Time and patience were rewarded as Brookside Richie completed his domination of the Arena Racing Company Northern Flat by landing Thursday night’s final in some style. . .
It has been a fabulous three month turnaround following a disappointing end to 2022 as Richie exited the All England Cup at the semi final stage.
Trainer Jimmy Fenwick said: “He was impeded at the traps by Starcash Henry that night but still looked likely to qualify as they came around the last bend. He suddenly faded and we knew something was wrong. I took him to (physio) Tom Peppercorn who found a damaged stopper tendon on his left leg and and also a problem with his right shoulder.
“We decided to leave him off until this competition which worked out just right in the timing.”
Richie went unbeaten through the Northern Flat decider having won his heat in 28.34, a semi in 28.33 (-10) before landing the final in 28.18.
Jimmy said: “It wasn’t a good draw but I was confident that if he could break with them, he would have the early pace to lead up and cut the bend. He just loves that long run to the bend.
“I was pleased with the 4.48 sectional and the winning time. There are a lot of dogs who can clock 28.50 at Newcastle, but the number who can break 28.20 is very much smaller.”
Brookside Richie had previously won the Juvenile Classic at Towcester for David Mullins, beating Anynamewilldo by a short head.
(*By a sad coincidence, Tom Heilbron’s runner finished with a broken hock on Thursday night but has been operated on and will eventually be rehomed as a pet.)
However, Richie’s last visit for his new trainer didn’t go so well when he was well beaten in last year’s RPGTV Juvenile. However, that run needs to be put into context.
Jimmy said: “He had come off lame in the semi final of the Blue Riband and I didn’t really have time to get him right. We also realised that we couldn’t get enough done with him in time for the Derby so we decided not to go for it. The plan was, hopefully, he would be better this year.
“You never know of course, because things can go wrong along the way, but at this stage I couldn’t be happier with him. At the moment the plan is to go for the Laurels at Perry Barr which would lead us nicely into the Derby.”
While few people would question the dog’s early pace,or the fact that he was successful there as a puppy, some might ask whether Brookside Richie fits the profile of a ‘Towcester type of dog’.
Jimmy said: “I would say that from 200-450m he is exceptional. We time the dogs on the videos at different intervals and I know he is as good as we have ever had.
“It is true that he needs to be 100% fit to see out the 500 metres, but I am confident he can do that. I think we will see a more mature and consistent dog at this age. We’ll see.”
Future plans for the kennel include an attempt at the forthcoming ARC Grand Prix at Sunderland with Coppice Psyche. She is due to trial tonight.
Then on Saturday, Jimmy will be heading down to Crayford with Golden Jacket winner Bellmore Sally as part of her preparation for the forthcoming Ladbrokes TV Trophy (8/15 April).
Jimmy said: “I want to give her a solo from the other side so she will have a 540 trial. Given her seeding (middle), there is every chance that she will draw an outside box so I plan to trial her from trap five.”
Although she is still to race beyond 714m, Jimmy is confident that Sally will see out the extra 160 metres. A week ago she trialled in 42.84 (-20) for Newcastle’s 706m trip (TR 42.79 Shellam Delarno). Very much earlier in her career, she trialled over the track’s 895m course and clocked 56.34 (-30). (TR 55.81 Aayamzabella).
