Sunday 12th July
July 12, 2015
On Thursday we started the afternoon off at Doncaster with GIANT SHADOW. He chased the leaders and was ridden along over two furlongs out. He soon weakened and a decision has been made to geld him now. He is certainly not concentrating on the job in hand and hopefully this will release the ability that we know he has. Later on the card BIG ORANGE bounced back to form with a fantastic win at Newmarket’s July meeting. Given a lovely ride by Jamie Spencer and with the addition of first-time cheek pieces proved the key. Having made much of the running he appeared to relish the stiff finish to get his head back in front on the climb to the line. He is in the Goodwood Cup, but we will have to see how he is before making a decision if he will go that route. Later on the card TAPER TANTRUM did not run as well as expected. He took a keen hold in the first time hood when held up towards the rear. He was ridden three furlongs from home and soon looked beaten. We really need to find the key to him again as on his first run of the season at Epsom he should be very competitive in these sort of races. We rounded the day off at Newbury with MODEST. She was ridden two furlongs out to make her challenge and kept on inside final furlong, but had not got the pace to get involved.
On Friday we started the afternoon off at Ascot with GOLDEN HELLO. He was held up in the rear and was ridden over two furlongs out. He soon made no progress and was well beaten. At Chepstow it was great to get off the mark with STONE ROSES. She went into the race on the back of some consistent efforts. She raced keenly and was allowed a fairly easy lead. She quickened away in the latter stages and won nicely in what looked a fairly weak race. She is certainly on the upgrade and hopefully will be up to building up a sequence. Later on the card ON THE HUH failed to impress again. He was a little slowly away and raced towards the rear. He made some headway over one furlong out, but could not make any further impression in the final furlong. I think he really needs to get back to a softer surface as he has been working very nicely on the watered gallop at home. We rounded the evening off at Chester with BANDITRY who was hoping to get another win on the board. He had to be re-shod before the start which would not have helped things. He did well to finish second given the way the race was run, and he should remain of interest for similar races. He looks on an upward curve.
On Saturday we started the afternoon off at Newmarket with THEM AND US who gave another consistent effort. He saw out the extra furlong well and showed a gritty attitude, but could not get to the leaders. We rounded the afternoon off at the track with BOCKING END. She was steadied at the start and raced in touch in the last pair. She was ridden entering the final two furlongs and was beaten entering the rising ground. It was a hot looking maiden and she is sure to come on for it. At Ascot we started the afternoon off with RAY’S THE BAR who scored a very nice victory in good fashion. He settled nicely off the gallop and loomed up travelling nicely just doing enough. He is clearly a useful prospect and will presumably head straight into nurseries where he will continue to be progressive. He looks an exciting prospect. We rounded the afternoon off with NEYMAR who kept on late, but was never a serious threat. He is sure to win again and we just need to find the right race for him.
We have no runners tomorrow, and then on Tuesday TARANDO takes her chance at Lingfield. She ran a really good race on her last start and hopefully she can go one better next time.
This morning the horses worked on the watered gallop.
Left to right – George Cinq and Touchline
Left to right – Duck a L’Orange and Strathearn
Aussie Berry (Visor) and Instant Karma
Franklin D (Orange Jacket) and Jargon
Storytale (Blue Cap) and Strait of Magellan