Horses First Racing

A week of placings..... - 19th July 2009

Last night at Haydock we brought up our sixth place getter in as many runners when FLYING SILKS ran a solid third at his first go on soft ground and over the mile. Being by Barathea it was expected he would appreciate the ground as he has found it a bit firm previously however i was very happy with the way he found the line over the mile and i am looking forward to seeing him progress this year.

Wednesday night almost went off with a bang at Kempton when CHIEF EXEC looked slightly unlucky when coming from last to just fail. He looks in great form at the moment and we'll see him out again soon.

Friday proved a good one with VAMOS starting the day off with a solid second at Nottingham. With blinkers on for the first time i was reluctant to step him up to 7f but he will now head that way next time out.

LAW OF ATTRACTION raced greenly to hold onto third in the following race. I have a bit of time for this bloke and when he learns what it is all about he will make a horse.

MEDECIAN MAN also ran third at Haydock. after his good win previously. He looked to not be entirely happy with the ground though i was very happy with his run considering he never really looked to travel well mid race. He has pulled up very well as usual and is one to keep following.

NEW LEYF rounded off a 'consistent', if not winning day when running third at Newmarket in the evening. He looked to appreciate the give in the ground and though hanging slightly i think he has made a good step forward and will improve with a slight change in gear to correct his wayward tendency. He is a slightly tricky customer at times but will continue to improve.

One might expect us to be a little frustrated with those results but in actual fact i was happy as i can say they all ran to my honest expectations with a couple perhaps exceeding them. it shows the horses are in good form though so a change of luck will come.

Going back to Wednesday night i did think the Stewards were a bit harsh on Clare by giving her three meetings after her ride on the Chief. There are however subtle differences to the rules from what she is used to in Australia. Her ride would not have led to any ban there. She also was surprised she had no chance to defend her actions as they do in Australian racing when charged with a riding offence.

It does seem to me that in the UK the riders are punished quite severely for what i would call 'marginal' offences yet are relatively lightly treated with more serious riding offences.

In the past i can remember more than one occasion when the owner of one of my horses has paid a fine incurred by a jockey trying to achieve the best possible place for his horse. I don't for one second condone dangerous riding but do like seeing a bit of natural aggression in a tight situation. One of those moments occurred yesterday with the ride by RICHARD HUGHES on MONSIEUR CHEVALIER. The gap he chose about a furlong out was not great but he had no hesitation in taking it. A change of course may have seen a different result and lead to criticism. What a fine line it is between hero and zero!

A day off today with no flat racing here which i have to say is quite nice as it gives the staff and myself a chance to relax after a busy couple of weeks.

I will unfortunately have to make mention of the cricket after a great day at Lords on Thursday. What started as a relatively sedate day livened up with plenty of runs and wickets. A great thrill to be there and enjoy the players lounge where i managed to catch up with some old mates from my school and sporting days. After sharing a couple of beers, the stories from the glory days dominated until one of the lads brought up our current physical condition! I retired hurt and headed for the door.

This morning Darcie, Larnie and Harrison are a bit confused why we are all out on the lawn doing a rain dance on a Sunday. They will get it one of these days..........

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