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NEWS July open day: New pics at Gallery 3, Gallery 4 and Gallery 5, (old pics from the same day here and here) JANUARY 3) Bearing in mind January note 2, what was the least satisfactory outcome of the next race? Another second. What happened? JUST BEWARE was second again. Far from uniquely she was mugged by a novice hurdler in a handicap for the first time. What was slightly different was that this was a bigger field, and a more competitive race than a couple of recent ones contested, but she really raised her game for the greater challenge set. Just for tradition's sake, she included the drift left on the run-in, but the winner had dashed clear by that stage.
Just Beware at Plumpton: "How come everyone is wrapped up against the cold and I have to make do with these feeble cheekpieces?" 2) After getting off to a busy start to 2012, the splurge of runners eased up, with only SHERJAWY managing a near miss, although at the end of the month RIVIERE RUBY made her debut in a bumper, not doing too badly in a race that a German trained newcomer was very impressive in winning. And after his good show at Lingfield, JOHN'S GEM was unlucky to stumble across a better than average bunch of opponents at Towcester. It was certainly not a step backwards to have failed to make the frame. On the subject of which... We are still striving to get off of the cold list, but the number of horses that are being placed without winning is getting to an absurd stage - since the last winner, the number of seconds and thirds is about 25, with another dozen or so fourth places. Under a normal statistical sample, the numbers of firsts, seconds and thirds ought to be broadly the same. Some of the jumpers have not had any relief from the handicapper (JUST BEWARE and LINDSAY'S DREAM spring immediately to mind) and on the flat the likes of SHERJAWY, SUPER FRANK and MARIE'S FANTASY are performing well, but have not had the luck of the draw or, at times, the run of the race. 1) A quick kick-off for the new year with a slew of runners at Folkestone. Three of them picked up prize money. LINDSAY'S DREAM managed a third in very testing conditions, and JUST BEWARE ran her usual brave race to manage second in the closer. CANNI THINKAAR unfortunately found the race which suited him best (two and a half miles chase) to be the best supported on the day, but he still ended up third. That broke his sequence of second places at the course and distance, but not in the way we would have liked. To continue the theme of "run to best in toughly contested race," JOHN'S GEM also ran a blinder in a novice hurdle at Lingfield, finishing a close third. There are various theories as to why he did so well, see below, but after his varied niggly hold ups, this was arguably the first time that he has been mentally and physically set to show us what he can do. In sporting terms.
It is suggested that a Tommy Cooper impersonation may inspire John's Gem to run to his best...
...and the results are anxiously awaited. In the background Aidan Coleman is suitably bewildered. For more sensible pictures, try the new John's Gem picture page. DECEMBER 4) Firstly - a Happy and Prosperous New Year to all. The final bulletin for the year is just a couple of promising steps forward on the flat. MARIE'S FANTASY was third in a nursery over five furlongs at Kempton, and JUMEIRAH LIBERTY had another fourth, in a mile maiden. This was his third run, and now that he is handicapped, a much wider range of options are opened up. The gradual building up of confidence continued with NOZIC, who completed the course in really gruelling conditions at Chepstow. Encouraging. 3) Not an entirely perfect performance, but SUPER FRANK showed that he is getting back to form with a second at Lingfield. Rather like last time, Frank made a bit of a meal of exiting the stalls, but once off and away he was happier. OK, it was not the imminent win predicted here not so long ago, but it was a big step in that correct direction. 2) Another place - peppering the win at the moment, but not quite managing to get in the slot that matters. Our newly arrived two year old MARIE'S FANTASY was the victim this time. In order to get a race into her, we found a claimer that suited at Kempton, but she found herself up against a couple of better horses in the race on surprisingly low weights. To be third was not a bad run, and showed she has something that we can work with. We were hoping to have something even more positive to report from Lingfield's Saturday jump meeting, but a sudden frost put paid to that prospect. 1) A decent start to December, from widely different sources. CARBIS BAY made his hurdles debut at Sandown. It was a strong race in the card supporting the Tingle Creek Chase, but he ran very well, leading to the second last. It did look as if a top six finish was on the cards, but the effort took a toll and he lost two places in the final twenty yards or so. A promising start all the same - available for sale or lease!! The next progressive day came from the usual source - JUST BEWARE at Plumpton. She currently has a rating of 88, and has won when on 85 and 86, so there is a good case (hint, hint) for her being the handicapper's marker in this race and not being raised, having been second, beaten three lengths. This was the 92nd race of her career, and 74 have been over hurdles, and from the jumps races Just Beware has now made the first three 25 times. A solid piece of work by anyone's standards.
Just Beware shows slight concern when her personal photographer puts in a slightly late appearance at Plumpton.
Carbis Bay (4) leads the way Sandown - a touch less jollity and a bit more patience will make a huge difference NOVEMBER 3) End of November and the song remains the same for JUST BEWARE, who almost delivered the goods at Leicester, in the end being beaten just a length and a half - by an inconsistent opponent who chose what was an inconvenient day for us to be in a positive mood. The long uphill straight at the course did suit her well, but on the day, 2% greater suitability would have been enough. LINDSAY'S DREAM ran well in the same race, not beaten far. Chances to get them both racing but in different races are not as common at the moment as would be expected. This is the second time this autumn we have run two in the same race, and Gemma will enjoy (?) being reminded that Harry has come out best in both of them. Meanwhile, in the world of flat racing, SHERJAWY realised that his favourite time of year, with a nice sheen of ice on the Kempton fountain and a hazy shade of winter over the gallops, is nearly upon us. He was fifth at Kempton, not beaten far at all. On the same day, SUPER FRANK ran his best race in a while, and he looks to be slowly coming back to winning form. Watch this space. And only a day later SID made his racecourse debut. We entertained hopes of a place, based on some good, solid work at home, but the occasion overwhelmed him a little, and he was only sixth. Better results should come. 2) After the near miss at Folkestone, CANNI THINKAAR was off to Kempton, where a three horse race ensured that there was material prize money just for finishing. The favourite was Mossley, rated 150ish over hurdles, but with no chasing experience. Applying our fellow's accumulated knowledge and skill, he made the running and challenged Mossley to jump well enough to catch him. Unfortunately, Mossley could, and it was another second place. However, we do have to hope that the handicapper uses CANNI THINKAAR as a guide for rating Mossley, and not vice-versa.
Lostayer before his debut at Lingfield, dealing with the preliminaries like an old hand, despite a very crowded parade ring. 1) November started with CARBIS BAY and SUSSEX LASS reappearing at Sandown. That was quite a taxing level for them, but both fared at least as well as expected. In the end , Harry managed to come out best of the pair on CARBIS BAY, but it was a close thing. The next notable run was JUST BEWARE at Plumpton, where she managed a third in the Albert Davison Conspiracy Handicap Hurdle. The ground was a touch tackier than she prefers, and she is still a little above her ideal handicap mark, so the result was as good as could be expected. The next day at Folkestone saw the improved results continue. LINDSAY'S DREAM was third, beaten only three lengths - a very solid effort considering that she had not raced since May. Just before that, poor old CANNI THINKAAR was beaten by just a head, having been in and out of the lead in the last few furlongs, and just getting his timing wrong, to be second when the line came. This was his fourth race over two and a half miles(ish) at Folkestone, and he has been second in every one of them - never by more than four and a half lengths. It takes a lot to raise sufficient frustration to punch a swan, but CANNI THINKAAR has permission from the Queen to do so.
Just Beware tries to celebrate her Plumpton run with a nibble of ivy. Harry ensures that common sense applies. OCTOBER 2) The general theme of the jumpers being a bit more finely tuned than the flat horses was maintained when JUST BEWARE managed a respectable fourth at Stratford. As is her style, she ran just too well to expect a drop in the handicap, so we have to keep looking for a less competitive race for her to have a chance of winning. She repeated the showing at Plumpton soon after, nabbing another fourth. After the dry spell, the schooling area is just about functional, and at the owner's morning at the end of the month, we were able to pop our most notable chasers, CANNI THINKAAR and NOZIC over the fences. The winter season is here. Officially.
Just Beware at Plumpton spot the difference. 1st prize - voucher for £2 off a Tote Exacta 1) There has not been a great deal to note in October, with few of the horses in the sort of form to merit running them, although at least AJOOL has been able to run to her form. With the internet awash with pictures of rogue squirrels and other burrowing rodents popping up in remote pictures, she was unlucky at Plumpton be be startled when a rogue Gary Moore did exactly the same thing!
The other news is in the comings and goings department. SPIDER BOY has picked up a leg injury, so that makes it 99% certain that he will be retired. For a recent pictorial record and a link to his full career history, go to Spider Boy. A new arrival from the sales is three year old Proclmatioon gelding JUMEIRAH LIBERTY. He has raced just once on the flat, and the plan is to have a go with him on the all-weather before switching to juvenile hurdles. SEPTEMBER Well, so far the flat horses returning from their break have tended to need the run, and consequently have not swept all before them in returning to action. However, the AJOOL and JUST BEWARE both got pretty competitive in races that were conveniently timed but slightly less perfect in the conditions than we might have preferred, so the corner is being turned.
Just Beware and Gemma brace themselves as Plumpton gears up for another ear-splitting annoucement - Sep 2011
Deeside Point at Fontwell. She seemed to find the belated return to racing an overall jolly experience. AUGUST Firstly, a warm welcome to the new owners that were signed up at the open day - see July. Things have been ultra-quiet in August, as it seemed a good time to give all the horses a nice break, especially as there were none likely to get the sort of races and ground they need at the height of summer (all six hours of it). They have been back in work for a short while now, and Super Frank is due to be the first out - there is a race for him on the Wednesday before the bank holiday. Arowana and Sherjawy are on course for early September reappearance, with the others then coming in a steady stream after that. The jumpers should be raring to go by the end of that month - ground permitting. Don't forget the owner's morning on 27th August. JULY The open day was a grand success - thanks to everyone who attended and helped. Maureen Brown won a share of Spider Boy for a year. Lots of people picked up raffle prizes and/or an ever handy inflatable hammer. Nearly as many people failed to guess the weight of the cake - but somebody was spot on. There was intermittent rain, but the weather cleared eventually! And the bouncy castle endured all challenges.
JUNE Having not had a huge number of runners this month, and with none of them doing anything of note (except AROWANA, and that was not in a good way...) updates have been thin on the ground. However, there will be a summer open day on July 9th with the usual parade of horses, lunch and the odd libation. Plus face painting (and a bouncy castle for the kids, ho, ho). And hopefully birds of prey, additional to the local buzzards. In order to know how many to cater for, we would appreciate if those planning to attend could let us know. email us or phone on 07812 007554. MAY 2) Since Plumpton the nearest miss was posted by who else but SHERJAWY. Off to Goodwood, where he is at a disadvantage due to the lack of a motivational fountain to run past, he was in a six runner race which was not quite run to suit him. However, he knuckled down really well and ended up second, beaten only half a length. 1) A quartet of runners at Plumpton early in the month, but no luck on the fast ground. SHROPSHIRELASS had a first try at further than three miles and did not run too badly.
Shropshirelass in the heart of the action at Plumpton On the other hand, their casual, laid back approach could serve as a nice lesson for TOM'S RIVER TESS, who had something of a naughty day at Lingfield at the end of last month, but at least managed to take part and pick up some prize money in a three runner race. |
