We go into tonight’s BGBF British Bred Northern Plate with two dogs in great form though you can never take anything for granted.
For King Turbo it is an attempt at a sixth Category One win and trap one is a decent draw. I don’t normally rate the red box very highly, but if he traps on terms with the two I would expect him to hold his own to the first bend and then have control of the race.
His time was pretty much on par with the others though I think it was better than the clock suggests. Basically, the Newcastle track is very well drained. It starts out fast but within a couple of races, it dries out and gets slower. They put the bowser around after his heat. If they had done it before, I think he would have been at least 20 spots quicker.
As far as King Lennon is concerned, he has struggled to get a clear run at the third bend. But we ran him at Central Park on Sunday and he ran a stormer. I realise that running him in two competitions at the same time would have had the keyboard warriors just waiting to criticise, but he went even better than I hoped.
On Monday morning he was straight off his bed and did about five laps around the paddock. He is thriving on the extra work. In fact, I am planning to run him in the first round of the British Breeders Stakes at Nottingham on Monday, which is between the Kent Derby semis and final, should he get through at Central Park.
I realise not everyone will agree with what I am doing, but I cam confident that I know my dogs. Back in the flapping days it was common that the first three races on every card were heats of a competition and the last race was the final. You could be practically certain that the final would be won quicker than the heats.
If at any stage Lennon starts to look jaded, we’ll give him a lay-off. But from what I have seen of the dog today, he is bursting to go. If he gets it right at the traps, I honestly think there is a 28.20 run in him.
I have a new expression that I am sharing with the world, ‘Happy Days’, and Tuesday was a happy day.
It was a first handlslip back after injury for Queen Beyonce following a shoulder injury. She has only just come back into the racing kennel and went very well. She will have another handslip next week and then think about a sprint trial.
We also had littermates King Louis and Queen Franklin having their first trials since injury. They both went well and clocked identical trials – 16.62.
I have taken the opportunity to pop in and see King Elvis on our trips to Newcastle. The old boy is thoroughly enjoying life at stud and is very happy with Big Ronnie Grey.
He seemed really pleased to see me, but a bit less enthusiastic when he realised that I hadn’t brought him a bitch.
It is five months since he last ran at Poole and probably four since I handslipped him and realised that he would have to go to stud. But he hasn’t done bad in that time with 16 matings.
