Good luck to
Hattan
tomorrow.
Won't win, won't hit the board, no idea why he's even back (or what the deal with the year off is... anyone?) but I've loved him since the Premio Roma when he was 2nd to Cherry Mix (not his best race but the first time I ever saw him) so yeah... come home safe good boy. Hope they retire you cause God knows you deserve it!
* * *
I love this.
posted by, Lord Ilsley | Wed 17th, Feb 2010 10:44
DUBAI REPORT -
THE 'HOOLIGAN" HAS LANDED AND THE BOSS GETS STRANDED
YOUMZAIN arrived yesterday afternoon five weeks ahead of his seasonal reappearance in the Dubai Sheema Classic on March 27th. A veteran of four Dubai campaigns, the seven year old knows the drill inside out these days and was keen to get on with this morning which involved a gentle trot and a walk around the International Stables situated some seven furlongs from the mighty Meydan track.
Sam Hitchcott who broke Youmzain all those years ago, flew over with him and there's no finer sight than the pair of them squabbling as Sam tries to convince the horse that his way is the best way. Youmzain, as ever, totally disagrees, but they always work it out in the end, much to the amusement of the Boss who chuckled throughout the morning.
"Sam seems to know how to deal with Youmzain and with Lesley White already out here, he has two people who know his ways as they've dealt with him since he started. He just knows the score and can be a bit of a lad when he's had a couple of days off, but he'll canter tomorrow and then we'll be back in the swing of things.
"Today was just getting him out and about, he had a good trot for 15 minutes and there's no better exercise for the horse than seeing him drag Sam around the yard for half an hour or so to cool down.
"In terms of his condition, he's certainly more forward in his coat than in previous years and came out of his box like a lion. He's great, I love the spirit that defines a good horse - he's a hooligan at the moment
and fitter at this stage than he's ever been."
Of a more pressing nature, RILEYSKEEPINGFAITH continues his progress into his four year old campaign after missing the entire of 2009 through a series of niggling injuries. He'll line up on Thursday in the 6 furlong handicap on the all-weather for his second start at Meydan. His reappearance saw him run far better than the bare form suggests and Mick is certainly upbeat about his progress.
"When Riley arrived he was very wooly in his coat, but he looks a different horse in two short weeks. He's put on weight and has really thrived - I wouldn't be surprised if he ran a real big race this week. He's loving life again."
HALICARNASSUS and MONTAFF accompanied Riley in a six furlong spin on the Meydan tapeta track this morning, with Halicarnassus showing his well-being after his victory last week whilst Montaff continues to please as he looks to the two mile event next week.
On a separate issue, the Boss was quick to deny any rumours that have filtered through about a slight altercation in the desert on Friday morning. Apparently, having borrowed a Toyota Yaris from the travelling head lass of a noted adversary in order to travel from the yard to watch the horses work, he took a "short cut" only to ground the chassis on the only rock for miles around. It's alleged that he then simply abandoned the car, hitched a lift to the track and got someone to tow it out for him. Upon his return to the yard, he then went on to deny any knowledge of the incident, despite several eye witnesses hearing him utter the phrases, "Drat", "Silly Me" and "Darn it".
"That's utter *******s!" He said in his defence. "Besides, it was a Toyota Camry, not a Yaris."
This website wouldn't wish to spread gossip, but let's just say that if MRC is to be referred to as "The Doctor", the car in question has links to a rival trainer that we'll call "The Veterinary".
Some fun video...
http://mickchannon.tv/