Quechua
This weekend is the second leg of the open Triple Crown and it marks the return of Spalato and Quechua, writes Gareth Pepper.
When penning this, Quechua had earlier in the morning put in a scintillating grass gallop and looks to be moving as well as I have seen him to date. He is a big hope.
Spalato – well he was super disappointing and we all have bad days. I do hope he returns to his best and I for one am willing to forgive him for having an off day. He isn’t good, he is really good and I expect him to bounce back to his best. He too has been working very well.
Also taking his place in the field is Fastnet Dragon for trainer Leslie Khoo and accomplished senior rider Alan Munro. I am expecting big things from this horse too and to date he has really impressed me. He ran a very credible third n the Derby and on his return to racing was not disgraced when runner-up to recent retiree Flax in the Commitee’s Prize last month.
It really is going to be a humdinger of a contest!
Going Home
Flax wins Gr1 Raffles Cup – on his way home to SA
Talking about Flax, he is currently in quarantine and is reported to be flying back home to South Africa in early November. He will be spending his retiremnt on Dennis and Gael Evans private farm in Palaborwa and he deserves it.
He was a star and overcome bouts of post race exhaustion which included many on course collapses after some races. I wish him well with his retirement.
Emperor Max finished seventh in The Qipco Champions Sprint run at Ascot last saturday.
I was very proud of him and thought it was a great run by the game campaigner. He was not disgraced and well done to trainer Stephen Gray for taking the chance and going over there. He returns on Wednesday and may be headed to the International Sprint in Hong Kong at the end of the year.
Time Flies
I cannot believe it already nearing the end of October.
This year has flown by and I am still so happy with the move I made.
One thing I still cannot get used to is the constant heat and humidity here. But that’s a minor thing!
I am happy to report I will be visiting home at the end of the year for a few days and I look forward to catching up with many of my friends and family too. It is a quick visit so I hope I get to see everyone because it looks like my next trip home will only be at the end of August next year for my brother Michael’s wedding.
Mick has been hard at work in the gym – apparently his wedding suit is 4 sizes too small and according to my Dad, Mick had put on some pudding!
All reports are that the weight is falling off of him and he reportedly has tried to convince my Dad to join him. But the closest he has gotten is driving past the entrance and continually blames his ongoing gout problem in one of his right toes.
I will be having stern words with him on my upcoming visit.
Till next time.
