WHAT A TEAM

03-01-2020

THIS WEEK It's been a week with masses of excitement and action on the track, the horses have been running out of their skin and in many of the big races too, so we couldn't be happier, long may it continue.  So now the dust has started to settle after the festive rush and as we welcome in the new year the majority of the horses will all have a much needed quieter spell.  We'll be spring cleaning, vaccinating and doing plenty of hacking along the Ridgeway before the remainder of the season descends. Wishing you all a Very Happy New Year! REPORTS ROUGE VIF Rouge Vif lined up on Friday in the Grade 2 novices' chase over 2 miles around Kempton, a course and distance he has previous form at. With the return to positive tactics and a wind operation combined he ran an absolute belter to finish second.  There was plenty of pace on but we managed to sit just off the leader the whole way round. Bar a few novicey errors he jumped very well throughout. Jumping the last he was a length down but stayed on gamely for a very impressive second. He will now be freshened up before most likely heading to the Kingmaker at Warwick in February. BIGMARTRE Bigmartre also headed to Kempton on Friday to run in the 3 mile handicap chase. He was lining up over 3m for the first time here. There was a lot of pace on and it was hard to get a position. We had to settle for further back than ideal but he kept on with the tail of the group the whole way.   Sadly he was never able to get on terms but he ran on gamely to finish mid-division.  We will find another opportunity for him in February. DESIGNER DESTINY Designer Destiny ran on Saturday at Catterick in the mares' novices' hurdle over 2 miles. This looked a good opportunity on paper but sadly the sharp nature of the track wasn’t ideal for her.  She travelled well throughout the race but came under pressure early on before running on to finish fourth. She needs to go back around a galloping track where she should run well off a strong pace.  She now also has the option of handicaps so will be easier to place. STICK WITH BILL Stick With Bill set out on Saturday to Newbury to compete in the Grade 1 Challow hurdle over 2m4f.  This was a very hot grade 1 and by far his biggest assignment to date.  He was a little bit novicey with his jumping but warmed to the task. As they quickened up in the home straight he was outpace and could only stay on at his gallop. He did not have his conditions bit stuck to the task well and showed plenty of promise. We will drop him back into a novice under a penalty now to give him confidence on his next run. SHAFFIRE Shaffire headed back to Lingfield on Monday to line up in the all-weather 1 mile handicap after a promising 2^nd first time out for the team recently. It was a step up in class but we had to run in it given she was put up a lot in the handicap for her previous run. She settled well and looked to have every chance turning in, but ended up getting pushed very wide.  She ran well to finish 4^thand hopefully she will pick up a race of this kind before too long. SAINT CALVADOS Saint Calvados was our first runner of 2020 as he headed to Cheltenham on New Years Day to run in the Paddy Power handicap chase over 2m4f. He was lining up here in a very competitive handicap over an untried extended trip, but we felt it was the right time to try him over the added distance. He travelled through the race very well and was jumping with his normal zest. There wasn’t a lot of pace on but as the race got going he was  making up ground all the time. Gavin gave him a peach of a ride, being very patient and nurturing him into the race. He got a cracking jump at the last that put him right in to contention and from there on in it was extremely close all the way up the run in. He might as well have won the race considering it took so long to announce the result! We are delighted with the performances and he showed he stayed the trip well. He is no doubt a better horse fresh and clearly enjoys Cheltenham therefore we will likely wait to bring him back for a race at the festival. ENTRIES  VINNIE LEWIS Vinnie Lewis has been declared to run on Sunday at Plumpton in the Sussex National handicap chase over 3m4f, the same race he won 2 years ago. He was staying on last time at Sandown when it became a void race. He has been in good form at  home and with Page’s claim he is only carrying 3lb higher than when he won 2 years ago, so he should have a  good chance. Conditions should suit him being on the testing side so we are hopeful for a big run. SHEILA NASH Sheila Nash holds an entry at Ludow on Wednesday in the mares' bumper over 1m7f. She has come out of her debut run showing improvement at home. She has huge potential and hopefully she can take a step forward. She has a couple of entries and we will assess the going before making a decision where to run. She is an incredibly tough mare and wherever she goes she should run well. IN OTHER NEWS... A NEW YEAR AND AN EXCITING NEW OPPORTUNITY AWAITS AT HWR... FULL TIME RACING SECRETARY (Maternity Cover)

In this key role you will be responsible for overseeing the smooth and efficient running of the racing office, its admin and operations. The ideal candidate will have a high level of confidence to co-ordinate all aspects of the office, providing high quality administrative and organisational support. You will have excellent interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to relate well to people on all levels with sensitivity, tact and diplomacy. You will be able to remain calm under pressure and work to tight deadlines, and to demonstrate a pro-active approach to planning, delegating and prioritising work. Racing office experience or evidence of substantial secretarial and admin work in a relevant, complex organisation is absolutely essential. This is a full time position for 5 ½ days per week plus most bank holidays, as standard in the racing industry. Package includes a competitive salary with bonuses/perks, pension, RIABS and pool money. We are looking for someone to start ASAP with experience, confidence and energy to take on this key role in our business. This exciting opportunity awaits in a brilliant working environment within our young and ambitious team. As well as our commitment to training winners, we are committed to investing in our staff’s personal development through training and learning initiatives. If you have the relevant experience and passion to work in our busy office, we would love to hear from you. Please apply with your full CV to Alice Whittington – info@harrywhittington.co.uk or call 07785 908908