I was out all day yesterday playing golf – I returned to find my blog overrun with comments on Betfair’s premium charge. This is my private blog specifically dedicated to horse racing, and I think it should stay that way – I’ve always tried to steer clear of Betfair related topics in here. This morning I deleted all of the BF related comments on …
Feeling sheepish
No good for Pansy, but an fair run and the general view seems to be that she’s still a bit of a baby and will progress as the season goes on. She didn’t look to get the mile and seven furlongs looks more the ticket. Next time out we’ll run her up with the pace a little more. The positives; …
Comeback trail
I’m having a quiet time of it at the moment – the weather’s been horrible and I’ve had a bad cold. I haven’t had any runners and I haven’t been betting either – I’m still licking my wounds from my big bet on Marine Boy. Marine Boy may come out again at Haydock on Saturday, and we’ll be looking for …
New Fillies
I bought another yearling filly at Deauville – probably my last expensive purchase for a while. She’s by Sadlers Wells out of Race the Wild Wind – a Grade 1 winner in the states. She’s a half sister to King Charlemagne and Meshaheer. I’d say she’s the best bred filly I have. here’s a picture; I also bought a 2yo …
Sticky wicket
It was refreshing to read Johnny Murtagh’s comments from the Juddmonte as reported in the Sunday Times. Far from the usual denials and no comment on accusations of team tactics, Murtagh divulges all. Explaining the team’s tactics, he goes on to say “it’s what Ballydoyle is all about”, suggesting that these type of tactics are the norm. Tony Coleman champions the …
Wild West
Another day another very suspect group 1 win for Ballydoyle. I watched the Juddmonte on Channel 4 – the commentary was revealing; ” … and Duke of Marmalade has had a wonderful passage through… ” Sure he did – a nice gap opened up in front of him at exactly the right time between Red Rock Canyon and the rail. …
A bad weekend at the office
Ugh. My hopes and dreams from Friday lie crushed and broken. Marine Boy‘s run was too bad to be true. He’s a lot better than that – in a sense I’d have been more concerned if he’d been beaten a couple of lengths. He scoped clean after the race and he trotted up fine – we couldn’t see anything wrong. …
Bring it on
I travelled up to Newmarket late on Monday night with Mick and we checked into a hotel. In the morning I went down to watch work with Pete. Winker was out first lot. He worked extremely well without seeming to extend himself – Pete thought it was there or thereabouts his nicest piece of work this year. Nicky Nutjob, an …
Tough assignment
A brilliant hatrick for Lilac Moon. It shows how much pleasure there is to be had in the lower reaches of the racing game – it doesn’t all have to be about shooting for the stars. Lilac’s hatrick can be put down to a whole host of things; High on the list is her attitude to racing – puts it all in and finds a little …
I’m going on The Game
Some interesting racing today, including a couple of runners for me. Lilac Moon goes in the last at Newmarket and Pansy Potter in the 4:25 at Newbury. Tom Dascombe runs a couple of likely types today, and they may both be worth following. Blakfrankisch runs in the first at Newbury, and is ridden by Michaela Sowerby. Michaela is a quality pair …