In with the new....

A fine drying day yesterday and we are hoping for more of the same today when we kick of the 2012/13 season at Kelso this evening.  Two of our runners would prefer good ground including Goldtrek who makes her hurdling and stable debut in the 5.45 for Messrs Dudgeon, Irwin and Alexander.  She is a classy American bred mare that we bought out of Roger Charlton's yard in October, I adore her and am sure she has plenty of ability but her form indicates that she definitely prefers "top of the ground," Lucy rides and 14 run.  In the 7.30 we run Isla Pearl Fisher in a competitive looking 3 mile handicap chase with Peter Buchanan on board, he is progressive but the more things dry out the better for him as good ground seems to bring out the best in him.  Lucy rides Fred Bojangles in the same race and Cassius later in the card.  We finish with Flaming Thistle in the 8.30, Kit rides and 11 run, why step up in grade from maiden point-to-point to Hunter Chase? well, he is in great form, ran well at the track for Nicky Richards and should cope with the larger obstacles - there is the additional issue of snow being mentioned at the weekend which might affect the alternative at the Lauderdale p2p so we're grabbing our chance!

Goldtrek (Amy) a different type of horse for us........

I was very pleased with the progress this stable made last season, 13 winners and 11 seconds from 123 runners, increased the scale and maintained the strike rate, 44% of runners were in the winners enclosure and we just scraped my key target of 20% in the first two. We seem to have a system in place that works, goodness knows how,  I felt the form of the horses was very consistent across the whole season. Plenty of disappointments and frustrations as well of course, that is racing I am afraid. We go into the new season full of ambition, enthusiasm and energy; the team is growing in every respect in terms of horses, staff, owners and a host of other people doing their bit, so a big heartfelt thanks from me to everyone for their loyal support - let's not forget Mrs A of course who does a host of stuff in the backgroundand has to put up with Trainer, even when, like last night when she was on (another) girls night he ate a whole tin of baked beans, not only that he failed to do his washing up........humble pie!  Excuse - celebrating of course, because........ 
Lucy managed a dream start to the new season when making her first ride a winning one on Mansonnien L'As at Sedgefield last night, great stuff.  I still can't really believe what a wonderful start she had to her professional career which has only been going for 7 months, she wouldn't have done it without the horses and I would like to express thanks to everyone that has supported her, most particularly Barry Murtagh, Ferdy Murphy, Bruce Mactaggart and the Hamiltons - you have to stick your neck out to put a girl up over jumps and they did!