Catching up…

I see I am woefully behind in my blogging; I’ve been caught up between our own runners, helping some visiting Irish horses settle in and the French Derby and Oaks.  Skid Solo came back from his race in Maisons-Laffitte very well. I think he really needs to learn to settle this year and run more French style – meaning he has to learn to relax in midfield and finish with a kick. I still believe in him, but he doesn’t have the quality to barge along out front and stay there. We will try him next on the fibersand in Deauville, something I’ve wanted to do for a while now but the timing was never good. He will extend out to 1,500 meters, but on the synthetic track that will feel more like 1,200 for him, especially with a proper turn to encourage him to take a big breather and finish. That race is on July 1.

Versaki, meanwhile, shortens up to 1,200 meters on Wednesday in Chantilly. We have been extremely unlucky with him lately because he is in great form and is ready to win. It’s a good entry for him and he should have a chance this time (although I’ve thought that the last two times out!).

The rest of the yard have a bit of a breather until the end of the month. Hard Way, Rapsodie and Timelord all have entries on June 27 at St. Cloud, and Turfani will probably have to wait until July 3 at Longchamp. I’d rather take her up to Deauville on July 1, but her third place at St. Cloud has disqualified her from that easy handicap. George has a good entry at Compiegne on June 29; he’ll back up to 1,400 meters, which should suit him better than the 1,700 he ran last time out.

Meanwhile, I’ve been working with Con Marnane, and Irish pinhooker who is racing a few horses that didn’t sell at the breeze-ups. They will go back through the horses in training sale at St. Cloud at the end of the month. Two two-year-olds have now debuted, with one of them finishing 2nd in Lyon. They all have a couple of more races before the sales, which should add value for the ring. A lovely horse called Theyllknowmenow will race tomorrow in Compiegne. He is flying on the gallops, but needs better ground than he’s going to get. It’s been raining here, and Compiegne is always on the soft side.