Once Cheltenham is over talk creeps in of the flat. One
thing to help expedite that this year has been the
introduction of the new format to the British Flat Jockey’s Championship. It
will be a shorter season to crown a champion from the 2000 Guineas in Newmarket
to Champions Day in Ascot. This wouldn’t have affected the result in the past 4
seasons. It may suit those in demand more as the likes of Ryan Moore won’t rue
missed winners at home when riding internationally in early spring and late
autumn.
Shane Gray from Dundalk has been a tremendous success story
this winter campaign. Attached to the Kevin Ryan stable the County Louth man
has rode many winners for Sheikh Mohammed’s Godolphin from the support of in
form Charlie Appleby. He is leading apprentice for the UK All Weather season
with 25 winners and is 8th overall in the jockey standings. Grays
quarter of a century didn’t come without a hitch; he took a terrible fall on
the 3rd of January at Lingfield and was lucky to escape with a
collapsed lung. The ex-Champion Pony rider has 68 winners in his career so far
and the future is very bright on the flat for Fifi Gray with Britain’s Flat
Turf season on the horizon. With the might of Kevin Ryan behind him could we
see a Dundalk man crowned leading apprentice in 2015, we can hope.
There is a cracking little preamble to the flat at Dundalk this Friday. The Weatherby’s Printing Race over 6f attracted a small
but select field of entries. Russian Soul somehow crept past conditions which
seemed to exclude him from the race and could be a big player fit from Meydan.
The Halford runners 3rd to Sir Maximillian here in October would
nearly be good enough. Balmont Mast had a lovely return behind Captain Joy here
last time over a furlong too far. Settled in rear off a slow gallop it was an
eye-catching return from Eddie Lynams charge but it’s a small worry we haven’t
seen him since. I Will Excel is a talented 3yo but looks quirky in a finish.
Seanie and An Saighduir will be using this as a prep race for bigger targets in
Spring on turf and Farmleigh House doesn’t look the horse he once was. That
leaves me with the selection Grey Danube. The Bunyan trained 6yo
gelding is in the form of his life and while the grey has a few pounds to find
on official ratings, I think he can bridge the gap with current form and
fitness. Not quite staying the mile behind Paene Magnus in the fast track
qualifier for Lingfield and before then running out an impressive winner over
subsequent victor Have a Nice Day. If there are any holes in the highly rated
pair of Russian Soul and Balmont Mast, Grey Danube should be fit to take full
advantage over ideal course and distance.
Period Piece has three seconds to her name for Jessica
Harrington but I wouldn’t let that put you off. A combination of greenness and
running into a couple of good ones has stopped her so far. Blue Fragrance
looked a small 2yo type and I’m not convinced one to progress. Unchanged has
looked awkward in the finish while promising for Fozzy Stack. €20,000 can claim
Period Piece in this race and I think Harrington may fear that more than the
opposition if lining up.
Adroit had two
excellent runs to start her career but then ran poorly twice on soft ground.
She’s moved to F Dunne and should appreciate the fast surface here, the type
that could be overpriced in this field.
County Wexford ran a curious race last week. Going a good clip
early, travelling like much the best horse in the straight but then the young
jockey seemed to let Reckless Lad pass him before getting serious with the
Bolger gelding. Once driven he responded well and won a neck before being hard
to pull up. The handicapper hasn’t missed him giving 6lb penalty but I think
the important point here is the son of Teofilio remains in the bottom grade
47-65. I think it may be his last run in such a race, his beating of 72 and 71
rated rivals last week make me think he’s capable of backing up. Share a Secret
is respected here each way as was drawn 13 last time out and didn’t get the
clearest of runs, was dropped a pound for her efforts but remains in good
heart.
Sakhees Jack was restrained here over 5f in October and ran on
to make many a notebook when qualifying for a handicap mark. 67 could look
lenient for the Deegan horse stepping back up in trip; he was only a length
behind subsequent 78 rated handicap winner Daisy Bell. Early season 3yo
handicaps are always tough though and Nialls Rory, Family Pride and Absorbing
are also respected.
