Early morning call
Dec 7th, 2008 by Bert
If there’s one thing I dread it’s when a trainer calls me unexpectedly in the early morning. Gary Moore called me early on Friday - Mon Michel is probably out for the season with a leg problem. We don’t know how bad it is yet as he kicked and broke the scanner when we tried to take a look, but we know that there is a problem.
It’s all part of the racing game unfortunately. My luck is definitely out at the moment - it’s been a poor season all round and it’s not getting any better. Maybe things will improve today.
King’s Head goes at Lingfield, and he’s working extremely well at home. He was tailed off last time, but I think he was ridden wrongly that day - today he’ll be dropped in right out the back and brought with a late run. He should run a very decent race and I think he has win chances. I’m not sure he’s betting material though - Gary also runs Celtic Spirit and he looks like the stronger proposition of the two.
Parisian Gift runs for the first time since we sold him - he went to the Australian trainer Jeremy Gask. Jeremy is the trainer at Horses First Racing Ltd, an operation owned and managed by Eamonn Wilmott - www.horsesfirstracing.com. They’ve been having a few winners of late. Tom runs The Game in the same race - I called him to see what he thought.
Tom’s view is that PG is a big, strong and capable horse, but he’s had niggling problems and it’s been difficult getting him to the track fully fit and well. The last time he raced for us he was a little disappointing. Being a big horse he’ll take time to get fit, and he may still need this. The Game is an uncomplicated animal who is well in himself - he may try to make all. Tom think’s he’s the safer and better option for this race - whether he can see off River Thames is another question.
Tom runs three today, and they all look to have good chances - the stable is in excellent form. The Game is giving weight to River Thames, which is not an easy ask, but the 1 draw is quite a positive. Saucy is a bit inconsistent but is capable on her day. Yellow Printer looks a fair proposition - three out of Tom’s last four 2yo runners have won. The prices aren’t great though.
3 Responses to “Early morning call”
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Sorry to hear about Mon Michel. I have been watching Tom’s horses of late and what has surprised me is he is continuing to keep going useful animals such as Noverre To Go this late on. I have presumed this is due to quiet period his yard had late summer early autumn. Watched the racing at Sandown yesterday and believe most of the form will hold up well in coming months some quality animals on show.
A most welcome treble for Tom D and Richard K at Lingfield today. Great stuff!
I followed your advice and backed Tom’s horses. Your luck may have turned as Kings Head I thought ran well too.
Thanks for early Christmas bonus.