WHISPERED KISS- A WINNER AGAIN at Lingfield

Whispered Kiss recorded the second win of her career at Lingfield yesterday afternoon under an excellent ride from Shane Kelly. Drawn in stall 7 she was sent forward, as she can be keen, and got the lead within a furlong. Shane was happy to dicatate the race but Liam Keniry decided to go forward on his mount and then he proceeded to stack the field up. This caused Whispered Kiss some interference but then she managed to settle. Seeing the leader come off the rail, and feeling he had plenty of horse underneath him, Shane sent Whispered Kiss through the gap on the inside and sent her for home. He was being closed down a little in the final furlong but he had already made a race-winning move and she scored by one length.
Whispered Kiss has a great attitude to her work at home and she is always ridden by Kumbh Singh who gets on with her really well. She can be keen and take a good hold but he knows how to ride her. Once she has been exercised she loves being turned out in a pen to enjoy some fresh air and grass. She travels well to the races and takes everything in her stride.
We will see how she comes out of the race and then we will look to race her back on turf.
The photos show a delighted Kumbh Singh leading in "his" Whispered Kiss and with her in the Winner's Enclosure.

RIO RONALDO - 3rd at Windsor

Rio Ronaldo ran very well at Windsor on Monday afternoon, in a race which didn't suit his running style, to record a 3rd place position. The ground conditions were Good to Soft but the jockeys reported the ground was "proper soft" which didn't suit Rio. However, we let him take his chance as he likes the style of running at the track where fields tend to go quick in order to get a position on the rail. Rio jumped well from the stalls and James Doyle took a pull to get cover. However, on this occassion there was no pace in the race and the winner took the initiative and set good fractions to win from the front.
Rio ran on well to take 3rd spot and we were pleased with his performance. The photo shows Rio with his lad, Kumbh Singh, in the Winner's Enclosure watched on by some of the connections (Dennis Cooper, Jenny Spooner, Bill Lemon and Sandra Cobby).

KODIAC EXPRESS 3rd at Windsor

Kodiac Express ran at Windsor on the 22nd May and earned a well deserved 3rd place position given she got into a battle earlier than anticipated. She was drawn in stall1 and had previous race experince so the plan was to jump and try and make all. Although she jumped very well and got the lead she was then challenged for the rail position by Listen Alexander and got into a battle too early. It didn't cost her the race as the winner was top class but it probably cost her second position.
This was "Kodi's" third run in a novice event and she has acquitted herself really well on each occassion. However, she has come up against a hot-pot on the last two runs but hopefully we can find a maiden race for her to win!
The photo shows Kodi with her rider (Stewart Gosnell) after the race in the Winner's Enclosure.

STREET ART WINS at Yarmouth

Street Art put up a fine peformance, under an excellent ride from Hollie Doyle, to win at Yarmouth yesterday. Hollie had won on him on his previous start and had also given him a fine ride that day too. Street Art has been sent forward on his previous runs but we were happy to leave Hollie to decide what to do yesterday and with the prospect of pace in the race she got Street Art settled in the box seat just behind the pace. He travelled very well in the race, if not a little keen, and at one point it looked as though he may get boxed in on the rails, However, Hollie did not panic, looked for the opening and once it arrived pulled the horse out and galvanised him without giving him any rough treatment. He responded well to the jockey and at the furlong post he looked all over the winner.
This was the horse's second attempt on turf and on yesterday's experience we will look for other opportunities for him on galloping tracks.
The photo shows the horse out in his pen this morning enjoying a well deserved pick of grass.

KODIAC EXPRESS 3rd at Chelmsford

Kodiac Express, our sharp 2yo, ran a fine race in defeat at Chelmsford on the 8th May. She was quick away from the stalls and had clearly learnt from her first experience at Kempton. However, when nothing wanted to go forward her jockey, Jim Crowley, took the intitiative and she was used as a marker for the hot favourite, Denaar, who won with plenty in hand.
We were pleased with our filly's effort who is a very straightforward individual and has been a pleasure to train from day 1.
The photo below shows connections of the horse, the number depleted by major problems on the M25! From left to right are Alan East, Ann Graham, Peter Graham, our lad Kumbh Singh, and Gill East.

WHISPERED KISS 2nd at Wolverhampton

Whispered Kiss came 2nd on the 3rd May, beaten a short head by Carribean Spring. "Willow", as she is known in the yard, ran a great race at Wolverhampton and looked the winner 2f from home but was collared on the line by Carribean Spring. The winner outstayed us up the stright as she is more a 10f horse while the Willow only just gets the mile and didn't quite see out the trip which was 8.5f.
It was an apprentice race and Rossa Ryan, who rode our filly, felt he would have won had he kicked for home a stride sooner. He looks destined for a good careeer as a jockey as he was quick to acknoweldege he may have cost the race. It was quite refreshing to hear his comments as some jockeys are quick to blame everything and everybody apart from themselves!!
While very disappointed not to win the race the filly ran very well although it did ruin our plan to go for the hat-trick at Nottingham 9 days later.
The filly has come out of the race well and we look forward to her running again, altjhough the handicapper put her up 5lbs, inhibiting her chances of further success.