Friday 5th March
Been very frustrating lately with a few of the runners - At Wolverhampton we ran Weybridge Light who finished a disappointing 6th. He appears to be a little quiet in himself since the run so a blood test has been taken - At Kempton last week we ran Boldinor who got struck into from behind and Dualagi who was drawn on the outside (worse draw you could have) - could not get any cover so ran too free.
Fine Ruler ran no race at all but seems to be 'over the top' - peaked and needs a holiday - has been on the go for a while now but has been running well all season. Kathleen Kennet looked too slow and unwilling in her race so was quite a mystery to us. However her blood test shows why she ran poorly (had been viral before she came to us and has a secondary infection - now on the easy with a 'pick me up' of aloe vera, yoghurt and a little sunshine (when we get it!)
Friday 19th February
We were all very pleased with Ocean of Peace last night at Kempton - 3rd but only beaten 1/4 length which was actually a head and a short head - a very exciting 'head bobbing' finish. There was no pace at all in the race and we were held up in the last trio with the winner and the second just in front of us - Turning into the straight Ocean of Peace was given a very polished ride by Holly Hall and took the shortest route up the far rail, a little traffic on the way while the winner and the second had a clear run on the outside. In the final 2 furlongs we made a lot of ground up but if the gap on the inside had opened up sooner would we have won ? - we think so! All down to the pace of the race......... as normal!
At the end of the day Ocean of Peace finished the best we have seen him so all our hard work is hopefully paying off - well done team......
Tuesday 16th February
Been a busy week at home and with runners - Boldinor was our champion last week WINNING at Kempton with the consistent George Baker back on board. Another great ride given by George - front running tactics paid off and Boldinor loved every minute of the race - pricking his ears as he soldiered up front.
Weybridge Light ran another consistent race finishing 3rd back at Wolverhampton - possibly would have been closer if he could have taken up the running 4 out. Tactics were to make more use of him!
We were very disappointed with Nathan Dee at Kempton - stopped too quickly having traveled and jumped well. Did take a fair blow to his leg and a little sore - whether this stopped him we are not sure yet! Abfabfong ran a better race at Hereford but still frustrating - just needs to get a little braver on possibly better ground. All the jockeys who ride him are positive about him in every way. Spaceman was disappointing yesterday at Plumpton being pulled up two out. We had left off his usual head gear and he had been off the course for 2 years but we were still disappointed with his run - did expect to complete at least. He did have a good blow after but recovered very quickly so he was plenty fit enough. Head gear next for him and hoping the handicapper has been sensible.
Monday 8th February
Lopinot finished 2nd at Lingfield in an apprentice race ridden by Andrew Hefferman. The winner has since won again over shorter so the form is fairly solid. Kathleen Kennet ran the same day at Kempton finishing 7th of 14 - a disappointing run but there are a few excuses - hampered just after start, then taken wide, went from 3rd last to up behind the leaders in a few strides and then hung left across the course! An important factor with regard to this run was that she did run quickly after her 2nd at Wolverhampton - had to run as the handicapper has put her up 7lb for her 2nd.
Monday 1st February
Poor Nathan Dee - Kempton abandoned - still not getting a run yet again!!!! - every time we make a declaration for him, the meeting is abandoned due to frost, snow and waterlogging - when he did get a chance to run he got kicked at the start and had to be withdrawn by the vet! - He has to be a winner when he does eventually get to run - luck always comes round........
Lopinot goes to Lingfield and Kathleen to Kempton on Wednesday - both in good form.
Thursday 28th January
Well done Kathleen Kennet at Wolverhampton - 2nd at 66-1 - another stride and she would have won !! They went no gallop early on in the race so a decent pace next time and she should go one better....... A genuine and straight forward mare with a lovely long galloping stride - likes a little TLC but then all ladies appreciate a bit of attention! Hopefully the handicapper will not be too harsh on her - hope he remembers she is 10 years of age!
At the same meeting we ran Weybridge Light who ran a super race too - finishing 4th in a competitive handicap without the usual blinkers. This was his first run since we injected his joints so watching him move so well and confidently in the race was very pleasing.... Fergus Sweeney who rode him was delighted with him too. He has since come out of the race sound and has eaten all his food.
Dualagi finished 6th of 13 at Southwell on her first run back after a break - not an ideal track for her but was worth another try there for her - would have to go further with her if we consider going back there again. Lopinot 4th at Lingfield - should have been at least 2nd but tactics did not go to plan and poor Fine Ruler drawn in another county had no chance from there - can right that race off!
Abfabfong ran yesterday on the flat - finished out the back. We were all very disappointed with him as he had been improving at home from week to week and looks so well in himself. Will have to try further still and probably best over hurdles but the ground still too soft for him at moment.
Bob's Sister ran at Towcester (Sunday) in an amateur race ridden by Dale Peters (who works for us) having his first ride over hurdles. Unfortunately the ground was too testing for her and Dale pulled her up two from home. She will now have a break until we get some good ground - back in a seller.
Wednesday 20th January
The ground at Folkestone for Silver Prophet was like a dough - tacky, deep and dead - Silver Prophet hated it! He got himself further and further behind and in the end Anthony had no choice but to pull him up. Half an hour after the race he was bright and energetic! At the end of the day we were not sure he would go on the heavy ground but he has old form on good/soft but this was extreme!
We have a few new arrivals - Weybridge Light and Kathleen Kennet. Weybridge Light has been trained in Ireland but his last three runs have been with us - the BHA allow Irish Trainers to run their horses from a UK stable for a period of 90 days. The owners live locally and it made sense to stay in the UK - we are very thankful to the owners for letting him stay with us - the little horse is as honest and hardy as any you would train. Kathleen Kennet is now 10 but young at heart! A super moving horse with a big stride - should have won before now - another who appears to be honest and hardy. Worked really well today - first proper gallop since she arrived.
Wednesday 13th January
Could not believe we could get any more snow - this morning we had another 2 inches! Lopinot was due to go to Lingfield but that was abandoned this morning - he had a fair chance today.... never mind another race in nine days.... We have an ideal race for Silver Prophet at Folkestone on the 19th January for jockeys who have not ridden more than 20 winners - Anthony Freeman will be able to ride in the race - amazing that someone with his experience and talent has not ridden 20 yet - hopefully snow will have gone by then?
Thursday 7th January
I am sure you all have as much snow as we do! All good fun when it first arrives but then it becomes a little tiresome, especially when this is second time around for us in just four weeks! However, the horses are enjoying the white stuff - only had one day off due to lack of salt for the ice. We are so lucky to have the indoor school and a great gallop.
Runners last week were so unlucky - Lopinot only beaten 3/4 length into 3rd and Fine Ruler in the same race only beaten 2 1/2 lengths finishing 4th. They both had to come from behind in the final 2 furlongs and the winner and second had already gone for home. A very rough race with not much early pace - hence a lot of bunching up and the first two sprinting away in the home straight! Our two certainly like running against each other! Please, please BHA put some races on for them - they are wanting to go out again very soon and there's not much opportunity for them.
Abfabfong ran an encouraging race at Warwick finishing 5th at 100/1 on ground too soft for him. Confidence is his main demon and if we can combat that he is a horse who is well handicapped.
Friday 1st January 2010
A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM ALL OF US AT BOWSTRIDGE FARM.
