Nearly six months have passed by since our last runner, enabling members to hibernate for the summer, then crash, bang, wallop, and we have three runners in five days to herald the start of the 2019 / 2020 McGoldrick Racing season.
It turned out to be a satisfactory start for our three horses, and bearing in mind each of our trainers cautious comments beforehand, there was nothing to be disappointed about.
Our first horse to open the batting was,
BECKY THE THATCHER Wetherby 16th October 2019
Micky Hammond had hoped to run Becky in the 7th of the 8 stayers races at Pontefract on the flat, Monday 7th Oct., but the meeting was abandoned due to the course being waterlogged, and so we decided to go to Wetherby on the 16th in a 3ml Class 3 0-140 hcp.
Her performance was well summed up by the RP.
| Prominent, led after 4 out, ridden and headed 3 out, remained close up until weakened run-in |
An excellent pipe opener from Becky then, after which we can now look for something far more suitable for her. She really is such a genuine horse.
Her handicap rating was reduced from 134 to 133….every little helps !!
ROMEO BROWN Carlisle 17th October 2019
Romeo has come back from her summer break looking a different horse. Even Phil Kirby said he hardly recognised her from last season, and it took him a while to spot her amongst other horses because of how much she`d grown and filled out.
For his first race Romeo was top weight in a 0-120 hcp over 2ml 4f at Carlisle.
Held up, not fluent 7th, steady headway after next, ridden and outpaced 3 out, not fluent next, rallied and chased (clear) winner last 100 yds, edged right and kept on well towards finish.
From a spectators point of view, it was amazing to watch Romeo fly up the hill to finish 2nd, beaten just over a length, in a race where at the bottom of the hill he was miles behind the leading five runners.
Jockey Sean Quinlan explained Romeo “blew up” approaching the second last, and consequently he didn`t want to risk being too hard on him.
He then gave him a couple of love taps to encourage him up the hill, and he took off.
I`m pretty sure, and members agree, that if we plan the right course for Romeo, he could well end up being a 140 plus horse this season, and one of the best in Phils yard.
Hopefully then, another Saturday horse for McGoldrick Racing members.
All being well, next stop will be a 2ml 4f hcp at Wetherbys two day Charlie Hall Chase meeting.
BLASTER YEATS Sedgefield 20th 2019
2 ml Maiden Hurdle
An excellent piece of jockeyship from Danny Cook, fully aware that our Blaster was not at all happy with the experience of his first time on a proper racecourse.
Sweating slightly and very much on his toes and aware of the crowd, DC kept hold of Blaster before and during the race, keeping control as the horses head was going from side to side.
Consequently DC managed to settle and educate Blaster as to what lies ahead.
Despite having the “L Plates” on, Blaster still jumped well enough and stayed on in an eye catching manner, to finish 4th, giving the distinct impression, there`s more to come
A hectic five days then for members and myself, at the end of which, we were all agreed, lots of exciting times ahead.
Richard
