Rain, rain and more rain! Drenched this morning feeding all the youngsters and horses on holiday out in the field as it simply hasn’t stopped and Lingfield Park have already text to say that they have also had a lot of rain and are soft with some standing water. Not ideal but we head there with all three currently still aiming to run.
Mozzaro is our first runner in a 2m 7f Novices’ Handicap Hurdle under James Best for Owners For Owners: Mozzaro. Deb Butler, who is one of his owners and has also driven him there and will lead him up, is really happy with him and he’s schooled well at home but needs to put his home schooling into practice on the racecourse and cope with the ground too. The ground is the same for them all though, obviously, and I’m hopeful Mozzaro will be one of our horses that we’ve all been patient with and will start to reward everyone (as has the likes of Ten Past Midnight, Pinnacle Peak, Dreamsundermyfeet etc.).
The very next race sees Big Nasty in a Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase over 3 miles for Peel Racing Syndicate and some of them have made the journey down from Chester to support him. Sean Bowen is in the saddle and Big Nasty has done wonderfully over the summer back with Will Kinsey and his team and whilst the going will be softer than he would prefer, he seems in great form with himself and will hopefully still run a big race.
Finally we look forward to running She Has Notions (who is a gelding despite the name!) who makes his debut for us in the 2 1/2 mile maiden hurdle under James Best and will know more about him after the race – not least if he goes on testing ground! He finished 3rd for John Halley in a Maiden Hurdle in July and came to us soon afterwards having been selected by Gerry Hogan as a horse that he thinks may be suited by us. Recent similar purchases including Pay The Woman and John Halley is who we purchased Any Currency from. A lot of his new syndicate are able to be there today and hopefully they’ll have a fun day and he’ll run well.
On a different note completely, much to the amazement of Belinda’s Godmother Anita, (but not Belinda’s!), Anita has been nominated, and short listed for The Sunday Times Sportswomen of the Year, Changemaker Award.
The Award is for those who have inspired others and helped to create change in the world of women’s sport. For Anita it all started back in 1975 when she was Captain of the England Women’s Hockey Team. They won The World Cup in that year, but she was only 1 of 4 women invited to the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards! That was when she realised that things had to change, and it was the start of a lifetime spent working with organisations and sporting bodies around the world. The aim was to develop and support sportswomen and leaders of the future, and as a mere man it seems to me that she’s been extremely successful!
Anita is one of four shortlisted for the Change Maker Award. All have achieved success in their own particular fields so competition will be extremely tough. It would be wonderful, and greatly appreciated if you are able to add your support by voting, and getting your family and friends to vote as well. Here is the link: VOTE ANITA Thank you.
