Cracking the ice

Winter is officially here and back with a vengeance. Everything takes twice as long now, from getting dressed in the morning putting on lots of layers to navigating our way round the heath with all the walking grounds frozen solid. Everyone has to deal with it in some way or another, one job I don't envy is that of being the Clerk of the Course at certain tracks at the minute, namely Wolverhampton. Last year it could not cope with the temperatures as the polytrack balls up and creates some nasty and dangerous kickback. The same thing happened on Friday and Saturday night, we were there with Khajaaly on Friday and luckily they just got through the meeting, however on Saturday they only managed three races. I understand it is a difficult situation to be in and not alot they can do to prevent it, but I do think that some provision should have been given that this would happen to the track again this year as I would not of liked to of been one of the runners that went there on Saturday only for it to be called off.

However, further south we were at Lingfield and Kempton at the start of the week. Emma's Gift ran at Lingfield, she is struggling at the minute at getting competitive and I think it might be a confidence issue. She is rated so high at present and I think running against these good horses and having them come past her all the time just makes her give up. Over at Kempton though, things were looking better as Sail Home came in a gallant 3rd once again. She loves the all-weather and it would be fair to say that she hopefully has a fruitful winter ahead. Entrance had her last race that night before she heads off to the sales later this month, considering it was only 1m she ran well and would be a nice prospect for someone next year providing she gets her beloved rock solid ground.

The only other runner this week was the previously mentioned Khajaaly. We were in 3rd spot again but it was great to see him run into a bit of form and will hopefully be back in the swing of things again soon round his favourite track.

We had fun this week galloping a few for the first time. Handheld (below) did his first bit with Silver Alliance, 'Andy' was really impressive and I hope to bring him back to some of his old form as he was a decent 2-year-old in France. Silver is too in great nick and ideally he wants a race at Wolverhampton, but with the track in the state it's in at the minute that looks unlikely.

I got the pleasure of riding Spirit of Sharjah in his first bit of work since his injury last winter, he worked with another wounded returnee Automotive. I can't believe how well Spirit is at the minute, you know when he's feeling well when he tries to attack you every night putting his rug on! 'Mo' was a little frustrating last year as his trip eluded us, we'll take it one step at a time with him and hope to see him showing that ability he oozes at home.

New in-mate Vastly has moved up a gear now and is doing faster bits of work, the next step will be to give him a gallop with another horse so we can really see what he's made of.

This week was the foals sale at Tattersalls and we ended up coming away with two lovely fillies. Both are by promising new sires Authorized and Mawatheeq, they're a long way off being racehorses yet but it's nice to look out into the paddocks and see our future stars.

As for next weeks runners, Generous Genella goes for another try at losing her maiden tag on Tuesday at Wolves before she goes to the sales, she has so much ability but just does not want to know on the track. Wiggo will also be there, it will only be his second run and I hope the drop down in class will see him get competitive, he was only a cheap buy so I don't think he will be setting the world alight but he has a lovely attitude and really tries. The only other runner for the week will be returning heroine Kampai back over course and distance, we are hopeful of another thrilling run.



Someone who doesn't mind the mud!