Trainer Ross Burdon struck again at the weekend with High Point soaring to success at Haydock. Listen to his trainer’s recent debrief and future plans, exclusively for kwiff.
Ross Burdon: High Point Strikes at Haydock
What a hardy, tough little horse High Point is. He may be barely 15 hands tall, but what he lacks in size he more than makes up for in heart. After making his debut for the yard just 13 days earlier at Doncaster, High Point travelled north again, this time to Haydock, where he contested the 1m6f handicap, stepping up a full half mile from the ten furlongs he raced over previously.
Silvestre de Sousa was very adamant after the Doncaster race that High Point would stay much further which gave us the confidence to step up in trip so dramatically. When High Point arrived at the yard I was very surprised he hadn’t ever been tried at longer distances, he had won over ten furlongs as a two year old and most horses that can stay that far as a juvenile end up over staying distances as they get older.
Ross Burdon Racing: Haydock Highs
Much like Doncaster, Silvestre took High Point straight to the front of the pack and got him into a lovely rhythm, building into a small lead before giving the horse a breather as the entered the final turn and then again building the pace as they entered the straight.
At different points of the final couple of furlongs a couple of different challengers lined up to take him on, but every time Silvestre asked for more, High Point responded, first seeing off the favourite Thosewerethedays, then, after being headed briefly by Andrew Balding’s Contacto, High Point fought back to put his nose ahead on the line.
The starting price of 18/1 was huge considering how well the horse had run on his previous start for us and it was great to be able to repay the faith of the Westminster Racing Club who sent me the horse after Kevin Philippart de Foy moved to Amo Racing. Now we know how well he stays it opens up more options for the horse heading into the winter, with Silvestre very keen to try two miles with him.
Ross Burdon Racing: Upcoming Plans
At this time of year everyone tends to have one eye on the upcoming sales, I am no different and because of this I wont be running horses unless I think they have a very good chance, it will be important to have a good recent strike rate and be in the winners coming into October while we look for new owners and horses to bring to the yard.
This week we will have only one runner, Crest of Light will have his second start for the yard on Thursday at Nottingham, where they have a valuable card including the finals of the Jockey Club Grassroots Series which takes place at Jockey Club courses throughout the year.
Ross Burdon Racing: Crest of Light
Crest of Light qualified for this race when he finished third at Carlisle on his last start for Kevin Philippart de Foy, showing he handles grass in the process having only ever ran on the all-weather before then. On his first start for us Crest was very rusty, jumping and travelling well before getting tired in the final stages at Southwell.
He has done plenty of work since then and I am looking forward to seeing an improved showing from him, although up in class the race will be very competitive and because of this he will only have a lightweight to carry, something I’m hoping on slow ground will be an advantage for us. After racing without his usual headgear last time, we will be putting the cheekpieces back on on Thursday afternoon.
By Ross Burdon
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