Weekend Jottings!

I know that Newton Abbot managing directory Pat Masterson is fearing the worst when the fixture list for 2012 is announced by the BHA.  Surely, whoever distributes the fixtures must have enough sense to give out a good spread of summer fixtures to those tracks near the sea?  We always used to see Newton Abbot right at the beginning of the new season and there were always bumper holiday crowds there.  Holiday makers need to be amused and I can't think of a better way than spending a day at the races at Newton Abbot.

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I see that the best flat horse in the world, Frankel worked on the Newmarket watered gallops earlier in the week with his pacemaker (and half brother) Bullet Train.  The pair worked over seven furlongs and by the end of the gallop Frankel had pulled five lengths clear - remember Bullet Train is no mug (he won the Lingfield Derby Trial last season) but he was brushed aside with the minimum of fuss.  Sir Henry Cecil said the at Frankel is "stronger than ever" and is "peaking at just the right time".  Surely Frankel isn't getting any better?!...is there any point in the others turning up next weekend?

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I know that I am always harping on about prizemoney and for sure, the big races are well worth winning.  You just need to look at the flat trainers' championship for evidence of this - Richard Hannon has won over £3.3 million this season, and Aidan O'Brien (with just 12 winners!) has accumulated over £2.1 million!  Even so, the lower grade races certainly need a boost and the powers that be still need to find a way to get a much needed cash injection into the sport.