Ridden back...and finished there! Sat 15th Mar at Ascot

We decided to ride Amber from further back today, but she was not up to the job. Roy jumped her out very well, and she settled well back in 2nd last spot. He started to move up before the corner, and for a brief instance I thought she was going to power on strongly. But, she did not. With a closing sectional of 35:30 and the winners time at 1:50:88 (Carbineer), this was performance below expectations.

This was her 9th run this campaign. We may have reached the end for her and she needs the paddock. Or a stallion!

Results here.

Helen's 40th birthday run at Ascot

Today is Helen's 40th birthday. A big party is planned up in Geraldton and Helen is really excited about it all.

Just before her celebrations kicked into full gear, Amber ran at Ascot. We thought everything was lined up right with her. She was working well, we had a good strategy for the race. And we backed her.

Today we decided to change tactics in a race that lacked any real pace. We drew barrier 2, and had no hesitation in deciding to lead and try and win from the front. The favourite and eventual winner Gilded Venom has a very strong closing 600m and we knew that the only way to beat it was to be in front by a few lengths at the corner.

Amber jumped perfectly and took an easy lead. She seemed to fight Roy a little, taking a while to settle down. At the 700m the pack started to group behind her, and around the corner it had turned into a sprint home.

She battled on to finish 4th in her closing time of 35:07. Looking at her last 3 finished at Ascot...35:07, 35:09, 35:07....she ran the race she could.

We questioned again the 3 week break, which may not have favoured her, and we realized that we needed to get her moving further out from the post.We head on with the campaign with the hope of keeping her in for 2 more runs to see her over the 2200m again. The way the planning is going, she may end up battling against the Dog!

We'll get back to the drawing board and decide where to go from here.

Race results here.

After a short let up, a 1600m race at Ascot

After the tough runs in the La Trice and the Geraldton cup, we gave Amber a little break and then got her back too the city in what we hope is another winning campaign. She started today in a 1600m race where we thought she would be a chance to run a place.

She jumped well, and settled just off the pace in 3rd spot. She looked a little awkward coming around the corner, but after setting up straight she came home well making ground on most of the runners.

We were happy with the run and will now press forward to get her running up to 2200-2400m.

Results here.

She ran a very tidy race, coming home strongly and unluck not to have run 3rd.

The Geraldton Cup....a crying matter

This was a very tough pill to swallow. We knew we blew this race. We got out ridden and walked away with that big knot twisting inside us.

Everything was set for a big race. Amber had worked beautifully. She was in top shape, coming off the tough La Trice. We had drawn perfectly. We instructed Roy to go forward in front of the favourite (Friar's Touch) and then take the race from there. If she jumped poorly, we would drop behind him and go earlier to put her in the race.

She jumped beautifully, and unfortunately roy then dropped her back behind Friar's Touch. Heading around the back she was still positioned perfectly to be able to win....then disaster struck.

Shaun O'Donnel on board Solar Impact took off early and locked Amber on his inside. This was exactly the same tactic we had employed the year before with Tapdog. We were crying coming around the bend. It was clear Amber was full of running but had no where to go. She got out late and came home strongly into 4th place just a length away.

We were bitterly disappointed. Enough said.

Results here

There was many moments of fun during the day though. I managed to meet up for the first time with Geoff Whittle who is a regular writer for the popular Perth Turf Talk. Geoff and I shared the day together, a few laughs, couple of beers and departed with warm spirits. Geoff also snapped a couple of pics and here is one with the family and the first jockey of Tapdog, Chris Usher. Chris ride the dog to his first Geraldton cup victory as a 4yo.

I also got to meet up with big Tim Gossage who hosts the Racing Radio program. Tim delighted the crowd through the day with his colourful commentary.

The La Trice Classic listed race for fillies and mares on New Years Day

This was the race that we'd hoped Amber would qualify for and put in a good show. After the exciting win on Dec 19th over 1800m, we went into the race knowing that she was racing very well, but also aware that the competition was "hot".

We drew well in barrier 6, and decided to press forward again and have her just off the pace. That is exactly how Roy did it, and boy did they run it at a good clip. Coming to the corner it was clear she had done too much work staying in touch with the pace, and the very smart Russian Playmate from the Durant stable came home with a blistering run to win from Danecay who had done all the work out in front.

We had a big family day out in the heat of Ascot on cup day. No chocolates, but we thoroughly enjoyed it all.

Results here