27th April Update
No runners this past week but we are looking forward to Surrey Fire’s seasonal reappearance tomorrow at Lingfield. He’s in the 3.15 race, a class 4 handicap (0-85) over 12 furlongs and we have crack Arc winning jockey Rossa Ryan on board. The aim of the race is to have him settling in behind because that was an issue last season, but he’s been working well in training and so hopefully that will be translated on the track. As you know, Lingfield isn’t our favourite course but with the dry weather conditions there aren’t too many options open for our horses, all of them would prefer some cut in the ground.
There are plans later in the week to run Surrey Quest and Surrey Shadow, but their runs are doubtful because of the firmer ground conditions. Both horses have been working well at home and are ready to run again with Quest having options on Saturday at Punchestown (3.05) or Uttoxeter (5.20). The race at the Punchestown Festival is probably the right race, a 3-mile 7-furlong chase on a wide galloping track, although that is right-handed, it’s not a tight track. However, aside from the ground, unless we win, the trip will probably cost us money! The Staffordshire Plate at Uttoxeter is over 3 miles so shorter than optimum for Quest. There is also a doubt about his confidence, another fall would dent that massively so we may be better off going for an end of season hurdle so he can get round and enjoy the race rather than come home stiff and sore.
Tom is looking at the Cambridge Handicap at Newmarket for Shadow, a class 3 (0-90) over a mile, it must be doubtful, as does the backup plan at Ascot on the 10th, in the Victoria Cup, a class 2 handicap over 7 furlongs with a prize fund of £100k. There are plenty of options mid-May at York, Newbury, Newmarket, Goodwood and Haydock so we will probably have to be a little patient.
Surrey Lord seems to be over his cough and all going well will aim for Worcester evening meeting on the 6th (entries Wednesday). Sea Presenting has finished her box rest and will spend the summer in the paddock and on the walker but she’s very well and the break over the last few weeks and the next few months will have helped her flourish. The three two-year-olds are continuing to do their thing, not too much to report on them.
Good luck to all those connected with Surrey Fire for tomorrow, and for those involved with Shadow and Quest if they run Saturday.
Enjoy the sun!
Possible races and events.
April
Monday 28th – Surrey Fire – Lingfield – 3.15
May
Saturday 3rd – Surrey Shadow – Newmarket
– Surrey Quest – Uttoxeter/Punchestown
Tuesday 6th - Surrey Lord - Worcester
Saturday 10th – Surrey Shadow – Ascot
Tuesday 13th – Surrey Racing Golf Day, Silvermere Golf Club – 10.15 am
June
Saturday 28th – Owners visit to Chantilly