Boom - Gran Luna -Weekly Update
Wasn’t it great to be back racing this week, only our 2nd runner of the year and fantastic that Gran Luna was back in the winners enclosure, she’s such a talented horse and her results so far are amazing with three wins and a third in her four races. Although she was favourite to win, there’s still no certainty’s in horse racing so each win should be celebrated by the owners in style ! For those syndicate owners who may be interested in some stats, Tom Cannon becomes our 15th winning jockey, and Chepstow joins Newbury as our winning most course with 3 wins.
Gran Luna didn’t have any blood in her nostrils but when she was scoped after the race there was a small amount present, Nicky said 2 out of 5, which puts her in line with about 40 other horses in the yard and she will now be treated as such. As for the race itself, she has come out of it fine, Chepstow did a great job of making the ground very safe. Nicky said her jumping wasn’t that good but he hasn’t re schooled her as he’s been concentrating on her other issues and getting her fit for this race. She will now go away (she’ll stay in the yard for another week) and have the summer off, probably spend a few weeks schooling at Henrietta Knight’s and then come back to continue hurdling. Even though ultimately she’s a chaser, Nicky thinks there’s some unfinished business and as she’s so well handicapped it would make sense to try to win a few more races first, and then when the handicapper catches up try for some black type.
We may have another runner this week as Surrey Gold has an entry on the all weather at Lingfield in the lucky last there on Thursday. A three year old only 0-80 handicap over 1m 4f. Hughie would rather run him on the turf but Gold needs to run as he’s race ready. It’s very hard to bring horses to the boil and then keep them there for too long without running. Looking at the forecast, there doesn’t appear to be any rain about the UK for a couple of weeks so this is probably the best option.
Surrey Pride has recovered from his knock and was back working yesterday. He needs a couple of weeks to get back to being race fit so Joe will aim him at a 0-100 class 2 handicap over 10 furlongs at York on Friday May 14th, which actually would be a first Surrey Racing appearance at York, which is a fantastic track and right up there with the best places for racehorse owners to watch racing.
Surrey Quest did his first really hard work yesterday, with Kimmins (Santini’s half sister) and a Blue Bresil youngster and was pretty impressive, Quest and Kimmins leaving the other horse way behind. Nicky was very pleased but says he’s still fat – a monster ! There was a slight hoarseness about him, the jockey felt he was just holding 5% back. It could be a wind issue, but it also could be the fact he’s still growing and parts of his body haven’t developed as quickly. He’ll be scoped tomorrow but one thing is for sure, he has some engine. Nicky would like him to run in 2 weeks time so he’s having a look at the fixture list and those visiting Seven Barrows on Tuesday will probably learn quicker than me on the result of the scope and his planned debut run.
No new news on the other horses, Surrey Knight continues to strut his stuff, Surrey Mist won’t be ready until the end of May and Surrey Princess is good to run, but again, a little bit of rain would be better for her.
The syndicate owners breakfast in Newmarket at Charlies on May 22nd, will be followed by a tour of the National Stud and then lunch at the Rosery Hotel (there’s also racing at Newmarket for those that wish for that). It will be great for the new owners to see Surrey Knight and meet Charlie. It’s open to all so nearer the time we will ask for names/numbers – we may have to cap numbers so obviously priority to the new and potential Knight owners.
For the handful of racehorse owners visiting the Henderson yard on Tuesday, have a good morning and Good Luck to the Surrey Gold syndicate owners if he runs Thursday!