Here’s an update on our runners throughout September.
Kates Star
Having had her first two starts of her career at Chelmsford (4th Sept) and Yarmouth 18th Sept) both over 7 furlongs, the reports on the races are similar, broke well on both occasions and kept up a steady pace until 3F out where she lost her position and dropped out. She was eased down on both occasions by the jockeys. A young horse in both age and experience so plenty of time will be given to her.
Penarth Pier
Has visited Brighton over 6 furlongs (9th Sept) and Chelmsford over 1 mile (24th Sept), ridden by Hollie Doyle on both occasions, she was finishing her race well and although finishing 6th, the way she finished prompted Christine to step her up to 1 mile at Chelmsford, where she produced her best performance since arriving from Richard Hannon’s yard. Chasing the leader 2f out, she was full to the boards and at one point looked like she could snatch the race. A placed finish of 3rd is very pleasing and maybe the increased distance is better suited to her.
Forgotten Girl
Ran her second race over 1mile at Kempton (16th Sept) and although at the back of the field for most part did pick up a few places towards the end of the race finishing in 9th place. So work in progress for this little horse and more experience will undoubtedly see the penny drop for this lovely little horse.
Secret Treaties
ST ran her only race of the month at Kempton over 7 furlongs (16th Sept). Her first run on the all-weather. She jumped out well ridden positively by Eion Walsh in to a prominent position. Things looked promising a furlong or so out however ST on this occasion could found no more and faded away somewhat. However she wasn’t beaten far, has not had much racing and will surely pop up soon if repeating her fine second place at Yarmouth back in July
Percy Toplis
Gave a typical Percy race at Yarmouth over 1m 3 ½ furlongs (17th Sept) sitting midfield for most of the race he made his typical cavalry charge at the end of the race, picking up a few places to finish a creditable 4th. As Christine has said, he runs the same type of race over 7F, 1 mile or 1m 2 furlongs and now even this extended distance, very frustrating but also great fun to watch when he starts his move at the end of his races and he always has his supporters excited at the racecourse.
Queen of Burgandy
Yarmouth 8th September 2019. Back in a 6f class 4 handicap Queen Of Burgundy (QB) shot out of the stalls to give Gerald Mosse a 1 length lead in the early stages of the race. With 2 furlongs to go QB came under pressure from the Hamdan Al Maktoum 86 rated Majaalis (a 420,000gns Yearling) who went on to win with ease. QB finished 3 Lengths back in 4th. No excuses other than the ground was rattling hard as was confirmed earlier when one of the sprint races equalled the course record. On returning to the parade ring Gerald Mosse said QB shot out of the stalls “With no urging from me” and kept responding right to the line without troubling the winner. He said she needs a bit of cut in the ground so we will look for better ground for her next venture. A usual she left nothing on the race track and blew hard so we will see how she is during the next week or so and decide if we should got to the well once more before her winter break.
Agent of Fortune
Went back to Chelmsford again on 19th September, this time over a mile. She’s shown quite a liking for Chelmsford – in particular last season with a storming three length victory. Hopes were high after AoF’s previous run. Unfortunately on this occasion she was never travelling and was down the field at the finish. A bad day at the office for her.
Kraka
Kraka is starting to come back to form and is really well in himself. He certainly looks magnificent, probably the best he has all year. The wide draw at Chelmsford wasn’t helpful but he was as usual quick out of the stalls and soon in an ideal position up with the leaders. Unfortunately he doesn’t help himself by being a bit too keen early on and needs to conserve the energy used up in the first furlong or two to give himself the best chance for a strong finish at the end of his races. Having got him settled, Kieran O’Neill thought he would go on to win the race by a couple of lengths but he starting lugging in to the rail in the last furlong and could only manage 5th place. The visor is now proving more of a hindrance than a help so a change of headgear is on the cards for next time and we hope to be able to turn him out quickly either on the all-weather on back on the turf if we can find suitable ground to take advantage of a lower mark on the turf.