- Monday, 13 July 2020 11:50
- Written by David Pipe
Kings Socks
I had a few runners last week and a few made the winners enclosure but it is a little frustrating to still be looking for the elusive first winner since the restart. Le Grand Rocher travelled to Uttoxeter on Monday but did not run as I felt the ground had dried out a little too much for him. He is a lovely big four year old that I did not want to risk on the quickish ground at the track. While he is fit and raring to go and I am very much looking forward to seeing him make his stable debut it will hopefully rain again soon, even though the forecast for this week looks fairly dry! It is important to do right by the horse and hopefully we can get him out soon.
LAST WEEK
The ground at Uttoxeter was also a little lively for Dell’arca. While he handles it he probably does not enjoy it as much as when he can get his toes in. He held every chance turning in but his rivals then quickened away from him. He did keep going and while he perhaps not quite the force of old I am sure there is another win or two in him with some cut in the ground as he shows all is usual enthusiasm at home. Midnight Magic finished fifth in the handicap chase. He travelled well, probably too well and then did not find quite as much off the bridle as anticipated. It was 3m2f and David Noonan feels he will be better dropped back in trip slightly, where he can finish well off a stronger pace so we will come back to three miles next time.
On Tuesday Teaser ran at Newton Abbot. This was his first chase start for a while and he was a little novicey over the first few fences before warming to his task and jumping well. While not involved in the finish he ran okay. Unfortunately he is just a little high in the handicap at the moment. Last summer his form was good but he was receiving a hefty and valuable four year old allowance. Hopefully the handicapper will give him a little respite and I am sure he will be back in the winner’s enclosure soon.
On Wednesday I’lletyougonow and Lady Reset ran in the two divisions of the mares novices hurdle. I’lletyougonow probably ran above expectations and finished second behind the favourite. It was an improvement on her hurdling debut and she would have even preferred the ground a little quicker than it was. She looks capable of winning something similar this summer. Lady Reset made her hurdling debut in the second division of the race. In a slowly run affair that didn’t perhaps suit she ran okay to finish fourth. She jumped well and on some better ground she is more than capable of winning over hurdles. She is likely to mix hurdling and further runs on the flat this summer.
My only other runner last week was Percy Street on the flat at Ascot on Saturday. He out ran is 150/1 odds and finished ninth! He is a character but does possess a fair amount of ability and he will probably run over hurdles next time.
Leoncavallo was an intended runner at Market Rasen on Friday but after schooling him over fences we have decided to go the novice chase route and he will be out on the track shortly.
THIS WEEK
It is fairly quiet on the runner’s front for the yard this week. Our only entry so far is Golden Jeffrey on the flat at Sandown on Thursday evening. He has just had one start for the yard over hurdles but is an eight time winner on the flat and over hurdles. He is in good form at home and the plan at this stage is to run.
We enter today for jumps racing at Southwell on Sunday and I am likely to have a couple of entries which include Lady Reset and Yaa Salaam. Keep checking the daily news later in the week for more news of likely runners.
BARRY GERAGHTY RETIREMENT
The news broke over the weekend about the retirement of jockey Barry Geraghty. He held a private function to let his family and close friends know on Saturday before announcing it to the wider world. It means he retires with his swansong having being riding five winners at this year’s Cheltenham Festival. A Pretty impressive farewell by anyone’s standards! He has achieved so much in his career and was a brilliant jockey. He has ridden 1920 career winners which includes 121 Grade 1 winners. He was won the Champion Chase five times, the Champion hurdle four times, the Gold Cup twice, the Stayer’s hurdle twice, the Grand National and the Irish Grand National. A very impressive CV! He did ride a few winners for Pond House over the years. He rode Jaybejay to win at Wincanton but the biggest win he rode for the stable was aboard Cyfor Malta in the Thomas Pink Gold Cup and he won on Stormez for the yard at the same Cheltenham meeting in 2002. He has been doing some bloodstock work alongside riding in recent years and indeed we bought Umbrigado from him on his recommendation so I am sure we will be working alongside him in the future as well and we would all like to wish him well in the next chapter in his life.
YARD IMPROVEMENTS
The ‘home improvements’ are continuing back at the yard. All the stables in the bottom yard at Pond House have been fitted with rubber matting. The swimming pool has a new motor installed and a whole new roof has been put over the area. The final stage to come in the next few days is for it to be re-painted before it will be re-filled and we can start swimming again. Our open ditches have been rebuilt by Newton Abbot Clerk of the Course Jason Loosemoore and are looking smart as well. The walkway to the gallop has been resurfaced. Some new water boxes and a purpose built mounting block are in the pipeline along with also the redevelopment of the tack room area to come there is plenty going on! While we have a historic yard I am keen to keep Pond House driving forward and most importantly train plenty of winners!
New Roof
UPCOMING SALES
Things are starting to return to normality in the sales arena although the scheduled Irish Derby Sales this week have been postponed. While Newmarket went ahead last week, Ireland has had to cancel because of the 14 day quarantine rule they have. With Doncaster Sales coming up at the end of July please do get in touch if you would like to know more and get involved.
SCHOOL’S OUT FOR THE SUMMER
The children did go back for two weeks but it is now the summer holidays - good luck Leanne!
