Exodus
by
We’re rounding off the week with the customary trip north. We have 4 going, a first for me and a yard clearout (practically). It would be nice to think a couple could run well.
Indian Tomahawk and Aegeus take each other on amongst 12 others in the mile 65 handicap. Indian Tom, the more easily fancied of the 2, has a poor draw in 13. Wayne will have an awkward job charting a ground saving passage from there and getting him in contention late on. He’s canny mind you and he could just manage it. The horse is a hero and if it’s not tomorrow night he seems as if there’s plenty of life left in him. Aegeus is adequate, always adequate, adequate at home and adequate in his races. He didn’t run badly last week and is in good form but he’s starting to wind me up a bit. He’s got an OK draw and we’ll just have to see.
Alcatraz runs next in the 7f 85 handicap and he is very well in himself. He made a clown of himself the last day throwing away his chance at the start. He was eye catching thereafter and if he can get his act together early he should be competitive. I have just concentrated on getting him in to good habits at home and his conduct has been excellent, hopefully it translates.
Arc Royal runs in the last over 6f. He appeared to be completely lost over 5f the first day. He passed a few late on and all in all it was an Ok first effort for us. Normally ours build on their first run but this lad spiked a temperature 3 days after he ran and was a little under the weather across the Christmas. He’s in terrific form now, really well in himself and I’m looking forward to seeing him again and kicking on with his campaign.
This week there has been focus on the staffing issues facing the industry and however bad it is elsewhere it couldn’t be much worse than Limerick. Right now it feels like the biggest obstacle to growth and there’s no obvious solution. I have 2 unbelievable girls working for me but their preference is to work with the horses on the ground. Good riders are impossible to come by. Something will turn up, I hope.