We enjoyed a red letter day on Saturday with a treble which took our score for the season to 36 winners. That is two more than our previous best total achieved in 2017-2018. And with 6 horses racing at 3 different racecourses, my great team of staff both at home and at the races put in a tremendous effort to make it happen.
With the horses in such good form I’d like to think we can maintain the momentum over the next six weeks though that obviously depends on racing being allowed to continue in the face of the threat from the Coronavirus.
First up on Saturday in a maiden hurdle at Fontwell was Wagner ridden by our excellent conditional Rex Dingle a day after his first Cheltenham Festival success on Indefatigable in the Martin Pipe Hurdle.
Wagner, who is owned by the Potwell Racing Syndicate, has been pleasing at home since an op to fire his palate, led throughout, was clear two out and beat the joint favourite Hit The Rocks by eighteen lengths. Long term chasing will definitely be his game.
We formed the Potwell Racing Syndicate this season for the ownership of 3 horses – Wagner, Bleue Away, and Kilconny Bridge. The syndicate have had great fun and excitement with 5 winners from 8 runs. There are still a few shares remaining . . . . . contact Anthony on 07815 898 569
Duhallow Gesture (pictured above in white and purple colours) completed a quick double for the yard at Fontwell by winning the Mares’ handicap hurdle for the second year running. She was given a fine ride by Ben Godfrey who is growing in confidence in his first season with us.
Duhallow Gesture is very professional, knows her job and despite being a little uneasy on the testing ground she put her experience to good use as she saw off the late challenge of Misty Whisky.
It is great to have the two good young lads riding for the yard. Rex is certainly stepping up to the mark, he is very sharp mentally and is improving his strength while Ben is progressing well as he gains more experience.
Rex made it to Kempton in plenty of time to complete the final leg of our treble on Coquelicot in the £26,000 Listed Final of the EBF Mares’ Series which was transferred from the meeting lost at Sandown a week earlier.
She has made giant strides this season and travelled smoothly on the heels of the leader before sweeping into a decisive lead early in the straight.
Coquelicot has a telling blend of speed and stamina, keeps improving and has a big future though it is unlikely she will run again this season unless we take her to a Punchestown.
The original plan was to run her as a two year old until she suffered a minor setback. She is certainly making up for lost time now and as a three time winning half sister to the Ebor winner Heartbreak City she is already extremely valuable.
