Saturday morning work-outs

Things are starting to hot up!
Or cool down, depending on your point of view with the drop in temperatures and a reasonable amount of rain.

Five horses in the first lot out of the yard at 7.15 am sharp and after walking and gentle trotting on the adjoining lanes, they made their way to the foot of the gallop. Each came up the gallops 3 times:

• Honda Fifty (Ryan) and Lucarno Dancer (Kingy) were paired up
• The Boo Box (Callum) worked with Danced Every Dance (Laura)
• Paper Roses (Pinky) worked on her own as we are giving her shorter, faster work

Paper Roses

The work pattern for the second lot lot was slightly different and after a medium paced gallop first time up, the four horses worked in pairs, a bit faster, for their concluding morning exercise

• Stainsby Girl (Ryan) and Paper Promise (Pinky)
• Dali Mail (Kingy) and Bushmill Boy (Callum)

Our two unraced youngsters from that second lot - Stainsby Girl and Bushmill Boy - are really starting to blossom to the delight of their work riders.

From the left - Dali Mail, Bushmill Boy, Stainsby Girl and Paper Promise

A slightly mixed bag for the remainder

• Eternally Yours (Pinky) and Big Bad Dream (Kingy) were given a couple of steady canters, as was Keyboard Gangster
• After coming up first time in a group as a trio, Baby Ticker (Laura) worked on her own at a nice pace
• Side of the Road (Ryan) and 'Jean' (Callum) worked upsides at a good pace second time

Baby Ticker leads 'Jean' (hidden) and Side of the Road

Up and coming

Fingers crossed for a few runners from the yard in the next week or so.

The going at Ayr on Thursday is currently good to soft, and the forecast rain on Wednesday & Thursday would suit us just fine.
Dali Mail is looking to make his debut over hurdles in the 2m maiden which is the first race on the card. Given the number of entries, this could be split into two divisions.
Side of the Road picked up a knock on her last race of the season, actually in January at this track, so has had a good break to recover. She has been taking more time than the rest to get fit as a result, but we're looking forward to seeing how she goes in the 2m 4f handicap hurdle at 3pm.

Next weekend, a couple are targeting Carlisle for an outing - Baby Ticker and Paper Promise but more on that next week.

 
Dali Mail (Callum) and Side of the Road (Rebecca)

And finally.......innocence of children

Donald Miller (of The Brave Lads Partnership) made it to the gallops for Lot 3 to see 'Jean', his Getaway filly, undertake a nice piece of work with Callum.
He was accompanied by his 3 year old grand-daughter Gracie, who was clearly thrilled at seeing several thoroughbreds close up. Despite her young age, Gracie is taking riding lessons every Monday afternoon - Callum has already pencilled her into the work rota for 2029.

After the horses had come up the gallop for the second time, Gracie inquired of her papa what was next.
'We'll go back down to the yard, feed 'Jean' some carrots and then see if Auntie Helen (Whillans) has made some scones' said Donald.

Gracie looked alarmed. 'Well, I hope Auntie Helen hasn't burned them........my mum burned some garlic bread yesterday and I couldn't eat it'.

For the record, coffee & tea, scones & jam, and lots of toast greeted the Dodlands Team, owners, young lady and website team post morning exercise.
Not a crumb remained!

'Jean' our Getaway filly