On the face of it it wasn’t a great day on Saturday, but there were positives to be drawn.
I went to Newbury to meet with Pete and the guys in the syndicate. Toucan Tango nearly got to the front in his maiden – he finished mid div and would have been a little closer as he was eased when beaten. He was bigger and leaner than I had expected – he is clearly going to need a bit of time to fill his frame, and when he does he looks more like a middle distance type than a sprinter. He’s going the right way.
Nemo Spirit raced prominently for most of his race but folded in the closing stages, which was no great surprise. The good news was that he ran a race – now we have to get him to run a good race. He would have preferred it softer – by the time he ran the ground had firmed up a little further and he likes to get his toe in. We may still go for the Cesarewitch if the rains come.
Today is an exciting day as Present Danger makes her debut at Hamilton. I own her with Michael and she was our most expensive purchase in the sales last year. Her full brother, Kehaar, was looking like a really good prospect but he died young. Her full sister, All for Laura, was decent, recording a rating of over 100 in handicap company – her first foal to race, Misheer, was second to Special Duty in the Cheveley Park. She is by Cadeaux Genereux out of a Warning mare – this is a good combo. Of the seven recorded (in the RP nicks section) five have been winners – the lowest of these still recorded a RPR of 90 and they include Donativum who won at the Breeders Cup. Dream Ahead, winner of the Prix Morny, is bred on similar lines.
She’s fairly friendless in the market this morning, currently trading at 3.7 on Betfair. Tom hasn’t had a good time with his 2yos this year and most have needed the run. PD is big and more of a 3yo than a 2yo, but she is reasonably well furnished and her times on the gallops are more than respectable. She may run a bit green, but I’ll be disappointed if she doesn’t go close.