I had a good day at Wimbledon with Jane and our two daughters. In truth the girls were a bit too young to appreciate it and they got bored towards the end. When Andy Murray went two sets down we decided to call it a day and head home. Oh well.
I spent most of the morning with Tom Goff who is just back from Japan. There’s a big foal sale coming up and I may look to get involved, either in the sale or buying privately. Deep Impact is the name of the moment out there, this being his first year – it’s nice to be looking at pedigrees that are slightly different as they cross well with European stallions (if ever I get that far).
I had a decent bet on Caprio at Brighton this afternoon. I didn’t watch the race but I watched it unfold on Betfair – he traded a load at 1.01 but lost in a photo. Annoying. I should have traded out – I had a long chat with Tom Dascombe today and he said that Caprio would run well but Brighton is a difficult track for a 2yo. I had a couple of tight photos go my way on Saturday so I can’t complain.
Tom was very positive about his horses in general. A few of his horses haven’t been quite as he’d have liked recently, but he thinks they are all looking fantastic now. Max One Two Three has been lame after kicking off a shoe but she’s coming right slowly – she’ll be back. Shawhill is in work and she’s filled out a lot during her long enforced rest – she may be out in six weeks or so. Parisian Gift should be out on Thursday week at Warwick. I’m starting to get excited about Marine Boy, who is doing it very nicely on the gallops now and isn’t far off a run. He eats loads but is still quite lean – he hasn’t been in fast work yet but he just looks the part.
Tom is off to the US tomorrow where Zaskar will run in a group 1. It will be the last time this cheaply bought filly runs for Tom – she has been sold to the US.
I have a runner tonight – Lilac Moon goes in the 8:30 at Lingfield, and I’m expecting her to run a big race. Nicky reckons she’s better than he’s ever had her before and she’s run well over course and distance before. It’s always tough in these low grade handicaps as often as not one or two in the race run well above their marks and she isn’t ideally drawn, but we know how to ride her and she generally breaks well enough to get out of trouble. She’ll be run from the front if she can get there – worth a partial trade out in running and should last home so could be worth a place bet as well.
In other news; Kings Head is currently in the Old Newton’s Cup at Haydock on Saturday, and if the ground stays on the fast side he should have a great chance. I’ve won the race twice before as a part owner of Glide Path many years ago. Pansy Potter is close to a run. Bouguereau is being aimed at the Bahrain Trophy next Thursday – it’s a listed race over 1m5f.
Winker is on target for the Prix Jean Prat, which looks as if it could be a hot race. Raven’s Pass may go, as may Twice Over and Aqlaam.