End of April Update
Wow !!
What a superb performance from Surrey Shadow on debut in very testing conditions at Doncaster on Friday. The syndicate owners have had to be very patient especially as breeze up horses tend to be fairly race ready but Tom has been cautious with Shadow and given him time to develop into a super looking horse.
We travelled to Doncaster with more hope than expectation, wishing that he’d enjoy his first day at school, especially in a hot novice with some well bred types, including 5 horses who had already finished in the top 3 of a race. Shadow was a little excitable before the start, had to be cajoled into the stalls, and then ran green for the first few furlongs which is all expected on the first race. However as the race developed and under a sympathetic Neil Callan ride he settled down and chased home a very smart winner with the field really strung out behind. The winner was having his 3rd run and will probably get an official rating of nearly 90 so we could have a special horse on our hands. Shadow got back safely, ate up and was rather pleased with himself the following morning! Interestingly the RPR rating for that run was 76 – the third best ever rating a SR horse has been given on debut.
What a 7 days it was, Surrey Quest is well from his exertions in Ayr. Quest was raised 4 pounds by the handicapper to a career high (and also a Surrey Racing all time high) of 137 which we feel is pretty generous. We were disappointed that not one representative from Ayr spoke to us after the race. We have has been in touch with Ayr this week with the basis of our email below.
Whilst I appreciate that racing is all about winning, and it is right that the winning connections receive due adulation, it was disappointing that not one person from Ayr Racecourse offered us any form of congratulation or acknowledgment after the race. We are small syndicate and had just come within a nose of beating one of Willie Mullins battalion of entries in one of the most exciting Scottish Nationals in recent memory. It would have been nice for our owners, if someone associated with Ayr Racecourse had at least acknowledged the contribution our horse had played in such a thrilling spectacle.
The MD of Ayr, David Brown, rang and was very apologetic because (allegedly) they always offer a glass of champagne to placed connections, however for their biggest race of the year they asked a new person to do the job and they hadn’t be trained to do it properly. David Brown said they would make it up to us if we ever visit again. we added the italics !
Some not so good news on Surrey Charm who had a further scan and unfortunately this has confirmed that the cause of her lameness is a minor stress fracture of the pelvis. If there is any good news, it is that the scan didn’t identify anything more sinister and that she is on the mend. At the moment, she is still slightly lame (2/10) but improving week by week. However, it will be another 6 weeks of walking and trotting before she can start cantering again. All being well, this would have her back on the racecourse in late August. Obviously, this is very frustrating and not what we wanted to hear but the prognosis to full fitness is excellent.
Some better news though as Surrey Fire has started trotting and that will continue with a slow build up to eventually getting back to full fitness. His legs are checked daily and the vet will visit monthly, It’s so far so good though and all going well he’ll be on a racetrack (ground permitting) at the end of June/early July.
And, some fantastic news, after nearly a year on the sidelines, we welcome back Surrey Mist, he has been given the all clear to start cantering. His scan was positive, although there is some scar tissue, there is no visible indication of the injury. He will be ridden every day but will also have some swimming sessions to manage his workload and could be back on a racetrack in July. It’s as good as it can be with him at this stage although there’s still plenty than can go wrong as his training intensifies.
No new news on Surrey Lord or Surrey Fortune whilst Surrey Noir is fine and all set to race at Kempton next week (8th May). Noir got dropped 2 pounds for his Windsor run to a mark of 73.
Last but by no means least – we are racing again (twice!!) this week.
Surrey Belle travels to Wolves tomorrow evening to see whether she can make it back to back wins there, albeit 179 days apart, in the 8.00 pm race, a 1m 6f class 5 (0-72) handicap with Billy Loughnane on board. She’s been trained to peak later in the year so not quite at 100% fitness but she has been working well at home and we go with confidence that she will put in a strong performance.
Surrey Force makes his handicap debut on Thursday at Doncaster’s evening meeting, a 1m 2f class 6 (0-65) handicap currently scheduled for 6.15pm with Benoit de la Sayette on board. We have campaigned Force over shorter and we think he’s on a pretty competitive mark so fingers crossed he runs well in a race where conditions, course and distance should all suit.
Good luck to connections of both Belle and Force, can we get our first winner of the year?!
Possible races and events
April
Monday 29th – Surrey Belle – Wolves – 8.00pm
May
Thursday 2nd – Surrey Force – Doncaster 6.15pm
Guineas Breeze Up Sale
Wednesday 8th – Surrey Noir - Kempton
Thursday 9-11th – Arqana Breeze Up Sale
Tuesday 21st – Surrey Racing Golf Day – Silvermere Golf Club