January 19th Update
This week at Surrey Racing HQ has been quiet, but that changes tomorrow with Sea Presenting’s debut in a mares-only novice hurdle at Warwick. The race, off time 12.35, is a 2m 3f event, and although Sea Presenting is facing competition from those with race experience, this outing is an important step in her education. She has previously run in a Point to Point, but the racetrack is a totally new challenge. While she’s still developing physically and won’t show her full potential for a year or more, the aim is for her to enjoy the experience and learn from it. There will be easier races ahead, and the owners, some of whom have been waiting two years, are excited to finally see their horse race.
Before next week’s newsletter we may have another runner as Surrey Lord will have an entry to Fontwell next Sunday in what will be his final bumper. However, there are plenty of options open to him and we would expect other entries into the following week as well. He’s a horse that needs a lot of work to get fit and the past few weeks have been hampered by the frozen ground.
We did consider entering Surrey Quest into the Peter Marsh, which was won by the previously vanquished Mr Vango yesterday, but felt the ground conditions would make the race very attritional and with bigger targets ahead we bypassed that. Quest will run either February 1st at Sandown or the 2nd at Musselburgh.
Surrey Noir is sound and continues to train easily although that doesn’t seem to be translated to the track although we feel that in the last 3 races the jockeys haven’t given him a real chance. However, he’s not a champion horse so we are looking for him to race in claimers, which we will hopefully win to collect prize money and to be claimed by a new owner. Tim has found a race that maybe would suit, similar conditions to the race he won at Vannes, although not the greatest race, a win would be nice! It’s on Saturday 1st at Machecoul which is southwest of Nantes, over a mile.
Another date for your diary – we have organised a visit for the owners of Surrey Moon and Surrey Shadow to see the horses in Newmarket and hear Tom’s thoughts on what lies ahead for both. It will Saturday March 8th with more details nearer the time. As we have mentioned before, our trainers are very accommodating so if you do want to visit outside of that time, take your friends/families then please do get in touch and we can arrange that for you.
No new news on the rest of the flat horses, the frozen ground has also hindered their work but at this stage it’s not really been an issue.
Good luck to all those involved in Sea Presenting, that first race is always the most anxious, let’s hope she enjoys the run and comes back home safe and well.
Possible races and events.
January
Monday 20th – Sea Presenting – Warwick – 12.35
Sunday 26th – Surrey Lord - Fontwell
Tuesday 28th – Surrey Lord - Chepstow
February
Saturday 1st – Surrey Quest – Sandown
Surrey Noir - Machecoul
Sunday 2nd – Surrey Quest – Musselburgh
Wednesday 12th – Surrey Shadow – Kempton
Wednesday 19th – Surrey Shadow – Kempton
Saturday 22nd – Surrey Quest - Newcastle
March
Saturday March 8th - Surrey Shadow/Surrey Moon @ Tom Clover stable Visit
Saturday 22th - Surrey King/Surrey Fire @ Hughie Morrison stable Visit
Saturday 29th – Surrey Shadow - Doncaster
April
Saturday 12th – Surrey Quest - Ayr