The Belle of Haydock
We’ve just had two super Surrey Racing days that were both very enjoyable and that’s why we love syndicate racing.
The first, on Friday we finally broke our Haydock duck with a real gutsy performance from Surrey Belle who yet again was allowed to get into an untroubled rhythm and she and David Egan bounded along from pillar to post to win by ¾ length from Grade 2 second placed horse Gimemefive who was the pre-race favourite and a horse that everyone felt was well in the handicap – Belle was giving weight away! The two of them were way clear of the nearest challengers and will no doubt incur a decent rise in the handicaps (maybe as high as 80 – RPR was 82) when announced on Tuesday. Hughie and the team had her in great shape and it was certainly worth the long journey up North to watch her notch her 3rd win. She is entered into the October HIT sale and that performance would not have gone unnoticed, especially amongst the NH fraternity. She will have an entry into the Listed Beckford Stakes at Bath on the 10th.
That was our first ever win at Haydock, our 25th winning course (6 of those at Newbury) , and was our 45th win from 218 runs (20.6%) and boosts this year’s win/place ratio to a very healthy 51.7%. It was David Egan’s 2nd win in the yellow and blue (Surrey Gold at Newbury the other) and our 9th Hughie Morrison trained winner from 24 runs. It capped off a Super September with 6 runs, 2 wins and 3 places, fingers crossed for more of the same in October.
This week we have one definite runner with Surrey Charm taking her place on the start line at Bath on Tuesday. She will have certainly come on for her last run so will have every chance to give us our third win in as many weeks. She lines up in a class 6 apprentice jockey only race at 1.30, with Jack Doughty on board. It looks pretty competitive but we feel we will go there with a favourites chance.
Surrey Force does have an entry at Musselburgh on Wednesday, which is a bit speculative, but it doesn’t look the best race, and we’d love him to break his maiden. We’ll discuss with Kevin tomorrow as it’s a short turnaround from his race at Chester, and it’s unlikely any owners will make the trek to Edinburgh. Bath on the 10th maybe a better option and that would be good to have two runners on the same card. Surrey Force’s mark was left at 60 following his last run.
Amazingly, the French handicapper has given Surrey Noir an opening mark of 29 (64 UK) which is incredible after his last win, and considering that’s 11 pounds lower than his high last year. Tim was amazed as we were and it does mean that we could take our place is some decent money French handicaps before the year is out. Tim remarked that Noir’s action is a little low when he comes under pressure and suggests that softer ground probably doesn’t really suit him. With the Autumn well and truly here, a handicap campaign on the all-weather looks the best option with the main courses at Deauville, Chantilly and Cagnes sur Mer which is not a bad place to go and watch him! The all-weather programme book has yet to be published so when it is we’ll have a better idea of where and when, but we will certainly be looking to visit France for his next race.
The other highlight of the week was yesterday, where we had over 25 owners of Surrey Quest, Surrey Lord and Surrey Fortune congregate at Toby’s Henfold House yard, a chilly but lovely sunny morning for a chance to meet new owners, see the horses being put through their paces and a leisurely stroll around the grounds. Most of us headed off for a great pub brunch afterwards, new owners were welcomed by those who have enjoyed the ups and suffered the Surrey Racing lows, and it felt a great time was had by all. Judging by the amount of Guinness being sunk (not just by the trainer!) when Surrey Lord and Surrey Fortune win, there are going to be some lively celebrations !! It is so exciting as we are a few weeks away from two debuts with Surrey Fortune tentatively looking at Worcester on the 23rd and Surrey Lord aiming for Uttoxeter on November 1st.
Surrey Shadow is very slowly building up his walking and that will continue for a few more weeks. Tom had the Lincoln in his mind before the injury but now Shadow won’t be high enough in the handicap, but the Silver Lincoln (the same day and distance) is a valid alternative so the feeling at the moment (and as we always say, the best laid plans usually don’t come to fruition) is a return in February at Kempton (all weather) and then head to Doncaster at the end of March.
Good Luck to Surrey Charm and connections for Tuesday and Surrey Force if he travels to Scotland on Wednesday, fingers crossed for 3 winners in 3 weeks!
Possible races and events.
October
Tuesday 1st - Surrey Charm – Bath
Wednesday 2nd - Surrey Force -Musselburgh
Thursday 10th – Surrey Force and Surrey Belle – Bath
Saturday 12th – Surrey Fire – York
Monday 14th - Surrey Charm/Surrey Force - Windsor
Sunday 20th – Tom Clover Drinks and Horse Parade
Wednesday 23rd – Surrey Fortune – Worcester
November
Friday 1st – Surrey Lord - Uttoxeter
Sunday 17th – Surrey Quest - Cheltenham
December
Saturday 28th – Surrey Quest - Newbury