Introduction
Lots of runners this week, with no less than 6 being sent out on Thursday to 3 different course and some pleasing progress with most horses. The stables continue to go up now at a relentless pace and we are starting to welcome more horses back from Worcestershire who have arrived well into their fitness levels. Even better though, was for us to have our first point to point winner of the season at the opening meeting with Blackwater Bramble.
Round Up of runners
Tactical Manoeuvre and Getadollar ran in the first race of the Taunton trio, finishing sixth and third respectively. Getadollar was given a confident ride under the fast emerging Rex Dingle, and looked a dangerous threat on the last bend. She never managed to get her head alongside the leading 2 but stayed on gamely and finished comfortably in front of the fourth placed horse. She is improving all the time and hopefully her win will come in the not so distant future.
Cool Macavity looked a revitalised horse under Hannah Welch, and raced well much of the way. He stayed on at the end, but couldn’t quite get to fourth on the run in, that said he ran with vigour and the combination will probably resume this partnership at the next Taunton meeting.
Azari and Cry Wolf both ran in the 6 o’clock at Kempton, both running good races. Azari was racing well and looking ominous in the home straight before being taken out Encryption, resulting in a 2 day ban for Jamie Spencer, pleasing as it was for the stewards to side with us it can never bring back the run for Azari. Cry Wolf on the other hand had a good run up the inner but unfortunately due to the lack in pace in parts during the race was not able to make use of his usual race deciding stamina. Both horses returned safe and we will look to run again soon.
Chorus of Lies returned after a 119 day break and a decent race to finish midfield. He was found out a little at the end but showed improvement and will come on for his first run.
Foxy Lass ran a far better race at Chepstow on Wednesday in a hurdle, despite being a little naughty at the start. She jumped well enough and even though towards the rear was staying on well, passing several horses in the latter stages and maybe a little unlucky not to pass a few more on the run in.
In a different sphere of racing, Blackwater Bramble made it a winning start to our 2018/2019 point to point season. Blackwater was ridden prominently throughout the race before being briefly headed 2 out, fighting back bravely to get up on the line to win by a short head. It was also John’s first winner for me as a jockey, and I hope we go on to partner many more together.
Point to Pointing
My first experiences of racing came in point to points, first as a rider and then a trainer before progressing to the professional scene. This year we are going to be running a handful of horses in point to points, mainly as a family affair with John taking the rides. John will also soon be taking over the point to point yard after we have moved into the new stables, taking his early steps of a training career. Point to pointing for us has always been for fun and shall remain so, with it being a great opportunity to support some of our local communities.
News in Racing
Chelmsford was plunged into darkness mid race recently, causing quite a stir. Chelmsford is roughly a 7 hour round trip from West Buckland, luckily Thahab Ifraj was the only horse on the box as we usually send multiple runners there. Thahab has no other entries as well as the cost to get there, though I believe the course will help with that, and so we will have to wait a week before another chance to run.
Statistical Summary
Jumps 18/19
Earnings - £31,504
Wins - 2
Top 4 finishes – 26/77 (33.77%)
Flat 18
Earnings - £104, 596
Wins – 13
Top 4 finishes – 56/179 (31.28%)