- Monday, 28 June 2021 15:08
- Written by David Pipe
Although the season is still only young, I continue to be pleased by the form of the stable. Indeed, two winners from three runners last week is not a bad yield at all. Pick Up The Pieces (pictured above) made a winning start for the stable on Monday and we rounded off the week with a winner on the level when Lady Reset made the long trip up to Doncaster worthwhile on Saturday night
Perfect Pieces
We made the best possible start to the week when Pick Up The Pieces claimed the Newton Abbot bumper on his racecourse/stable debut on Monday. Given a positive ride from Tom Scudamore, he jumped off in front and never saw another rival, pulling out more in the straight to win by a decisive 2¼ lengths from a rival who had already shown useful form.
This was an encouraging start, given that this was his first ever race and he was conceding 12lbs to the runner-up. Despite his inexperience, he was very professional and showed a likeable attitude. Homebred by his owner, William Harrison-Allan, he looks to have a nice prospect on his hands. He holds an entry in another Newton Abbot bumper later in the week and there are other similar races coming up for him shortly.
Percy Street finished fifth in the amateur riders’ handicap hurdle over 2m1f at Newton Abbot the following day, sticking on without threatening the leaders, giving the impression that a stiffer test of stamina will suit these days. He has plenty of ability and could perhaps win more often than he does, but he is on a decent mark nowadays and should pop up at some point.
Reset Wins Again
Lady Reset was our final runner of the week and made the 470 mile round trip to Doncaster count when winning the 1m2f fillies’ handicap under Laura Pearson. Held up at the rear, she came with a well-timed challenge to lead inside the final furlong and score cosily by ½ length.
Her recent Leicester success certainly seems to have done her confidence the world of good and she has a good record on the level, taking her tally on turf to four wins from seven starts. She is very much ground dependent and appreciated the drying conditions here. Whilst she remains in such good fettle, she may run again shortly (we have entered her at Leicester and Beverley this morning) and there is the option of reverting to hurdles again this summer.
Laura Pearson, who broke into the big time with success at the Royal Ascot meeting aboard Lola Showgirl is a very capable apprentice jockey and is great value for her 5lbs claim. Interestingly, she helped to break Lady Reset in and rode her during her time with previous trainer, David Evans. I am delighted that it was such a successful reacquaintance!
Sales Season
As you all know, we are constantly on the lookout for equine stars to strengthen our squad and aside from the claiming and selling races that we have consistently done so well with in the past, there are also the auctions and the Arqana Sales at Deauville starts tomorrow. It is a sale that we have done well at in the past, with the likes of Dell’ Arca, Vieux Lion Rouge and Dynaste all purchased from there.
If you would like to join the ranks of owners with our winning team we would be thrilled to hear from you. We try to make the ownership experience as inclusive and enjoyable for everyone, be they owners of a string of horses or members of our racing club.
Stag Success
The success of Lady Reset gave me further reason to celebrate on Saturday evening as I was in Bristol with some friends for my stag party. As my best man at my forthcoming wedding will be my son, Jack there wasn’t an enormous amount of pre-planning for the stag (my fault for appointing an eleven year old!) but we had a great time nonetheless. Sadly Jack had to stay at home, but we went playing golf in the afternoon and frequented a few Bristol hostelries by the evening.
The girls spent the day in Bath in an escape room before having a crack (pardon the pun) at a bit of life drawing.
Everyone made it home safely and nobody was arrested so I think that can be used as a good barometer of success!
