Kurakka tries to make it third time lucky at Chelmsford on Thursday
April 29
Most trainers are desperate for the weather to break, so providing us with a few of Britain’s traditional April showers, which would enable them to enjoy some of their work mornings on the grass gallops
But from a journo’s point of view, I can assure website readers that on a morning like today, borrowed from midsummer, there is no better place to watch racehorses exercise than high up on Barbury’s Sharpridge uphill all-weather strip.
A warm and pleasant 23 degrees greeted Alan’s second lot, and, while the stable’s Punchestown raider Baron Noir has completed his last piece of work and leaves for Ireland tomorrow in readiness for a tilt at Thursday’s bumper, Kurakka and Bedford, both of whom are engaged in the 10-furlong novice at Chelmsford the same evening, pleased Alan when stretching out in style at first lot.
Kurakaa (Rossa Ryan), bought for 110,000gns at last year’s Craven meeting Breeze-Up Sales at Newmarket, is a big colt with a bright future once he fills his frame, and he showed plenty of promise when finishing third to the highly-rated Bowmark at Kempton in early December, only the second race of his career.
Maybe Chelmsford’s sharp track won’t be ideal for Kurakka,, but an extra two furlongs will suit him ideally, and, though the winner, who clocked a fast time at Kempton, has since been beaten in Listed company at Newcastle, he was very much handicapped by being out on the wing in the Gosforth Park race.
Whatever Kurakka produces at Chelmsford, he remains one to keep in mind for the turf meetings this summer, and he will be qualified for a handicap mark after this race.
Bedford (Rhys Clutterbuck), was bought for 72,000gns at the same sale as was Kurakka, and, while this debut is very much looked upon as a learning curve, Alan has been pleased with what he has seen in the mornings and is looking forward to getting Bedford started.
Alan is hoping that the Punchestown executive have put plenty of water on the course as he has a high opinion of Baron Noir (Rob Thomas), who having won his bumper on his first run for us at Plumpton, then finished an encouraging third behind the unbeaten Sober Glory at Newbury.
Provided Goodwood’s ground is not too quick on Friday, Alan plans to run recent Musselburgh third Loughville in the fillies listed race, while Westerton could also be heading for the Sussex course 24 hours later.
Westerton, a 93-rated Flat horse, had three runs over hurdles during the winter but did not seem to enjoy the experience, so switching back to the Flat will hopefully rekindle his interest and give him the ideal confidence-booster. And in Hollie Doyle he has just the right pilot on top.
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