Barbaro Updates: 109
updates are now here.
Update 876: Another comfortable day for Barbaro. I just spoke to Peter (6:00 pm) who had spoken to Michael, who had visited.
Update 875: A quick reminder, there is a 7 pm vigil tonight for Barbaro. Wherever you are, whatever you are doing, spare some time for Barbaro.
Sue McMullen sent this report of the Racing Post Trophy:
Trainer Peter Chapple-Hyam is enjoying great success with his two-year-olds and has much to look forward to next season as he has now added the winner of the Racing Post Trophy to his line-up. Authorized, under Frankie Dettori, was an emphatic winner of the race that always seems to throw up a very good horse and has been won three times in recent years by horses who have gone on to win the Epsom Derby.
Run on heavy ground the first three horses home were all above 20-1 in the betting market and it has to be said that the going was too soft for many who appeared to be finding conditions underfoot just too much, including favourites Eagle Mountain and Regime.
Sometimes heavy ground throws up an odd result, which is quickly discounted by form experts, but although the winner is now being described as a 'surprise victory' at 25-1, the surprise is only to those who overlooked the horse in the market and nobody told Authorized that he was a longshot and unlikely to be a maiden winner in this race. His performance was less of a surprise to the owner and trainer who knew he had the talent as he has continued to improve. Frankie Dettori tried to persuade the owner not to run as although he knew the horse didn't lack talent, he thought he needed more time to mature mentally before tackling such a big race.
The Montjeu colt proved him wrong in the nicest possible way and also vindicated Chapple-Hyam's last minute decision to let him take his chance as he was nearly withdrawn due to the testing conditions. He heads to the Dante at York, then the Epsom Derby for which he's now earned himself a quote of 12-1. For this observer, he won in spite of the ground and not because of it as he moved like a very good horse and this was no fluke victory due to heavy going.
By the way, the winning trainer, and Michael Bell (a trainer who was mentioned in yesterday's report from Sue) both worked for the same trainer many years ago. So did I. Anyone know the name of the trainer (not very likely).
Update 874: The rest of the morning at Fair Hill was reasonably uneventful. Lydia Williams was at Fair Hill taking pictures. She has contributed some pictures to this site (Lost in the Fog, Miraculous Miss etc.).
Annie (Michael Matz exercise rider) let me know how excited Eduardo was to receive his gift baskets (we were walking back from the track after our last set). Yolanda, his wife, was also thrilled. They wanted Annie to make sure to let me know to say thank you. This is yet another outcome of everyone's generosity on this site.
On the Breeders' Cup front it looks like Graham Motion will be represented by Film Maker and Better Talk Now. Both are still at Fair Hill. Michael Matz has shipped Round Pond, along with Messaging, to Keeneland (I think).
A great day for the Fair Hill International. Today is the cross country phase, always the crowd favourite.
Update 873: Another comfortable night last night for Barbaro (friday night). I saw Michael as I was walking to the track for my third set. He had heard from Dr. Richardson. Michael also noted that when he visited yesterday he took Barbaro out to graze, within five minutes had to bring him back in. I guess the wind was getting him a little excited (Barbaro, not Michael).
It is looking like a beautiful day at Fair Hill. First set was a little lighter than yesterday morning given the clear sky, but only a little lighter! For the first set I opened galloped a 2yo, in company, for three eighths of a mile. His first open gallop at Fair Hill. They went well together, and picked it up nicely down the lane. No one clocked us, and even if someone wanted to, they would not really have seen the work. The second set was a quarter mile breeze, Rocky (Holy Bull 2yo) with Grandma (one of Tim's 2yos). They went a very nice 26 and change together. Rocky has not yet learned how to carry me through the breeze. I need to hussle him a little to get him to cruise, but then when I just sit on him, he eases himself back. He's just learning. He does share some of the same characteristics as Giacomo, who is also by Holy Bull. I was talking to Steve Willard (Giacomo's exercise rider) to get a report the other day and he noted that unless you really get hold of him to gallop, he tends to hop up and down a little galloping. Well, that's Rocky too! Would be nice if he shared more characteristics with him down the road!
g'morning and thank you, Alex!
Posted by: Anna in Tx at October 21, 2006 1:20 PM