After sixteen unsuccessful attempts, it was a delight to see Becky seriously impress the public and Racing press with her win at Carlisle on the 21st May.
PJ McDonald rode a great race with his waiting tactics, and more of the same was eagerly awaited for her return to Pontefract three weeks later.
But our `more of the same` plans were disrupted when we found out PJ was injured and would not be fit to ride our Becky.
So much for continuity !!
Franny Norton was subsequently booked….if he`s good enough for Mark Johnston, he`ll do for me was my eventual reaction after recovering from the disappointment of losing PJ.
In the parade ring, Becky looked stunning as her number one fan Aiden walked her round in the evening sunset.
Her odds were shortening all the time due to Tom Tates Waiting for Richie being withdrawn earlier in the day.
The way Toms 5yo bay gelding won a decent race at York recently , it was pretty obvious to me, that would have been the one to beat.
THE RACE
Credit to our jockey Franny Norton for giving her a peach of a waiting ride, but had to hold his hand up afterwards to admit she was going so well 3 furlongs out, when they came round the bend into the climb to the finish, he let her go.
When she went 3 / 4 lengths clear, we all thought “race over” but Norton realised “she wasn`t finding much” and he sensed something coming up behind him.
Out came the old shillelagh though and Beckys response was good enough to prompt our jockey, after dismounting in the winners enclosure to comment, “she is a very game horse with an excellent attitude, and there`s more to come”
Thank you Mr Norton, I`ll settle for that.
So what a transformation we have seen. Is it race tactics, is it the cheek pieces, is it the fact that she has definitely filled out and looks stronger.
Maybe a bit of each, and lets not forget her low handicap mark must have helped.
So all being well, Micky will be sending Becky back to Pontefract on Sunday 24th June for the next in the Stayers Series of races, where she currently sits at the top of the table, and she will be doing her best to make it three from three.
In conclusion, mainly due to holidays, only one member was available to join me at Ponty, my mate Ged, who told me when we were chatting before the race, he still hadn`t quite come back down to earth after Carlisle.
With shares in both Delusionofgrandeur and Becky the Thatcher, as well as his first ever TV interview on RUK with Peter Naughton, Ged is one happy man, and an even greater believer in small syndicates such as ours
Plans are now well afoot to seek out and purchase, another young NH prospect addition to our small but very successful string of horses.
There will be only TWO x 10% shares available, so if our small operation appeals, please get in touch with me via “CONTACT US” on our home page for further details.
Richard
