August 2nd Update

Another glorious week of racing at the best racecourse in the country passes and into August we go. Thanks to Nicky and her team for another fun tipping competition although unfortunately no current SR owner made it onto the podium, the nearest being Kevin A who had a very respectable week. Nicky’s next comp is the York Ebor meeting for those interested. 

There isn’t too much to update on the horses. Surrey Etoile had his 2nd (of 4) infiltrations on Friday and is back to the hand walking stage, which is annoying for him, but we’ll follow the process. Surrey Moon is enjoying frolicking in the paddock at Jackies in Cornwall, and by the way he is kicking and bucking, his legs don’t seem to be worrying him! Jackie hadn’t received the vets reports as of mid-last week, so we have chased for those to be sent over. We did also ask the Balding team as to why half-sister All Moonshine didn’t make her debut to very late in her three-year-old year in case that could throw any light on what we should be looking out for with Surrey Moon, but quite simply it was put down to immaturity. All Moonshine is now 4, has only run 6 times but has won 4 of those and is 93 rated. Sometimes, it’s just patience that is needed. Another relative, Alla Stella, did debut as a 2-year-old but then didn’t run at all as a 3-year-old, rated 99, she came 2nd in a listed race in France yesterday. Surrey King is being ridden walked for 2-3 days a week as of last Monday and that will continue this week. That will progress to some trotting into the week of the 9th which will probably continue through to the end of the month. Surrey Bolt has the odd fast piece of work in his schedule and so far all roads lead to a mid to late September debut. 

Hillsyde Hope is looking great after having his first few days of cantering, taking everything in his stride. He’ quite an athletic looking horse so could be one who will prefer the sharper races and tracks in the early days of his career. Surrey Lord’s scratches and scrapes seem to be healing well. He’s still a little sore with some bruising from the bony part of his withers. It will be another 7/10 days before he will be ridden again. We will set a date for an owners visit in September to see both and hear Toby’s thoughts for the season ahead.