- Wednesday, 25 May 2011 07:00
- Written by Chelsea Morgan
David was busy at the sales yesterday afternoon as he finished underbidder to the day's top lot Alaivan, and was the successful purchaser of Enfant de Lune. It will be interesting to see how this one fares as the last couple of purchases from Barbury Castle have yielded a Royal Ascot and Cheltenham Festival winner (Junior) and a Midlands National winner (Minella Four Star). Enfant de Lune had shown some useful form on the flat in France and over hurdles in this country and is still a novice over fences. The sales continue today so I will be keeping a close eye out to see if he David has unearthed any potential future stars. Tom Scudamore is up at the sales too, and I understand that his snoring is largely responsible for the master of Pond House having a less than satisfactory night's sleep!
- Tuesday, 24 May 2011 07:24
- Written by Chelsea Morgan
- Monday, 23 May 2011 07:13
- Written by Chelsea Morgan
Racing needs it's stars and yesterday we were treated to two of them as both Goldikova and So You Think landed Group One prizes. Goldikova had to battle hard to dispose of Cirrus des Aigles by a neck at Longchamp, while So You Think bolted up by 7 lengths at the Curragh at the prohibitive odds of 1/7. Of So You Think, trainer Aiden O'Brien said "he's an incredible horse, a different creature to what we've ever seen before and we're very lucky have him racing on this side of the world" - that was his sixth Group One win and he looks unbeatable and a real superstar. What more needs to be written about Goldikova? 13 Group One wins...enough said.
- Sunday, 22 May 2011 00:00
- Written by Chelsea Morgan
Another day, another victory for race planning! There were six flat meetings on the turf yesterday and two jumps cards today...am I the only one who thinks that this is unbalanced? Surely it would make sense to have three flat meetings and a jumps card on each day? It seems too simple...or maybe that's just me?!
If you don't fancy racing under rules, there is a point-to-point fixture at Bratton Down today and pony racing kicks off the action at 11.45am with the pointing starting at 1.00pm - Bratton Down is eleven miles north of South Molton on the A399 and is often worth a visit.
- Saturday, 21 May 2011 06:54
- Written by Chelsea Morgan
I see that five riders face race-fixing allegations - why do people get mixed up in these scandals? Now that punters can lay horses to lose races, it seems like there are many more of these type of stories uncovered. Sometimes I see horses drift in the market and I wonder what is going on - I am much more suspicious of market movers than I ever used to be. I hope that the Jockey Club have got it right because it will be a real embarrassment to racing if they haven't - I just wonder why it takes so long now that they have brought charges (the jockeys can continue to ride until October)? Personally I think we could do with a Judge Judy - she would sort it out!
- Friday, 20 May 2011 07:25
- Written by Chelsea Morgan
All eyes were on the gallops at Newmarket yesterday as Her Majesty The Queen's ante-post Derby favourite took to the polytrack under regular work rider John Nolan. All signs from the Stoute team were positive and i just wish that the Derby was sooner that June 4th! I advised readers to back him for the Derby some time ago and I hope they took notice as he is now a best priced 7/4 for the Epsom Classic. If like me, you have had an interest, I'm sure you wish the Derby was tomorrow too!
- Thursday, 19 May 2011 07:06
- Written by Chelsea Morgan
The rich vein of form at Pond House continued at Worcester last night as we saddled the first two home in the beginners' chase. There were only four runners and their task was made considerably easier when the favourite fell at the sixth and the outsider of the field unseated rider at the same fence. That left the race to Horsford and Raslan, although Horsford had the race in safe-keeping from some way out under champion jockey A P McCoy - I bet he had a shock when he looked round and all he could see was our other runner at a respectful distance. Anyway, it was very nice for long-standing patron Brian Kilpatrick to have a winner (although he often takes money off of me in football bets!). After A P had won aboard Horsford, he caught the riderless Grand Fella and took it back to the unsaddling enclosure - a nice piece of horsemanship.
