Mr Chua has had a busy time of things lately, having won at Chester on the 14th August he headed to Lingfield on the 2nd September. This time ridden by Jim Crowley he managed to keep the winning run going putting up his best performance so far winning by 2 lengths on his first try upped in trip from 1m6f to 2m. He came out of Lingfield in great form and after winning so well we had a plan to try and get him qualified to run in the Cesarewitch at Newmarket on the 10th October. With this being the case we had to run him again quickly, so having come out of the race at Lingfield very well we headed to York just four days later. Ridden again by Jim Crowley he put up a great effort to be second on beaten 2 lengths, with another 2 lengths back to the third. A very brave performance from this improving four year old who just loves his racing, owned by Mr Jimmy Chua. We will see what the handicapper does he looks unlikely we will be able to follow plan A from here so will re asses and see where we go for what is likely to be his last run on the flat this season. Before he could possibly go back jumping in the spring.
Mr Chua and Jim Crowley winning at Lingfield
Mr Chua gets a well deserved pat from Gabby following his second at York.
As we start to get busy with our jumpers now it is great to see so many running well on their first runs back from their summer holidays. Smiths Cross who had seemed to loose his way last season having had two such promising seasons before that, ran at Uttoxeter on the 2nd September ridden by Brendan Powell for owner Lynne Maclenann. He ran a great race to be second with the front two pulling a long way clear of the third, it was great to see him back enjoying his racing looking much happier back over hurdles having tried to go chasing last season. Hopefully he can build from this and have a good season going forward from here. Voila Eric ran a good race on his seasonal re appearance to be sixth on the same card running over 2m4f he traveled well for a long way before perhaps not quite seeing out the last 1/2 a mile a drop back to 2m could soon see him getting his head in front.
Saturn N Silk made it three seconds in a week when second in the Mares Bumper at Southwell. This was just her third run and has improved with every run for owners Phil and Sue Truscott. This look a very competitive mares bumper especially for the time of year with lots of big yards represented. She has schooled well at home so she could go novice hurdling next or we may look to go in one more bumper to see if she can go one better! Envol De La Coeur ran on the same card in a 3m handicap hurdle on just his third start since joining us. It has taken a couple of races just for us to get to know him and what he likes as he can often be very keen in his races. Ridden by Brenden Powell for owner Mark Dunphy he was dropped in early to try to get him to relax he still traveled with a bit to much enthusiasm early but jumped very well and looked the likely winner jumping the second last. His early exploits just catching up with him him towards the end but he still finished 4th and it was a big step forward form him, hopefully with that freshness out of his system he will settle a bit better next time and could go very close.
Copper Coin has his first run of the season at Uttoxeter on Wednesday, he hasn’t always been the easiest to train but has always shown ability and he was having his first run since November in what did look a competitive 18 runner maiden hurdle ridden by Tom Scu for owners Phil & Sue Truscott. Copper rain a great first race back to be third only beaten 5 lengths. Most importantly he seems to have come back very well from the race, he may well go chasing next as all his family seem to improve when they jump a fence.
It never stops here and we have been busy trying to buy more horses and especially young stock for the years ahead. We have secured a lovely Leading Light four year old who is from the family of Jonny Og and a stunning Kalanisi 3 year old filly out of a full sister to Menorah. Both are off to be broken in, but both look lovely young horses with great pedigrees and look exciting types for the future, will put some photos up in the horses for sale section when we have some but if you would like more info please get in touch. Yesterday owner Mark Dunphy and myself bought a half brother to his impressive bumper winner Let Me Entertain You, he is a strong 2 year old by Pether’s Moon. He looks a a spitting image of his elder brother so hopefully he can be just as good….
We have plenty of entries to look forward to in the coming weeks so look out for those, Justice Knight jumping a fence for the first time and 2 year old winner Rolfe Rembrandt heading to Ayr at the end of the week for a listed race following on from his impressive Newbury win.