Take The Week Off!

It would appear that I picked the wrong week to take my holidays!  Having enjoyed a break in Portugal the week before last (when the weather here was at its finest), this week sees a blank in the National Hunt calendar and a weather forecast that suggests waterproofs are the order of the day rather than my Speedos!  Indeed, our only possible runner during the week ahead comes at Sandown on Thursday where Togiak is entered in a 1m2f handicap.

It would appear that I picked the wrong week to take my holidays!  Having enjoyed a break in Portugal the week before last (when the weather here was at its finest), this week sees a blank in the National Hunt calendar and a weather forecast that suggests waterproofs are the order of the day rather than my Speedos!  Indeed, our only possible runner during the week ahead comes at Sandown on Thursday where Togiak is entered in a 1m2f handicap.

Of our runners last week, Beyond proved something of a disappointment on the level at Goodwood in the 2m5f Goodwood Stakes, a race that he had finished fourth in twelve months before.  Having held a good position throughout it was disappointing to see him weaken out of contention in the straight.  Significant rain the evening before had turned the ground good/soft and is the likeliest explanation for this performance - he can show himself to be much better than this on quicker ground.

Royal Peak (pictured left) was the ready winner of a novices’ handicap hurdle at Stratford on Thursday, leading two out en route to an impressive nineteen lengths victory under Tom Scudamore.  The step up in trip to 2m6½f certainly seemed to help him, as did this faster surface – our six year old has only had eight career starts and is open to further improvement.  With that success under his belt there is no reason to think that he cannot continue to progress from here.  Incidentally, he is currently for sale to stay in the yard and represents good value at an asking price of £10,000 – he is fit and ready to run and will do so as soon as National Hunt racing returns.  If you would be interested in purchasing this son of Bach, please do call 01884 840715 for further information during office hours.

I went to Newton Abbot on Saturday and had an enjoyable day with our three runners.  I thought that Shoegazer ran a respectable race under top-weight when finishing a close sixth in the big staying handicap hurdle on his seasonal reappearance.  He had a marvellous season last term, picking up five chases on ground varying from good/firm to heavy and while life could prove tough from a rating of 138 over timber and 144 over fences he is a tough and genuine performer who will continue to perform with credit under both codes over the coming months.

Earlier in the day we flung open the doors to Pond House and greeted the Cheltenham and Three Counties Race Club (pictured right) who convene every month to hold meetings with prominent racing names and organise trips to various establishments.  They were able to see a number of horses in action on the gallops and enjoyed a tour of the yard, including a demonstration of the mechanical horse before heading off to the races in the afternoon.

Much as anticipated, Richard Hughes enjoyed a memorable week at Glorious Goodwood and finished up as top jockey at the meeting for an amazing fourth consecutive year so congratulations to him on that achievement.  I don’t think anyone rides Goodwood better than him and my point could not have been better illustrated than by his ride aboard Toronado in the ‘Duel On The Downs’ for the Sussex Stakes.  Brought wide and late by the champion jockey, Toronado pipped old rival Dawn Approach for the first time by a cheeky ½ length – hopefully there will be more exciting encounters between these tip-top milers during the remainder of the flat season.

Looking forward, I have once again been scouring the form books and sales catalogues to unearth the next potential superstar as the Doncaster Sales commence tomorrow with a number of flat and National Hunt horses in training going through the auction ring.  If you are interested in becoming an owner at Pond House, please do feel free to contact me for a no obligation chat about your requirements.

Also tomorrow Paul Stewart, son of Andy Stewart (owner of Big Buck’s et al) embarks on an incredible challenge.  Paul was seriously injured following a snow boarding accident in December 2008 which left him partially paralysed and experts suggesting that he would never walk again.  Paul has made an amazing recovery to the point that he can walk with the aid of sticks and has been training hard to undertake a 2½ mile swim, 112 mile cycle and 26 mile walk in addition to climbing the cliff from which he fell almost five years ago.  Paul is a truly inspirational man and he is fundraising for the Spinal Research and Wings For Life charities – you can donate by visiting www.ironspinechallenge.com.

With the break in the racing calendar I think I will take the opportunity to check out friend and local author Hilary Bonner’s latest novel ‘The Cruellest Game’.  Hilary was kind enough to let me have an advance copy of her book which is on general release from next month, although pre-orders are currently being taken through Amazon (among other companies).

Finally, I would just like to add my thoughts on the tragedy that has befallen Australian racing with the fatal fall of Simone Montgomerie this morning at Fannie Bay, Darwin.  Although I had never met Simone, it is a catastrophe that sends shockwaves through the racing industry worldwide when something like this happens.  Simone was only 26 and a mother of two, and it reminds us of the risks that these jockeys take every time they climb aboard a horse for our entertainment.  We send our thoughts and prayers to Simone’s family and friends at this terribly sad time.