THREE RUNNERS AT RIPON ON MONDAY.
First up in the 4.05.pm is the four year old gelding Brickadank, he is a son of the Cape Cross who is the sire of the two Derby, and Arc winners Sea The Stars, and Golden Horn, his Dam stayed as far as 10 furlongs. Brickadank has raced once so far in a bumper at Newcastle lat December, when finishing forth of the seven runners, beaten 22 lengths, when weakening from over two furlongs out.He has since had wing surgery, and this will be his first flat race, in the extended one mile, and one furlong all age maiden, in which he is the only older horse, taking on six three year old's, three of which have already recorded BHA marks in the mid 70's, Paul Mulrennan takes the ride.
We have two representatives in the Amateur's race at 4.35.pm, over the extended one mile, and three furlongs. Quoteline Direct has shown that he needs this kind of trip nowadays to bring the best out in him. After two solid efforts at Beverley, he possibly found the track at Catterick a bit on the sharp side, on the good ground, but he never the less still finished third.Mondays distance, and the predicted softer surface will suit better, on this his first visit to Ripon, he also races from a career low mark of 55, Becky Smith takes the ride.
In the same race at 4.55.pm the four year old filly You Little Beauty makes her debut for us, having previously been in the care of the Ann Duffield yard. This race will provide a learning curve, and also get her to peak fitness, as she has not run since last November. Her breeding suggests that this trip will stretch her stamina, and she also has no form on a softer surface, Mr Connor Woods taking off 5lb will have his first ride for the yard.
Good luck to the connections, A & S Associates, JFW Properties Ltd, and The Golden Cuckoo.
QUOTELINE DIRECT.
28 April 2013.
Sir Percy-Queen's Pudding.
Owner-JFW Properties Ltd.
Quoteline Direct is one of our long time residents, having joined the team after being purchased at the Doncaster Breeze Up Sales back in 2015. He couldn't have made a better start to his career, as he made a winning debut at Pontefract at 22-1, a venue he would visit many more times over the years. He was highly tried in his next two races running respectably in the nursery at the Ebor meeting, and then finishing third in a conditions race at Redcar.
It took him five races to get off the mark as a three year old, at Thirsk, he actually finished second, but was later awarded the race as the winner was disqualified because of testing positive. He ended his three year old season by finishing third after being denied a clear run, on his first attempt on the All Weather at Wolverhampton.
As a four year old and now running over his optimum trip of 10 furlongs, from marks in the low 60's, he won once and was placed four times from nine starts. His golden period occurred the following year when winning twice at Pontefract, and placed a further four times, taking his rating from 62 to 75.
This past flat season he has struggled with his rating, but still made the frame on six occasions.Then in November of last year when approaching his seventh birthday it was decided that it might be worth having a spin over hurdles. Having eight flights in front of him has given him new zest, despite refusing to settle, and pulling very hard like an inexperienced two year old he finished second of 16 at Catterick. Back at the same track on New Years Day he proved that initial run wasn't a fluke by being placed, but once again he threw his chance away by taking too strong a hold.His latest run at Sedgefield was more of the same, finishing a solid third, and probably bettering the form of those Catterick runs.
Quoteline Direct has proved to be a real surprise package over hurdles, but it hasn't gone unnoticed by the handicapper who has given him a mark of 118. A novice hurdle must be there for the taking once he settles, and if he can transfer his jump form back to the flat, then we have plenty of options.