FABULOUS FAKENHAM
Ups and downs last week - Newmarket sales - astomishing trade continued - it was really busy there, and some incredible prices achieved. Huge gains on all the metrics, and good to see the blodstock industry in such rude health. On Friday we headed up to Fakenham where Auditoria and Go Millie Go held entries for their seasonal debuts. Both horses appreciate nice ground, but certainly would not be risked on anything remotely quick, so it was reassuring to walk the course with Olly Murphy before the first and find the ground to be in superb order, with plenty of juice in it, if anything slightly on the soft side of good. Perfect for both. Auditoria was first up, in the 2m novices hurdle - Olly took three to the meeting - the first three that he had run this term after having had a summer break - he felt they were all fit enough to run well, but there would be improvement in them all, so it was great to see his runner in the first win easliy, proving that he has them fit enough for sure.
Audrey faced just three rivals, with the favourite, a recent Startford winner priced very short at 1/5 We didn't know if we could beat it, but as jockey Aidan Coleman said pre race - 'the favourite will certainly not look like a 1/5 shot in running, because I won't let it' He was true to his word - Audrey travelled and jumped really well - so well in fact that Aidan decided to strike the front after two out and try and put the race to bed - he got a couple of lengths up, but then Audrey just looked about her a bit and ran green, allowing the favourite back up the inner, after which a slight mistake at the last sealed her fate, and she came home to be beaten just over a length. A super start to her season, and one from which we have all learned a lot - she has an awful lot of ability, with a very high cruising speed, and you can't hit the front too soon with her - all of which will be put into practice in her next run for sure! She came out of the race in fine form, and it was great to get a video update from Olly early on Saturday morning showing her happily grazing in the paddock.
The next race saw the chase debut of Go Millie Go, for the Fences Farm team. Stuart had reported that she had schooled very well at home, and despite her being the only one of the three without chase experience, he would have no qualms about Ciaran making the running with her if needed to. Lining up in front rank on the inner, she jumped around the first circuit at a fairly pedestrian pace, making just one slight mistake at the second. It looked like she was jumping well, and the slow pace was a great way of introducing her to the bigger obstacles. Aidan Coleman sat on the outside of Ciaran on Murphys third and final runner of the day, and as the pace increased he cleverly used his mounts chasing experience to put GMG under a bit of pressure. On the final circuit that pressure told as she made a mistake at a couple before finally making one too many at the second last where she decanted Ciaran to the turf, who then took a bit of a kicking from the final runner in behind. Thankfully GMG and Ciaran came back OK, and all live to fight another day. Whether that be over fences or back over hurdles we will have to see.Huge thanks to David Hunter and his team at Fakenham who facilitated the entry of a large number of Auditoria's owners and as a result they had a superb day at the races , many being there as an owner for the first time.
On Saturday we had a bit of a go for a yearling from a family we know well in Germany, but again the trade was strong, and we ended up empty handed. The search continues on to Deauville this week. Around the yards all is well. Edmunds reports Classic Ben to be doing two full, but steady canters now, and that he is in fine fresh form. The vet is happy with his progress. Down at Ravenswell Farm, the Fergal O'brien/ Macpherson team continue in great form, clocking up their 56th winner of the season over the weekend. Yauthym has two entries this week in Ludlow and Wincanton. She didn't take up her entry in Stratford last week, as these two races were available, and offered the chance of a sightly longer gap from her seasonal debut in Warwick.
Volkovka has had a couple of nice mentions in recent stable tours, and is expected to come on again from her good form last season. She has certainly improved physically, and if she has learned to settle a little more she will be very competative off of her current mark.
Hidden Beauty continues to impress, and when there is some soft grojnd around she will be ready to debut in a bumper. Blue Bikini is back in full work, and will be ready to run in a few days, after spending a short spell in the equine spa at Jason Maguires. She will have an entry in a 2 mile novice/maiden hurdle somewhere where we would hope to see an improved jumping performance - if not they will be sending me a bill for new hurdles! Mamoon Star is spending the next few weeks at Maguires, and Jason is another who has been blown away by this lovely young horse. His whole attitude to life is extraordinary - he is so laid back, and just a real gentle sole. It's great to be able to give this talented young horse a wonderful break before he returns to Fergal in November for him to prepeare him for his next run in Cheltenham on New Years Day. It is wonderful for both his mind and his body!
Talking to Jason last week, he has said that he will get the Soldier Of Fortune filly in from the field in a couple of weeks, at which time she will be joined at Ivy Lodge Farm by Tintagel Queen (Tina), who will travel from the Elms to Gloucestershire to join her new classmate at secondary school. The Westerner filly is cantering away, and despite having plenty done with her in the spring in Ireland, she still had a lot to learn, but she has really got the drop of life now, and is looking very promising indeed. It won't be long before she makes the trip upm the road to Ravenswell Farm. There are still a few shares available - £25/wk all inc - with no capital cost. Queenohearts has had her first clip of the season, and looks really well. Kim and his team at Thorndale Farm, are very pleased with her, and she has had her second round of ulcer treatment this week. She will continue to do plenty of cantering while they are dealing with them. This week we will be in Doncaster from Wednesday afternoon, and then Cheltenham for their opening meeting of the season on Friday and Saturday. Looking forward to catching up with plenty of folks, and seeing some old friends!
Nick Brown
Syndicate Manager
