- Sunday, 25 August 2024 11:53
- Written by David Pipe
Sirekoff Winning Start Newton Abbot
Jumps racing returned last Monday following a three-week break and we returned to action with a bang with a winner at Worcester followed by a Newton Abbot double as well. Oceanline won his second race over hurdles at Worcester, winning the 2m7f handicap hurdle with Jack Tudor riding. Our six year old had been in fairly good form in three runs on the flat so far this summer and it was great for him to transfer this to hurdles. He was towards the front throughout but led leaving the back straight the last time and was never caught. He was idling a little on the run-in but was always just doing enough. The handicapper is putting him up six pounds for this success so there is no need to run him again too quickly with options back at Worcester in September and then we may go back to Ascot to try and win on the flat again, the race he won last year.
Via Dante Oceanline
Our Newton Abbot double came thanks to stable debutant, Sirekoff and Via Dante who won the lucky last. I bought Sirekoff at Doncaster sales last month after he finished second on his last run in Ireland in a maiden hurdle. The winner of that race has won again since so the form was good and it was a pleasing stable debut from our five year old. I thought the track might be a little sharp for him over 2m2f but he travelled strongly, jumped well and kept finding for pressure when Jack Tudor asked him. This was his owner, Mark Boulton (South West Rail Solutions) first ever runner so it was an emotional and brilliant success for everyone! He is likely to appreciate further in time but it was a very pleasing start and there will be plenty more fun to be had with him.
Via Dante is a character and it was very pleasing to finally get a win from the seven year old. He has been at the yard since he was an unraced three year old. He has tried my patience many times as we know he has ability but he is a playful sort who doesn’t always choose to channel his energy in the right direction! He has always promised more but things have not happened for him on the track and it is great things finally came together on the same day to produce a win. There were lots of members of the David Pipe Racing Club present to welcome him into the winners enclosure and after Dindin also ran a nice race to be third in the chase earlier in the day they were all delighted having backed them both each way at big prices! You too could join the fun of the David Pipe Racing Club, for just £150 a year. You get plenty of action on the track and lots of regular updates about the six horses currently running in the black and white colours. We also have a club morning coming up in September so now is a great time to join as you get a visit to the yard to meet the horses very soon as well. For more information and to join, Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Telephone 01884 840715.
No Dream Start
It wasn’t quite a fairy tale start for young Jack Pipe’s first runner, African Lady who finished unplaced at Worcester on her stable debut. We have found a possible reason for her slightly disappointing display post-race, which we can help her with however. This combined with the handicapper giving her some help, he is going to drop her five pounds we have not given up hope just yet and we will be looking forward to getting her back on track again next month.
This Week
Our first runners of this week will be at Stratford on Tuesday with Ocean Heights and Pub Crawl running in a division each of the two-mile handicap hurdle. Ocean Heights ran well at Newbury on the flat the other day and he is a previous course winner having won a bumper here in his younger days. He hasn’t shown quite as much over hurdles as his natural ability suggests he should but I think he has a good chance in this. Pub Crawl is making his handicap debut on the other division of the race. He has been a little disappointing to date but he does work well at home and following wind surgery and the application of blinkers, I am hopeful of an improved performance.
On Wednesday, Back in the Bay and Micronormous have entries at Worcester while on Thursday we have two flat entries at Ffos Las, Final Entry and Mr Tambourine Man. On Friday Bashful Boy, Saucats and Kintaro have entries at Fontwell and at the weekend we have entries at Newton Abbot, and Worcester so keep checking the Daily News on the website for the latest news on the stable runners.
Home Maintenance
We are lucky to have both woodchip gallop and a Wexford Sand round gallop at our disposal at Pond House but like with anything in life they need regular maintenance and upkeep. Two loads of woodchip were delivered last week and the new woodchip will be put on in the coming days. The Wexford sand is also on its way from Ireland and so that will be topped up as well. The circular sand gallop is great for starting horses off galloping at this time of year after their summer holidays, they can do plenty of slow, steady exercise to build up their fitness and endurance before moving onto the woodchip to some quicker, speed work.
Good Send Off for Dennis
On Friday, I attended the funeral of Dennis Dummet, at Culmstock Church and I think he was given a fitting send off. Dennis passed away last month at the age of 87. He was former headman to dad for many years and then was farm manager at Pond House and was still helping until fairly recently when his health declined. He was a dear family friend and someone both dad and I would go to for for advice regularly about horses and anything to do with the country way of life really. Many past and current members of staff attended and people had travelled from far and wide to be there. Lenny Lungo, Owen Burrows and Tom Dascombe were just a few former members of staff present. Tom Scudamore and Rodi Greene were also there, dad spoke and there were plenty of stories told from over the years and cherished memories.