Southwell have put on a £20,000 1m4f handicap on the fibresand this afternoon and they deserve to be rewarded with a decent field. On paper it looks like a match between two dirt specialists in Masterful Act and Hunting Ground with our own Icebuster third favourite at an overpriced 16/1!
It's Icebuster's first outing on the fibresand and it's a bit of a quandary whether he will handle the surface. Generally our horses have a decent record at the track with the majority of our horses taking extremely well to the surface, which I feel is due to the fact our woodchip gallop rides like the fibresand, especially compared to the polytrack gallops which are used in the major centres. However, many experts place a high emphasis on sire stats on the fibresand and unfortunately Iceman has a poor record (1-51) which is a concern. We have had horses in the past defy similar stats, so we always feel it is worth giving them a go on the fibresand, most of ours that do disappoint just don't face the kickback. Also in Icebuster's favour is the fact that he is a strong travelling sort that rarely gets the fast pace he craves on the polytrack, which is why he is 0-15 on the AW, with his last seven run resulting in RPRs of 87-92, rather than the fact he does not handle it. He is readily excused his latest defeat as he ran away with Patrick over two miles and did extremely well to last as long as he did. With the professional handling of David Probert and dropping back to twelve furlongs, he should perform much better today.
Even if Icebuster takes to the fibresand, he may well be coming up against two 'Southwell Superstars'! Masterful Act is five from six on the fibresand and American bred, with connections planning to aim him at the Breeders Cup Marathon. However, he is certainly better at 1m6f plus and just scraped home off a three pound lower mark from Layl (Icebuster beat him six lengths the time before) and off 91 he could be vulnerable over twelve furlongs, a trip that he met his only defeat off a mark of 67. The Johnston horse Hunting Ground is certainly unexposed, his only outing on the fibresand resulting in a seven length success from the 84 rated Saddaqa in a very good time (RPR 92/ TS 86) but disappointed back on the turf. After a break he was certainly impressive when winning by eight lengths over two miles at Wolverhampton. It was not much of a race, Flash Crash was an exposed mid 60 horse before two easy wins in weak company and the big question mark is whether he can back this form up a week later under a six pound penalty (still seven pounds well in) and that he just isn't as effective on turf as he is on an artificial surface?
So with possible question marks against top two in the market, it is certainly worth attacking a £20,000 handicap on the fibresand and well done to Southwell for putting the race on.
Shavansky ran another cracking race in a Class 2 handicap at Lingfield, finishing fourth on Saturday, once again he was unlucky, this time settling dropped back to ten furlongs but he just did not get a clear run up the short home straight and would definitely have been third and maybe done enough to win. However, for the ten year old to remain in such great form is an excellent advert for the yard.
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Thursday, 30 January 2014
Monday, 20 January 2014
Four Seconds In 2014 Already
The horses have generally started 2014 in good form but we have not had much luck so far with four seconds from nine runners! Hopefully it will not be long before we are off the mark.
Ice Tres has resumed from a summer break in good form and has been second on two occasions at Wolverhampton, both times she has probably hit the front too soon and been nabbed near the line. She was slightly disappointing at Lingfield on Friday but the drop back to ten furlongs may not have suited and the race could have come too soon.
Although she did not like Southwell, Ivor's Princess showed that her 20/1 Kempton success in December was no fluke when runner-up returned to the Sunbury venue under a strong ride from Luke Morris.
It looked as if we had found an ideal opportunity for Icebuster in a five runner two mile handicap at Kempton on Wednesday, but a concern over two miles was whether he would settle if there was no pace on. Sadly he was far too keen and took off with Pat with a circuit to go. Despite having a clear lead entering the home straight, he tired in the final two furlongs as his stamina gave out but he still did enough to hold on for second. He is certainly capable of winning off his current mark granted a strong pace, which is rare on the polytrack.
After unseating early on her hurdling debut and with the ground so soft we decided to return Dance to the AW. She struggled in some strong flat maidens in the summer but was placed in three bumpers and she ran a nice race to stay on for second, having been left short of room when the pace quickened. She is certainly capable of winning a race, whether she can emulate her half-sister Money Money Money and rack up five in one year we're not so sure but she has just as good an attitude!
Ice Tres has resumed from a summer break in good form and has been second on two occasions at Wolverhampton, both times she has probably hit the front too soon and been nabbed near the line. She was slightly disappointing at Lingfield on Friday but the drop back to ten furlongs may not have suited and the race could have come too soon.
Although she did not like Southwell, Ivor's Princess showed that her 20/1 Kempton success in December was no fluke when runner-up returned to the Sunbury venue under a strong ride from Luke Morris.
It looked as if we had found an ideal opportunity for Icebuster in a five runner two mile handicap at Kempton on Wednesday, but a concern over two miles was whether he would settle if there was no pace on. Sadly he was far too keen and took off with Pat with a circuit to go. Despite having a clear lead entering the home straight, he tired in the final two furlongs as his stamina gave out but he still did enough to hold on for second. He is certainly capable of winning off his current mark granted a strong pace, which is rare on the polytrack.
After unseating early on her hurdling debut and with the ground so soft we decided to return Dance to the AW. She struggled in some strong flat maidens in the summer but was placed in three bumpers and she ran a nice race to stay on for second, having been left short of room when the pace quickened. She is certainly capable of winning a race, whether she can emulate her half-sister Money Money Money and rack up five in one year we're not so sure but she has just as good an attitude!
Modem Off The Mark At Lingfield
Having just been denied on his handicap debut at Lingfield two weeks previously, Modem went one better at the end of December. This Motivator gelding has enjoyed stepping up to twelve furlongs and this long striding type will do even better on a more galloping track so should continue to improve as a four-year-old.
That was our 21st winner of 2013 and the yard picked up over £165,000 during the year. Let's hope 2014 brings plenty of winners. A review of 2013 will appear on the site soon.
That was our 21st winner of 2013 and the yard picked up over £165,000 during the year. Let's hope 2014 brings plenty of winners. A review of 2013 will appear on the site soon.
Tuesday, 10 December 2013
£70,000 London Middle Distance Final
The 2013/14 AW season has had a much needed prize money boost and the £70,000 London Middle Distance Final has attracted an extremely competitive field, full of horses that have been running well in the recent qualifiers. We are lucky to be represented by both Shavansky and Icebuster, and both have excellent chances of picking up prize money. Veteran of the yard Shavansky has won two qualifiers and has a hundred percent record at the course and distance. He was given a cracking ride by five pound claimer Shelly Birkett, when winning a very competitive qualifier three weeks ago. There wasn't much pace on that day so his effort can be upgraded and he won the 2012 London Mile Final so you know the old boy is capable of winning such a contest. With his slow starts, Icebuster often gets left at the back of the field and he is left hostage to the pace on the AW. He had no chance off a stop start gallop when third last week, which was an excellent effort in the circumstances. His wide draw is actually a positive as he like to challenge wide, so at least he won't be stuck in a pocket on the rail if they do go steady. He's tremendously consistent and is more likely to run his race than Shavansky but the veteran may have more class if he's on a going day. Hopefully both put up good shows in such a valuable race.
Friday, 6 December 2013
Handicap Debut For Modem
Motivator gelding Modem makes his handicap debut in a modest looking finale at Lingfield this afternoon and he looks to have strong claims on paper. He made a promising start to his career when third on debut at Ffos Las and improved on that when fifth in a much stronger event at Windsor. Both those races were on heavy ground and switched to the polytrack, he found a mile far too sharp when disappointing at Lingfield last time out. While it looked a weak race at the time, the winner Tasrih set a very strong pace and has since confirmed himself a useful AW performer winning off 81 and the third Sweham has won a maiden so the run wasn't quite as disappointing as it looked at the time. The handicapper has given him a mark of 69 on the turf but only 64 on the AW, which enables him to take his chance in this modest Class 6 contest. While he may well be better on soft ground, the extra half a mile should suit and hopefully blinkers will help him concentrate. However, he runs against one of our old horses Yes Chef whose extremely well handicapped, 19lbs lower than his last win and back at a more suitable trip, a big run from the talented Best Of The Best's gelding wouldn't surprise.
Ivor's Secures Win Number 20 In 2013
It wasn't a bad evening at Kempton with all three representatives running solid races and bringing some prize money back to Devon. Ivors Princess finally showed some sparkle down to Class 6 company and despite making Sean Levey, riding a treble on the card, work very hard in the early stages, she ran out a cosy winner. She went up 21lbs for winning two races last year and struggled with the handicapper as she was forced to run out of her grade and completley lost her confidence. She missed the first half of this season but showed promise when third at Salisbury but two disappointing efforts meant she was on her last Flat chance on Wednesday evening. Hopefully with confidence boosted, she can exploit what is now a lenient handicap mark.
There was no pace on for Icebuster in the London Middle Distance qualifier and he was very keen under Shelly Birkett. There was nothing Shelly could do but sit and suffer from an inside draw and she did well to extricate him wide when the sprint started for home entering the home straight. Third was still a good effort in the circumstances and he will get into next week's £70,000 Final. With a field of sixteen, there should be some pace and both he and Shavansky have a good chance of earning some decent prize money.
Ice Tres made a promising return to the track, breaking on terms and wasn't keen in the early stages under David Probert. The lack of a recent run told as she weakened into fourth in the final furlong but it was a solid effort and she should remain competitive in that grade this winter.
There was no pace on for Icebuster in the London Middle Distance qualifier and he was very keen under Shelly Birkett. There was nothing Shelly could do but sit and suffer from an inside draw and she did well to extricate him wide when the sprint started for home entering the home straight. Third was still a good effort in the circumstances and he will get into next week's £70,000 Final. With a field of sixteen, there should be some pace and both he and Shavansky have a good chance of earning some decent prize money.
Ice Tres made a promising return to the track, breaking on terms and wasn't keen in the early stages under David Probert. The lack of a recent run told as she weakened into fourth in the final furlong but it was a solid effort and she should remain competitive in that grade this winter.
Tuesday, 3 December 2013
Another Qualifier For Buster
With Icebuster dropping to 84, he isn't certain to get in the £70,000 London Middle Distance Final so he goes for the final qualifier at Kempton on Wednesday evening. He has been extremely consistent this season, posting RPR's of 87-92 on ten of his twelve starts this season. However, he is probably struggling with the handicapper, remains four pounds higher than his Haydock success and the fact that he is best off a strong pace doesn't make things easy. However, he has useful five pound claimer Shelly Birket (won on Shavansky) on board and with only seven runners, he won't be too far off the pace even if sitting last, a scenario which has seen numerous good efforts this year. Hopefully he will go pretty close tomorrow and it will be great if we can have two horses in the final.
Despite the fact we are very quiet at the minute, we also have two other runners at Kempton on Wednesday. Ice Tres returns from a 157 day absence in the first division of the twelve furlong handicap. She blew her chance with slow starts on her most recent outings so we gave her the summer off. If she returns in a better frame of mind, she is very well handicapped off 50, having placed off a five pound higher mark on hndicap debut at Wolverhampton.
Ivors Princess has been disappointing over the last eighteen months, although there were signs of a rivival when third at Salisbury and fifth at Chepstow this autumn. She is incredibly well handicapped, off a mark 13lb lower than her last win and eight pound lower than the Salisbury third. She had little chance held up off a steady pace last time and dropped into Class 6 Company, it would be no surprise if she bounced back.
Despite the fact we are very quiet at the minute, we also have two other runners at Kempton on Wednesday. Ice Tres returns from a 157 day absence in the first division of the twelve furlong handicap. She blew her chance with slow starts on her most recent outings so we gave her the summer off. If she returns in a better frame of mind, she is very well handicapped off 50, having placed off a five pound higher mark on hndicap debut at Wolverhampton.
Ivors Princess has been disappointing over the last eighteen months, although there were signs of a rivival when third at Salisbury and fifth at Chepstow this autumn. She is incredibly well handicapped, off a mark 13lb lower than her last win and eight pound lower than the Salisbury third. She had little chance held up off a steady pace last time and dropped into Class 6 Company, it would be no surprise if she bounced back.
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