Winker made the front page of the Racing Post today as Jeremy went public with our ambitious plans. Winker is extremely well and we think he’s the best 2yo out there – we’re going to try to win both the Middle Park and the Dewhurst to prove our point, and we’re hoping we can persuade Jim Bolger to run New Approach against us.
Bolger has suggested that New Approach won’t run again as he’s done enough to be champion 2yo already. Winker is not the type to win any race by too far as he is a hold up type horse – we figure we need to win two group 1s to top New Approach – even that might not be enough, but if they don’t take us on and we win then at least we have the bragging rights.
Of course Jeremy has set us up for a fall here if we don’t win the Middle Park, and it’s certainly no walkover. If we do bank the Middle Park I hope we’re able to tempt Bolger into a showdown.
It was a poor week last week. Shepherd’s Warning ran a stinker – perhaps it came too soon. Effingham was disappointing and he hasn’t built on his excellent first run – I need to understand why this is. Prince Ary ran an excellent race on Saturday matching his highest Timeform rating but finished out of the places in fourth. Bouguereau‘s form took a hammering on Saturday as the two in front of him both got turned over. To cap it all I’ve been exposed as a hopeless tipster in the comments section of my own blog.
Plenty of runners this week, including a couple of likely favourites. Lord Peter Flint goes tomorrow, and is 15/8 fav in the RP tissue – a fairly obvious chance and should go very well. On Wednesday Major Eazy lines up in a competitive looking conditions race at Salisbury – he has a bit to find but he may be better for his break. A bit of rain would do him no harm. On Thursday Shawhill goes in a very competitive listed race at Newmarket. She’s also had a decent break and she’s matured a lot physically – I’m happy to carry on tilting at windmills with her.
Winker runs on Friday. Go on my son…