Ross Burdon is back with his ‘Diary of a Trainer’ series as the Newmarket-based handler gives us all the latest update from Sackville Stables. Read his exclusive insight ahead of this weekend’s intended runners.
Diary of a Trainer: Ross Burdon August 12th Update
A manic week looks likely for the team the this week, with entries every day, except Saturday. We start off at Nottingham, a track we have visited a few times this year, with two runners.
Beauty Generation returns to a track which he is building up a good record on, following up his win there early last month with a good third a couple of weeks ago over a slightly shorter trip than what i think is his optimum of ten furlongs.
The form of that third has been relatively held up with the winner running well at Windsor last week, while the form of his win has been well boosted with the second and fourth both winning since. Beauty Generation has been in superb form at home since then and we are hopeful for another good run, though taking on improving three year olds at this time of year is always difficult and Owen Burrows has the favourite in Diane Chasseresse, who fits that bill.
As well as Beauty Generation, stable star Mesaafi also runs at Nottingham, dropping back to the minimum trip of five furlongs after failing to stay six furlongs at Windsor on his latest start. His last two runs actually look pretty poor compared to his usual consistent form, but he has had genuine excuses in those two runs and I’m hoping the return to five furlongs and the likely fast pace will help him show his best form once more.
Forager and Grandlad both like to tear away from the front and should ensure the gallop is searching, as it was when Mesaafi won earlier in the season at Windsor. Callum Shepherd, who won on Mesaafi last year at Lingfield and was second on him at Ascot, returns to the saddle for us with usual rider Jack Mitchell unable to ride.
On Wednesday Dust Cover drops back in trip to a mile and a half after attempting two miles on his last start. After travelling supremely well up at the marathon trip, Dusty just failed to last home, looking the likeliest winner the whole way around up until the last hundred yards.
We were very happy with that run, despite the result, as Dust Cover jumped better and held his position in the field much better than he had done in his previous races, something I was keen to try and improve with the horse as it had become quite frustrating to watch him find himself at the rear of runners and then making up late headway. If the start and middle part of his race can become more professional then he shouldn’t need to make up so much ground in the latter stages of his races.
Captive Beauty, who ran such a fine race on handicap debut when second at Wolverhampton, runs on Thursday evening for owners Triple S Racing, aiming to go one better and record a first win.
After coming over from Ireland after we bought her in an online sale, Captive Beauty has done nothing but improve, leaning all the time in her home work and maturing physically as well. If we can make her a winner it would be a great result for us and a boost for our already impressive stats of picking up horses cheaply from the sales.
At the end of the week Northcliff will likely run, either at Newmarket or Epsom, and he is in superb form at home since his recent second place at Thirsk and Insuspense may make her debut for the yard and her new owners, Quest Thoroughbreds, at Southwell on Sunday afternoon. Hopefully we can get a winner on the board to make the long hours this week for the staff worthwhile!
By Ross Burdon
Please note that the information provided in this aarticle is for entertainment purposes only. We do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information provided. Any action you take upon the information on this article is strictly at your own risk, and we will not be liable for any losses and damages in connection with the use of our article. We do not encourage gambling and remind you to gamble responsibly.
18+ | BeGambleAware.org
