End of February Update
Our Cheltenham Dream is over for another year although it was only a faint dream, but if Surrey Quest had won by a distance yesterday we would have qualified and considered the Pertemps Final. However, he wasn’t good enough after another stuttering run at Chepstow yesterday. We actually thought it was his best run of a disappointing season in what was a very competitive race. He seemed more at ease with hurdles (or that could have been the cheekpieces) and was tired at the end but he still went through stages of the race (the start and just before the home straight) where he seems to switch off. Nicky also thought it was a better run but isn’t sure why he is switching off. He did discuss a drop in distance but agrees he’s not quick enough for shorter and he does think Quest’s future is over fences. The plan will be to extensively school him and come out again after the festival.
We had an enjoyable visit to Newmarket last week, the sun was out and the horses were looking great. Without wishing our life away we can’t wait for February to finish as we should have 4 horses running in March with another 2 (Surrey Belle and Surrey Charm) in April. Surrey Noir continues to impress on the gallops and had a nice piece of work yesterday alongside another on the Al Bahathri. Charlie thinks his debut should be over 7 furlongs which probably gives us 2 options this month, Newcastle on the 15th or Kempton on the 29th.
Surrey Mist is stronger this year and Paris remains the plan, or it would if there is rain but right now the forecast is against us which would really be unlucky as the meeting has been run on soft virtually every year. Kevin has got plans for Mist and there are a number of races that he is eyeing. Most of the Group races close early so in some cases we will have to enter big races before knowing what level of competitiveness Mist is. One such entry we have made is a Group 2 in Cologne on Sunday April 23rd – is that a sign, St Patrick’s Day in Paris and St George’s Day possibly in Cologne!
Surrey Force is still hacking on the gallops while he continues to grow into himself. Physically he just looks perfect, and has such a willing attitude. If anything he’s a bit further forward than we would expect at this time of the year and quite possibly he could be racing in August but there’s plenty that could change that between here and now.
Surrey Fortune is still in light work as his cough hasn’t totally gone but he’s well within himself. Surrey Knight is now being ridden at Culworth Grounds, he has another month there to build his fitness. No news on the 3 at Hughie’s as he has been away but we’ll speak with him this week and see how the horses are.
This week we are going to see Surrey Lord on Epsom Downs on Wednesday. He’ll be up against Surrey Quest’s brother at Newbury who won impressively at Kempton yesterday with Toby’s Support Act in 2nd. The next stage of entry for the Goff’s bumper is this Tuesday when the field will be whittled down further.
Thursday we have the social in Surbiton and it’s good to know that we will have between 20-25 owners along. We will be at the Victoria pub in the High Street from just after 6 pm. There still room for a handful more (although the food order has already gone in !!) so if you want to make a last minute call then please feel free to pop along.
Possible races and events
2023
March
Wednesday 1st Surrey Lord visit – 10.30 @ Epsom racecourse
Thursday 2nd – Surrey Racing Social – The Victoria, Surbiton, from 6 pm
Wednesday 15th – Surrey Noir - Newcastle
Saturday 18th – Surrey Mist – Prix Ebury – St Cloud
Saturday 25th – Surrey Lord – Newbury – Goffs Bumper
Wednesday 29th – Surrey Noir - Kempton
April
Friday 21st Surrey Belle – Newbury
Sunday 23rd Surrey Mist – Gerling Preis - Cologne
Friday 28th Surrey Belle - Sandown
May
Tuesday 16th – Surrey Racing Golf Day