Well, I missed a week, but no one s perfect    It's been an eventful fortnight, with quite a few positives

 

Most important of these was the victory of WENT THE DAY WELL in the Spiral Stakes at Turfway Park. He won this rich Grade 3 event by some 3 1/2 lengths earning a better rating than Animal Kingdom did in the same race last year. He stalked the pace and then quickened well to take the lead in the stretch and won going away. He still showed signs of inexperiencve when he hit the front and the race is bound to have brought him on a good deal. The path is now to head straight for the Kentucky Derby. I just hope his earnings will secure him a berth in that race. I have already bought my ticket to go to cheer him on

 

Another reason to go to Kentucky the first Saturday in May is to watch TONES run in one of the supporting races on the Derby card. I am not sure  which race he will be aimed for. Also , I am currently negotiating the purchase of a filly in the UK who ( if all goes well with the vet) will be headed straight to Louisville for the Edgewood Stakes.

 

Over in Dubai, LUCKY CHAPPY did not have much luck. Whether he 'bounced' or whether the trip took too much out of him, he was certainly not helped by the moderate early pace and it was noticeable that the horses who were up with the pace finished in the first 5. Also, I was told by a top jockey who rode that day that due to the heat, the inside rail was the place to avoid as it was running a fair bit slower than the middle of the track. I am sure LUCKY CHAPPY will, given a werll earned rest come out and win Satkes races this summer. The form of his 2nd in the El Camino Real was given a boost when the winner Daddy Nose Best captured the Sunland Derby in good style.

 

BYRAMA ran a good race in the grade 3 Providencia Stakes at Santa Anita this weekend. She finished 2nd beaten by what looks like a very good filly. It was pleasing to see her rally to hold on the the place, but she did not help herself by being rank in the first part of the race and maybe the distance was just a little too far for her. Will be interesting to see if she runs in the Senorita Stakes at Hollywood Park

 

Next week will be a very interesting few days incorporating the Craven meeting at Newmarket with it's classic trials and also

the Newbury meeting with some more trials. Also that week there is the Craven Breeze Up sale at Newmarket which has a lot of nicely bred 2yo .

 

Well, back to work...the order book is full, but finding the right horses is a bit like finding good truffles....very hard work but ultimately very rewarding