After a couple of days buried in the Mathematics of Sport in Groningen (north of Holland) I headed for Enghien on Saturday 20th to meet up with Marion who was racing Raurelia. (Frustratingly she hit herself and galloped again at the start.) Then down to Breteuil to prepare for a big Sunday at Elbeuf on the basis of a delicious deer dish from Teresa). Three of the four horses were in claimers (Prince Djo went, Quitus and Salima didn't) but Sierra was to have here first experience of the track in an ordinary race. She began and settled well but was put out of the race after 1000m, nearly falling, by one G G***** pulling across in front of her to avoid a breaking horse in front of him. He received an extremely friendly pat on the head from Marion after the race! So we didn't learn whether she has 'the breath'
Not unexpected news that Twilight (Mooonlight's third by Ideal de l'Iton) had missed the cut, along with several other T's, but this was more than offset by the exciting and unexpected outcome on Monday morning when Snowball was worked in Marion's presence for the first time recently.
Remember, he's Moonlight's second foal by Eclat de la Crau whose antics threatened the loss of more than his masculinity a year ago. Anyway he showed real potential finishing his fourth straignt line in the forest at impressive speed. Qualification in early July and to the races soon after hopefully. I left for Denmark in positive mood therefore which became even more positive when I heard from Marion that he had withdrawn Sierra from the 22,000 claimer he had declared her for at Vincennes on the 30th - because she had worked too well to be risked! We still don't know whether she has the breath but she appears to have the speed. She will probably race over the weekend of 10-12 July, wherever she can get in.What about Porto? He came back better than ever after his long spell according to David, but after an unlucky third at Mont St Michel developed a leg and was pulled out of his planned race at Vincennes. It was decided to send him to Valery Goetz who trains on the beach near Cabourg and also knows a bit about legs! Only problem is that Porto only behaves properly with David. At Maure de Bretagne he was therefore playing rather than working, so he was brought home to work in the forest before heading for Vichy. Drawn 3 over 2150 there he wasn't smart enough at the start and in a slow/fast race had little chance of recovering, but ran on well for 6th. Out next at Sable sur Sarthe on Monday.
And finally... Bernard plays mummy to Naomi's nice Orlando colt... he really stamps them!
