England Stumped By Aussies!

Just when I thought that the England cricket team were cruising along nicely in the first Test of the Ashes series, suddenly the Aussies bounced back thanks to a hat-trick from birthday boy Siddle Tricker.  Yes, the Australian pace bowler took three wickets in three balls (all different dismissals - a clean bowled, catch and an LBW) to leave England reeling.  As with our footballers - perhaps it is just a case of us building up our sportsmen to be better than they really are?  The Aussies certainly looked sharp in the field today, and now it looks as though England are facing an uphill struggle just to save the first Test.  I didn't realise that Siddle was that fast or sharp, maybe it is because he was full of birthday cheer?...or am I just making excuses?!

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With cold weather forecast up and down the country, I see that Uttoxeter have covered their entire track ahead of this afternoon's meeting.  The pictures certainly look very impressive, and while there was a precautionary inspection at 8.30am this morning, the good news is that due to their diligence, racing goes ahead - well done!  I wonder how much it costs to cover an entire racecourse?  I suppose the main cost is manpower to put the covers down and take them back up again.  I also wonder how many other courses have the ability to cover their entire track?

The covers may not be enough to save Newcastle's Fighting Fifth meeting this Saturday.  They currently have five inches of snow on top of their covers and with further snow forecast, the trouble is going to be moving them at all!  With the worst November freeze in seventeen years forecast for the end of the month, it could be a quiet time on the racing front.

No such problems at Pond House, and despite it being more than just a little nippy, work carries on very much as usual on the gallops.  Below you will see a couple of pictures of Minella Four Star working in company with Theyellowlough, and recent French recruit Decoy working upsides Monopole.

   
Above Left: (l-r) Minella Four Star & Theyellowlough, and right: (l-r) Decoy & Monopole