Latest news

Tonto Settles Out West

Fri 18 August 2017

Blushing Red

Blushing Red has always had striking looks and the flashy chestnut has been affectionately nicknamed Tonto as a result by the staff at La Grange. We have always thought he has ability too but the gelding headed to Wales with a point to prove after two disappointing recent runs. He was very keen when he won his Maiden up at Newcastle and his inability to settle has often been his undoing. Tom ‘Tick Tock’ Mclaughlin put in a lot of work at home to try and ensure the son of Le Havre relaxed in his races and a net was used on the chestnut too.

 

It is always a concern when there are only five runners that there may be a slow pace and so it was fantastic to see the favourite Native Prospect set an even gallop in the early stages. Franny Norton settled Blushing Red beautifully on the rail and he tracked the leaders travelling kindly. The favourite galloped up the home straight and kicked for home over a furlong out, with Fools And Kings challenging him. Blushing Red travelled well but he was stuck on the rail and was shuffled back momentarily, Norton switched him out for a run and he soon started to find his stride. He got to Native prospect without being extended and won cosily by a length and a quarter with the favourite galloping on to hold onto second place.

 

This was much more like it from Blushing Red and the net and drop back to ten furlongs appears to have worked the oracle. Now he has learnt to settle we are sure that he will improve for a mile and a half although we may keep him at ten furlongs for now. Ease in the ground suits him well too given his action. The handicapper cannot be unduly hard on our gelding and he will remain within the 0-80 bracket.

 

Congratulations to our gelding’s owner Mr Arculli. We hope he can progress forward for you now and he could be a nice horse for the Autumn. Well done to everyone at La Grange, this win was the culmination of a lot of hard work and perseverance and was a fantastic team effort.



< Back