October 2023
It was a good turn out from the syndicate owners on Wednesday evening to see Surrey Charm run at Kempton, unfortunately we were left disappointed with her performance as she came home well beaten in 8th. Hughie thinks he got the tactics wrong by switching her off at the back, as she stayed switched off ! Jockey Kieran Shoemark said afterwards that she just was disinterested so the plan will be to get her more involved next time. Kieran also said that she would be suited by further so we will see what the handicapper does on Tuesday and then look at options. She was absolutely fine the next day, and actually should be back out fairly soon as she hasn’t had a hard race.
Yesterday Surrey Belle came a distant 4th in testing conditions at Chester which did nothing to lighten the mood of those racehorse owners who made the long journey there, not helped by the latest train strike. Belle just never settled, there was no surprise she had nothing left at the end. Frustratingly we don’t seem to have found the right performance from Belle yet this year. Hughie thought the ground was well out of her comfort zone, with the ground also causing a slow pace meaning Belle struggled to settle.
Next to race is Surrey Noir who has two entries this week, on Wednesday in a class 4 race handicap over 7 furlongs at Kempton, currently scheduled for 7.00 pm with Callum Shepherd provisionally booked to ride and then the next day at Salisbury, a 6f handicap race, at 3.57 pm as Charlie would like to get him back on the turf. However, we know he handles Kempton well, the distance on the all-weather track suits, so unless the Salisbury race looks like a penalty kick then we will go to Kempton again. Wherever he runs, it’s going to be a tough ask now up 7 pounds in the handicap and running in class 4s but he is well and in good shape.
Unfortunately Surrey Lord banged himself jumping small poles in the school this week. The vet isn’t concerned but has advised some light hacking only for now and will re assess in the week. It hasn’t really put him back but I know the owners are looking forward to seeing him at Epsom gallops next Saturday so we hope he’ll be fit for that but will update you. Meanwhile Surrey Quest is really shining and not showing any physical issues at all at this stage, He’s had a gastroscope this week and that is showing a good healthy stomach. He’s been show jumping and will go again this week to keep him sharp and we’re looking forward to see the syndicate owners and him at Epsom next Saturday.
Surrey Fortune is dovetailing the hill gallop with the deep sand and progressing well, that will continue throughout October but with the addition of some ‘speed’ gallops to get him ready for his debut. Surrey Force has had two easy weeks but that seems to have done the trick, his legs are good. He’ll have the vet visit tomorrow and if he gets the go ahead he’ll start cantering again Thursday. Surrey Shadow looks fantastic, really putting on condition which is great to see. He’s on the walker twice a day and turned out in to the paddock (weather permitting) every day, he’s eating well and very contented within himself. Surrey Fire is getting closer to his debut, Hughie is looking for novice races over a mile in the next couple of weeks as the starting point but as we know his three year old career will be over 12+ furlongs.
The end of the third quarter, it has been an ok summer but we’re really hoping the last three months of the year are the best of what has been an underperforming year. We still have 5 horses yet to make their debut so that’s really exciting.
Good Luck to Surrey Noir and connections this week, and we are looking forward to seeing you all on the Epsom gallops on Saturday.
October
Wednesday 4th – Surrey Noir – Kempton
Thursday 5th – Surrey Noir - Salisbury
Saturday 7th – Toby Lawes Owners Morning
Tuesday 17th – Day 1 of the Arqana Yearling Sale
Wednesday 25th – Surrey Quest/Surrey Lord - Worcester