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A Syndicate Managers preview of our 2007 Flat
Season
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Peter McCafferty, our leading Ownaracehorse
Syndicate Manager gives you an short insight into our hopes for our
shareholders' horses for the 2007 Flat Season.
Its all about expectation...
Like the first
Saturday of the football season or the first ball in an Ashes Test
series, the start of the turf season on the flat is always an exciting
time. As winter gives way to spring the hopes and dreams of the racing
community begin to flourish. Here at Ownaracehorse we are no different.
This year at Ownaracehorse we think we have our strongest team of horses
going into the season with an interesting mix of unexposed youngsters
and proven older performers.
At the time of writing we have only one two year old on the roster –
Planet Paradise – a Spinning World filly with Derek Shaw, but look out
for at least another which we hope to buy at the 'Breeze Up' sales at
Doncaster in early April. Planet Paradise may be on the small side, but
her home work suggests she has a feisty attitude which if she has some
ability could prove a winning combination. An early season sort, we
will be finding out a lot about her in her first few races.
The three-year-olds should lead the
way...
There is an interesting selection of unexposed three year olds ready to
take their steps on the turf. Up in Malton with Tim Etherington we have
Axis Mundi and Misaine.
Axis Mundi is a filly who struggled last year as she was constantly
growing. Tim tells us that she has filled out well over the winter and
much better is expected of her on the turf this coming season.
The gelding Misaine appears to fit a similar profile. After a low key
two year old campaign Tim is very pleased with how he has wintered and
he expected to step up markedly on his juvenile form once he gets back
to the course.
Raihanah and Dancing Duo are both with Derek Shaw at his Danethorpe base
near Newark in Nottinghamshire. Raihanah is an unraced and unfurnished
filly who could be anything. At the time of writing she is still in her
early preparation stages but with a pedigree full of winners we are
hopeful she could be more than useful.
Though unexposed, Dancing Duo has already won a race. That was the
claimer that Derek claimed her from out of William Haggas’ Newmarket
stable. Bred to be better as a three year old it is encouraging that
she showed enough to be winning as a juvenile. She is a really attractive filly
who has done well over the winter.
Grand Palace is an interesting horse for the turf. His followers know
he has improved over this winter and if that improvement can be
transferred to the grass he could still be on an upward curve. His
grass form to date can largely be ignored and if he proves as good on
that as he has on the Polytrack he could provide us with plenty of fun.
He has been in training a long time though and will at some point need a
break – probably in the height of summer to avoid the firm ground.
The older horses
should be reliable...
We are also expecting a lot of fun – and wins – from our selection of
proven older horses.
First Rhapsody is with Tim Etherington in Malton and is a five year old
filly we have a soft spot for having owned her since her three year old
days. She has won in both 2005 and 2006 for us and when she gets her
conditions is a tough little mare. She is not keen on the firm ground
though so expect a spring and autumn campaign for her.
Derek Shaw looks after Namir for us. A real tough sprinter Namir
registered three wins in the Ownaracehorse colours last summer. After
being in full training for 18 months this five year old has enjoyed a
winter off and Derek is really pleased with how he is looking. If all
goes to plan he could be the sort to take the step up in grade and
contest some useful handicaps this summer.
Down with Stef Liddiard in Great Shefford we have Roman Boy and Siena
Star.
Roman Boy proved slightly disappointing over the winter and the decision
was taking to rest him up for a go on the turf. He is big long striding
horse and may not have been ideally suited by the turning courses that
he encountered on the sand. Despite that on several occasions he showed
plenty of ability without managing to win. He was though placed on a
number of occasions and was very rarely beaten far and will not have to
improve too much to be winning.
Stef claimed Siena Star for Ownaracehorse last summer and he proved an
inspired purchase. This remarkably tough nine year old has raced
nineteen times for shareholders and has won on three occasions and is
very rarely out of the firing line. Great credit goes to Stef for
rejuvenating the horse’s enthusiasm at the veteran stage of his career.
His trainer has recently told us that he still seems full of himself
and ready for a turf campaign.
And don't forget the summer jumping...
In addition to the
flat horses we have four jumpers with Joss Saville – all of whom could
see action in the warmer months.
First among those is the grey mare Rising Tempest who has been held back
for a summer campaign due to the fact that she does not act on the soft
ground. She can be a bit quirky and moody but when she gets her
conditions she is not short of ability and Joss will be looking to
maximise her potential on the better ground.
We recently acquired the proven chaser Farington Lodge. On his first
run in the distinctive blue and yellow colours he showed his recent form
to be all wrong with an encouraging effort on better ground at Southwell.
Another who should prefer the ground riding a bit firmer he too can
provide plenty of excitement this summer.
Panama At Once has been brought along steadily and continues to run
creditably and it is hoped that soon he will be turning his promise into
landing some prize money for his shareholders.
Star Of Raven ran a very encouraging return after two years ravaged by
injury. If she builds on that effort it should not be too long before
she is finding her way back to the winners enclosure.
In the end, the
measure is the results!
The goal of Ownaracehorse is to provide shareholders with value for
money. To get the excitement and feeling of actually being an owner and
not just a number. Part of that excitement is having horses that run
well and win. It is therefore always a goal to try and find horses that
we think are going to win.
Racing is full of disappointments punctuated by optimism and
invigorating highs. We genuinely think that all our horses have the
potential to be winners this summer and hope that current shareholders
and new shareholders will come along and enjoy the ride with us.
P McCafferty,
March 28th 2007
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