the line by the eventual winner. She looks to have plenty of ability and will certainly come on from the race. Hopefully she should have a bright future. At Musselburgh we sent WILD ROSE to run in a competitive handicap. She never looked to be at the races and never got competitive in the race. She is certainly better than this run would suggest and we will keep an eye on her over the next few days before making further plans. At Epsom sadly we did not win the Derby with COORDINATED CUT but he did manage to finish seventh with a run coming from the back of the field. Held up for the majority of the race he stayed on quite well in the straight and he looks the sort to do better at this trip on a more conventional track. It was great to see WORKFORCE win as he is looked after by Paul Grassick who used to work here and did so for many years. He has devoted his whole life to racing and is a genuinely nice guy. Also for Ryan Moore who scooped the Oaks on the Friday and then the Derby on a Saturday, what an amazing weekend he must have had. He is looked after by Boney (Tony Hind), who is his agent and books his rides. Boney works hard and is very helpful, he is certainly one of the nicest jockeys agents and deserves his success having been in racing for many years. That left us with CONCEPTUAL ART at Lingfield to round off what was a busy day. He tracked the leaders and was ridden over two furlongs out. He stayed on at the same pace to finish fourth. He is now eligible for handicaps and should find life easier once he gets a mark.
On Sunday we were delighted with ALLIED POWERS who has now won his last two starts in France. He was waited with in rear of the field and was ridden with just over a furlong left to run. He ran on strongly inside final furlong and grabbed lead 50yds out, comfortably. He is such an amazing horse and the jockey who rode him loves the horse. He said that he was travelling so well and when asked to go he just quickened. Mr Mendizabel was delighted with the win but I am not really sure what he enjoyed most, the victory or the big kiss from our travelling head girl Gill Dolman, my money is definitely on the victory! A.P. has arrived back from Chantilly yesterday and appears in good form after the race.
Today we have just had to one runner, BABYCAKES at Salisbury. She raced quite keen early on but was given every chance in the home straight by Hayley Turner but probably found a well handicapped animal who beat her and she finished third. She is a consistent filly and hopefully there is more to come from her.
We are busy again tomorrow where we have SWEETIE TIME running at Haydock. She seems to have improved for the run and has been doing some nice bits of work. At Kempton we have chances with ACTIVATE who is in fine form and is hoping to gain his second win at the track. He is running consistently and should take all the beating. MADAME ROULIN is back on her favoured surface and it would be great to get a win out of her before the July Sales. REGENERATION is in great form after his victory at Warwick and hopefully will build on that success here. At Yarmouth we have COLLECT ART running and he has been such a star of late. Hopefully he will make it three out of three.
FRIDAY 4TH JUNE
We felt we were unlucky yesterday with RED AMY who ran on really well from such a long way back to finish fourth. Its a great shame as we felt the race was taylormade for her. She is in the July Sales and hopefully we will be able to get a win into her before then.
Today we have seen SARISKA run a fantastic race to finish second, beaten by Fame and Glory. She is such a tough filly and she gave such a good account of herself. She is the ultimate professional and behaved impeccably before the race whilst being saddled and in the parade ring. She travelled so well during the race and it looked as if, with two furlongs left to run that she was going to win the race but Fame and Glory found more and won nicely. It would have been great if the ground had been her favoured soft ground, but the winner is effective on this and on the day we were beaten by a better horse. Our only other runner this afternoon was GRAMERCY and he did not look comfortable on the undulating Epsom track, looking un-balanced coming down the hill. He ran on well when balanced to finish fifth or sixth. Tonight we have a chance with AL DAFA. He won last time although it looked hard work. He has been applied with a visor to help him travel during the race as he can be quite sluggish and we feel he is a progressive horse and should again run well.
It is such a busy weekend for us with with plenty of action at various meetings. WILD ROSE has headed up to Musselburgh. She is one of the bottom weights and on her previous runs she would certainly have a chance, but is looks a competitive enough affair and the winner Crosica beat ADMISSION at Hamilton on his last start. At Doncaster we have STRONG VIGILANCE running. He has been recently gelded and showed plenty of promise on his debut run. Hopefully if he can perform like this again he should run very well. WIGMORE HALL is in fantastic form and we were keen to get a run into him before Ascot. He has looked good in his work at home and we think he will give another good show here. Our last runner at Donny is a really nice two-year-old filly called MAMA LULU. She has looked promising in her work at home and we think she is a nice filly in the making. In the evening we have CONCEPTUAL ART running at Lingfield. He has finished third on his last two starts and looks as though he is really starting to get the hang of things. He is capable of winning races and it would be great to get a win in the bag. Our last runner of the day on Saturday is CONCEPTUAL ART in the Derby. He has a solid each way chance and we are hopeful he will be seen to good effect here. He will certainly have no problems on the ground and he looks as though he stays well. He also has the advantage of having gone round the racecourse. It would be great to see him get his head in front and hopefully if STRONG VIGILANCE wins it could give Mr Inman a double on the day.
On Sunday we have ALLIED POWERS heading to Chantilly where he runs in the Group 2 Grand Prix de Chantilly. He will be ridden again by Ioritz Mendezabel who seems to be his retained jockey at present. He gets on really well with the horse and with five runners we are confident he will give a good show. It goes without saying that he has a good chance going into the race off a win in a Group 3 but he would certainly not mind a bit more rain. He is a fantastic horse and we know he will give his enthusiastic owners a great day out.
WEDNESDAY 2ND JUNE
It was an amazing day yesterday with a double at Yarmouth when COLLECT ART and MARGOT DID took us to the 24 winner mark. It was great to see MARGOT DID win again and the fashion in which she did it in was just fantastic. She will now head to Royal Ascot where she will run in the Albany on the Friday of the meeting. Later on the card at Yarmouth we were delighted to get another win out of COLLECT ART. We fitted him with a first-time visor to help him travel and he showed improved form to maintain his unbeaten record in handicaps and to prove his effectiveness on fast ground. He is entered again on Tuesday but at this stage we are not sure that he is going to get a run. Earlier in the day we were slightly unlucky with JUICY PEAR who was given a lovely ride by our apprentice Ian Burns, but could not get up to beat the winner. He was another who was wearing a visor for the first time and although he looked a bit keen he travelled well, but just could not get his head in front.
Today after the withdrawal of LOCHAN MOR at Ripon tonight, it left us with just the one runner today and that was at Nottingham with DR FINLEY who was being ridden by Ian Burns again who was having his third ride in three days. He was forced to sit on the outside of the field for the majority of the race and raced keenly as a result. He tried to get into the race passing the four pole, but could never manage to get to the leaders and finished fourth.
We have just the one runner tomorrow at Lingfield where RED AMY should have a good chance. We hope that we have now found the right race conditions for her and expect her to give a good account of herself. Also tomorrow we have SARISKA heading of with GRAMERCY to Epsom where she has been declared to run in the Coronation Cup. She has nine opponents to face which include the mighty Fame and Glory who also goes into the race on a win. its really exciting and hopefully our golden girl will give a good account of herself. GRAMERCY has been in good form after his run at Salisbury and hopefully he will have conditions more in his favour here. Also on Friday we have AL DAFA running who goes into the race off a win at Nottingham. He has been in great form since his win and we think he has the ability to be progressive.
Today the horses workd on the Peat Moss and it was a really foggy day and you could not see hardly anything.
FRECKENHAM, SWEETIE TIME AND INDIAN CHARLIE EX SISTER GIRL
It was great to see these three fillies work so nicely, especially as the INDIAN CHARLIE EX SISTER GIRL had her owner Saif Ali watching her. She is ready to run as soon as she is named and hopefully this time the name DANCING INDIAN will be registered after we had Indian war Dance rejected in America.
STAR SURPRISE
STAR SURPRISE is being brought to the boil and is near the entry stage.
CRY FOR JOY AND EMPRESS CHARLOTTE
CRY FOR JOY is heading the right way as is EMPRESS CHARLOTTE who went well joining her as they met the rising ground.
HISTORY REPEATING AND ROSA MIDNIGHT
These two fillies are coming along nicely and will probably need a bit more time, but they are heading in the righ direction and could be ready to run later in the month.
MADAME ROULIN AND BABYCAKES
MADAME ROULIN worked well here and she has been pencilled in for the 9th June back on the all weather surface, which she has shown a liking for. BABYCAKES has been entered at Salisbury on Tuesday and she hopefully can keep her improved form going.
GRAMERCY
GRAMERCY looked in good form ahead of his run at Epsom on Friday.
HYPNOTIZED
HYPNOTIZED was in good form and he could possibly run next at Royal Ascot.
MOYENNE CORNICHE
MOYENNE CORNICHE was in good form and he will run as soon as we get plenty of wet weather.
CRUNCHED
CRUNCHED looked in good order after his race at Salisbury.
ADMISSION
ADMISSION is in cracking form and he pleased the head lad with the way he worked.
PROMPTER
PROMPTER is entered at the weekend and he looks to be well over his Chester run and was in great form.
MONT AGEL AND WIGMORE HALL
MONT AGEL looks in fantastic form and he was not declared for Friday at epsom. he is in on Saturday at Epsom and I think wherever he runs he will give a good account of himself. WIGMORE HALL is in great form and could run at Doncaster on Saturday.
STRONG VIGILANCE AND COORDINATED CUT
STRONG VIGILANCE looks to be back in good form after his gelding operation and he led our Derby runner COORDINATED CUT who went well ahead of the big race.
HIGHLAND LEGACY AND WILD ROSE
HIGHLAND LEGACY looked in great form as he led WILD ROSE who heads to Musselburgh on Saturday,
MONDAY
