21st July Update

We had two runners this week with mixed fortunes. 

At Kempton on Tuesday, our patience was finally rewarded when Surrey Belle put in the type of performance that we have all been waiting for. As always, she looked fantastic in the parade ring and in the words of the Racing Post, turned the race “into a procession, booting on in the straight and coming home in splendid isolation” This was the first time she raced without the hood and it clearly made a difference. Rob Hornby said after the Sandown race last July, that we should take the hood off but Hughie wasn’t convinced that she had learnt to settle and would boil over without it. It is hard to know whether she could have run without a hood a race or two earlier but everything finally fell into place on Tuesday. In future, she will run without a hood but may wear the red one in the parade ring. Although both her wins have come on the AW, Hughie does not see her as solely an AW horse and is confident that she can replicate the form on turf. The run will certainly have caught the eye of the handicapper and she is likely get a considerable hike in the ratings on Tuesday (7lbs?). Belle has three entries this week at Newbury (2m), York (2m) and Sandown (1m6f). Hughie is keen to run but her participation depends on how much she is raised in the handicap and the going. She will carry a 5lb penalty for the win and so if she is raised more than this, it makes sense to consider running with the penalty, as she will carry more in future races.  A rise below 5lbs and it makes less sense. The other big factor is the weather and unfortunately it looks as if the unsettled weather forecast that was forecast last week will fail to materialise. Belle will not run on anything firmer than genuinely good ground. 

Surrey Noir had his first run in France yesterday evening and although there are excuses, there is no avoiding the fact that it was a disappointing performance, with him coming last of 6 runners. The plan was to ride him positively and having slightly missed the break, Noir was forced to work hard to get a position behind the leaders. He stayed with them but as they turned for home everything was happening too quickly. The jockey reported that down the home straight the horse lost his breathing and as a result pulled up sharply. There is a chance that this could be due to a physical issue such as problems with his breathing or bleeding but there was no noise during the race and no evidence of bleeding immediately after. Encouragingly, he ate up well last night and today.  Over the past week or two Tim has been increasingly of the view that Noir is not a sprinter and that with his long stride he should be running on galloping tracks over a mile. Tim definitely believes he is a horse with ability and with hindsight wishes he hadn’t run him yesterday, as he was clearly out of his comfort zone in that type of race. His instinct was telling him that it would be too quick but Noir needed to run and hopefully we have learnt something and Tim will be proved right.  

Surrey Force is entered at Leicester on Wednesday but with the going currently Good to Firm and with no rain forecast, it is unlikely that he will be declared tomorrow. After his last run at Nottingham over 1m2f and on ground that was too quick, it is clear that he needs further and some cut in the ground. Despite finishing 5th, Kevin was pleased with Noir’s run and is convinced that he will win races with conditions in his favour. As a result, we will wait and he has further entries at Leicester on Wednesday 31st July and Windsor on Saturday 3rd August. 

Surrey Mist is entered at Ascot on Friday but again will not be risked if the ground is too firm. I spoke to Kevin yesterday and he is delighted with the way Mist is physically and the way he is working. Mist continues to work on both the grass and AW gallops, interspersed with regular swimming. Keven feels Mist’s fitness has really come on this week and so he is ready to run. It is now just a question of getting the right ground.  

Surrey Charm is doing really well. She is fully recovered from the pelvic injury, looks great and it is now just a question of getting her fit. Hughie is still eyeing a race in about 4 weeks. There is no further news on Surrey Shadow (which is good) as he continues his box rest and rehabilitation.  

As for the jumpers, Surrey Quest is still enjoying a well earned break in the field but will probably come back in at the end of the month. Surrey Lord has been trotting now for 5 weeks as he gradually builds up his strength and core fitness after his extended break. This will continue for another week or two before he starts cantering. Surrey Fortune has settled in brilliantly and is also trotting. As soon as they are all back doing proper work we will organise a yard visit to see all three horses. 

Possible races and events
July
Thursday 25th – Surrey Belle -Newbury
Tuesday 30th - Surrey Fire - Lingfield                   
August
Saturday 3rd – Surrey Force – Windsor
Saturday 10th – Surrey Mist - Ascot
September
Friday 6th – Toby Lawes Open Day