Darth Jackson

Quaker Parrot ran a fair race, finishing in the pack – stepping up to that level was a big ask.  Tom won the race with ease with his other runner, Don’t Tell Mary.  Tom tried to buy this filly at the sales but was outbid by David Redvers – he went up to Redvers after the sale and said he really liked the filly and would love to train her.  His approach paid off when the owner sent him the filly.

Quaker Parrot is one of five fillies owned by the Timeform Betfair Racing Club Partnership – that’s the TBRC, me, Tom and Mick.  The TBRC have all the race rights – colours, entry tickets etc.  We agreed that I’d be allowed to name the fillies – it’s something I find tough but I don’t mind a challenge and assuming the names are accepted I finished this morning;

Compton Place / Little Greenbird – Quaker Parrot. A quaker parrot is small and green.

Country Reel / Sister Celestine – Where’s the Soap.  Mick is responsible for this one – something to do with nuns (i.e. Sister Celestine) but I didn’t understand.

Orpen / Morale – Cyan Eyed.  Orpen is by Lure, Morale is by Bluebird.  An alluring blue bird – I thought blue eyeshadow etc.

Lando / Lovigna – Open Glory.  Lando ‘ope and glory etc.

Green Tune / Dirigeante – Nancy Spain.  Suggested by David O’Reilly, this is an Irish song (green tune).  Nancy was a well known broadcaster/journalist who died on the way to the National one year.

I tried to get a haircut today but the wait was too long.  I probably get my hair cut every three to six months, and it can get pretty bushy.  Yesterday was the last straw when someone told me I looked like Susan Boyle – I’m hoping it was a reference to my hair but I’m not sure.

The children have the week off so we’re watching Britain’s Got Talent every night – last night was a night off.  I’ve enjoyed cheering on all the no-hopers and looking distraught when they don’t get through.  I make comments like “I can’t beleeeve Darth Jackson didn’t make it” and the girls make comments like “Dad – you’re such a loser”.  It might help to explain the lack of respect that I suffer from in my household.  Amazingly my pick won Tuesday’s heat when the brilliant father son duo “Stavros Flatley” won the public vote.  I will of course be cheering them on in the final.

I don’t have a strong view on who will win BGT, but I don’t think it will be Susan Boyle, or SuBo as she is now called.  I might rename some of my friends in this way.  Steve Morana and Mick Stone become Steamo and Misto – I quite like that.  I become Berble – not so sure about that.

I have some runners coming up on Saturday.  Winker doesn’t go as he isn’t quite right.  Major Eazy goes at Goodwood, Marine Boy goes at York and I have three runners in the same race at Newbury.  I’ll provide an optimistic update later.

I’m having one bet today.  Racketeer goes in the 8:20 at Sandown tonight.  I stood in front of John Gosden when he last ran – my friend asked him how he’d go.  Gosden said he’d need it – he won well, but looked like he’d improve for the run.  He takes a step up in class tonight – I think he’ll be comfortably up to the task.