ELLIPTICAL LEADS THE WAY
22/05/2009
On Monday night JAGGER headed to Wolverhampton for a 0-85 handicap over a mile and a half and showed the improvement expected back on the all-weather, however he did not have the pace to challenge the winner, but was staying on inside the final furlong under Kirsty Milzcarek.
On Tuesday AGENTE ROMANO ran in a 0-70, one mile six furlong handicap. He was held up, off the pace by Seb Sanders and although he made headway 3 furlongs from home, was not able to get a run and despite his best efforts was held in fifth place.
Our luck changed at Goodwood on Wednesday, with BEAUCHAMP XERXES impressing in the Cocked Hat Stakes, a Listed race over one mile three furlongs. Ryan Moore held up XERXES at the rear of the field and although he was initially outpaced in the straight, he ran on well in the last two furlongs to take second place behind ALWAARY. We were all very impressed with his run and feel there is still improvement in him and expect to see him again at Royal Ascot.
ELLIPTICAL was given a superb ride by Richard Hughes to take the Median Auction Maiden over a mile and two furlongs for the Keen as Mustard Partnership. Richard Hughes took up the running six furlongs out, dictating the pace and taking a two length lead, with the eventual second SABOTAGE unable to catch him. It was an enterprising ride from Richard Hughes and I think we have much to look forward to with ELLIPTICAL over the next few months.
We did not fare so well on Thursday at Goodwood with debutant STEF AND STELIO unable to challenge in a six furlong Median Auction Maiden under Kirsty Milzcarek. On the same card, BEAUCHAMP VICEROY struggled to get involved when held up off a modest pace in a 0-85 one mile handicap under Liam Jones.
JADALEE struggled on the soft going at Haydock on Thursday in a 0-80, one mile six furlong handicap. Although making progress seven furlongs out under Shane Kelly, he weakened two furlongs from home in testing conditions.
With the going at Haydock becoming more testing overnight and now reportedly soft, heavy in places, we have withdrawn JUST LIKE SILK, who was due to run in the 0-75, one mile two furlong handicap at 8.50 this evening. We have also decided the going will be unsuitable for MOUNT HADLEY who was due to run at Haydock tomorrow in the 0-80, one mile handicap at 4.15.
However GOOD AGAIN will take her chance on Saturday in the Betfred Silver Bowl a heritage handicap over one mile, for three year olds only. She has not run on soft ground before, but she is in flying form and has come out of her last race well. Seb Sanders will be in the saddle for the first time and we all have our fingers crossed that she will continue her rich vein of form on Saturday afternoon.
Looking at entries for next week, MONETARY FUND is set to run at Chepstow on Bank Holiday Monday in a maiden over one mile. On Wednesday afternoon MOUNT HADLEY is entered at Lingfield in a 0-80 handicap over one mile.
