Today at Beverly our three runners all ran to varying degrees of ability, 'Nifty Niece' decided to be a bit naughty behind the stalls (unusually for her) and deposited PJ on the ground prompting a call from owner 'Ian Farrington' asking if a fall at the races qualified for the production of a chocolate cake for the entire yard to enjoy. In the race itself the filly showed more speed than she had at Catterick last time, which is hardly a surprise given the difference in racetracks but the eventual winner of todays affair managed to interfer with our girl preventing her from finishing closer, although a fourth would probably be all we could have reasonably expected today and she will be easier to place to win when in handicap company.
'Bronte Flyer' was making only her fourth racecourse appearance where Rowan's instructions were to "get a lead and then produce her up the middle of the track-if good enough". She is a filly who does not like to be crowded - hence the orders. He rode her to the letter but annoyingly the pace was slowed to a steady canter ensuring a sprint finish which didn't suit any of the runners except the leader, who had the race at his mercy from the word go.
'Miss Bates' ran an absolute blinder in the four runner, seven and a half furlong maiden, settling in third place, the pace was fast and furious and PJ sat patiently waiting for the leaders to wilt before asking her to go. She ran on very well to finish a neck second and is clearly a filly who is improving. Bred to stay and from a family of high class winners, she has a promising enough future.
At home we were delighted to see two horses who had been on box rest due to injury, come out of their bedrooms after a lengthy spell and go on the walkers. It was lovely to see them back outside in the sunlight and they thoroughly enjoyed the freedom although both were slightly sedated to stop them getting too excited and risking further injury.
Tomorrow promsies to be another busy day but our Goodwood runner "Rainbow Mist" is unfortunately staying at home having breezed this morning and was found to have a slightly dirty scope afterwards. Tomorrows 'Molecomb stakes'- a Group race- takes plenty of winning, and you cannot go there if a horse is anything but 100%. We will concentrate now on getting our star two year old ready for the valuable sales race at York then hopefully go in search of some much coveted Black type.