Secrecy Scores At Salisbury!

Over 5,000 people turned up at Salisbury races yesterday for the Bathwick Tyres sponsored meeting.  The repeat of the free entry initiative certainly did the trick again, and the spectators were treated to a Frankie Dettori signature flying dismount after his victory aboard Secrecy.  It was obviously no secret that he was well-fancied as he started at odds of 1/2!  Let's hope that some of the first time race goers in attendance will come back and maybe pay next time - I firmly believe that more courses should have free entry days in the hope that they may capture more racing fans.

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If you were to have discussed the up-coming England versus Montenegro football match at Wembley ten years ago, you would have come to the conclusion that England would have posted a cricket score.  How times have changed...Montenegro have won all three of their matches against Wales, Bulgaria and Switzerland by 1-0, and quite a few of their team play in decent leagues abroad - this may not be quite as one-sided as we all would like.

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There is a good picture in today's Racing Post of Nicky Richards riding out - I wonder how many trainers still ride work?  I know a lot of the flat trainers around Newmarket still attend the gallops on their hacks, but I can't remember the last time I saw another picture of a trainer participating in the exercise of their string.  I think the last time I can remember was when Martin had the leg-up one!

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There was a staff training day yesterday when a number of the team attended an emergency aid course run by St John Ambulance.  Delegates learned CPR techniques, how to dress wounds, how to deal with seizures, head injuries, fractures and burns etc.  The course was put on as a complimentary measure and it was an enjoyable and informative afternoon for the staff who took plenty from the event that they can put into practice both around the yard or during other everyday scenarios.