b4breeding

It was well worth the 2 hour drive to Auckland this morning to see progress on four horses that Kym and I have an interest in, one way or another.

First to go in Race 1 was Thephantomtollbooth (Real Desire x Zenterfold) the colt I bred and Lincoln Farms bought from me at last year’s yearling sales. I’ve recorded his progress through to qualifying, then a setback to recover from a bruised tendon, and now back at the workouts. Lincoln Farm’s John Street was watching today along with trainer Ray Green and they were pleased with his 2nd today. They know he has genuine speed, and it is just a matter of being patient as he develops some strength. He’s a big, handsome boy with more growing still to come.

Thephantomtollbooth at Auckland workouts 4 July 2015

The workout was won well by Mo Casino ( 2yo Bettor’s Delight x Mo Cullen) with a close go for the minors from Thephantomtollbooth, (centre) then Bert The Bookie (3yo American Ideal x Whale Watcher) on theoutside and Van Mara (2yo Lismara x Van Sera) on the inside.

Next workout featured Father Frank (2yo gelding Real Desire x Gold Return) that I bought a quarter share in after seeing him at the Christchurch yearling sales last year. He’s trained by Frank Cooney and Tate Hopkins, and this was the first time I have seen him in the flesh since the sales. My word he has grown! He’s a typical Real Desire, tall, leggy and lanky until they fill their frame, but luckily Frank and Tate know Real Desires and are happy to take their time. Driver Maurice McKendry was very pleased with the way he felt in his first run on the Alexandra Park track. He’s got a lot to learn, but that’s half the fun to watch them develop…and his close up 3rd in his first outing was a pleasant surprise.

Father Frank led out to the track by Tate Hoplins, 4 July 2015 workouts

Father Frank (on the inside) comes a close 3rd in his workout for unqualified pacers.

The other two horses I was there to see were half brother and sister Angus Fogg and Isa Smiling, from Kym’s mare Sun Isa. Both were in the same workout for trotters. Angus Fogg is a 3yo Angus Hall gelding, plenty of ability but still a couple of problems to iron out – and he was away slowly from the standing start and later broke again, trailing the other three horses by over 20 lengths. However he made up some good ground by the finish and showed a nice gait and speed when he was trotting smoothly. He’s a work in progress for Derek Balle and Owen Gillies, and being only a 3yo, there is plenty of time.

Isa Smiling, the 5yo mare by Pegasus Spur, sat third of the three main runners for all of the race except in the straight, where she pulled out and ran away to win easily. It’s a big tip o’ the hat to John Dickie, trainer, as it looks like she is on track for another serious go at the racing game, after having her first foal.

Coming down the home straight, Isa Smiling moves to the front in cruise mode and goes on to win very comfortably.

Also of interest at these workouts was the number of Real Desire 2yos making their presence felt – not just the two mentioned in this blog. So I will look into that more closely next time and post up a few more photos from the morning.