Ducky brings home the bubbly

It promised to be a busy week full of runners so it was just the tonic to get a winner out of one of them. The Ducking Stool had been a long time maturing and put together some fine performances this year, it was an ideal race for her as she acts well at Yarmouth, a galloping track, and the first three pulled clear of the field. She won with two lengths to spare, breaking her maiden in splendid fashion. It was extra special as long- time family friend Kevin 'Tolly' McGuinness owned the filly so it was good to get a winner for him especially as he looks after the horse at night.



Adam Beschizza brings the winner home.




Happy scenes in the winners enclosure.



Also running that day was Angel Of Mercy making her debut, she has taken a while getting to the track and being an un-raced 4 year old races are not the easiest to come by. But she handled everything well and ran on past a few at the end. The main thing is she had a good experience and came back healthy.

The next runners weren't until Thursday at Lingfield, when two-year-old Tiger's Home was havnig her second run, she led the field and just when we thought she'd be swallowed up she carried on battling and managed to finish 5th only beaten two lengths. She had come on alot after her first start but we were expecting her to run up to her big odds, the ground was on the soft side so may have caught a few of the others out but she ran a cracker and was still in with a shout with 1f to go. Omega Omega was making her debut on the all- weather there that day, we trained her half sister Pyjoma and just like her she seems to want a trip. The filly was quite green and was running on at the death, it would be a big eye opener for her so hopefully she can put the experience to use next time.

The next day was pretty hectic with two runners here at Newmarket and one at Goodwood everyone was having to work extra hard to keep the yard running. Silver Alliance went away to Goodwood and came back a gallant 3rd, ridden by my son Ross, he travelled well before making his challenge where he struggled to reel in the leader who went on and won. Acer Diamonds ran at HQ and we were sweet on his chances after running out of his skin last time, however he was a bit disappointing, the jockey said the ground was quite tacky and so was not hard on him. Verona Bay was having his 3rd run and now qualifies for handicapping, these Newmarket maidens he has been running in have been a bit out of his depth with all the expensive, Derby entered horses competing against him. He is still a bit weak and will make his mark when he's found his grade.

We had two new additions to the yard this week in the form of two unraced, two-year-old colts. The first is Didn't I Do Well, by Byron, he is a short, stocky type who after neighing for a couple of days has settled in well.

The second is Sheila's Heart, he is bigger and looks full of class. We have only ridden them a couple of times and they seem to be adjusting well to the heath. However, they were previously trained in Newmarket by Toby Coles over the other side of town so they have seen all the sights and sounds before. It must if been a harsh blow for Toby to lose two horses as it would be for anyone, but it happens to all trainers and I feel privileged that I have been chosen to train them by the owner.



It's back to Yarmouth next week when Generous Genella is in the ideal race, a maiden handicap, she works so well at home it's just a mystery why she keeps running bad. The next day Believe In Me is entered, she'll be having her second start and hopefully can build on what she's learnt. She is just taking a while for the penny to drop but has been working more encouragingly at home. Also that day is Sail Home at Newbury, she was in the form of her life this winter and ran a fantastic race at the track last time she will be the best chance of the week of a winner.