The work routine steps up

The weather forecast for the next fortnight is quite encouraging.....fairly mild but an increased amount of rain.

The NH Season here at Dodlands is focused around November - mid May but we have resisted the impulse to commence sooner to allow racetracks to sap up some natural precipitation. That's the theory anyway, and in the last 10 days the morning exercise has included some faster work a couple of times a week for the more forward of the string.

So, first week in November? Well, there are 4 or 5 meetings in the North to choose from........

Saturday morning is one of those faster work days, and as the rota was posted The Assistant Trainer had a plethora of work riders to choose from. Joining the weekday regulars (Garry, Laura and himself), 'Pinkie', Leah, Ollie, Lewis and Shay were on hand.

The horses all went 'Up the Middle' twice with the following working in pairs just that shade faster second time up,

• Stolen Money and Paper Promise
• Big Bad Dream and Danced Every Dance
• Honda Fifty and Eternally Yours
• Our Elsie and Dali Mail

We trained Stainsby Girl slightly differently last season as she had run very freely in her bumper races. So, as an aid to helping her settle, she didn't really do any fast work but regularly completed two steadily paced canters each day. And it seemed to be effective, as in her 4th and 5th hurdle runs she was noticeably more settled, so on Saturday she tracked Our Elsie and Dali Mail and looked quite strong.
We can better judge just what impact 10 weeks at grass had had when she makes her seasonal debut.................

 
Dali Mail with Stainsby Girl in behind