As a rule Trainers really, really hate their horses finishing 2nd! We want winners and winners is what we work 24/7 towards. 2nd is not quite good enough; nearly but not quite or 1st loser! Yesterday at Southwell Evening Meeting we had two seconds….however I was thrilled with them both!
Our first second was Matthew Baker’s Brianna Rose was making her racecourse debut and it was also Matthew’s first runner in his sole name having worked his way up from Racing Club Member to Syndicate Member to the big step into ownership in his own right. Gerry Hogan bought Bri for Matthew at the Land Rover Sales in Ireland mid August last year and she has pleased us in everything she has done. Martin Jones had her to be backed and ridden away and the credit since she has been back here must go to Beth Whittle who has ridden her out most days. Yesterday James Best kept her wide and out of trouble for most of the race and, despite looking green turning for home, she showed the lovely attitude she has always seemed to have and battled all the way up the run in to go down by just 1 3/4 lengths and delight us all especially Matthew.
Mozzaro was our other 2nd on the evening and, in contrast to Brianna who has come to hand relatively quickly, he’s always been a slow burner and we’ve always had to be patient with him as he’s a horse for the future. Last night he was given another superb ride from James Best, who is such a good horseman, and, although being soundly beaten by an impressive winner, he battled to be 2nd and showed the most he has to date. He’ll want further and we will decide whether he has another run or has a well earned summer holiday. Another huge step forward for sure.
James Best and Warren Marston were in this morning and we worked Goldie’s Lovingit, Be Thankful, Reve, Dreamsundermyfeet, Eclat Des Mottes, Capricia, Cloud Formation, Pay The Woman and Cut & Run.
Yesterday Belinda & Beth were at Ascot Racecourse with the Racing Club’s Enforcement and David Parry’s Dariya for a photo shoot with Tom Marquand and a smart looking pretty fast car! In the end Dariya apparently played more of a supporting role with Enforcement the star of the show and looking like he has another string to his bow after his racing days have finished as a model! It sounded a fun day and we look forward to watching the footage as soon as it is shared.
