Great start for Winter Menu.

No, Winter Menu is not a new horse in Linda's yard, it's just that the Saturday breakfast fare has switched from summer continental to traditional winter English.  And what a good breakfast it was.  After watching the first lot work on the track, those owners present made themselves comfortable in the kitchen with mugs of tea and coffee while sausages (pork & beef), scrambled eggs, bacon, baked beans and toast were served, but the star of the feast was Yorkshire Breakfast Pie (pictured below) baked by John's wife Linda.  This contained egg, tomatoes and sausage meat on a bed of onions encased in delicious pastry.



Those that had room were able to follow up with home made flapjacks and chocolate covered ginger shortbread, courtesy of another of the owners.  The chat was enthusiastic as plans were made and memories recounted.



After breakfast owners went back to the track to watch the second lot or to the boxes to view and pat their own horses. 
Saturday mornings look as if they will continue to be very popular in the coming months thanks to Linda's patience and hard work over a hot oven!

Sometimes it's just social.

Two groups of Linda's owners enjoyed a pleasant evening's racing at Kempton Park.  Fine Tune and Mad About Harry were both running in maidens after some time off, and while they were doing their best expectations were not particularly high and it was an opportunity to savour the racing on offer without the nerves of anticipation.  The Owners & Trainers bar and terrace offered those attending excellent facilities both in viewing the parade ring and horse walk and complimentary food and drink.
First to run was Fine Tune for Rosemary Watson.

Fine Tune



 Although he finished well behind, Linda learnt a lot about him and better things are expected when he starts running in handicap company later on.
Next to run was Mad About Harry for Valence Racing and nine supporters had turned out to cheer him on.  Again Linda learnt more about him from watching the race and from the input of jockey Daniel Cremin, who was good enough to give feedback later to a disabled member of Valence Racing who could not get to the unsaddling area.

Linda talks to Daniel Cremin in the weighing room before the race.

 

Daniel and Linda give feedback to Penny after the race.



Everyone had a very enjoyable time and the efforts made to accommodate the owners by both the racecourse and the two jockeys were much appreciated.

 







Claude loves that sea air!

Claude Greenwood returned to Brighton today, the scene of his recent triumph.  He was ridden by Cam Hardie who had him prominent throughout the race.  There were several still in with a chance entering the final furlong and, while he couldn't quite overtake the leader, Claude took second place just three quarters of a length behind and a head in front of the third.  Each way backers would have been pleased with the odds of 8/1.

Little And Large.



Kingscombe travelled to Kempton today to race again after a short summer break.  His travelling companion accompanied him.  Spot the difference!  In the race Kingscombe finished 5th and with luck it will have sharpened him up for next time.  His companion is already looking forward to another day out.

Claude Shows The Way.

Claude Greenwood at last got the victory he deserved when winning a mile handicap at Brighton today.  Ridden by 3 pound claimer Charles Bishop, he got out from the stalls quickly and set the pace.  He moved across to the stand rails entering the finishing straight, still in the lead.  Though some of the field were struggling there were still a half dozen who looked a threat, but Claude bravely held them all off winning by a head at the line from the favourite at rewarding odds of 14/1.