- Monday, 22 September 2014 15:55
- Written by David Pipe
Following another three winners last week taking our seasonal tally to 33, it is encouraging to note that despite a smaller team of summer jumpers than some of our contemporaries the good form of the horses has kept us very much in the hunt towards the fore of the trainers’ table through these very early stages of the season. A strike rate of 28% confirms the wellbeing of the yard and I hope we can carry this momentum through the remainder of the season – with the big names back in from their summer holidays and their preparations now well underway, these are exciting times indeed.
Newton Abbot has proven a happy hunting ground over the years and we saddled a double there with our only runners last week and followed that up with another double on Friday courtesy of Party Girls and Hawkhill. Party Girls improved to be the ready winner of the seller – I was particularly pleased to get a win to her name as she belongs to the most difficult owner in the yard (my father)! On a serious note, she clearly benefitted from the change of headgear and a change of tactics under Michael Heard who was able to claim a not inconsiderable 10lbs off her back. While this was a poor contest, she could be up to winning something similar.
The double was completed by Hawkhill who was impressive in winning the 2m6f handicap hurdle under Kieron Edgar. Another to make all of the running, he saw out this longer distance well and should continue to pay his way, especially when there is a little more ease in the ground. Meanwhile over at Worcester both Navanman and Houston Dynimo performed with credit to both finish second. Navanman looked unlucky to ‘bump into one’ in the bumper but he duly came clear of the remainder of the field. He should have little problem winning something similar and will progress particularly when sent over hurdles/fences over a stiffer test of stamina.
Our third and final winner of the week came at Plumpton yesterday (Sunday). Famousandfearless made a winning debut over fences for the Bravo Partnership in the 2m4f novices’ handicap chase. Despite the burden of top weight, he just got the better of a prolonged tussle with front runner Jewellery under Tom Scudamore. The horse ran in the colours of the late and very much missed David Johnson (who was a member of the original partnership) and it was especially poignant as yesterday would have marked DJ’s birthday. The Johnson family continue to be great supporters of the yard and I am looking forward to seeing their colours carried on course by the likes of Red Sherlock and The Package in the season ahead.
Looking to the week ahead, the first jumping of the week comes from Perth on Wednesday and Thursday and we have half a dozen entries spread across the two day meeting including unbeaten four year old novice chaser Ainsi Fideles. We also have entries at Worester on Friday and Market Rasen on Saturday. The Market Rasen card at the weekend features some valuable races including a Listed handicap hurdle and chase as well as a class 2 juvenile hurdle. We have made entries for Shotavodka and Houston Dynimo in the chase, Purple ‘N Gold in the hurdle and ex-French flat recruit Unanimité in the juvenile. As usual to get the latest on who goes where, be sure to check Chester’s Daily Chat.
We were paid a visit by the Racegoers Club last Friday on their way through to Newton Abbot races. Around 60 members turned up for a tour of the yard as well as the opportunity to see some of the horses in action on the gallops, before we enjoyed refreshments and tried to mark the Newton Abbot card. The Racegoers Club had a filly in training with us a few years ago called Floraline and hopefully we will be able to have another for them in the future. Despite the poor weather, I think that everyone had a nice time and hopefully they backed a few winners too!
I know my father was very disappointed to miss the visit, but he is currently away in Hong Kong. As you may have seen in Chester’s column, he has already persuaded my mother to attend a day at the races at Sha Tin where he met trainer (and former conditional jockey) Sean Woods. Whilst he was there he also met Mark Richards (now an employee of the Hong Kong Jockey Club) who rode a number of times for him (including twice in the Grand National) and Corals former PR man Wally Pyrah.
Left: MCP with Mark Richards and Right: with Wally Pyrah
We always like to keep in touch with how some of our former inmates are getting on in their retirement and I was particularly pleased to hear from Richard Wilkin the other day about Sir Frank. ‘Frank’ now a nine year old is now enjoying a happy second career competing in dressage and duly picked up a rosette in his first ever contest. Richard, his owner commissioned the following beautiful portrait which was painted by Lucinda Stucley, sister of Tom Scudamore’s wife, Lottie. It really does capture the essence of the horse and I am sure it will be treasured by Richard for years to come.
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