2018 HIGHLIGHTS

28-12-2018

THIS WEEK The busy festive period is upon us and what a wonderful time of year it is.  There's plenty of great racing on and we're really pleased to say that all of our horses are running well.  2018 has been another real landmark year for HWR and here's hoping that we continue on an upwards curve as we head into 2019.  So as we set sail into this New Year we'd like to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of you who has helped and supported us in making this year one of our best yet and we'd like to wish you all a very Happy New Year! 2018 HIGHLIGHTS   REPORTS THE DUBAI WAY The Dubai Way finished second at Newcastle on Saturday in a race that looked to be a great opportunity for him.  With only six runners in the race, it was always going to be a fairly tactical affair.  The lack of early pace didn’t suit him as he likes a strong gallop to help take him through the race.  He jumped well although he was a little bit careful at some of his obstacles.  They didn’t really get racing until five out and by then sadly he could never get on terms with the winner, eventually getting beaten by just over a length.  The holding ground wasn’t in his favour sadly but his day shouldn't be far away.  We will see a better horse on a less holding surface next time round. JOHNNY ROCCO Johnny Rocco lined up in the Maiden Hurdle at Market Rasen on Boxing Day to finish sixth.  He ran very well the last time out at Plumpton finishing third on his debut over hurdles so we were hopeful of further improvement here.  He’s been very slow to come to hand hut he is learning all the time.  This was another step forward where he jumped great around a track that was probably a touch too sharp for him.  With better ground, a step up in trip and a handicap down the line, this will be when he comes into his own. ROUGE VIF Rouge Vif lined up in a very hot class 2 novice at Kempton on Boxing Day where he finished a very pleasing second.  He has improved beyond recognition at home since Southwell not only physically, but also mentally he has become a much easier horse to train.  We were looking forward to running him where both the track and the ground were in his favour and it proved just that.  He was given an excellent ride by Gavin Sheehan who rode him from the front where he settled and jumped great and got into a really good rhythm.  Turning in he looked to have every chance.  After another brilliant jump at the second last it looked to be very much between him and the eventual winner, Mister Fisher.   The difference between the two being 5lbs that we had to give away to this smart Henderson trained novice.  It was so encouraging to see him staying on so well and to only get beaten by just two and a three quarter lengths. JAMMY GEORGE Jammy George finished fourth at Chepstow yesterday in the Class 4 Maiden Hurdle.  There was a lot of pace in the race which meant it sadly couldn’t go his usual way in the early stages.  Given the ground it was always going to be a proper test.  Turning in he looked to have every chance but probably just missed out on third place.  He stayed on very well to finish a good fourth in what looked to be a decent maiden hurdle.  Whatever he does over hurdles is a bonus as he is all about chasing next year. VINNIE LEWIS Vinnie Lewis ran on the same card at Chepstow yesterday in a decent handicap hurdle over 3m to finish sixth.  He never looked comfortable at any stage of the race and looked to be off the bridle most of the way round.  Although he stayed on well enough, he is definitely not himself.   A drop in class and perhaps some headgear next time will hopefully get him back on track.  He has been a good servant to the yard and owes us nothing but hopefully a drop back into the right conditions will mean he can bounce back. ENTRIES SPEEDY CARGO Speedy Cargo has been declared to line up on the card at Catterick this afternoon in the Class 4 Maiden Hurdle.  It looks a good opportunity for him having gone close last time out.  We're hopeful he can take another step forward. ZANZI WIN Zanzi Win is set to make his debut for the yard at Taunton on Sunday in the class 4 Juvenile Hurdle.  He is a new recruit from France where he has run on the flat over there some twenty times with three wins to his name.  He has been in really good form at home since he's arrived with us and we believe he is a really tough, hardy character.  He has shown he has a really good attitude so far especially in his schooling, where he has exhibited a lot of speed. ANEMOI Anemoi is all set to go to Cheltenham on New Year’s Day in the Class 1 Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle.  He has been in fantastic form at home and we look forward to running him again in this Listed contest.  He has done nothing wrong so far, in winning his two novice hurdles.  This is another step forward and a step up in trip means we will learn plenty.  Hopefully the ground will stay as it is which will be in his favour.  He's a really likeable horse and we hope he can run a big race although it does look like a tough line up on paper.