CATTERICK THURSDAY 9th JAN 2020
With his latest 3 form figures reading OFF its not surprising the majority of us were just hoping for a clear round from Romeo Brown on his first visit to Catterick.
Sean Quinlan was booked to ride.
Earlier on in the week, Phil Kirby had said ..(his yard is only 2mls from Catterick Racecourse) that the ground was drying up fast and he would consider not declaring Romeo unless there was rain, Good to Soft would be perfect he said.
Well Phil got his rain, a real deluge overnight, which, as a result, caused the Stewards to change the going to Soft.
However, jockeys in earlier races were describing the ground as “horrible” and consequently, when the final race on the card was about to be run….Romeos race, with the ground churned up and now worse than horrible, my thoughts went back to the mudbath at Wetherby on the 2nd Nov `19 when a miserable and dejected Romeo trailed in 14th of 15 on ground barely raceable.
Not quite as bad at Catterick, but bad enough for members present to have serious doubts about the prospect of a big race from Romeo.
True enough, the race was run at a moderate pace, with Romeo hurdling well, but when the leading pack kicked for home, despite our jockeys urgings, Romeo just couldn`t go with them, and eventually beat only one home in finishing a distant 5th of 6.
So yet again, another set of frustrating circumstances, combined to create yet another day of frustration for all present.
The only saving grace was his jumping, plus he`ll probably be dropped 2 /3 lbs by the handicapper.
Richard.
