Disappointing to be fined for doing the right thing
I took Paradis De Thaix down to Killarney on Wednesday with every intention of running him. I know the ground was good to firm when I declared him the day before and I know the rules are the rules. But rain was forecast and it rained everywhere in Kerry except Killarney. All it needed was one shower and it would have been safe for the horse to run. But there was none and given that this is a horse that has had leg trouble, I took him out.
The stewards accepted my explanation and then fined me. I was very disappointed by that because I wasn’t playing anybody for a fool. The horse was taken there in good faith, plaited, ready to race. The owner had even travelled all the way from the north to watch him run.
I just think the stewards should be able to look at a situation like that and not punish someone for making the right decision. The owner has entered the horse, declared the horse and paid for it to go to the track and yet they’ll fine me as well because the rain hasn’t arrived. There’s just no common sense in that at all.
Would they prefer that the owner ended up with a broken down horse that will never run again rather than a horse that will have another day? I was very disappointed by that decision and it makes absolutely no sense to me whatsoever to be fined for looking after a horse’s welfare.
I said last week that Dragon Pulse had strengthened up a lot from his previous race which he had won well. That was why I felt he had a very good chance in the Galileo Futurity Stakes and that was why I supplemented him.
You don’t supplement a horse unless you think it can win. As I said afterwards, I put my money where my mouth was and that’s what you’re doing when you supplement one. Much will depend on the ground now but if we get rain, he will be supplemented for the National Stakes. He would want it yielding and if it was looking like being good to firm he’ll go elsewhere.
He was great. He travelled very well and picked up when Fran (Berry) asked to win easily, so he’s very exciting. Thankfully, he was fine after the race so we’re all looking forward to the future now.
Royal Blue Star ran very well on Tuesday at Killarney even though being ninth of 11 might not look it. She’s still a bit weak. She’s going home now and will come back as a four-year-old. If she improves at all she will definitely win her Listed race.
Why But Why got himself in a tizzy in the stable yard, in the parade ring and at the start. Then he got a bump and tried to run away with Fran. He’s done it before and it’s unfortunate but you just have to draw a line through the form.
We were delighted with Lady Geronimo on Wednesday. She could maybe have done with it being a little softer but the penny really dropped with her about racing. I’d say that was a good maiden and hopefully she’ll win one before the end of the year.
Law Rebel was due his win in the bumper and he was brilliant, doing it very well. It was never in any doubt. He’ll head on for hurdles straight away now. He’s done plenty of jumping so he should do well.
The Quiet Hawk was a revelation to win the 3yo maiden hurdle the following day. I actually thought Chart Master might win but he had never run before and that showed a little. He was a bit green and didn’t really know what to do despite travelling well. It will be interesting to see if he comes on for the run. The Quiet Hawk loves jumping and is a bit like Magical Memoir in that jumping hurdles has brought her to life. She turned a very low rating into a good hurdle rating and The Quiet Hawk looks likely to do the same.
I have a problem now in that she’s entered in Listowel for a winners’ 3yo hurdle. I was also going to run Why But Why in that. Ideally, I wouldn’t want to run the two of them against each other but I may have to.
We were a little bit worried that it was a bit soft for Bullock Harbour but he was very impressive. He jumped brilliantly the whole way and another great jump at the last sealed it. He did everything right. He’d go in summer soft but wouldn’t want it genuinely soft. He’s definitely one we’re looking forward to as the year goes on. Hopefully we’ll get a dry autumn.
Hurricane Ridge won first time out last night and we had high hopes that he might after doing a good piece of work last week. He will definitely come on for that as he was a bit green and will give us some fun in the future.
Beir Bua and Serein both run in a maiden hurdle in Galway today. I’m hoping they’ll go well. Bible Belt and Blaze Brightly run in the Group 3 Design Stakes. Bible Belt is in good form, we’re running her at the same distance and let’s just hope she steps up. She’s been incredible this year and the ease with which she won the Listed Hurry Harriet Stakes at Gowran two weeks ago means she’s the highest rted horse in the race.
Princess Sinead is up against it in the Moyglare Stud Stakes but she’s had a little bit of a break and is coming back fresh. It’s a hot contest but I think she’ll run a big race.
Gush is coming from seven furlongs to six and I think she’ll appreciate that.
