John Best's blog

Mixed bag!

19 January 2007

Last week seemed to produce a mixed bag of results! Woodygo ran green, but with a great deal of promise, and will be out later in the month, when I'm sure he'll still need the run to prepare him mentally for the future. I think he is a good horse in the making.

Smokin Joe travelled really well through his race and then again failed to produce in the closing stages. I think he's getting a bit too wise for his own good. However, I'm still confident we'll win at least one race with him soon, when things all fall right for him. He runs on Wednesday at Lingfield, over either seven furlongs or a mile, which should suit a bit better than 1 1/4m.

I felt Hurricane Spirit ran really well. The Racing Post gave him a mark of 102+ and made it his best performance to date. If it had been a handicap he would have been a lot better off with the winner, so you would have to be pleased. The draw also didn't help - he had to go three wide the whole way round, while the favourite had a perfect run round. I still think our horse will improve - that's the first time he's had a proper race. Someone will have to find a good one to beat us in the Spring Cup on 24 March, and I'm now sure that the seven furlongs will suit us better.

At Kempton on Sunday, I think all three runners ran below par, mainly due to bad draws. Back at Lingfield, we did see a much improved performance from Oasis Sun in the one mile maiden, finishing a creditable third against some okay sorts. She's out again on Saturday at Kempton over 1 1/4 miles, which Brett Doyle is sure will see her to better effect. Unfortunately he's booked at Lingfield, but Hayley Turner is there to deputise and is riding really well at the moment.

At Lingfield on Wednesday we saw improved performances from both Monashee Prince and Mine The Balance - the latter ended up an unlucky second, only beaten half a length. At least he shows he's in good form, and certainly finds Lingfield much more to his liking that Kempton.

We have nothing entered after Saturday until Wednesday at Lingfield, which looks to be a busy day. I've not decided which will run yet, but the horses entered are Brave Jack (for Horses for Causes), Smokin Joe, Mine The Balance, Hotchpotch and King After. At the moment, I think there's a good chance they will all run if they get in.

We have had a really good week with the two-year-olds. We are just beginning to increase their canter work and will start to make further plans later in the month as to which ones will be out early. Three have particularly caught my eye this week. Howdigo (G G Racing) looks a lot more forward at this stage than his brother Woodygo. The Bertolini colt, who is as yet unnamed, looks really well and is progressing nicely. He seems to be getting the hang of things quickly. Finally, the Iron Mask of the Hucking Horses string is getting stronger by the day and starting to look very much like his good brother, Kingsgate Bay, who we sold to America a couple of years ago.

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There's a storm coming!

12 January 2007

Only three runners since I last wrote, but plenty to look forward to this weekend.

Brave Jack set the ball rolling on Saturday at Lingfield with plenty of press interest as the horse runs for Cancer Research UK. I thought it was a very encouraging first run. It was a shame we were drawn in stall 1, as it meant we were always going to get shuffled back early on. He ran on and off the bridle, and really only got the hang of things late on. He'll probably return to Lingfield on 24 January for another six furlong maiden. He is sure to be a lot sharper for the experience, and I expect after that we will step him up in trip a bit.

Things didn't work out for Smokin Joe later on, as they went a crawl again early on, which really doesn't suit his style of running - he's out again tomorrow over 1m 2f. Let's hope things fall right for him this time!

Oasis Sun put up a much improved performance at Lingfield on Wednesday, finishing third in an ok maiden. I feel she doesn't like being crowded, so the smaller field helped, plus the application of the visor just seemed to keep her mind more concentrated. We will look for something for her in the next couple of weeks, preferably over 1m 2f.

This weekend looks like we have a few chances. Saturday we're off to Lingfield with three runners. Woodygo, owned by G G Racing, starts us off in the 1.55 - he's a half brother to Rising Cross and Willhego. We're starting him over a mile, but he's sure to want farther very soon. I like him a lot, but mentally he'll improve a lot for the run.

In the 2.35 it's Smokin Joe - he's really well at home. I hope they go fast early on!

Then 3.05 sees Hurricane Spirit take on the older horses over six furlongs in a Conditions race. He is just in scintillating form at home and we let him bounce out of the stalls on Thursday as he was a little slow away last time. As I've said before, he's a really exciting prospect, but this is definitely his toughest task to date and the draw isn't ideal - 8 of 8. I hope he can get cover early on, or he may pull a bit too hard. I'm really looking forward to it at the moment, but by about two o'clock tomorrow I'll have found every reason that he's going to get beaten! I just hope we get a nice run round, and you'll all see why I'm so excited about this horse.

On Sunday we're off to Kempton will three runners. Monashee Prince is in the 2.35 and has been drawn badly in 3, but he ran well here last time so we can only be hopeful that things fall right for him.

In the 3.05 both Hotchpotch and Mine The Balance run, drawn 4 and 2 respectively, which doesn't help either of them, but both come here off the back of a win, so again you would think they both have a chance - just be careful with Mine The Balance, as he's run his best races at Lingfield. He's also entered there next Wednesday, and he'll probably be out again, all being well.

Hotchpotch and Monashee Prince are also entered on that day, and maybe Monashee Prince will run.

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A year in review

5 January 2007

As we're now into the New Year, I thought I'd start this week's blog with a summary of how 2006 went for us.

I feel that we've made a further step up the ladder. Our total prize money, including our overseas winnings, came to just short of £500,000, which is a big increase on 2005. We're also significantly higher up the trainers' table with the likes of Sir Mark Prescott and Luca Cumani not very far in front, and plenty of really big names behind us!

We seem to have a better class of horse now overall - or maybe we're just doing a better job of the buying, training, and placing of them. I suspect it's probably a combination of several factors. One thing that has helped a lot is that our vet comes in twice a week to check over all the horses working, and any others that we're concerned about. This is a free service that we receive, and it's only when she starts treating horses that we get billed. I'm not sure that many trainers go to this sort of extent, but it certainly helps us to catch any minor problems before they develop into more sinister ones. Our vet has definitely been instrumental in the success we've had with many of the horses - particularly Rising Cross.

2006 started off really well, with Kingsgate Prince winning well on the all-weather and then winning the Spring Cup at Lingfield (a race we'll hopefully win with Hurricane Spirit this year!) Kingsgate Prince continued to run well, winning the Carnarvon Stakes at Newbury and then placing third in the Jersey at Royal Ascot - our first runner of the meeting. He was subsequently sold to Hong Kong for a large profit and actually runs there on 10 January over a mile - he has a new name now, Sunny King.

Rising Cross was obviously the main star of the yard: second in the Epsom Oaks, third in the Irish Oaks, and then winning the Group Two Park Hill at York. She was sold after Epsom, but thankfully Gary Tanaka left her with me. She's on a break now, but will be back with me in about February or March, and hopefully we'll win a Group One with her this year. She certainly deserves it. There can't be a horse in training that tries harder than she.

The Hucking Horses syndicate had its first year, and that too has gone well, with five winners, lots of runners and a good sale of Hucking Hot to America after her Beverley maiden win which followed up her third in the Hilary Needler Listed race. This year's partnership is filling up well now, so I'm sure we'll have a lot of fun with, I think, some slightly better horses - although it's very early days yet with this year's string. Watch out for Hucking Heat from the 2006 syndicate - he'll be out towards the end of January, having had a break, and I'm very pleased with his progress.

Hurricane Spirit ended the year for us in style, winning all four of his races on the all-weather. We've had a fair bit of interest to sell him, but nothing concrete yet. He'll probably run on 13 January at Lingfield, in a six furlong Conditions race against older horses, then the Spring Cup on 24 March.

There are a few to watch out for who haven't run yet - notably Brave Jack, who runs on Saturday at Lingfield. He'll need the run mentally, but he's a nice horse in the making. Woodygo will hopefully run on 13 January at Lingfield, and I think the same applies with him. The last one to watch out for, although not until the end of January or early February, is Halsion Chancer. He's one of the nicest-looking horses I have, and has plenty of size and scope.

We have only had a few runners since I last wrote, but King After ran a good second at Lingfield on 30 December and then followed up with another solid effort on Wednesday. It seems that Lingfield is his track - he'll return there later in the month, and hopefully he'll pick up a race soon. Hotchpotch was given a great ride by Hayley Turner to win on the same card, and again, he'll be out before the end of the month. Oasis Sun was a bit disappointing at Kempton - she ran on and off the bridle, and looks to me like she doesn't like getting crowded. We'll try and find a small field race where she can keep out of trouble.

We only have a few entries at the moment - Brave Jack I've already mentioned, and Smokin Joe, who's very difficult to win with, but seems to run his best races at Lingfield. I think this is Hayley's first ride on him, so it will be interesting!

Last update of 2006!

28 December 2006

A very quiet week for us, really, with our only runner since my last report being King After on Saturday - he continues to disappoint us. He runs again this Saturday at Lingfield over seven furlongs, so we'll see if he can rekindle a bit of his old spark. We're certainly not seeing anything untoward in his home work. It'll just be fingers crossed for a better run.

Our other runner this Saturday is Hotchpotch. He ran well last time at Lingfield, and I see no reason why he shouldn't run well again. We've taken the visor off this time and replaced it with cheekpieces as, according to Brett Doyle, the horse got a bit stirred up and worried last time. Hayley Turner takes the two rides this weekend, as Brett is off skiing for a week.

We have a few entries later in the week, but I've not had a chance to look yet, so I'm not sure what we'll be running.

Of the other horses in the yard, Hurricane Spirit has come out of his race really well. He probably heads for Lingfield as planned on 13 January, running against older horses over six furlongs in another Conditions race. Mine The Balance has gone up 6lbs for his win and will be back out again soon - hopefully now he's got his head in front, he'll start to fulfil the promise he's shown at home. Others to watch out for are Brave Jack and Woodygo, who have both been doing stalls work this week, and will be out early to mid January.

Another very promising horse, Halsion Chancer, is progressing really well and will hopefully be out late January or early February.

We've given the yearlings an easy time over the Christmas period and will really start to get things moving with them in the New Year.

Hurricanes and hat tricks

22 December 2006

The week started fairly disappointingly - but what an end!

Sunday saw Oasis Sun running well below what we'd hoped at Kempton. The only good thing is that Brett Doyle was a lot less disappointed and said we should step her up in trip. He feels that, given a better draw, she'll acquit herself ok - so we'll hopefully find something early in the New Year.

Epineuse was another disappointment, but there was certainly something amiss after the week. We don't seem to be able to find out what - we have our own blood testing equipment, but nothing showed there or in a scope. Maybe only time will tell.

Hotchpotch ran well enough on Tuesday and would definitely have been third if he hadn't been hampered in the closing stages. He'll find a race soon. Monashee Prince just didn't get the 1 1/4 miles, having travelled well, and we'll drop him back and find a race soon over seven furlongs or a mile.

Wednesday was our big day, and luckily we weren't disappointed. Things started really well with Mine The Balance winning the first at Lingfield - at last he got his head in front! He's still for sale, but I think the owners want a bit more now. I feel that, now he's got a race under his belt, we can win one or two more before the handicapper gets hold of him. Rustic Gold ran well from a bad draw and wasn't beaten too far - he'll improve with time, and I think he'll be an exciting prospect next year.

Off to Kempton, where the main worry was the fog! Smokin Joe's race didn't go to plan - they went much too slow and he got no cover, which didn't really suit him. Hucking Hill didn't stay the seven furlongs in the Conditions race - he'll have a bit of a break now, and we'll have some fun with him next year.

Hurricane Spirit then proved to be the star of the show. Having missed the break, and with Richard Hughes setting a very strong pace on Fares (I'm sure he was thinking we wouldn't see out the seven furlongs!), Hurricane Spirit picked them up with ease and was only pushed out with hands and heels to win by a cosy 3/4 length. Brett was convinced that, if we'd broken well, it would have looked so much easier. He was also of the opinion that, if he'd had to shake him up a bit, there were gears to spare. I don't think I've had a horse like this before - it's very exciting!

Almost no runners for this week - King After runs on Saturday at Wolverhampton, but he needs to come back to his best to get involved from stall ten. Apart from that, at the moment it looks like a quiet week ahead.

The yearlings are still progressing well, and some horses to look out for early in the New Year include Brave Jack, Woodygo and, towards the end of January, Hucking Heat.

I hope you all have a good Christmas - and make sure you watch Kauto Star on Boxing Day. He must be the most exciting chaser we've seen in a long time.

A short report...

15 December 2006

Only a few runners this week, so it's going to be a fairly short report, I'm afraid!

We started at Kempton on Sunday with James Street, Smokin Joe and Monashee Prince. They were all running in the same race, which looked a pretty competitive affair, but there wasn't much pace, which didn't suit any of ours. Having said that, Monashee Prince showed a lot more and stayed on down the unfavoured inside to finish third, while Smokin Joe flew from the back to be a fast-finishing fourth. James Street, who was very disappointing and found little when asked, is now going to take a try at hurdling. He started popping over poles this week, and has taken to it really well. So let's hope the change in code can show his true colours.

On Monday we took King After to Wolverhampton, where he missed the break and didn't really get involved, and then on Wednesday we took him back again only to break too well, pull much too hard and fail to get home! I'm sure he'll return to form soon - he's been working well at home.

Our runner today is Oasis Sun at Kempton. Unfortunately we've ended up with stall one, wide on the outside, which will make it tough - a place would be good. Smokin Joe is out on Saturday at Lingfield over 1 1/4 miles with a good draw in six. He should run well, I think, as long as they don't go too steady.

Epineuse will probably run Monday at Kempton. I'm hoping for an improved performance from her. She certainly shows enough at home to get involved in a race of this nature.

Hotchpotch and Monashee Prince will probably be out at Lingfield on Tuesday. We're stepping Monashee Prince up to 1 1/4 miles, but he's run well over the trip here before, so he should run well, I think.

Wednesday is a big day for us, I think. Rustic Gold, Mine The Balance and possibly Hotchpotch (if we don't run on Tuesday) will be at Lingfield, while Smokin Joe could turn out again at Kempton, along with Hucking Hill and Hurricane Spirit, in the seven furlong Conditions race. My early look at this race makes me think that the only thing that can really beat Hurricane Spirit will be the extra furlong, but he's shown no evidence that he won't see it out well, and at the moment my intention is to run. He's in great form at home and he'll only improve for the experience. We don't really have anything to go with him at home, so he may as well have a bit of exercise on the racetrack!

At home, there are a few horses now coming back into work from layoffs, particularly Hucking Heat, who looks to have done really well for his break. He looks a lot stronger and he should be ready to go late January. I'm hoping he can be one who'll run up a little sequence. Other horses just returned include Foreland Sands and Hills Place, who both look to have really benefited from the time off.

The yearlings are looking pretty exciting, too - Howdigo, owned by G G Racing, who is a half brother to Rising Cross, is going well, along with my bargain buy, a colt by King's Best who is a half brother to Brave Jack. I bought him because I think a lot of Brave Jack, even though he's not been out yet. I think if Brave Jack had already run, the King's Best colt would have cost a lot more at the sales. He's a big, strong scopey colt by a decent sire, and I'm sure we'll find an owner for him soon.

The highs and lows of racing

7 December 2006

Well, this week has seen some real highs and a few disappointments, but I suppose that's racing!

As I said last week, Friday was back to Lingfield, and following a disappointing run in the early race from Monashee Prince, it was back to business as we really like it. Hurricane Spirit made his rivals look ordinary with a scintillating turn of foot to win in the style of a good horse.

The handicapper then paid him a real compliment and put him up to 102 - a rise of 22lbs! Handicap marks are fairly irrelevant at that level, though, as Hurricane Spirit will probably run in conditions races now. At the moment, it looks like Lingfield on 13 January, followed by a tilt at the Spring Cup on 24 March - a race we won last year with Kingsgate Prince. The only thing that may change the plan would be if we decided to take our chances in Dubai - or if a large offer came in!

On Saturday I went off to two meetings - first, to Sandown to watch Charlie's Double pick up a few more pounds for popping round in a big novice chase. I then decided I should just watch Kauto Star win the Tingle Creek before I set off to Kempton. I think horses like Kauto Star really only come up very occasionally, and to win like he did over two miles must put him up with some of the best jumpers ever seen. He was a joy to watch.

At Kempton, Hope Your Safe ran a little below par, having pulled too hard in the early part of the race. She's having a break now, so we'll see her in the spring, when I'm sure she'll have strengthened up enough to win a few.

Sunday we were back at Lingfield, where Fastrac Boy did too much early and didn't get home. Epineuse ran a stinker, and Rustic Gold possibly ran too free early as well - but he's certainly one to watch as he has a lovely attitude and will still improve a lot with time.

On Monday, I was at an award ceremony in London, so didn't manage to watch the races. But Smokin Joe ran okay again, and Bantry Bere wasn't disgraced, although he should definitely improve with time and a step up in trip. He's on a break now, too.

Tuesday saw us back at Kempton where Hotchpotch didn't seem to see out the mile, and Mine The Balance confirmed he didn't like the track, hanging badly throughout the race. We'll take him back to Lingfield next time.

We only have a few entries this week. Smokin Joe, Monashee Prince and James Street are in the 4.30 at Kempton, and they'll probably all run. I'd be hopeful of all three - it certainly looks like it's important not to get hemmed in on the inside there, as you need to finish down the centre of the track, and preferably not having led the field.

The only other entry is King After at Wolverhampton on Monday. We're not sure which one we'll go for yet, but he needs to step up on his last few performances to figure in these.

At home, things have gone well. The yearlings are a little jumpy (to say the least!) in this wind and rain, but all are still progressing nicely.

Today's winners brought to you by the letter 'H'...

1 December 2006

Things have gone well in the last week with wins coming from both Hucking Hill and Hurricane Spirit.

Hucking Hill really stepped things up, having been raised 7lbs, and this time from not such a good draw. He still travelled well and Brett Doyle had him ready to pounce as they came down the straight. He's gone up another 5lbs for that win, but there's not much for him for a while now.

Also on that card, Rustic Gold made his debut and, having been slowly away and running green, he was staying on in the closing stages without being knocked about. He runs again on Sunday at Lingfield, and I think will benefit from the experience.

Charlie's Double again picked up some prize money this week, finishing fourth at Newbury, and he's in again on Saturday at Sandown. Providing he jumps round, he should pick up a bit more money for his owners there. Later in the year we'll find a few races he can win once the ground improves and he's had a little more experience.

On Tuesday we went off to Lingfield with high expectations for Hurricane Spirit, and he didn't disappoint. Even with things going wrong for him, and having to make his own running, he pulled out enough without Brett Doyle having to get too serious. He runs again today (Friday 1 December), and I think we're up against it this time - we're badly in with both Fluttering Rose and Teasing - but let's hope he can step it up again.

Tuesday also saw Mine The Balance run a respectable third, and Hotchpotch getting hampered before staying on to finish fifth. They're both in next week at Kempton.

Wednesday had us back at Kempton with Bantry Bere a slightly disappointing fourth, although the race was run a little slow for us. Smokin Joe got stuck behind a wall of horses and stayed on too late, finishing seventh. He runs again at Lingfield on Monday, so hopefully we'll have a bit more luck.

James Street stepped up this week too, and despite leading - which is far from ideal at Kempton - stayed on well, only to be caught in the dying strides. Hopefully we'll find a race he can win soon.

Things have been going well in the yard, with the yearlings all progressing well. It's exciting at this time of year when we still don't really know what we've got, but I couldn't be happier with them at the moment. There's been a bit more interest in the ones still for sale, so hopefully they'll all be gone soon. They look real value for money now after seeing the foal prices at Newmarket this week - a massive 60% up! It's going to be tough buying next year!

Busy week

23 November 2006

We've had only a few runners since our last update, but it was great to see Hucking Hill win as he did at Kempton. He's in again on Saturday, and due to the way the handicapping system works, we've managed to get him in a 0-65 race again, even though he's now rated 67 - he won't be eligible again in this grade! He runs off a 7lbs higher mark than he won from last week, and the draw (3) is not so good, but I still think we have a great chance of finishing in the first three.

Fastrac Boy was not disgraced at Wolverhampton on Saturday night, and although he finished sixth, he did so from a bad draw in a race that didn't work out in our favour. In the end, he was beaten less than two lengths, and he'll surely have a chance in a similar grade as long as we get a better draw!

Papradon posted an improved effort at Kempton on Wednesday night, and we'll now see what the handicapper does before we decide if it's time for a break - he'll be a much better horse with time.

James Street ran a strange race on the same card, travelling very strongly and then hanging badly in the straight. When he eventually straightened up, the leaders had flown! He's in next week at Kempton, so hopefully things will work out better for us.

We have a number of runners coming up in the next week.

Mine The Balance is badly drawn over a mile at Kempton on Friday. He would have had a good chance, I think, with a better draw, but this makes it tough.

Rustic Gold is a newcomer of ours, running in a seven furlong maiden at Kempton at 4.20 on Saturday. At first glance, it doesn't look a great race, but I'm sure he will improve with the experience, and I never have them knocked around on their first run.

Charlie's Double is in at Newbury on Sunday, but he's unlikely to run as I suspect the ground will be too soft.

Hurricane Spirit is in the 1.20 at Lingfield on Tuesday. It looks reasonably competitive, but there won't be many runners, and ours is good. We actually won this race a couple of years ago with Kingsgate Bay. I think Hurricane Spirit will probably run, and it will have to be a good one to beat us!

Mine The Balance and Hotchpotch are in the 1.50 at Lingfield on Tuesday, though I expect it will just be Hotchpotch - Mine The Balance is in just in case we need to run after Friday.

We have a few entries at Kempton next Wednesday, but I haven't had a chance to study them yet. Bantry Bere is entered in the 4.20, while James Street and Smokin Joe both have entries in the 4.50 and the 5.50.

It's been a fairly quiet week on the yard, with the yearlings really progressing well. The American horses have now settled in, and some of the others seem like they are really getting the hang of things. Howdigo in particularly is coming along nicely - he's a half brother to Rising Cross, and is owned by G G Racing.

Another I really am pleased with is the Alzao colt, for whom I have yet to find a home - he's looking really athletic and is by a sire whom I've always liked. I'm sure he'll find an owner soon!

Keeping you informed

15 November 2006

Since Hurricane Spirit won last week we've only had a few runners, but these have all run up to my expectations.

We took three to Lingfield on Saturday. Mine The Balance ran well over seven furlongs from a bad draw, and jockey Brett Doyle certainly thinks he is capable of winning soon, maybe over a mile. Let's hope for a decent draw next time, as he's been an expensive horse to follow, and very frustrating as he works well above his mark at home.

Hotchpotch also ran well, staying on in the closing stages to finish third, and he was also starting from a poor draw that meant he went quite wide the whole way round. He too should surely win soon.

Bantry Bere was the star of the day – having opened at 40-1 in the morning, his owner was able to have a small each way bet in what was a fairly moderate race. This time we had a good draw, thank goodness – and he hung on for third!

Charlie's Double was our first runner over jumps for a while, and we set off to Cheltenham to compete in a very good novice chase. We followed this route a few years ago with Mercato and it proved to be very profitable in terms of prize money. On the whole, Charlie's Double jumped well and, together with appearance money, the owners came back nearly £2,000 better off – a great day was had by all.

On Monday it was back to Lingfield for a two-year-old maiden, and we had two runners in Hope Your Safe and Papradon. The race was run at a farcically slow pace, which suited neither of our horses, but that said, Hope Your Safe ran very well and comfortably held third without having to be given a hard time. She looks like she could win a little maiden somewhere if we can find one that's not too strong.

We have Hucking Hill at Kempton today for our Hucking Horses syndicate. He looks like he has a decent chance, although there are a couple of others who could improve for the step up in trip, particularly La Quinta, who ran well recently over five furlongs at Lingfield.

On Saturday our only probable runner is Fastrac Boy in the 5.50 at Wolverhampton. If he gets a decent draw, I would be hopeful that he'd have a chance, but he's an awkward ride in that he's fast and headstrong but only just seems to see out five furlongs. George Baker, who won on him last time, is on a two-day ban, so I'm not sure who'll ride yet, but the responsibility may be put in the hands of our apprentice, Kylie Manser. She takes off seven pounds, which may just help a bit to see him last home.

Finally, a bit of news on the yearlings – I find this such an exciting time, seeing them progress as they do. Our American contingent has now settled in, and we'll soon be getting them all backed. We've now sold two of them – the Gulch and the Petionville are now taken, leaving just two looking for suitable owners. All the earlier yearlings we bought are in light work and really progressing well. Let's hope there's one as good as Hurricane Spirit in there!