Readying the troops for Turf 2013

After what has been an odd winter, we have suddenly found ourselves upon the threshold of the 2013 turf season.
The all-weather season has been nothing if not interrupted over the winter, but 2013 began well for us when we enjoyed our first ever treble at Wolverhampton on January 7th with Aubrietia, Spark of Genius and Little Dolly doing their bit for girl power (or strident feminism, as it's known in our house). We've had a reasonable amount of winners since and have been especially pleased with Aubrietia's rise through the handicap. She's been a revelation, winning 5 of her 6 starts this year, only being denied  in the 6th by the smallest of margins (2nd in a very tight photo finish). Her most recent start saw her winning by a decent 1 1/2 lengths, despite giving weight all round and she's certainly a filly on the upgrade. She has an entry in the Cammidge Trophy at Doncaster on Saturday 23rd March (Lincoln Day) and another for the Prix Cor De Chasse at Fontainebleau on Good Friday. There is a small domestic dispute in the McCabe household as to which she should go for, but that will be settled by her very knowledgeable owners. Masterful Act has also impressed us since joining the yard from the jumping ranks in December. He underwent a small wind operation after our eagle-eyed vet spotted him displacing his soft palate as she removed an endoscope from his throat and his first start for us was a decent 3rd place over 1m4f at Southwell. He was finishing especially well, so was subsequently stepped up to 1m6f on the same surface next time and duly won by 9 lengths. As the handicapper sought to raise him 11lbs for the victory, the decision was taken to run him within the week under a 6lbs penalty, before his new rating took effect. He won this race by an easy 13 lengths and has been raised a further 11lbs, bringing his new flat rating up to 87. This precludes him from participating in a 0-85 at Southwell we had earmarked as his next outing and an entry has been made in the Doncaster Shield on Friday as an alternative, but he looks an exciting staying prospect for his owner John Hughes' Universal Recycling Company.
The two year olds are developing nicely and we look to have some real quality among them. A couple may be out early and these include our Sleeping Indian homebred Spirit O Goodchild and a sharp Auction House filly owned by Heather Chellingworth named Loma Mor. Neither will be lining up for the Brocklesby though as it's probably a little too soon for our way of training, although I would say they won't be too far off a run. It's also been nice to welcome some new owners into the yard as well as some returning friends with their untried two-year-olds and I think we could be in for quite an exciting season - expect parties!
Heading across the road to Southwell races now to watch the enigma that is Follow The Flag. He could win if he wants to (as with every race we've ever run him in) but, as always, it's a very big 'if'. He's an old bugger, but I can't imagine the yard without him - lovely old War Horse. At least he know where the stables are and usually runs his fastest sections down the straight towards them. Bless him.

In which we finally enter the 21st Century

As the first installment of 'Stable News', this item is long overdue.

We have been enjoying a busy and very lively season which has taken us around Europe and claimed some nice prizes along the way. This week, however, has been one of those odd weeks, where a mid season lull offers little in the way of opportunities for our horses. Sometimes these quiet days are most welcome - we have had the chance to get little jobs done on the horseboxes and sort out some housekeeping around the yard and barns. We must grasp the limited opportunities we have while we can - with sales season already underway and the frantic end-of-season push fast approaching, our lads and girls (not to mention the horses and horseboxes!) will be flying in all directions. Some horses may literally take to the air as we prepare for another venture to the Breeders' Cup, held this year in Santa Anita, California. Caspar Netscher may go again and will probably be nominated for a couple of races and we will look and see which would be most suitable. Winged Icarus may also be found a race stateside, after his Frankel-esque victory at Southwell last week. His 12-length victory, smashing the 20-year track record without coming off the bridle left us astounded but delighted. We had hoped that he would win as we had galloped him on the surface and knew he went well on it, but the manner of his victory could never have been anticipated. He had disappointed us in the past and his six-figure price tag was beginning to look expensive but, with the application of a visor and a synthetic surface our American-bred Speightstown colt positively bloomed. It was a huge relief to all concerned to finally see what he had earlier promised.
As for this week's runners, they have been a bit sparse, as I have mentioned. Our next runners will be on Saturday, when we have four runners at four meetings. The logistics have now been sorted and Swerve will head for Ascot in a bid to atone for her sulky display at York when she wasn't allowed to dominate, the game and consistent Showboating will have a good chance under Ioannis Poullis at Thirsk, Blue Jack will be having his first run for us under Hayley Turner at Haydock and Sehnsucht, who has been working well, will take his chance to show what he can do at Wolverhampton. If all run true races, all should give good accounts of themselves.
Now I'm off to do a bit of housekeeping of my own - those walls won't paint themselves and I've only got two days to do it...

Toodle pip!