News

"Those who know do not speak. Those who speak do not know."

Lao Tzu.

Dazinski at morning exercise

A really cold morning once again. In fact the wind goes right through you and it’s been a pleasure to get back to my new cabin which has a heater in it. There was a slight blip this morning when all the electricity went off at half past six but by a bit of good fortune and moving a few switches about I managed to get us back on. We still have no phone line which is driving us all bonkers, and we are just at the moment rigging up a broadband line from our next door neighbour in the hope that we can get back to the modern world. When Ian and I were commenting that it was a bit like Heath Robinson we got some quizzical looks from the lads who had never heard of him. That just shows you the level of education today.

Everything has been out and had a good healthy canter and things continue on the right track.

Joe The Coat

Both horses yesterday ran well without troubling the judge. Astroscarlet will come on considerably for the race as she blew for half an hour afterwards, and Eanans Bay was a bit unlucky in that he got shuffled back when following a slow one just at the important time.

We have two runners today – one at Goodwood and one at Wetherby. At Goodwood Astromagick bids to win the two-mile handicap for the second time. She ran a very sound first race at Doncaster and I am hoping for something similar today - we don’t want any more rain there though. Simon Pearce takes the ride. At Wetherby we run Akula in the 3.55. He will strip fitter for his good first run at Newton Abbot and I am sure will make a good go of trying to keep his record intact at this course.

On patrol at Exeter Ride

There are more big headlines in the Racing Post today with Eddie Ahern being banned for 10 years and his associates also being warned off. The BHA needs to get a grip on what is happening in racing at the moment with all the negative publicity we are getting, and with plenty of ongoing investigations I can assure you there will be more to come. The thing with racing is that it is a tremendous sport enjoyed by millions who love the intrigue of trying to find a winner with ground, course, form, distance etc. all have to be considered. We just don’t want a very small minority of people bringing the game into disrepute.

"The reason I talk to myself is because I'm the only one whose answers I accept."

George Garlin.

Akula ready to go out

A dull morning, but there is no wind so consequently it is not that cold. Everything has been out and either had a long or short canter on Warren Hill. We have then walked back and had a good pick of grass in the shelter and warmth of the yard.

Like Clockwork

Our runners yesterday all performed reasonably. The two-year-old, I thought, had improved from his first run and this was a way above average contest. He is sure to improve again as he was very green in the preliminaries, and Neil Callan really liked him. Joe the Coat was very unlucky not to have at least reached the frame but we now know he stays well and I hope he can fulfil the promise I have always known he has. I think I will go back in trip with My Guardian Angel. He is very genuine but I think shorter distances would be ideal.

Mares and foals being led in for the night

We have two runners today. Astroscarlet is in the first at Lingfield - she will like the ground and hopefully can start to show her ability on the turf. She will come on a lot for her first run of the year though. Eanans Bay is our other runner in the evening at Kempton. He has a terrible draw and this must be very much against him. I would be hopeful of him running a very sound race as he is in good form, looks a picture, and is much stronger in his whole being than he ever has been, but that wide draw is a problem.

Optimistic

Those of you who have ever moved house or done anything with a service provider will know how crazy I am being driven by BT at the moment. They are installing new telephones in our temporary office. All day yesterday was wasted in phone calls backwards and forwards, and this morning I have been on to them constantly from first light, but still to no avail. All we want is our usual 661434 number to be transferred which doesn’t seem to me like rocket science, but it is proving beyond anybody’s comprehension at present. For those of you trying to contact us through our normal number I apologise, but I am always available on my mobile in emergencies.

David