Catching pigeons……
Saturday is a busy work morning before the day of “rest” on Sunday , and as the horses get fitter we are increasing the tempo of the gallops . Both the rotovated ground and the all weather surface in Higgins are riding really well at the moment and on each work day I am trying to split the string so that half do “speed” (Higgins) and half do “stamina” (Rotovated gallops) , and then switch the next time .
Leyte Gulf , who may run at Haydock on Tuesday did speed with Louis Ludwig , and seems on top of his game , with Adam out with his broken arm I need to find a good Amateur to take the ride . I relinquished my ride on Dream Garden to Rachel , as I feel at 12st 5lbs I am just too heavy to do the faster work on him , she knows him well and reported him to be a much stronger horse than last season. Andy and I made up the heavyweight division on Cap Benat and Clearly Mad respectively , both are going really well.
Stamina for 2nd lot and I suppose that the three “pigeon catchers” of this batch were Persian Gates who gave me a terrific feel (sounds a bit dodgy when you read it back !) , my “pension fund” known as L’Eldorado (stable name Bunny after the failed BBC soap Eldorado) who just does everything with such ease , he is only 4 and still has some developing to do but he could be a bit special…and Di Kaprio , a 3yo by Kapgarde who looks as though he has an engine……
Back to speed for third lot where we stretched 3yo’s Arosio and Kawa for the first time and both came through with flying colours . Two others to note , who should win races are Highbourne Lady and the vastly improved Mubarika who is half sister to top chaser Kilbeggan Blade , she is a different mare from last season and has already schooled well .
Back round the square and left hand side for fourth lot where Poppy Lee Brown , Mont Emeraude and Blossom all strode out well , Bennynthejets led a couple of nice 3yo’s up Higgins in Moulin Tour and Roi De Garde …..
Back to catching pigeons…..I bought Tommy a toy shotgun at Burghley last weekend and as he is now at school all week he insisted that we go out shooting today , Saturday . I managed to find my trusty old 177 air rifle (but no pellets !) and Clemmie came along with her Colt 45… the pigeons were naturally terrified…
Watch out pigeons !
I had a cunning plan …I knew of a previously deceased bird in the lower grain drier shed , so I led my team of intrepid hunters down there ….when we walked into the barn a cloud of feral pigeons flew out and I fired the unloaded but cocked Air Rifle whilst the children also discharged their weapons…”look , I think i’ve got one !” I said as I collected a bird that was so stiff it must have been on viagra for a week ! I don’t feel any need to shatter their illusions that I am a crack shot !
Finally a new name on Twitter who is worth following , is my friend and acquaintance the BBC racing correspondant Cornelius Lysaght , he can be found at CorneliusRacing….
PS. Apparently the dead pigeon was known as “Speckled Jim” I am sure that we are all aware of the penalty for killing a pigeon with such a name….
Tense at White Hart Lane …2-1 to United as I close…
