Weekend racing round-up

Several runners over the weekend (well, the weekend does start on Friday) and what a time for the yard. Four runners across Friday through Sunday and two winners!!

Stainsby Girl on Friday at Kelso and Neigh Botha makes it 7 for Dodlands' season at Musselburgh on Sunday. Read on.......

Stainsby Girl (Craig Nichol) jumps the last from Elvis Mail

 Pride of place on Friday goes to our Kelso 2 mile hurdle winner Stainsby Girl.

She faced both the 2nd and 3rd horses from her course and distance win in mid January, and also McGowan's Pass on the back of a fine 3rd place in a Class 2 event at Sandown.
No shortage of front runners but Craig was able to settle the mare on the inside, tracking McGowan's Pass who set the pace on the outer. Travelling well, Stainsby Girl move to dispute the lead 5 out and a super leap 3 out saw her go a couple of lengths clear, still going well. Craig drove the filly after 2 out, hogging the stands side rails and soon it was a duel between her and Elvis Mail, but Stainsby Girl stayed on strongly for a 3 length victory.

Another excellent ride from Craig, and the mare's faithful friend Georgina (Shiels) was delighted to lead her in.

Earlier Maid of Houxty was prominent most of the way in the 2m 6f handicap hurdle but faded out of contention in the testing conditions from 2 out. She did look fit and well in the paddock pre-race but she may have just needed this.

The conditions were even more testing by the time of the bumper, the last race on the card. Gie It Laldy weakened from the home turn as the heavy ground took its' toll. By Multiplex, he looks the type to be suited by a sounder surface.

And we rounded off a wonderful weekend when Neigh Botha won the bumper at Musselburgh on Sunday. Well.....a wonderful week really, as Stolen Money won just last Tuesday to make it 3 winners in 6 days for the yard. Craig Nichol was aboard all 3 and he added 2 more to bring his own tally to 5 in the same period.

For Musselburgh, the conditions were unusually tough with not so much the soft-ish going but a stiff Southerly breeze blowing across the track caught the runners in the home straight....twice. This put an emphasis on stamina and Craig settled Neigh Botha into second place tracking the leader Sweet Auburn who had won and been placed in two previous outings.
Turning for home over 3 furlongs out, the pace quickened but Craig rousted Neigh Botha along to chase the leader and keep within striking distance. 2 furlongs out, 3 in a line as the duo were joined by Lucinda's Scottish Wind. Craig got into the drive position and his mount stayed on well inside the final furlong to win by just over 1 length from Scottish Wind with Sweet Auburn a further 4 lengths away in 3rd.

Neigh Botha ran a little green over 2 furlongs from home but he lengthened his stride and won in the manner of a good horse. He'll be suited by a more galloping track for sure but there is no doubt that he is an extremely promising horse.

Quite overwhelming these passed few days.

Top team at Dodlands and many thanks to our representatives on the racecourse in the last week - Leah, Zoe, Shay, Georgina. And those behind the scenes at the yard - Cameron, Pinky, Connor, Joanna, Alan and Laura.
And also to Greg Aitken for last minute assistance at Kelso on Friday.

Neigh Botha (Callum) on the left