4th September

Mattaking was the latest Fences Farm incumbent to try his arm at Hereford yesterday. Hereford is a course at which the yard does not seem to excel, but Matty ran a sound race yesterday finishing a very creditable fifth of sixteen. After a little mishap on the way to the start when Jimmy and Matty parted company for an instant, they bounced out to the head of affairs and cut out a very brisk pace. Jimmy sensed they were probably going a little to quick, but after being taken on for the lead by Jose Bove he thought that it would be counter-productive to take a pull and disappoint our lad, and hence just let him stride on. Unfortunately this was to take its toll and the pack caught them up between the 3rd and 2nd last hurdles, but to his credit Matty plugged on to finish 5th. Jimmy was pleased enough and was mindful that we have another race at Uttoxeter planned for Matty in about 2 weeks time, where we may stand a far better chance of breaking the duck! It was great to see Ian and Mary Burchell at the races, along with Colin and Ann Garratt, and a real pleasure to have Trevor and Julia Kearney there too, as our guests. Trevor and Julia are over fron New Zealand for a few weeks and got in touch via the web-site to say that they would love to go racing while they are in the country. Trevor was a bloodstock agent in a former life, and now owns a few horses in both NZ and Singapore, so it was nice to hear his complimentary comments about Mattaking in the paddock. It was fascinating to hear their tales of racing in their part of the world, and we look forward to having them over to Fences Farm next week to show them behind the scenes.