Miss Cato doubles up

Tuesday, 24 January 2012

Miss Cato ran out a convincing four length winner on her handicap debut to make it two wins from two runs for her owner/breeder Bert Bennett on 24 January.  She is really starting to get the hang of it and although slowly away and needing to be pushed along at one point, she showed plenty of gumption under William Carson to give the yard its third winner of the year.  Rae was on holiday in South Africa (riding something a lot slower along the Wild Coast) but listened to it live on the phone and bought champagne to celebrate.  Well done everyone.

Close but no cigar for Kickingthelilly

Sunday, 15 January 2012

Little 'Lilly' showed all her battling qualities this afternoon to finish only a short head behind odds-on favourite Boudoir at Kempton this afternoon, confirming that the horses are in great form at present.  She has run three good races now and is game as a pebble.  This time she had to make her own pace and looked well beaten when the favourite swept by, only to battle back purposefully to close the gap again.  If only her nose had been a couple of inches longer... (she does have a very small head!).  Hopefully the handicapper will not be too harsh on her as she hasn't really got the size to be lumping around a lot of lead.

Chilly start this Saturday morning

Saturday, 14 January 2012

It was the first really cold morning this winter on Saturday with a bumper visit from owners Eamonn Duggan, Paul and Paula Smith, Derek Willis and Chris and Lesley Mills.

There were only two working, the un-named Peintre Celebre three year old and first time out winner Miss Cato, who went well in their gallop up Long Hill polytrack.  It was too dark for photos first lot, so these are all second lot.  This picture shows Flynn's Boy, Poisson d'Or and Shamakat trotting by the racecourse.

It was a busy morning will all staff fully occupied with three lots. The pictures right and below are of the two year olds led by the now 19 year old Montecristo having been on a long trot up by the racecourse and returning by Southfields Round canter.

Nearly all the three year olds are back in now and it is great to see them returning looking so well and fresh from their winter breaks.

Last year's star filly, Princess of Orange, seems to have grown even more and looks fresh and ready to go.  Guilietta has gone out for a deferred winter break with one good run at Lingfield last week behind her.

First Class lives up to his name at Kempton

Thursday, 12 January 2012

Brian and Elaine Cooper's home bred Oasis Dream gelding First Class won well this afternoon at Kempton, having run a promising first race in handicap company on his previous start.  He is a horse who has shown improvement at home and, although still very laid back and green, is starting to grasp what is required.  He absolutely looks a picture at the moment and was backed down to favourite today at Kempton.  He was helped by a fast pace and the fact that he was able to tuck in and run a proper race under jockey David Probert, coming through in the last furlong to win going away.  It was certainly a good start and hopefully we will see him continue his winning ways throughout the season.  Everyone here could not be more pleased for Brian and Elaine who are owners who deserve all the success they get.

No hanging about for Miss Cato

Sunday, 01 January 2012

Bert Bennett's homebred Miss Cato, by Notnowcato, lost no time in getting 2012 off to a great start at Southwell this afternoon by winning first time out.  OK so it was not the best race in the world but she ran a great race considering how big and green she is.  Rae would have approached the race with more confidence if she had already had racecourse experience, but she showed great resilience and battling qualities to win by 1 1/4 lengths going away under jockey William Carson. She did not make the 6,000 guineas that Mr Bennett wanted at the auction afterwards and so has been retained, although she may go to the February sale at Tattersalls.   Well done Miss Cato and congratulations to Mr Bennett, his advisor Jill Lamb and Gabby who looks after her.