You know the winter jumping game is kicking back in to action when Wetherby stage their first meeting of a new season. The going at the time of writing is good, and they are watering to maintain.
We start the new Wetherby season by running two in the extended two miles and three furlongs novice hurdle at 2.48.pm.
The ex French Trac makes his stable debut for us with Alain Cawley taking the ride, Trac has shown ability over hurdles and fences in France, probably running a personal best on his latest start over fences when last seen in June, this will be the first time he has encountered ground with good in the description.
We are also represented by Not What It Seems who will have no problem with the surface. He arrived from Ireland in October 2020 having been placed in three bumpers, and duly got off the mark for us at the first time of asking in December in a Sedgefield bumper. He was too keen on his hurdles debut at Catterick three weeks later, and paid the price when unseating at the third. He next appeared at Wetherby in March of this year, and although finishing fourth in better company he was still a shade disappointing. His latest start in April also at Wetherby in a first time hood was much better, as he finished a staying on third beaten by seven and a quarter lengths over two miles, this step up in trip will be in his favour, with Conor O'Farrell on board for the first time, with the hood retained.
Good luck to the connections, Randall Orchard & Partners, and Ryder Sugden.
TRAC. 02 February 2017. Kingsalsa-Belobaka. Owner-Randall Orchard & Partners.
They certainly start them early in France, Trac is only a four year old but has already run in six chases, finishing third on two occasions, his other seven starts to date have all been over hurdles, where he has a second place finish to his name. Trac is by Kingsala a very good source of dual purpose performers, who in his racing days was twice a Group 1 runner up, and a Group 3 winner at four. His dam finished down the field on all her three starts on the flat, her only other racecourse representative is the two times flat winner Dima, who recorded a RPR of 96.
Trac took his time to come to himself, finishing well down the field on each of his three runs over hurdles as a three year old in 2020. His chase debut also as a three year old in December at Cagnes-Sur-Mer, was also a no show. He then ran in two four year old hurdles in January and February 2021 with no hint of promise, but in March at Fontainebleau he was much improved when finishing runner up over hurdles in very soft ground over two miles and two furlongs. He was turned out quickly nine days later in Listed company at Auteuil but he pulled up. He was out again 13 days later at Fontainebleau for his second race over fences where he finished third, five and a quarter lengths off the winner. Back at the same venue only eight days later he once again filled the third spot. It was only another 12 days until we saw him again, this time back in better company at Auteuil, where he finished a respectable fifth, beaten by 17 lengths. He raced twice more for the yard of F.M.Cottin, back at Auteuil a month later he was fourth, beaten by 30 lengths, which was followed by a trip to Compiegne at the beginning of June, where after racing prominently he kept on at one pace for a four lengths fourth finish. TO BE CONTINUED. To keep up to date with all the latest happenings at Oakwood Stables, and Sharp Hill, click on 'NEWS' at www.mickyhammondracing.