Weekend news from Dodlands

This prolonged dry spell is playing havoc with running plans.....

I mean, no sooner had we saw off the extended period without much rain that ran into mid November, that it feels like another dry spell has followed quickly on its' heels. Ayr groundstaff received many plaudits from trainers for their efforts in combating ground frost so that last Wednesday's fixture went ahead but further frost and lack of any rain will no doubt have left the ground riding fairly fast.

There is the odd promise of rain showers throughout the country - and in the North in particular - but probably not enough to make any dent in the underlying water table. Meaning it may be loose underfoot but good or good to firm beneath that top layer.

It is frustrating but given that nearly all horses in the Dodlands string want genuine winter ground (soft at least), runners from the yard in the short term may be at a premium. Possibly Ayr on Tuesday but we'll see.
It's a shame as most of the string are ready to race (or to re-appear), so morning exercise has had to be tailored accordingly. For example, Saturday morning work was put aside with the string (except where noted below) given a couple of canters to maintain fitness - and keep 'freshness' at bay!

Lot 1

• Stainsby Girl
• Paper Roses
• Big Bad Dream
• Eternally Yours
• Baby Ticker
• Honda Fifty

Lot 2

• Dali Mail
• Bushmill Boy
• The Boo Box
• Keyboard Gangster
• Side of the Road

Both Dali Mail and Bushmill Boy have come out of their respective races at Ayr on Wednesday in good heart. Kingy and Callum were in the saddle for a gentle 2 furlong canter to stretch their legs.

Lot 3

• Paper Promise
• Lucarno Dancer
• Onecallaway
• Danced Every Dance

Youngsters update

'Margaret', our 4yr old Yeats half sister to Eternally Yours, spent several weeks in training here during May last year and she returned to the yard a few days ago. She'll be shod next week and will start a few weeks of road work prior to joining in with the daily morning exercise.

There's a trio of horses who came back into the yard several weeks ago having been broken in by Gary Rutherford and Brian Harding. 'Mila' (Durban Thunder filly), 'Seb' (Prince Flori gelding) and 'Hill' (Mountain High gelding) were all bought at Tattersalls (Ire) last August and are having a break at present. We'll probably get cracking with these 4 year olds in February and maybe if one is forward enough, a debut in the Spring would be considered.

Another acquisition from August last year is a 4 year old filly by Shantou. She was with Gary Rutherford to complete her education before joining the yard for two weeks and is now spending a couple of months nearby to mature and strengthen

'Hope' (left), a filly by Shantou, having a short break with her pal 'Molly'