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MELLYS FLYER
29th July
Melly’s Flyer registered his fourth career win from just twelve starts, taking advantage of a very strong pace under the excellent Andrea Atzeni. He jumped sharply, but was able to settle off a strong pace. He’s a horse that’s clearly growing up.
It remains to be seen where he might end up, although its likely he’ll go to the Racing League next. I was particularly pleased for his owner Liam Melly who is new into racing. He’s getting an enormous amount of enjoyment out of Melly’s Flyer and I hope he can continue on this upward trajectory.
SIMULATION THEORY
17th July
Simulation Theory has been a tricky customer since day one. He does retain some ability but is particularly nerves around other horses, he’s therefore been hard to place. I found a good opportunity to make him a winner at Redcar; which he did so under Benoit de la Sayette. He travelled smoothly and despite looking a little disorganised under pressure won well. He was subsequently claimed, I wish his new connections well.
It was lovely to give Emma Banks who’s been a great supporter and friend to the yard a winner in her famous silks. Admittedly they have graced far more prestigious winners’ enclosure over the last few years, although they do say small fish are often the sweetest.
JACK THE TRUTH
6th July
Jack The Truth made it 10 not out under an excellent Callum Shepherd ride. Its hard to put into words how much I adore this horse, as he was the first yearling I ever purchased. Having had a slightly disappointing winter in Bahrain he bounced back in travelling smoothly under his favoured strong pace. He edged out to the right and never looked like getting beaten, showing an excellent attitude.His owner Jack Stephenson deserves a huge amount of credit for sticking with him, he’s a testament to everyone at Eve Lodge and I’m hoping we can get another season out of him.
COCO JACK
5th July
Coco Jack backed up in fantastic style just three days after his Beverley win. This time Benoit de la Sayette took a handy 5lb off as he had to carry a double penalty. Again, he jumped quickly from the stalls and asserted himself on the race, travelling smoothly on fast ground and picked up at the bottom of the hill to win going away. This was his most impressive performance. Admittedly it didn’t look a strong race, but he could only go and win. He’s a thoroughly likeable horse and he will now head to Goodwood for the 7f nursery.
COCO JACK
2nd July
Coco Jack took a big step forward from Haydock when winning over 7 ½ furlongs at Beverley under a positive Ben Curtis ride. He jumped cleanly from the stalls and travelled smoothly, never looking like being beaten. He relishes fast ground and has a great outlook. I’m looking forward to seeing how his season progresses. There’s every chance he will improve from this both mentally and physically. Being by Wings of Eagles he will step up in trip, however he’s showing more speed than his pedigree which is always a positive sign.
ROCKET RODNEY
1st July
Rocket Rodney won the Listed Dragon stakes in impressive style. I had been delighted with his training since Ascot and I was convinced he had improved. It was a smooth success under Dan Muscutt who knows him well. He stamped his class on the race with a furlong and a half to run winning eased down. The group 3 Molcombe is an obvious target considering he has already won at the track. He’s a the most exciting horse we’ve had since James Garfield and I’m loving having a horse of his quality in the yard again. He has some lofty targets for later in the year but all eyes are focussed on Goodwood at this stage.
MISS MULLIGAN
30th June
Miss Mulligan was outpaced badly at Lingfield on her last start, but still showed her customary battling qualities. It was my fault for running her over 10 furlongs on the All weather as it was a far too sharp. Epsom proved more suitable; she made all under a fantastic ride from Lady amateur Becky Smith to win the Ladies Derby. She jumped cleanly from the gate, Becky got her into a lovely rhythm, increasing the pace down the hill. Although only a narrow winner she looked to have the second well held.
It was particularly satisfying as this was her last ever start as she is in foal to Showcasing. I’ve every confidence she will make up into a lovely broodmare with her pedigree and a fantastic attitude. I must thank the Hanbury family for sportingly keeping her in training over the last few months.
TRIBUNA UFFIZI
29th June
Tribuna Uffizi seems to be a reformed character this season, making it two wins from three starts. He was particularly unlucky at Leicester but made up for it under a sensible ride form Luke Morris. He tracked the pace and quickened up nicely down the inside. He looks a horse that has plenty of mileage left on the clock. Congratulations to his owner Ed Williams who has always kept the faith.
TRIBUNA UFFIZI
13th June
Tribuna Uffizi has been a labour of love to say the least. He’s always shown himself to be a nice horse at home but for a multitude of reasons he’s not been able to produce it on the track. As a result I admit that there have been times when I’ve been tearing my hair over him. His owner Ed Williams has insisted we preserve so I was delighted to reward him at Windsor on Monday night. Tribuna travelled smoothly and picked smartly for the grade under Dan Muscutt winning by 2 lengths. It’s possible this could be a catalyst for him to be an improved performer.
YAHTZEE
9th June
Yahtzee is a filly I’ve always liked, she’s built like a colt and shows a huge amount of natural speed at home. She made a satisfactory debut at Lingfield however like many of mine left her first race well behind winning very comfortably at Hamilton under Paul Mulrennan. She was a little keen early on with no cover off a slow pace but powered up the hill looking like a filly to be keeping on the right side of. It's now possible she will head to the Queen Mary where she wont disgrace herself. I do see her as a Black type filly moving forward. She has scope and presence to train on and I was delighted to train a winner for my good friends, Keith Breen, Michael Walsh and Kevin Mahon.
COCO JACK
2nd June
Coco Jack is one of the best looking horses I’ve ever trained and has one of the biggest characters to go with it. His work has been steadily improving, it was therefore no surprise to see him take a significant step forward from his debut, winning under an excellent Ben Curtis ride. I’ve every confidence that he will improve as the season goes on. He’s bred to go further; although he does possess a fair amount of natural pace. Congratulations to his Owner- breeder Stuart Mcphee and Nigel Kelly and also Jack Stephenson and Nick Croxford who brought into him at the Sales
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