ON THE TRACK
by Frances de Haan
TO BE UPDATED CLOSER TO THE PUBLISH DATE. THIS IS THE ON THE TRACK UP UNTIL APRIL 23rd.* NICK TO ADD PHOTOS
The flat racing season has burst into life this month, and it’s been a thrill to see our three-year-old and older horses in action. Tryst built on her Kempton reappearance with a strong run at Wolverhampton, finishing a close second. She was unlucky not to get her head in front—jockey Luke Morris took the blame (perhaps harshly) after she clipped heels on the home bend, losing momentum at a crucial stage. The winner looked a smart type, having scored impressively at Lingfield, so Tryst may well have bumped into a good one. That said, your filly lost nothing in defeat, showing real grit to rally after trouble in running. She’s a classy operator who has been a touch unlucky so far this season, and the plan is to switch to turf next time.
Cavolo Nero also made a pleasing return at Nottingham, finishing third on his seasonal debut. He looked magnificent in the paddock, a horse who has really strengthened into his four-year-old frame. Hollie Doyle felt she may have given him slightly too much to do, but his finishing effort was impressive, storming from near the rear to clinch third, just a neck shy of second. With a clearer run on a more straightforward track, he looks primed to get back to winning ways this season.
The Frankel colt Zatsgood, a new addition to the Highclere ranks from France, continues to progress with each outing. He showed plenty of promise at Kempton on his second start of his four-year-old campaign, beaten just a length into fourth despite conceding weight to his rivals. It was encouraging to see him settle well in the hands of Billy Loughnane. There’s definite ability there, and we’re excited to see him climb the ranks in the coming weeks.
Cooltobecareless ran a solid race in the Grade 2 bumper at Aintree Racecourse on Grand National day. While it was frustrating to see him fade late on, he finished close to the warm favourite Bass Hunter, and provided a fantastic day out at one of the sport’s great meetings—a fitting finale to the jumps season. With Followcato and Carlenrig now on their holidays, attention shifts to what promises to be an exciting next season this autumn, with Sporting Gerard and Annie Glory both targeting their debuts in Highclere silks.
Our two-year-olds are coming along nicely, and it won’t be long before they hit the track. The James Ferguson-trained Sioux Nation colt Tribe and the gorgeous filly Topaz, trained by Jack Channon, look the sharpest at this stage.
Jake and Emily have also been active at the breeze-ups, securing two exciting prospects—a striking Blue Point filly who has already sold out, and more recently an X filly who…