I left for Doncaster this morning feeling optimistic of our chances after a good work morning on the trial ground with the horses, although we are in need of some rain.  Unfortunately it was one of those days when not much went right for Bated Breath,  there was a lack of pace and being drawn one off the rails (13 of 14) there seemed to be little chance of getting any racing room after the field headed towards the stand rails. Several times he was stopped in his run and perhaps his lack of experience against a lot of battle hardened sprinters was noticeable. Hopefully he can bounce back in the future...

 

Our first runner of the year on turf  Bated Breath runs tomorrow at Doncaster in the Cammidge Trophy, a 6 furlong listed race at  2.35pm. Bated Breath is Cityscape's half brother, and he won his first three starts last season, a 6 furlong maiden and then 6 furlong handicaps off 90 and 95. I thought he was a bit unlucky in running in his next race at Newmarket and there were excuses after his last race when he returned home with a sore foot. He's a very strong and deep colt who should be capable of continuing his progression as a four year old but at this time of year races tend to be won by very fit horses. His training has gone to plan but he is still a little over his racing weight and I am expecting him to improve as the season progresses.  I was disappointed to be told by my traveling head lad this evening that the turf at Doncaster was in poor condition with bare patches and little growth of grass.

 

Bated Breath (Paul Vickers) who is on course to run at Doncaster on Saturday

 

Wednesdays and Saturdays are our normal ' work mornings' at Beckhampton and I was pleased with the way most of the horses worked this morning. They went in pairs up our 6 furlong polytrack gallop which is uphill for the final 2 furlongs. The warmer weather is bringing them forward in their coats and some of them are on target to run during April. With a forecast of some rain at last later in the week, I am hoping to be able to do more work on the grass on Saturday morning. 

Hundred Sen (Ronald Wali) an unraced Rainbow Quest 3 year old from the family of Quest For Fame leading Cry Fury (Jimmy Mansell) up the polytrack. Both these 3 year old colts should stay well and be running later in April. 

 

Waterclock (Cathal Finnegan) is an attractive two year old colt from the first crop of Notnowcato. Notnowcato was a tough and courageous horse who won 7 of his 20 starts including 3 Gr 1's and nearly a million pounds of prize money.

Pontenuovo (Helena Halling) who is making progress towards running in a 1000 Guineas Trial either at Newbury or Newmarket.

 

A group of early two-year-olds working with a lead horse over 5 furlongs on the Trial Grounds this morning. A filly by Exceed and Excel being followed by a Three Valleys, a Kyllachy and a Bahamian Bounty gelding who could all be running in April.

4 two-year-old colts by Selkirk, Dansili, Royal Applause and Mizzen Mast visiting the Trial Grounds for a little education for the first time.

 

An unnamed two-year-old colt by Kyllachy/Elegant Times after his work  

 

That's Dangerous a colt by Three Valleys that I bought at Doncaster Sales in September who shows plenty of zip 

 

 

 

 

 

Genki enjoying some leisure time with Frankie Braiden.  He is due to work tomorrow with Bated Breath and Definightly and he is a possible runner at the Craven meeting at Newmarket in the Abernant Stakes, a Listed race over 6 furlongs. He will also be given an entry in The Duke of York Blue Square Stakes Gr 2 at York on May 11th followed by a possible tilt at Royal Ascot in The Golden Jubilee.

Primevere (Ire)  ridden by Steve Drowne doing her first piece of stronger work this Spring around our 10 furlong Derby gallop. 

24 two-year-olds cantering 10 furlongs around our Derby gallop which twists and turns, the horses and lads enjoy the experience !  

 

 

A photograph taken this morning of the horses returning home having done two canters around the woodchip gallop.  It was a beautiful Spring morning but I am a bit concerned about the dry forecast for the next two weeks as it's all ready been the driest March for 50 years in Wiltshire. Most of our more important older horses, Cityscape, Clowance, Border Patrol and Definightly are suited by plenty of cut in the ground.  Last year most of them were ready to run in April but unfortunately we had another very dry Spring, the Greenham meeting at Newbury in mid-April is often run on soft ground.

 

Two three year olds fillies working, Korithi and Primevere nearside.

 Three of our sprinters after their work this morning. Definightly (Steve Drowne), Bated Breath (Paul Vickers) and Run For The Hills (Frankie Braiden) all looking well and pleasing their trainer so far !