Notebook

[Ron]

I may have misinterpreted your comment about her stride being too big Blue (I didn't see the race). But the length of stride (without compensating in any way) is restricted to the angle of the shoulder (the layback), The drive from the back will govern the extent to which that can be achieved. Assuming the horse has a well laid shoulder and has the power from the rear it will achieve a greater length of stride with greater efficiency. This means it will, potentially, have better staying power. The most significant requirement then (assuming the horse has the temperament and is sound in all other respects) is having the heart room to contain a large heart (depth more important than width but there should be a good spring of rib).

Hence I'm not sure what you mean by stride to big, unless you meant for sprinting. Sorry if I'm "teaching Granny to suck eggs" as you obviously know what your talking about.

PS. Or it could have been that she had the drive from the back but was compensating for her lack of angulation at the front (ie was having to lift her front in order to avoid hit the ground too soon and damaging herself). That would definitely be very inefficient and she would tire quickly.

 

[Ron]

30th May Newmarket 10f
RAY WARD
Made eyecatching progress over a completely inadequate trip. Patently obvious that it was a pipe opener for something bigger over a more suitable trip.

Entered at Royal Ascot next Tuesday

Ran encouragingly first time out this year over inadequate distance. Trouble in running in this race last year. Must have been aimed at this race. Timeform top rated and Horse In Focus. Looks a good bet to me.

 

[Bluesky9]

I appreciate your articulation of what I was pointing to Ron - I feel your last comment would be most likely as she was not grabbing the ground with the front legs like a racer should which prompted me to use the expression too big a stride. She certainly tired quickly.

It could be a case of she was not fit but that would be unlikely to that extent, it could be she needs a much longer distance now and is not actually a sprinter, but my view is she just did not race or look like a racer within her running style. I would be interested in your view if you are able to watch the race.

 

[Ron]

I've had a look at the race Blue. If you freeze on 35 secs (just after the winner switched out but still behind Likely) you can see clearly the length of stride the winner has. I was drawn to it straight away without knowing it was going on to win. As regards Likely, that is more difficult as freze framimg on 56 secs (I think) it shows there is nothing wrong with her front angulation. But at one point I did see her front legs rather high off the ground. The only explanation I can think of is that either:
(a) she was not fit and not given a hard race once the winner strode past (clearly had no chance against that one). Jockey didn't exactly ride her out.
(b) she just doesn't have the power at the rear in which case if she didn't lift her front legs she would be due to hit the ground before she got her front legs ready to land. That doesn't tie in too well though with the way she won on début

Personally I think 5f is far too short for her and it might be worth giving her a chance over 7- 8f to see what happens

She is a chestnut filly

 

[Bustino74]

Machine Learner (M Bell)
A Sir Percy colt out of a Danehill mare called My First Romance, who has bred plenty of winners, the best of whom was probably Chapter Seven. For breeding enthusiasts this colt's tail line is the L B Holiday Lost Soul line. http://www.pedigreequery.com/machine learner

Ran 4th of 12 on 12th June in a 7f maiden at Sandown: unfancied at 33-1, he started slowly but finished well (Twiston-Davies rode). Bell does not over-try his first time out 2yos,

If all goes well after this introduction should be up to winning at least his maiden. Should stay 8f this year and at least 10f next.

This thread seemed to die as no-one seems to want to post their thoughts on it. But as I rarely tip a winner I thought I'd point out this one won at 11/4.
Actually he disappointed on his follow up to his debut 4th, but remedial action was taken and he's now 2 stones lighter and a winner last Saturday. As a staying gelding I'd have thought he might have a future.

Another one for this Notebook from the same trainer Duck a L'Orange and as Rodney memorably said it's canard! A Duke of Marmalade unraced 2yo out of a half-sister to that good colt Inchinor (so Oppenheimer family). May need a bit of give in the ground, should stay 10f as a 2yo and further next year..

 

[Ron]

Cheers Bustino. Unless someone keeps track it will die a death. I think it's happened before with this type of thread. A thread like this really needs an administrator who can note them when entered, report on each subsequent run and the originator decide whether or not to keep it on the list. Not everyone has time for that. Thanks for doing your part

 

[Ron]

I've had a look at the race Blue. If you freeze on 35 secs (just after the winner switched out but still behind Likely) you can see clearly the length of stride the winner has. I was drawn to it straight away without knowing it was going on to win. As regards Likely, that is more difficult as freze framimg on 56 secs (I think) it shows there is nothing wrong with her front angulation. But at one point I did see her front legs rather high off the ground. The only explanation I can think of is that either:
(a) she was not fit and not given a hard race once the winner strode past (clearly had no chance against that one). Jockey didn't exactly ride her out.
(b) she just doesn't have the power at the rear in which case if she didn't lift her front legs she would be due to hit the ground before she got her front legs ready to land. That doesn't tie in too well though with the way she won on début

Personally I think 5f is far too short for her and it might be worth giving her a chance over 7- 8f to see what happens

She is a chestnut filly

Just looked and saw that the winner (Waady) went on to win a G3 next time out. Likely has no entries.