Getting to Deauville paid off: Our first two runners of the year both placed, with Blessing Belle fifth and Turfani second. Belle ran a decent race but didn’t decide to get serious until the last 100 meters, leaving her fifth again but beating 13 horses this time around instead of four, like last time. At least she’s consistent, and she seems to have come back fine, so we’ll look for something for her next down south. Turfani ran a very nice race to finish second in her 18-runner handicap, beaten just a neck. She also seems to have come back well, but I don’t know what we’ll do with her next. I hadn’t planned to race her in Cagnes-sur-Mer, but I may change my mind since she seems in such good form. So we start the year off with two checks, which is nice, and finish the Deauville winter season with one win and seven places from 13 starts. Flat racing now moves to Cagnes and Pau, so we have to do some serious traveling if we want to keep at it. Belle, Bay and Versaki will almost definitely have entries down south, and Turfani will let me know what she should do next. And as soon as the weather breaks, we’ll start to bring back the horses to prepare for the spring season.
Congratulations on the great start to the new year! I watched both races, including the little pre-race interview. The horses looked great. I’m so glad the trip, in such lousy weather conditions, paid off. Here’s hoping that the winnings continue!
Congratulations on the horses placings … and their checks! Definitely made the trip in bad weather worth while.
Well done Gina and your staff. On the TV; the way you were dressed; looked like the interview was from somewhere in Norway.
Turfani must have realised she had star billing, with her picture winning at Chantilly, in this months feature article on Gina Rarick in “The French Paper” and performed accordingly.
She was very well ridden on the outside, with the jockey keeping him up with the pace throughout the race. Probably needs a bit further and likewise Blessing Belle finished like a train; will be much better over 2000m or more.
Congrats on a solid start to 2010!