I see July nominations are coming up today. It is ridiculously early. Who knows what’s going to happen over the next three months? What do they want? A list of irrelevant names? Sadly, that is what they are going to get, writes Joey Ramsden.
The poor owner is already hugely stretched and now has to pay over nomination fees three months in advance in the hope that his horse will qualify.
It is like putting every team in the Premier League, the Championship, First Division and Second Division all in one and then asking who is going to win the League this season or even get into the first twenty.
It is irrelevant and meaningless so early in the game.
I have been saying for a while that we have some quite nice two year olds.
Miranda Frost proved that on Saturday and hopefully we have something really decent there. It is a nice situation to be in. All the horses seem to be in good form and it is great to be getting some racing into them.
Glen Kotzen – wouldn’t blame him for sticking two fingers up at authorities
I have to say that Durbanville does not bother me and I like running horses there. I would rather be running there than the winter course at Kenilworth.
However, we are switching this weekend’s meeting from Durbanville to Kenilworth due to the alleged outbreak of AHS which is proving, yet again, totally unmanageable.
The protocol is seriously out of kilter. It is making it very difficult for the trainers in the zone who have vaccinated. To those out of the zone and training on private facilities, like Glen Kotzen, it is an impossible situation and really is not fair.
I would not blame Glen for sticking two fingers up at the authorities as, at the moment, it is not a workable or realistic situation for anyone.
We have the CTS Emperors Palace Selct Yearling Sale in Joburg coming up so this will be a busy week. We also have The Stone Thrower running at the Vaal this week and it will be more than interesting to see how he goes.
I think he will enjoy the track as he is the sort of horse that needs to be hidden away and allowed to finish.
Sadly, we have had to take out Brutal Force (aka Fatty) for the weekend as he has had a nasty bout of colic.
Brutal Force – out with colic
We are crossing everything possible on our bodies that he is going to be ok. The vets up at Fourways Equine Clinic are doing everything possible and I am heading up there to see him.
I know our assistant in Joburg, Alson, is broken-hearted and every time I speak to him or get a text from him, I have to wring the tears from my phone.
On a positive note, it will be good to see our horses up in Joburg and it will be smashing to see our old fellow, Red Ray, once again. I am really looking forward to it.
It will be good to see Red Ray again
Our horses will be heading up to Durban soon, more than likely later this week. We gave most of our Durban string a breeze up at the Kenilworth track – nothing too strenuous as they have all been off for a while.
All went very nicely and we are ready for Senor Choice to let us know when the truck is available to take them to Durban.
The week ahead is going to be hectic. As I always say, there is no rest for the wicked.
