13/09/20

Spanish Mane is the gift that keeps on giving this year and she notched her second win of the season at Lingfield this week. It was her third win for us but she seems to be on an upward curve now, thanks mostly due to the fact that we have really figured her out - she loves 7f or a mile on a straight track and being held up off a fast pace. She got all those things on Monday when given a lovely, patient ride from Georgia Dobie who was a bit of a steal in this apprentice riders' race given her vast experience in the saddle. It was her first ride for us and she seems to be lucky!
It was great too that a good few of the syndicate could be there to see her win as more and more of the owners seem to be going racing again now.

Spanish Mane & Georgia Dobie win at Lingfield

Spanish Mane with Sophie and her owners

The ground and weather has scuppered our recent running plans with Gas Monkey having to miss his race at Haycock on Thursday due to the soft ground and then Divine Queen having to miss a good opportunity at Salisbury the following day due to firm ground! We're set for an unusually late heatwave this week so the ground will be drying up everywhere but at least we can plan things around that.
Our only runners this week all come on Thursday and Gas Monkey should be fine to run at Yarmouth that day. It's the track's big three-day September meeting and there is some good quality racing there. Monkey is stepping up in class and distance but I think he is ready to have a go at it and some of the horses in the race he has close form with already. He deserves a win after three consecutive second places and I know he will be giving it best shot for the N.E.T. Racing Club.
The other two runners that day come at Chelmsford. One Of The Girls will be having her third career run which will qualify her for handicap races whilst Engrave should have a squeak in her race. She has been running creditably and has course form so should be involved at the finish if things go right for her.

Gas Monkey (Sarah) & Engrave (Ross)

With strict Covid measures in place, the Newmarket Heath Charity Ride took place last weekend and we were well represented with four of our ex-racehorses taking place. Guising and Candesta still live at the yard under the care of Carol and Jo so they met up with Sir Fred and Sancho Panza at the start to tackle the 15 mile course. The weather was great and everyone enjoyed there day whilst raising a bit of money for charity.

Sancho Panza, Sir Fred, Guising & Candesta at the Heath Ride

It has been great to welcome so many owners to the yard on a Saturday morning and this weekend was probably our busiest yet since the lockdown. As I'm sure you are aware, the government is restricting gathering sizes again so with this in mind I am kindly asking if anyone wanting to visit the yard lets me know beforehand so I can have an idea of numbers. Don't let it put you off coming though as we are always open to visiting owners any day of the week.