So Close To The Double

Strategic Action came so close to winning two in a row, at Brighton today (7/9/2012).  Again ridden by Saleem Golam he travelled in midfield, bravely keeping tight to the inside rail, until going to the front a furlong from home.  As the field charged to the line, it looked as if he would hold on but he was caught in the final couple of strides, going down by a neck.

Winning Action

Linda continued her recent good form today (23/8/2012) when Strategic Action won a six furlong handicap at Folkestone.  Under Saleem Golam, he tracked the leaders on the stands rail and found room to go up and challenge approaching the furlong from home marker.  In an exciting three way battle he ran on strongly to take the race by a neck and a head.  (Pictured above:- Gillian Ransome leads in her winner).

First win from Saywell.

Linda had her first winner from Saywell when Rowe Park won a 5 furlong handicap at Newbury (5/8/2012).  Followers of this blog should have been on the 15/2 winner as his return to form was highlighted in the previous post.  Again ridden by Saleem Golam, Rowe Park jumped out well and tracked the leaders for the first half of the race.  He made a forward move two furlongs out and in a three way battle to the line he gamely refused to give in, winning by a head and a neck, earning a prize of just over £5000.

Rowe Park finds form.

Rowe Park looks contentedly out of his box the next day. 

Rowe Park came back to form (27/7/2012) when finishing 3rd over 5 furlongs at Ascot.  With the ground back to his liking and on one of his favourite courses he looked a different horse as he got away well under Saleem Golam.  Drawn towards the outside he was tucked in as far as possible and travelled well, before moving into contention 2 furlongs out.  He was just about in the lead at the furlong pole but was unable to hold off two lighter weighted rivals, going down by a length and a half.  However 3rd place prize money was a pleasing return for his efforts.

Game amateur.

Owner, Peter Oppenheimer, has again decided to ride in the Newmarket Town Plate in August.  This year he intends riding his own horse, Hereditary, in the long distance flat race.  Now in his sixties Peter shows the determination of a youngster as he rides out on the gallops with the work riders.  The video shows Peter (nearest the camera) this morning, though not in this instance on Hereditary.

Pleasing comeback for Hereditary

Hereditary made a comeback after a year off the track at Fontwell today, and picked up a little prize money by finishing 4th.  Carrying top weight in the conditional jockeys handicap hurdle, and ridden by Peter Hatton, he was held up in midfield for the first circuit and a half and was in the leading group running round the bottom bend for the final time.  He was unable to quicken from there but held on to 4th place.  He should be better for the race, which will please owner, Peter Oppenheimer, who intends riding Hereditary in the Newmarket Town Plate later this summer.

What a difference a few days make!

After the recent winds and relentless rain, the weather has changed dramatically.  The sun has brought on the horses' summer coats, while the riders have been removing theirs!