4 September 2010: Our first DOUBLE of the Season, at Linfgield(AW)  today in the first & last races.

SAFARI TEAM ,surprisingly our first 2 y/o winner of the Season, is a strapping son of Dubai World Cup winner PLEASANTLY PERFECT & came good at his third attempt. Running over a mile for the first time he adopted his positive running style & moved away from the field on the last bend. He will soon be gelded and should be a stronger & more settled animal next year.

OIL STRIKE had faded in his latest runs so we brought him back to 6 furlongs on the track where he recorded his first win. The strategy worked! The winning distance was narrow yet comfortable; he was probably in front too soon. This win was off a mark of 88 but there is hopefully more to come after re-rating.

The week ahead sees SHIMMERING SURF tackle the "fillies St Ledger", the Park Hill Stakes GROUP 2, at Doncaster on Thursday; and SAFARI SUNUP a decent 10F  handicap at Sandown on Saturday. The forecast drop of rain Mon/Tues is welcome for both. MIDNIGHT FEAST is on the way back following a slight setback; his 2 y/o form is rock solid & well franked by both Royal Exchange & Cochabamba.

1 September 2010: August was a memorable month for the Yard on two counts.

First, FOXTROT ALPHA finally recaptured her 2 y/o form & won two modest races on the bounce for new owners, Damien & Heather Stalder & their friends (Looks A Bright Prospect Racing). We now realise that she only just gets 7 furlongs & that it is best to ride  a waiting race from the front with her. If we look at her record & strip out her five runs over an excessive 8 furlongs, she is actually 3 wins & 4 places from 11 on ground from G/F to S. So given her pedigree she should make a broodmare in due course. 

Secondly, TROPICAL PARADISE again came up trumps at Goodwood winning her second GROUP 3, the Supreme Stakes,  beating the colts under a 4 lbs penalty quite comfortably. She has now won three times over C&D for Ian Mongan this Season. She too will make an excellent broodmare in time with, so far, 6 wins + 5 places from just 14 runs & some £120k in prize money. However she continues to improve and will remain in training next year for a tilt at some higher class prizes. An exciting day for all concerned started with an excellent lunch for twelve at the Kennels and was topped by the Owners receiving their attractive prize from Patricia Routledge.