16.1.22. SUPREME ODIN had a sprint trial this week and came off with no obvious problems so Luigi will rejoin the racing strength this week, presumably in A2 where he was before he was injured but perhaps in A3 if the grader is feeling charitable!
NODUFF ARIA (pictured) finally returned to winning ways with a win in A6. Fred put himself in contention from the second bend and was effectively in the lead at the third, finally seeing off his rivals on the home straight. It will be interesting to see if this brings him on. Remember we think he is suffering from a type of SADS and is hating the Monmore Winter. It will be worth following him when the weather improves. He had a jacket on most of the day before his race which may have helped!
Now the bad news. Having badgered the Racing Office for an S1, NODUFF BELLAGIO was given exactly that on Thursday evening. It was a tougher race than we expected but Bonnie was still sent off as favourite from trap six. The going was slow which would not ordinarily be an issue. She was slow away and ran wide – both of which are not uncommon – but at the third bend she checked and had obviously sustained an injury. She dropped back and didn’t finish. It turned out to be either a torn gracilis or a torn hamstring. She is seeing an expert on Friday and we will know more then. Her prognosis ranges from a few months off to that being the end of her racing career. Updates to follow. ‘Not another one’ I hear you cry!
NODUFF DUNES reverted back to four bends this week. Mia has been missing the break. When she does so she doesn’t win as she needs to be in front at the third. You guessed it, she missed the break again this week. She flies to halfway but then downs tools if there are dogs in front of her. As I’ve said before, you know your fate with Mia before the winning line first time round!
CHASING LANDY reappeared in a tough-looking open this week but accredited himself well (as usual). Cooper missed the break and got bumped at the bend as a consequence but ran on well to go down by a narrow margin. He will now have two weeks off followed by a warm up and a tilt at the Monmore Winter Derby.
That’s our activity for this week. NODUFF IMPERIAL remains in Ireland being schooled, NODUFF FLAMINGO is still on seasonal rest, NODUFF GRAND awaits his transfer to Crayford and NODUFF HACIENDA is still on the sick list following his partial toe amputation. MUSTANG HIGHWAY is off to Ireland on Wednesday for some intensive re-schooling.