Feb 20th Update
Having just returned from a very wet and blustery Newbury where we were hoping to write ‘another week, another winner’ alas not this time, but once again a very game performance from the ultra consistent Gran Luna who stepped up to 3 miles really well and although she was no match for the winner she battled on well for second spot – and an owners visit to the winning connections room for a re-run with champagne! She does make a noise when she runs so has to be looked after in each race which is why Nico can’t push too early but she obviously stays (admirable considering the ground was very testing) so there’s plenty of options open for her now. She did pick up a cut on her back leg where another horse ran into her so that wouldn’t have helped and she will be an improver on better ground so there’s certainly more to come.
Surrey Quest was Nicky’s no 1 pick for the Ballymore before Warwick, his work at home was superb which was why Nicky was adamant that something went wrong in that Grade 2 race. They feel they have the neck muscle issue right now but he’s not quite sparkling on the gallops although he’s not doing bad, but nothing like he was before Warwick. However – we’ve kept him entered into the Cheltenham Festival because horses do come right and Nicky thinks we would be kicking ourselves if he came good in two weeks time. Having said that the dream may have to wait a year.
Surrey Knight has had another solid week cantering and continues to please Charlie with his work and after a clear week, he was ready to float up the Al Bahathri gallop ( which is the main all-weather work gallop Bury Side and Newmarket’s first ‘waxed’ synthetic surface back in 1985. Now Polytrack, it was further refurbished in 2018 and is the gallop on which Frankel famously out-ran a passing train!). Charlie said Knight wanted to do more and he’s having to hold him back. Surrey Noir is just having an easy time at the moment as he is still coughing a bit. It should settle down soon, at which point, he should be ready to resume cantering again.
Surrey Gold came back in this week from his winter break where he has actually been working fairly hard on the water treadmill so all going well he could run in April. Surrey Belle has had really relaxing time at the stud in Chobham but now the time is right for her to come into training, so she’ll be moving to Hughie’s at the end of this week. We will be seeing both on Saturday 5th, Hughie has an open day for all his horses on Sunday April 25th as well which the owners will be invited to.
No new news on the trio at George’s, we are discussing options for both Surrey Princess and Surrey Mist to run again in March whilst Surrey Charm continues her education on the gallops.
You are invited to our virtual Cheltenham Preview, hosted by Surrey Racing owner Oli Bell who will be joined by guests who love horse racing including Chris Hughes, Charlie Austin and Toby Lawes to discuss the upcoming Cheltenham Festival. Get in touch for details.
Topic: Surrey Racing Cheltenham Preview
Time: Mar 2, 2022 18:30 London
Plenty going on in March but a quiet week ahead before all that!
2022
February
March
Wednesday 2nd – Surrey Racing Cheltenham Preview hosted by Oli Bell, 18.30 – 20.00
Saturday 5th – Hughie Morrison Stable visit for Belle and Gold Owners
Friday 11th – Surrey Mist - Wolves
Wednesday 16th – Surrey Quest – Cheltenham – Ballymore
Surrey Mist - Kempton
Saturday 26th – Surrey Knight – Doncaster (Maiden Stakes)
April
Tuesday 5th – Surrey Mist – St Cloud
Sunday 25th – Hughie Morrison Open Day
July
Sunday 3rd – Surrey Knight (153rd German Derby, Hamburg) ) 92 left in – next stage Mar 7th
https://www.deutscher-galopp.de/gr/renntage/rennen.php?id=1330172&d=20220703&s=N