Last week’s events were overshadowed by the very sad news yesterday morning of the passing of Steve Harley, a huge inspiration and big part of where we are today. The Racing Post re-published an article from a few years back for anyone that hasn’t heard the story – if you haven’t you must be one of the lucky few that has escaped a night in the pub with me! A Gentleman and true racing fan – His lyrical genius lives on at Sefton Lodge – View article here.
Another two winners from just the three runners from Sefton Lodge this week now taking us to our best ever start by some way!
First up was Shallow at Chelmsford on Thursday, who despite breaking awkwardly from the stalls was foot perfect under a fantastically confident ride from Darragh Keenan. Fortunately we made it back from Cheltenham in time to pick up the trophy albeit a bit jaded and unshaven! She’s now 2 from 3 and looks to be a progressive filly for us to look forward to for the rest of the season.
On Friday the team travelled to Newcastle where Back Tomorrow unfortunately didn’t quite settle again and failed to get home. Cross The Tracks made no such mistake and under another trademark Hollie Doyle drive destroyed his field over 2 furlongs from home. Fantastic training performance once again from Richard Spencer who has got this fella back to the same level of promise he’d shown on his winning debut at Yarmouth last year.
This week we start at Wolverhampton on Tuesday with Give it Up bidding to break his maiden in the restricted Novice Stakes at possibly his last attempt before the Tattersalls March sale at the end of the month.
Next up on Friday at Newcastle is Run Boy Run also bidding to break his Maiden and making his seasonal debut, rated 82 and possibly unfortunate not to have got his head in front so far we’re hopeful he can make amends.
Saturday then sees the start of the turf season at Doncaster – slightly earlier in the calendar than usual. We’ll be kicking off with Revich in the Lincoln, now 8 years young this will be his fourth attempt at the race. Whilst his form shows him to perform better around a bend he’s often offered value for a small each way interest at extended placings.
Talking of age, 10 year old Bernardo O’Reilly could make his seasonal reappearance on Sunday at Doncaster in a race he won 2 years ago.
Delighted that we’re at the start of the ‘real’ season, our pre-season and preparation could not have gone any better …… Lets hope this run of form continues.
