We have just started to get a small amount of rain here in Newmarket but nothing of any significance. It is very difficult to make plans for the horses when the weather forecast is so uncertain and it is very frustrating! The horses went up the Warren Hill Polytrack this morning and had a normal day, I was happy with how they are all looking.
We had two runners yesterday and I was pleased with how Zamjar ran when third in the six furlong Novice Stakes at Lingfield. He travelled well during the early stages of the race and was carried wide around the bend before staying on pleasingly in the latter stages of the race. The front two had both had two runs and both have shown a decent level of form. Girl With A Pearl was disappointing in the one mile handicap and ran too free in the early stages of the race with her first time blinkers on.
Harlestone Hopes runs in the first at Kempton this evening in the Apprentice Handicap. Luke Carson is currently injured and Harry Burn’s parents are getting married so we are using Kieran Shoemark. I would be delighted if he could win for my father and he has an each way chance, the longer straight should help him and I just hope the slight drop back in trip does not inconvenience him too much.
Horse racing is a very cruel game sometimes and it was sad to hear the news earlier in the week that So Mi Dar will not be running in the Oaks. The Oaks promised to be very intriguing and it is a big loss for horse racing that Minding and So Mi Dar will not be battling it out on the Downs. Thankfully she does not seem to have a major issue and hopefully the pair will meet later in the season. We have found out today that Viren’s Army will not be supplemented for the Derby whilst Humphrey Bogart most likely will and there will be some more Supplementary entries to come. It will more than likely be a big field and it is still a very open race but Goodwood and Newmarket will provide us with the last clues over the next few days.