Perth May Meeting – 9 runners, Kelso & handicapping….

And the sun keeps shining….. and the racecourses keep watering; a lot I hope because nature is against them at present.  Perth May Meeting this week and we have nine runners declared across the two days, traditionally our last busy meeting before the summer break.  As mentioned the ground is being heavily watered so I am hoping it will be on the soft side of good otherwise we may have to rethink re one or two of the runners.

Quick recap re Kelso last week first – My Lady Elektra ran a fabulous race to be a very close 3rd, beaten a nose and a neck at the end of 3m 2f is a little galling and you have to think she would have won comfortably had she not been put up 7lb for finishing 4th (beaten 21 lengths) in a Listed Race two starts previously.  Whilst the handicapper may smugly think he has got that right this is essentially why Trainers will not support Conditions Races if they are “wrong at the weights” which results in small fields for what should be the best races.  One of many faults of our current system’s misguided efforts to maximise betting turnover at every opportunity.

So Ladylike unfortunately blundered at the second hurdle in the same race and unseated Tash, both fine which is the main thing, Lucky Soldier once again jumped erratically despite all our efforts so will now look for another career.

Five declared for the evening meeting tomorrow starting with Artic Mann in the staying handicap hurdle at 7pm, a race he won last year.  He had an excellent prep run for this at Perth’s last meeting finishing a close 3rd over an inadequate 2m 4f so he ought to go well back up in trip albeit that he is effectively 7lb higher than last year in a tight looking handicap. Bruce rides and 7 run.

Master Bricklayer makes his chasing debut in the 7.30pm, he schools well but has had a far from straightforward preparation after a frustrating 24/25 season, he has plenty of ability if you can catch him right but that isn’t easy – Bruce rides and 7 run in what looks an open race.

Beat the Retreat runs for Team Kinneston in the Conditional Jockeys Hurdle at 8.30pm, he has two ways of running so we are popping a visor on him for the first time tomorrow to help him go forward and focus at the business end of the race.  Again he has plenty of ability and ground, track & trip should all be fine for him – Dom rides and 10 run.

We are double handed in the second division of the above race at 9.00pm (too late!) including last year’s winner Not in Kansas (Joe Williamson) – she ran no race at Musselburgh last time which wasn’t ideal but this race has been the plan since then and she seems in good form at home.  Last year’s renewal had 15 runners and she won it very well so IF she can find that form again she should go very well.

Maillot Blanc (Dom) is our other runner in the race, he has been regressive on his last few starts.  I’m pretty certain I know why though we didn’t have everything sorted last time which I thought we had!  We’ve changed a few things at home again and he does seem in good order so hopefully he can turn the corner in a first time visor – 9 run.

Will be back to Perth on Thursday with four runners; Everyday Champagne (Bruce) in the 2.50, Artic Row (Dom) in the 3.21 and Bel Amigo (Bruce) and Mack the Man (Kit) in the 3.53.  More re those tomorrow hopefully….