markwales
12th August 2004, 10:46
Derby Gallop Report
The newshounds were up and about early this morning to witness the final preparations of the Derby entries here on the W2W gallops.
All the entries were put through their last stage of light work prior to Sunday's big race, and below are the reporters views.
First out onto the fibresand gallops was the temperamental Mac The Knife….the team at BCD ensured that he got out early enough to miss the crowds, and therefore keep himself as calm as possible in the build up to Sundays race. Not renowned for his early speed, he gently upped the tempo as he cruised over the 1 gallop, pulling clear from his gallop partner with 2f to go, not under any urging from the jockey. He looks in tip top condition. We heard gallop a rumour that the BCD stable may ask the Stewards if Mac can go down to post early on raceday, to keep his temperamental behaviour to a minimum. The stewards spokesperson stated that they have not, as yet received this application.
Next out was the rank outsider Swansea Jack representing the newly formed MER stable. Jack didn't seem to like the fibresand a great deal, and his gallop companion looked much more as home on the surface. We frantically tried to get hold of the trainer at his ranch in Brazil, and when contacted was asked about the companion, who was she?, Merlin replied "Her name is Rio, and she dances on the sand". When questioned on the entering of Swansea Jack, he commented "I'll take my chance 'cause luck is on my side"……Jack finished the gallop well, and without any signs of being the novice that he still is.
The current market favourite Ceylon Sapphire was next on show, and she looked in superb physical condition. She burst from the double stalls, showing her trademark quick start, then settled into a comfortable canter for the final few furlongs. At the mile point on Sunday she should start to pick up the tempo again, ready for her blistering finish that we've seen so many times on the track already.
"She looked good, she looked fine, and I nearly lost my mind…." The reporters couldn't help sing the Rick Springfield track as she cantered passed them in her usual gracious manner. "She'll be spot on for Sunday" commented the head lad from the FFF stable as he walked Ceylon back to her box.
"All hail the king" were the chants coming from the YLN barns young YTS stable lads and lasses as their Derby hope King Lebron was led onto the straight mile gallop. We weren't expecting much sparkle on this 1m gallop as we know that King Lebron will sit at the back of the pack due to his lack of early speed, and will unleash his lightening finish with around 2f to go. We weren't disappointed, King Lebron coasted down the gallops in what was no more than a leisurely canter. We must note that the YLN spokesman assured us that this was always the plan, and that the hard work had been put in behind closed doors back at the yard. Sweet Dreams are made of this, and who am I to disagree? He holds every chance in the big race.
Next to be paraded before us was Dry County. A lovely looking colt, but unfortunately her lovelier looking trainer was nowhere to be seen. You could feel the disappointment around all the male reporters as it was leaked that Sam had been held up due to an elongated Championship Manager session the previous evening. The horse itself put up a nice show for the watching public, pricking his ears as he passed us……"He's one of these colts that loves the attention" we could hear behind us from an "I state the obvious RP Reporter". Another that will give his all on Sunday, and with the expected big crowd, this may spur this people lover onto greatness this weekend.
Those of us who were around in week 1 of season 1 should remember the audacious comments by the stable spokesman after Gov Lepetomane ran for the first time of his career. If I recall correctly, they stated as far back as week 1 that this was the main aim for the Gov, and that beware anybody who thinks he hasn't got what it takes come Derby day. These comments were included in the Week 1 race journal posted on the RacingSim website for all to see…….and the SOF stable have kept to their word, bringing the Gov along nicely, qualifying for the field, and slipping quietly into the top end of the betting without ever really being in the spotlight. The Gov had an easy workout, was given a nudge 1f out just to stretch his legs and he quickened very nicely indeed. One for the shortlist was the agreed perception of most of the gathered journalists. Of course the RP geezer disputed this, so we nicked his trilby and threw it in the nearby Dyke…."That's got rid of him for a while…." Muttered a few bystanders.
The NRU team were represented in full as we saw the lightly talked about Eire Express thunder towards us down the golden track. His coat was gleaming under the orange sunrise that was beginning to appear on the horizon. Yet to win a Group 1 race, Eire Express needs to step up on Sunday, and this gallop proved to all on the scene that he certainly has what it takes to make this step. Full of muscle, but sleek at the same time, this was the surprise package of the day in my opinion, and will have every chance of being there or thereabouts on Sunday.
Finally, an hour after the rest of the stables had gone home, the late rising trainer of the WBJ stable staggered from his stable, looking much the worse for wear after apparently getting sloshed at a Pre-Derby party the night before. When asked how the party went, Workshy replied "I can't really remember, I suffer badly from drunken amnesia". A few seconds later Dans La Maison flashed passed us at breakneck speed, the young trainee jock hardly able to hold him. He looked at the peek of his career fitness levels so far, and as long as today didn't take too much out of him he certainly deserves to take his chance in Sunday's line up.
As the final stable lad drove out of the W2W gallops, all that was left was for the reporters to gather their thoughts, speak to their bosses on the mobile phones, and to get the fingers moving as fast as possible so that the reports could be on the front page for the next issue of their relevant rag.
A very interesting morning…..and as we were leaving an old horse loving man came up to me and said, "Hey, don't leave yet….I've got a knock kneed horse I'd like you to see on the gallops…..his name is Seabiscuit"……but that's another story !!!
The newshounds were up and about early this morning to witness the final preparations of the Derby entries here on the W2W gallops.
All the entries were put through their last stage of light work prior to Sunday's big race, and below are the reporters views.
First out onto the fibresand gallops was the temperamental Mac The Knife….the team at BCD ensured that he got out early enough to miss the crowds, and therefore keep himself as calm as possible in the build up to Sundays race. Not renowned for his early speed, he gently upped the tempo as he cruised over the 1 gallop, pulling clear from his gallop partner with 2f to go, not under any urging from the jockey. He looks in tip top condition. We heard gallop a rumour that the BCD stable may ask the Stewards if Mac can go down to post early on raceday, to keep his temperamental behaviour to a minimum. The stewards spokesperson stated that they have not, as yet received this application.
Next out was the rank outsider Swansea Jack representing the newly formed MER stable. Jack didn't seem to like the fibresand a great deal, and his gallop companion looked much more as home on the surface. We frantically tried to get hold of the trainer at his ranch in Brazil, and when contacted was asked about the companion, who was she?, Merlin replied "Her name is Rio, and she dances on the sand". When questioned on the entering of Swansea Jack, he commented "I'll take my chance 'cause luck is on my side"……Jack finished the gallop well, and without any signs of being the novice that he still is.
The current market favourite Ceylon Sapphire was next on show, and she looked in superb physical condition. She burst from the double stalls, showing her trademark quick start, then settled into a comfortable canter for the final few furlongs. At the mile point on Sunday she should start to pick up the tempo again, ready for her blistering finish that we've seen so many times on the track already.
"She looked good, she looked fine, and I nearly lost my mind…." The reporters couldn't help sing the Rick Springfield track as she cantered passed them in her usual gracious manner. "She'll be spot on for Sunday" commented the head lad from the FFF stable as he walked Ceylon back to her box.
"All hail the king" were the chants coming from the YLN barns young YTS stable lads and lasses as their Derby hope King Lebron was led onto the straight mile gallop. We weren't expecting much sparkle on this 1m gallop as we know that King Lebron will sit at the back of the pack due to his lack of early speed, and will unleash his lightening finish with around 2f to go. We weren't disappointed, King Lebron coasted down the gallops in what was no more than a leisurely canter. We must note that the YLN spokesman assured us that this was always the plan, and that the hard work had been put in behind closed doors back at the yard. Sweet Dreams are made of this, and who am I to disagree? He holds every chance in the big race.
Next to be paraded before us was Dry County. A lovely looking colt, but unfortunately her lovelier looking trainer was nowhere to be seen. You could feel the disappointment around all the male reporters as it was leaked that Sam had been held up due to an elongated Championship Manager session the previous evening. The horse itself put up a nice show for the watching public, pricking his ears as he passed us……"He's one of these colts that loves the attention" we could hear behind us from an "I state the obvious RP Reporter". Another that will give his all on Sunday, and with the expected big crowd, this may spur this people lover onto greatness this weekend.
Those of us who were around in week 1 of season 1 should remember the audacious comments by the stable spokesman after Gov Lepetomane ran for the first time of his career. If I recall correctly, they stated as far back as week 1 that this was the main aim for the Gov, and that beware anybody who thinks he hasn't got what it takes come Derby day. These comments were included in the Week 1 race journal posted on the RacingSim website for all to see…….and the SOF stable have kept to their word, bringing the Gov along nicely, qualifying for the field, and slipping quietly into the top end of the betting without ever really being in the spotlight. The Gov had an easy workout, was given a nudge 1f out just to stretch his legs and he quickened very nicely indeed. One for the shortlist was the agreed perception of most of the gathered journalists. Of course the RP geezer disputed this, so we nicked his trilby and threw it in the nearby Dyke…."That's got rid of him for a while…." Muttered a few bystanders.
The NRU team were represented in full as we saw the lightly talked about Eire Express thunder towards us down the golden track. His coat was gleaming under the orange sunrise that was beginning to appear on the horizon. Yet to win a Group 1 race, Eire Express needs to step up on Sunday, and this gallop proved to all on the scene that he certainly has what it takes to make this step. Full of muscle, but sleek at the same time, this was the surprise package of the day in my opinion, and will have every chance of being there or thereabouts on Sunday.
Finally, an hour after the rest of the stables had gone home, the late rising trainer of the WBJ stable staggered from his stable, looking much the worse for wear after apparently getting sloshed at a Pre-Derby party the night before. When asked how the party went, Workshy replied "I can't really remember, I suffer badly from drunken amnesia". A few seconds later Dans La Maison flashed passed us at breakneck speed, the young trainee jock hardly able to hold him. He looked at the peek of his career fitness levels so far, and as long as today didn't take too much out of him he certainly deserves to take his chance in Sunday's line up.
As the final stable lad drove out of the W2W gallops, all that was left was for the reporters to gather their thoughts, speak to their bosses on the mobile phones, and to get the fingers moving as fast as possible so that the reports could be on the front page for the next issue of their relevant rag.
A very interesting morning…..and as we were leaving an old horse loving man came up to me and said, "Hey, don't leave yet….I've got a knock kneed horse I'd like you to see on the gallops…..his name is Seabiscuit"……but that's another story !!!